Noticed Harley Owners Like Your Norton?

Hobot · Jul 27, 2012

Wes and I also notice they tend to have women hanging around as part of the possing, while we hardly ever do ...

I was half way adopted half in-voluntary by the Hard-ass 1%'r Harley club, even in penny loafers, polyester slacks and slide rule holster plus pencil-pen shirt pocket, d/t how freaking bad ass my drag pipe P!! Norton was. Drugs and revenge and rough women sort of life style - I eased away from as I quickly evolved into a long hair hippie freak sort into pyschodelics and loving women... Moral of story is its just as well to be ignored by some cliques. Ah the days motorcyles were more dangerous than the friendlest act among strangers. So many Harleys out here its 50-50 weather we wave on passing. Sometimes I hold feet out boot bottoms forward as a group approaches or I over take a clump of em, for the double takes.

Brooking 850 · Jul 27, 2012

Here in New Zealand, the younger 'gang members' on HD's very rarely acknowledge the Norton, as in recently on a Toy Run, heaps of different types of bikes and trikes, everyone one looking at each others rides, the only guys that didn't assimilate with the rest were a group of HD riders (see gang) and didn't once talk to the rest of the group of 150.
The only time mine get acknowledged is when there is a guy gassing up his HD on his own , but very rare, ususally to say his dad or uncle owned one!!!
Still fun to pass them on the outside in the twisties of NZ !!!!
Regards Mike

Hobot · Jul 27, 2012

In Texas at Lake of the Pines rally, its only a Norton club because of the ready made international club structure but conists of all era's of all the world motorcycles. Its a close packed camping event under trees and there is a traditional Harley spot about in the mist of it all but they blend right in getting off on everyone's craft. But on the other hand that's the area that's up at all hours hooting and hollaring men and women both, while doing stuff like burn outs against a tree on a board lubed by beer. All bikes welcomed in wild abandon. Sometimes it cool to be noticed by some HD cliques. This is a must do annual mecca for Comstock but he just blends in with the milder British circles. Maybe this year I'll let Trixie's hair out on that tree with em.

Powereng03 · Jul 27, 2012

Here at work, one of my supervisors seen my screen background picture of my bike and said " Nice Girls Bike". So I commented that when I bring it out to work, we will see about that, and oh, by the way, does your banana yellow Suzuki have a banana seat?? He didn't like that too much, and a few days later, I brought it to work on day shift. He was looking it over and commenting how nice of a job I did on the restoration. I turned on the key and told him, "you have 5 kicks to get it started and if you do, then you can call it a girls bike". He had no luck with the 5, so I showed him how to start it. Of course, 1 kick!!! A few of the biker types here were laughing at him and as he walked away, he still called it a girls bike. So I asked him where his was, and he walked away!!! I responded "Nice vee-dub ya got there!!!"

I've had lots of people stop/slow down for a better peak. Had a crotch rocket go by at at-least 180kph in a 100kph zone, seen the front end of his bike dive, then drew up beside me for a better look! Thumbs up, and off he went. I think the younger guys just don't know about the wave thing!!! some do, many don't.

Foxy · Jul 27, 2012

I also own a Harley and must admit I'm passionate about Norton's, aswell as most things mechanical! Picture below is of my Harley amongst Nortons at the Bay to Birdwood run Adelaide, South Australia 2010

Hobot · Jul 27, 2012

Powereng03m got off on you getting off at expense of the unknowing. Next time ya might add that thumb commensors are known to lower ones iQ.

bwolfie · Jul 27, 2012

Now that's a Harley!! That is a fine example of American engineering lovingly restored and cherished. And I think most would agree that we would all like to have one of those. Anything with side valves are cool. These Harleys today are nothing more than cookie cutter overpriced paperweights.

Mark · Jul 27, 2012

You meticulously scrub those whitewalls spotless, clean all of the oil off of your chain until it shines,
and then just throw your helmet in the dirt?

I just don't understand the contempt that HD owners have for helmets.

Foxy · Jul 28, 2012

Mark said:
You meticulously scrub those whitewalls spotless, clean all of the oil off of your chain until it shines,
and then just throw your helmet in the dirt?

I just don't understand the contempt that HD owners have for helmets.

Gday Mark, funny you should mention that as thats not my helmet! It belongs to one of the Norton riders, my black helmet is on my arm so as not to get scratched or sprout legs! :wink:

Foxy · Jul 28, 2012

bwolfie said:
Now that's a Harley!! That is a fine example of American engineering lovingly restored and cherished. And I think most would agree that we would all like to have one of those. Anything with side valves are cool. These Harleys today are nothing more than cookie cutter overpriced paperweights.

G'day Woulfie, thanks for the compliment, glad you appreciate machines of varying breeds and can recognise the effort taken!
regards foxy

rvich · Jul 28, 2012

Foxy,
Beautiful bike. Just curious, what does it weigh? So do you notice that Norton owners like your Harley? I'm guessing so. You should do a pictorial and bit of a tour in the Other Classics section here.

Russ

Guido · Jul 28, 2012

I was riding in Old Sacramento, it's a part of sacramento preserved to what it looked like during the horse and buggy days.
There are saloons and shops and in front of the saloons there are lines of Harleys and their riders sitting at table on the boardwalk when one guy jumps up and runs over to me and asks, "What year is that?"
I say, '74. He asks, "What CC's". I tell him, 850. He nods, turns and goes back to his buddies.
Was I being sized up or was he in a argument with one of his buddies on whether it was a 750 or 850 Norton on a beer bet.
Either way I thought it was cool. I like riding thru Old Sac and getting the finger pointings and the "cool nods" like "I remember those".

Foxy · Jul 29, 2012

rvich said:
Foxy,
Beautiful bike. Just curious, what does it weigh? So do you notice that Norton owners like your Harley? I'm guessing so. You should do a pictorial and bit of a tour in the Other Classics section here.

Russ

Gday Russ, I have posted a brief story plus pics so hopefully this link works?
post35729.html?hilit=wla#p35729
As far as it weighs, not sure but its over engineered and feels heavy but extremely stable.
regards foxy

Hobot · Jul 29, 2012

Delicious ole Harley, reminds me of big ole Indian Chief I got to play on an off road on, with LH throttle to free up R trigger finger and found to be rather capable for hwy cruise to off road flying leaps like they showed in WWiI films testing these old things in glee. Thanx for the flash backs.

Look at general specs here [45 cid = ~750 cc]
http://www.autogallery.org.ru/m/hdwla42.htm
Weight (fuelled): 257kg (550 lb, gross - 765 lb) Engine weight: 114 lb

willy mac · Jul 30, 2012

Can't really comment on Harley Rider antics but I can defend the so called "Jap Crap"! As an owner of both Brit (JPN+TRITON)and Jap machines (GS 1000 S + XJR1300) each has their own equal attraction as I'm sure Harley Owners feel too, the diference being is I don't pretend that my machine is "The King of the Road" as some (Not all )Harley riders seem to think they are. One of the earlier comments about a group complaining the road was too twisty made me laugh, and as for someone trying to make one look like a "Cafe Racer"!!!!!!!!! I think a certain TV show about a feuding Father and Son company in Orange County may have something to do with the new generation of "HOG" Owners?

kevbo82 · Jul 30, 2012

willy mac said:
Can't really comment on Harley Rider antics but I can defend the so called "Jap Crap"! As an owner of both Brit (JPN+TRITON)and Jap machines (GS 1000 S + XJR1300) each has their own equal attraction as I'm sure Harley Owners feel too, the diference being is I don't pretend that my machine is "The King of the Road" as some (Not all )Harley riders seem to think they are. One of the earlier comments about a group complaining the road was too twisty made me laugh, and as for someone trying to make one look like a "Cafe Racer"!!!!!!!!! I think a certain TV show about a feuding Father and Son company in Orange County may have something to do with the new generation of "HOG" Owners?

it's amazing to me that people get so caught up in this crap! why can't we all just get along! :lol: i can appreciate anything, doesn't mean i have to like it or own it. i have much more respect for people who at least understand that there is more than what they own or like. I used to kill muscle cars in my mazda and people thought i put $10k in parts to make it that fast, but it was stock. just ignorant to whats available in the world i guess.

Snorton74 · Jul 30, 2012

I was up in Tacoma, Washington on cinco de mayo to see Van Halen. So me and my friends go to this bar beforehand and I'm wearing this Norton hoodie. Immediately this hot bartender notices it and says "I love Norton motorcycles, let me buy ya a shot". She reaches for the bottle of Jameson, and the guy next to me says "Leave it to a Norton guy to steal the show." ??? I said "Why's that?" he says "I was just talkin to her about my Harley, and Sturgis, and you show up and it's like I disappeared." I said "you know women are upgrade programmed", and laughed. I don't think he got it.

House · Jul 30, 2012

Got a Harley and Triumph guy in my neighborhood that are completely nuts. They are always coming in to my shop and fawning over my Norton. "Why don't you quit screwing around and get it running!?" they say. "all you do is dump money into that thing" they say.

Oh wait... That just me talking to myself.

drones76 · Jul 31, 2012

Out for a ride last weekend. I took the bike to visit it's previous owner now that it is roadworthy. On the way back, we get behind a Harley and a Honda Shadow riding together. A few miles down the road, the Harley dude is flailing his arms at his buddy and they take a hard right into a parking lot. i soon notice that my riding buddy is no longer behind me. I circle around a large block and find all three of them waiting....to see the Norton. The Harley guy was actually waving at me to pull in so he could get a look at it. We had a nice little chat on the side of the road. Good dudes that appreciated all kinds of bikes. They spent a few minutes checking out my friend's '79 Honda XL 500 thumper dual sport. Those are the guys I like to talk to.

I know I have one of the coolest bikes ever made but I also ride an '80 Goldwing full dresser. Two different bikes that serve two totally different purposes.

SierrasCafe530 · Jul 31, 2012

Norton's get everyone's attention! No matter where I go, she's always the bell of the ball...

Noticed Harley Owners Like Your Norton?

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