Norton Jubilee

Hi all i am looking for a 250cc motorbike for on my L's hear in australia and spotted a 1966 Jubilee on ebay uk that runs but needs a lil work i was wondering what your veiws are on this bike and who would you recomend for international shipping of the bike?

This is the basics from another board.
John RGS
Sr BritBiker
Member # 3677

posted February 01, 2006 14:31
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Navigator
350cc
1961 - 1965

1961 Model 1961 Model 1962 De Luxe Model

Introduced at the 1960 Earls Court Show in Standard and De Luxe versions, the Navigator is a larger version of the Jubilee, easily recognised by the Roadholder forks and an 8" Dominator front brake.

It had revised frame geometry for extra strength and a cylinder block cast in one piece, compared with the Jubilee's two separate castings; although both models had two part cylinder heads.

Early versions had a two tone paint job, dove grey / black on the De Luxe and dove grey / blue on the Standard. From October 1962, the Standard's colour options were changed to black and polychromatic blue, black seats with white piping were fitted, and after the move to Plumstead in 1963, production of the De Luxe ceased at the end of that year. Wider front forks were fitted and a steering lock, before the last Navigator came off the production line in 1965.

The top speed is just under 90 m.p.h. with petrol consumption in the mid '50s or better.

Jubilee

There's a good following for the lightweight twins in the Norton Owners Club England. Very few of these in the US and they never were popular here. The last of this line was the Electra (400cc with electic start). Phil Radford's quote for the lightweights - "another nail in Norton's cofffin". As all old machines, it's a matter of your own taste.

You'll have a terrible time finding parts. It wasn't a runaway best-seller - even in the UK, they were quite scarce.

The real "gotcha" is that it really isn't a Norton, despite the badge on the tank. The frame is an odd mixture of pressed steel and brazed tube, and it certainly wasn't one of Norton's better structural designs. I've ridden one a couple of times, when I was working at N-V. The engine was a bit of a gutless wonder, particularly compared to the contemporary Honda and Yamaha 250's. It didn't seem to have much more poke than a Villers 9E.

If you're looking for an old, cheap bike for the L-plate years, IMO, you'd be better off with either an old Villiers-powered bike (maybe a Greeves, if you want something interesting) or one of the early 70's rice burners.

B&G

May I suggest another suitable classic? Find a clean '67-'70 Bultaco Metralla or Mercurio; a Montessa or Ossa may also be a good choice. They're light, fast, fun and relatively cheap to fix. They handle good and have excellent drum brakes (as compared to Brit Bikes of the era). Yes they are smokers but the synthetic oils of today keep it to a minimum.
You may start your search with Club Bultaco, an Australian group (do a Google) that is the equivalent to the US SMOG. I'll see if I can get some contact info for you if your interested.

Scooter