Big Chief . Big 4 .

Hard times come again no more . ?



"In 1921, James Lansdowne Norton, Founder of Norton Motorcycles, went to South Africa on the advice of his doctor. He was 52 years old, his Rheumatism was crippling him and his, as yet undiagnosed, cancer was killing him.

He decided to visit his brother Harry in Durban and took his beloved 633cc Big Four motorcycle and sidecar with him. Despite his failing health, this incredible man decided to research the "colonial market" by embarking on a motorcycle journey that took him 3000 miles through the heart of South Africa. During this expedition he battled intense heat, torrential rains and 35 swollen rivers. He climbed incredibly steep hills and took his motorcycle to hitherto unreached altitudes. Often he resorted to wrapping a bicycle chain around his rear wheel to get enough grip! On his return to England this epic journey was hailed as the greatest motorcycle endurance test ever made.."

Think Pa would have needed a tow rope to get out of that one.
Don't think he stopped just to pose for the camera ?!

Matt Spencer said:

On his return to England this epic journey was hailed as the greatest motorcycle endurance test ever made.."

Click to expand...

The greatest endurance test ever ??
Not to take away from a tough ride - but there are accounts of folks riding across whole continents 20 years earlier. No roads, just wagon or horse trails.
And buying gasoline from drug stores and supply stores. Or carrying your own...

Very Cool, I wonder what kind of heat he was packing with him?

Rohan said:

Not to take away from a tough ride - but there are accounts of folks riding across whole continents 20 years earlier.

Click to expand...

Yes, but did any of them go by the name "Pa Norton"?

The African Journey

At 54 years of age, during the winter of 1921–1922, Norton decided to visit his brother Harry in Durban (South Africa) and then ride his 633cc Big Four with sidecar on 3000-mile trip to all of South Africa’s major cities.

It was a particularly severe rain season and Norton had to cross rivers in flood and take many detours because numerous bridges had been swept away. The back wheel of the Big Four needed to be dug out of the mud on many occasions but the motorcycle kept on going. The only damage sustained was to a sidecar connection bolt. Norton refused to give up and take the train back. He arrived back in Cape Town to a hero’s reception and well on time to catch the steamer home to England.

This journey was a huge success and seen as a great reliability test trial for the Standard Big Four and De Luxe Side car.[7]