Debbie,
$17,900 is about ten times what new in the crate '75 Nortons were selling for in '76-'77 when the local dealer here was just trying to get rid of his inventory. Someone is really trying to prove classic bikes are a good investment.
I'm off to Laguna Seca for the Superbike races this afternoon. Norton has a tent in the infield and I'm hoping they bring a pre-production 952. I got some photos of the 952 "Mule" last year.