I found out that Dreer's new Norton 996 Commando is out of business. I just called to see if I would be getting back my deposit, but they're not taking calls right now. What a shame; that was a beautiful bike, and I was looking forward to mine.
New Norton I just got a call from Kenny Dreer about the new Norton, and he said that it's over. He spent about twenty five miniutes talking about the major investor bailing on him and that he's been replaced as CEO, although he is still on the board, and the amount of money that should have been there (about 50 million and about five years) and he's now out shopping for more investors ( but he said that the bike most likley, will never come). His tooliing and subcontrators are about 3/4 of the way to production, but NO bikes exist right now. He's tried some British sources, some Italian and even Asian sources, but he hasn't gotten any support. I gave him a few names to contact, one of them is an investment capitalist that my son knows pretty well (he gets to use his Ferrari Enzo ever few months), who is deep in motorsports. The guy (Dreer) is a very sincere and honest guy, and he said that he will try to return everyone's deposits, but it may take some time. So, if anyone has about 20-30 million laying around doing nothing, call Kenny Dreer, he could use it. CP Miller
After all the efforts it's kinda hard to believe it's going away. I am sitting here staring at the current issue of Cycle World, not really sure it's sinking in. Of all the start ups, I thought he would make it. It shows the scope of startng a Motorcycle Manufacturing Co. is simply ginormous!!
What a gut wrenching piece of news,perhaps John Bloor would like to resurrect another Brit. motorcycle name.Good luck to Kenny.Ride safely James.
How Sad! Never had the pleasure of meeting the man but I heart goes out to him.. I had just printed out the order form and emailed for instructions, but I see that the web site is void of any purchase section now.. ( The Times Online has a story suggesting it's over and that maybe Triumph will try to aquire the name rights.. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/artic ... _1,00.html ????????? oh my! Hey Doc, any idea where the VR880 tanks came from? I would love to put one on the 72! Unity Equipe's 3 gal manx tank looks almost correct.. Thank you! And my fingers are crossed for Kenny \X//
The original Sprint Special body work on the cover of Cycle World, 'She's Back, Sep, 1999 was fabbed by Evan Wilcox. Kenny made a mold of it then made an interior bladder and had it covered with a fiberglass skin. However he also went to an oil in frame mod that had the oil fill just below the triple trees which needed a cut out from the tank. So any tank from from Kenny will have excessive clearance at the neck. Google Evan Wilcox and you will see he offers all the body work for the 'Sprint Special' in alloy. Very nice.
Thank you Mike! Don't know why I didn't think of THE FORUM to ask this question before... Oh yeah - Captain = Old, Blonde, Male yes Sir, it's there and more... http://www.mts.net/~sbarham/england.htm Looks like a fine place to find a Birthday present!
So the value of the pre-prod bikes just shot up, like the one that was at the Norton Rogue Rally last summer. Well, according to what we heard at the rally last summer, this is the second time that the investment banker has abandoned Mr Dreer.
John Williams at 'The Tank Shop' in the UK (do a Google search on the company name) fabricates beautiful alloy tanks, seats etc. and they are less than half the price of the Evan Wilcox ones. I have one on my Commando based cafe racer and it is a quality piece of work.
