They are on their way......

Status
Not open for further replies.
Rocky Point Cycle has applied for a dealership; Norton has been informed that RPC is prepared to take on 2 of each model without floor plan financing, in addition to the spares kit(s) and shop tools. I am anxious to see where the "beef" really is...

Bill.
 
RoadScholar said:
Rocky Point Cycle has applied for a dealership; Norton has been informed that RPC is prepared to take on 2 of each model without floor plan financing, in addition to the spares kit(s) and shop tools. I am anxious to see where the "beef" really is...

Bill.
Click to expand...

Aren't they looking for real dealers? Are you going to be all pissy when they turn you down? :mrgreen:
 
How come they still show those pics from over two years ago in front of the roll-up door at Donnington Park?

I was talking to a guy on Sunday, who is the Norton dealer for Ontario (that's in Canada), just outside of Ottowa. He said he was scheduled for a delivery of bikes in March. He said the bike was a little over $18,000CDN, which is a also little over $18,000US these days.

He had brought a really nice '56 Squariel to the Dania show. Red frame and tank with chrome accents. It sat right next to a '58 in beige and chrome.

Only Ariels in the show, out of about 70 English bikes. Only 2 pre-unit Triumphs, too, though about 20 unit bikes, and a dozen BSAs. Only Velo was a '71 LE, which is the ugliest Velocette made.
 
I think they're real Nortons, and I hope they succeed.

There are those who think the last real AJS was built in 1931, before being taken over by AMC

Likewise, some think the last real Norton was before being taken over by AMC, or when AMC closed the factory in Birmingham, moving Norton production down to London, or in 1975, when they put a starter on a Norton. Or the Rotaries of the '80s and early '90s.

I think these all were Nortons, including Kenny's well-meaning but underfunded attempt a decade ago.

As to the Aprilia with the 'Norton' decal at last year's IOM, I think that's a bit of a stretch.
 
swooshdave said:
RoadScholar said:
Rocky Point Cycle has applied for a dealership; Norton has been informed that RPC is prepared to take on 2 of each model without floor plan financing, in addition to the spares kit(s) and shop tools. I am anxious to see where the "beef" really is...

Bill.
Click to expand...

Aren't they looking for real dealers? Are you going to be all pissy when they turn you down? :mrgreen:
Click to expand...

I supoose that Norton could prefer a mulit line dealership, but I don't know, and is is clear that if I don't apply nothing will happen. My sense is that potential buyers will be seeking out the source(s) rather than sellers needing to entice buyers, initially at least. I also think that the new Norton is unique enough that it won't be fit well in a multi line Japanese dealership, maybe at a multi that carries Ducati, MV, Aprillia, but they are few and far between. Multi line dealerships, with few exceptions, are not necessarily in a position to produce the cash that will be required to engage a franchise; I am.

So, yeah, Rocky Point is not in a great position, but then neither is Norton, we don't need each other in equal doses, almost a balance... If they don't beat a path to my door I'll do something else; I'm 65, I'll be lucky to live another 20 years and I'm sure that I will die with plenty of unfinished business on my plate; I just hope I don't need an electric starter too soon :D

Bill.
 
RoadScholar said:
swooshdave said:
RoadScholar said:
Rocky Point Cycle has applied for a dealership; Norton has been informed that RPC is prepared to take on 2 of each model without floor plan financing, in addition to the spares kit(s) and shop tools. I am anxious to see where the "beef" really is...

Bill.
Click to expand...

Aren't they looking for real dealers? Are you going to be all pissy when they turn you down? :mrgreen:
Click to expand...

I supoose that Norton could prefer a mulit line dealership, but I don't know, and is is clear that if I don't apply nothing will happen. My sense is that potential buyers will be seeking out the source(s) rather than sellers needing to entice buyers, initially at least. I also think that the new Norton is unique enough that it won't be fit well in a multi line Japanese dealership, maybe at a multi that carries Ducati, MV, Aprillia, but they are few and far between. Multi line dealerships, with few exceptions, are not necessarily in a position to produce the cash that will be required to engage a franchise; I am.

So, yeah, Rocky Point is not in a great position, but then neither is Norton, we don't need each other in equal doses, almost a balance... If they don't beat a path to my door I'll do something else; I'm 65, I'll be lucky to live another 20 years and I'm sure that I will die with plenty of unfinished business on my plate; I just hope I don't need an electric starter too soon :D

Bill.
Click to expand...


I say, go for it Bill. Norton may be able to establish itself in North America with large and small dealers, they should, and probably will keep all their options open.


MF
 
I was planning to take a ride to San Francisco Saturday and visit a few shops including Munroe Motors that is a designated Norton dealer. Will ask when they expect to get these for sale.
 
BillT said:
I think they're real Nortons, and I hope they succeed.
Click to expand...

I think they are Norton in name only and I too wish them well. But I think the key word "here" is Classic. Do you think it's a classic.
 
pvisseriii said:
BillT said:
I think they're real Nortons, and I hope they succeed.
Click to expand...

I think they are Norton in name only and I too wish them well. But I think the key word "here" is Classic. Do you think it's a classic.
Click to expand...

Stuart Garner is just carrying on a Norton tradition. After all, the first 'Norton' engines were Clement and Peugots, even the Featherbed frame was Irish. And apart from the Wulf, the last 3 engines Norton were considering using to replace the Commando were designed by BRM, Cosworth and BSA. I don't remember any complaints about the rotary not being a real Norton, especially after the '92 Senior TT..
 
swooshdave said:
If I were them I'd be looking at Triumph dealers.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think a good fit for them would be to try to market them through Triumph, Ducati, or Moto Guzzi dealers. Triumph would seem the logical choice, being English (even though the Bonneville variants are built in Thailand). Ducati and M-G are also excellent choices. Each Company sells a 'classic' bike, harkening back to circa 1970, and Guzzi and Ducati were also imported by Berliner, so it was common back in the day to see Nortons alongside these Italian marques at a dealer.

I also see Nortons only being sold in 'trendy' areas at first, where potential owners are buying for the cachet, and have $20K to drop on a fashion statement. I'd expect to see one on SoBe as soon as they become available. Likewise, y'all in SoCal will be seeing groups of them at the Rock Store, and those in the City will see one outside a SoHo club. I guess if you don't live in or near a So-something, it'll be a while before you see one in the flesh.

The first pics of one parked in the US will likely be in Jay Leno's garage...

Billy Joel's, too
 
bwolfie said:
Don't forget Keanu!
Click to expand...

Yeah, he'd probably ride out to the Rock Store with Jay - or have an assistant ride the bike out so he could arrive by limo in time for the photo shoot.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Desertsled
P11 "Desert Sled" purchased. Now what?
Replies
9
Views
378
elefantrider
elefantrider
Nortoniggy
Avon Tyres
Replies
14
Views
500
jan nelder
J
ashman
Seems a lot on here have different ways of doing thing on their Norton's
2
Replies
36
Views
2,334
Jonez69
Jonez69
Q
Gas tanks from India
2 3 4
Replies
62
Views
2,696
Triton Thrasher
Triton Thrasher
Q
Paint choices
2
Replies
24
Views
958
Mart UK
Mart UK
Back
Top