Norton Trivia

swooshdave · Aug 8, 2011

I've seen a lot of trivia question used over the years a club events or other such stuff. Post your favorite ones.

I'll start:

The first production electric start English motorcycle was the __________?

What was the second?

prmurat · Aug 8, 2011

1/400 ES Norton
I am at loss for the 2nd...easy answer would be in between the T160 and the Commando MKIII...but I am sure there is something else..
Philippe

L.A.B. · Aug 8, 2011

prmurat said:
1/400 ES Norton
I am at loss for the 2nd...easy answer would be in between the T160 and the Commando MKIII...but I am sure there is something else..
Philippe

None of those would be correct, as the ES400 Electra wasn't the first.

grandpaul · Aug 8, 2011

I think the first e-start was back in the 40s, no?

grandpaul · Aug 8, 2011

1914 Indian.

L.A.B. · Aug 8, 2011

grandpaul said:
1914 Indian.

I don't think any 1914 Indians were built in England?

However, if we exclude such machines as the Triumph Tigress, BSA Sunbeam, Velocette Viceroy and DKR Defiant because they're scooters and not motorcycles then that would still leave the Villiers powered DMW Deemster, Ambassador Electra 75, and DKW Dolomite which had Siba Dynastart starters (Deemster deLuxe) and all of which predate the 1963 Norton ES400 Electra, the Dolomite by 9 years-however because Villiers sold their engines by the thousand to anyone and everyone-including countless English/British 2-stroke motorcycle manufacturers, I think it would be almost impossible to say which manufacturer built the first (or second) electric start production motorcycle and it might not even have been Villiers powered.

"The ‘Dolomite’, a development of the ‘Cortina’ was launched in 1954. It had Metal Profiles ‘Earles’ type front forks and an electric starter using the Siba Dynastart system. The top speed was around 72m.p.h. It sold for £240."

...the 'Deemster', also a cross between a motorcycle and scooter, was launched in 1962. It had a Villiers 249c.c. twin-cylinder two- stroke engine, with electric or kick start, and like the 'Bambi' was built around a number of steel pressings. There were Standard and DeLuxe models, which were fitted with a Villiers 4-speed gearbox. The DeLuxe version included a Siba Dynastart electric starter.

Electra 75 1961-64, Villiers 2T 249cc (1958-63), 4T 249cc (1964), 2 stroke, 4 speed, 318lbs
Basically a Super S model fitted with a Siba Electric Start mechanism.

I think the Excelsior Talisman Twin also had the Siba Dynastart.

Olephart · Aug 8, 2011

What's the rarest model Norton?

wombatsrus · Aug 8, 2011

Whats the rarest model Nortons.

It's always the one I'm trying to buy......!

How are you Mike?

Tony

swooshdave · Aug 8, 2011

I want LAB to provide a question that will stump the masses. :mrgreen:

Rohan · Aug 8, 2011

Olephart said:
What's the rarest model Norton?

Easy - the v-twin model that Rem Fowler won the twin cylinder class of the IoM with in 1907.

The one in the National MC Museum in Brum is now a replica of a replica....

Rohan · Aug 8, 2011

New trivia question.

Engine code 13 is on what model of twin cylinder Norton ? (postwar)

Olephart · Aug 9, 2011

wombatsrus said:
Whats the rarest model Nortons.

Click to expand...

It's always the one I'm trying to buy......!

How are you Mike?

Tony

I've been struggling with Meniere's disease Tony, I got a sinus infection and caused fluid to accumulate in a little tube in my ear and I wound up in the hospital for a couple days...again. Started feeling better yesterday and have had fun reading the forum posts. And I love trivia!

Thanks for asking! How bout you?

Mike

wombatsrus · Aug 9, 2011

Mike:

Sorry to hear that mate. Hope things get better!

Tony

Olephart · Aug 9, 2011

swooshdave said:
I want LAB to provide a question that will stump the masses. :mrgreen:

I'm glad you brought that up. Never mind this dude's depth and width but the amount of instant and accurate information blows the wee bit of brain mass I have remaining. :shock: :shock: The fact that you take time to share it is commendable. 8) I really enjoy the pics of motorcycles that I've never seen before. Good job, my friend.

And Thanks Tony. Have you found a footpeg/peddle assembly? I might could find one, I have a friend that has a stash of parts. He does think alot of his stuff, though. He's a local Honda mechanic that was an apprentice in my shop many moons ago - could hook you guys up if you like.

Mike

BillT · Aug 9, 2011

Rohan said:
New trivia question.

Engine code 13 is on what model of twin cylinder Norton ? (postwar)

Engine code 13 is for the model 50, which was a 348cc single, built in the '30s and from '56 to '63. These were featherbed-framed models in their last 5 years, and a main source of Triton chassis. I think when AMC moved Norton production, they changed the model 50 engine code to '50' rather than 13.

Rohan · Aug 9, 2011

BillT said:
Engine code 13 is for the model 50, .

Nope. You've totally skipped over the twin cylinder Dominator version of engine code 13.
And prewar, there were no engine codes. Well, not many, and none for the then Model 50.

Cheers.

AussieCombat · Aug 9, 2011

# 4... According to Paul Dunstalls book on tuning tips for Norton twins....
Gee I hope this is right because I don't have the book anymore.
What is the main advantage of useing a 2 into 1 exhaust system.
SEE.. Norton Trivia Answers.
AC.

Olephart · Aug 10, 2011

Who and where was the first American dealer/importer of Nortons? I don't know the answer, just wondering if anybody did.

Mike

Rohan · Aug 10, 2011

Olephart said:
Who and where was the first American dealer/importer of Nortons? I don't know the answer, just wondering if anybody did. Mike

Probably the Indian Sales Corporation.
Funny answer I know, but brochures for early postwar Nortons with their name on the bottom appear on ebay now and then, and I've not seen anything earlier.
But not been watching closely...
A British firm had gained control of Indian through some financial finagling in the 1940s, and some funny deals followed. 1950s though (?). Vincents also were part of the sales push.

Some Norton Inters appeared at Daytona in the late 1940s - and won. Francis Beart was the English side of things, at the request of Nortons, but was a Canadian or US Dealer behind the US side of things ? That line might show the Dealer the answer of your question.

Rohan · Aug 14, 2011

Looks like we have an answer, for the 1940s anyway. Canadian.

http://i.ebayimg.com/06/!B-N3eTgCGk~$(K ... ~~0_12.JPG

And by 1952, the Indian Sales Corporation was involved
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqR,!k4E2D ... ~~0_12.JPG

Norton Trivia

swooshdave

prmurat

L.A.B.

Moderator

grandpaul

grandpaul

L.A.B.

Moderator

Olephart

wombatsrus

swooshdave

Rohan

Rohan

Olephart

wombatsrus

Olephart

BillT

Rohan

AussieCombat

Olephart

Rohan

Rohan

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