Norton "76" (2013)

Time Warp said:
It is hard to believe then that NVT chose the 35 mm Paoli fork over the 38 mm Ceriani.
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Since this was built as a one off, the question is did they cost out all that from the manufacturers - or strip what was available in the bike park or someones garage ? !!
 
Time Warp said:
I was talking about real motorcycles not commuters to get the east mobile.
Motorcycles like the Z1 - CB750 - GS750/1000 etc that could do a lap of Australia or circumnavigate the lower 48 with reliability.
Motorcycles that attracted a new mass that was not stuck in the 1960's.
Click to expand...

This little 1959 jigger would have done the circumnavigation or the 48 lower states, albeit not real speedy like. !?
It was H*ndas showpiece export model in 1959.
And demonstrated that Honda already knew and had the quality and reliability to get sales in moribund marketplace.
One press of that leccy start button, and you knew from that willing little engine you were not "stuck in the 1960s".
And it wasn't even 1960 yet. Although I didn't meet it until about 1980ish, post Commando ownership.
It sounds silly, but it had quite a big bike feel to it, for such a tiddler...

But I guess you are dazzled by the 4 cylinder multitudes, not the prior bikes that lead up to them...
 
The article says that they used Paoli forks as they were already using the company for the stainless mudguards. I have the impression that this was more a styling exercise than a tested, costed attempt to update the machine.

There appears to have been a problem with supply of the Commando forks and they would have needed re-tooling to use an alternative caliper so they went to the nearest, quickest source.

The yokes look to have less offset than the Norton forks so the longer wheelbase is presumably caused by longer legs. I'm surprised that they didn't drop the yokes down. The last thing that I'd want to do with a Commando is make the front end sit higher.
 
And yet Commando stainless mudguards won't fit Paoli forks.
Maybe their credit was still good there....
 
Bwolfie, man that photo took me back many years. Thanks for that.

At that time I had a 72 BSA lightning, and was dead keen to get the "76". At that age (19) I was dead keen to get one of those and postponed buying a Norton as the delivery dates were up in the air. All came to nothing.

2 years later (1978) I got a used Commando, still got it. Still love it. Called it the Krait. Some aussies will make the connection between Krait and commando's.

To those who dont like the styling, be more tolerant of others views. Both opinions are equally valid. Different strokes for different folks. I dont like Harleys, but millions of others do. There is no "correct answer"

Be a boring old world if everyone was the same. Technical issues aside, I quite liked the styling as much as I do my Fastback.

Thaks Bwolfie for the photo.

Bradley
 
I had never seen it before. Just stumbled upon it. I also like the looks, kind of the evolution for the times.

I am also not a fan of Harleys, despite my mortgage being paid for by them.

It's cool seeing little bits of the past, and for me a year before I was born. As with many things I was born too late. Shelby Cobra being another.
 
As the designer of the Norton 76 I have only just found this conversation. I purposely designed the tank the shape to reduce the distance between the knees and because of the better fuel economy with the SU Carb the volume of the tank could be reduced from 5 to 4 gallons. The cast wheels I found in Italy and were being done for BMW but the suppliers was prepared to supply them to other companies. The Brake system was by Brembo, the forks were by Paoli as the mudguards/fenders. The air box and silencers/mufflers was as the 75MY as required regulations. The font chosen was done to avoid possible Trade Mark protection action.j
 
Welcome to the Forum sir. We all would love to hear any and all war stories you have.
 
Wow jfavill, I see you've been a forum member for 11 years and this is your 1st post. This makes me wonder how many other people here spent some time working for Norton or had some part in things related. I enjoy hearing from the one I know of and for one would love to hear any tidbits you would care to share. Maybe a " Tales from the factory floor" thread? Thanks for your insight, Glenn T.S.
 
John, thanks for your posting. Do you remember what rake & trail was used on the '76? Also, what fuel was required for the fairly high c.r.
Martyn.
 
Indeed, welcome here John.
It would be interesting to hear more of your memories of those times,
and the ins-and-outs of why the 76 didn't go ahead.
And where it went after your involvement with it ?

I'm fairly sure those wheels are only used by Guzzi and possibly some Benellis,
they didn't appear on any BMs with that cast spoking pattern. (?).
I have a crash-tested one here and can confirm they are fairly strong.
And also a bit heavy, a long way from those (trouble prone) Ducati cast magnesium ones.
Cheers.
 
Not sure if this is proper, but I found this link.

Norton 76 | Norton Owners Club

www.nortonownersclub.org www.nortonownersclub.org

Interesting how there was more than 1 built and apparently outside of Norton or at least it's trademark.
The reason for the block lettering. Not sure how all those legalities.
Interesting non the less.
 
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