Norton 650 Atlas
- Thread starter Roadghost
- Start date
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Sadly that's the fate of most mechanical things designed and made in England - most spend the better part of their life under a bedsheet.M...His second bike was a yellow 1972 Norton Commando that he has had in storage since about 1980.It's sad.It just sits there with a bedsheet over it.
TK4
Well-known member
His second bike was a yellow 1972 Norton Commando that he has had in storage since about 1980.It's sad.It just sits there with a bedsheet over it.
A good place for it. I tried to race a 750 Commando Combat ONCE back in the day. P.O.S blew up after 45 minutes of track use. Utter junk.
Roadghost
Well-known member
Well of course they were all pieces of junk back in the day. That's why we have such great memories of them. Let's face it, the beginning and the end of 90% of the problems with the old bikes was that prehistoric mechanical ignition system that always used to fail. Points, rotors, bad distributor curves, incorrect springs etc. The advent of CDI, computer controlled ignition and tuning, fuel injection have made bikes reliable for the biggest of idiots. It's no use holding grudges against today's bikes because of a bad experience with your 1974 Norton. It's a better time for bikes now. It really is. Just more expensive.
I was racing an EX500 in VRRA P4 and I was trying to make HP and the thing was a firecracker. I went through three motors one weekend.
I started racing the Norton more because it was more reliable. Not once did I DNS or DNF on the Norton in three years.
It helps that I know some of the best Norton tuners on the planet.
... then I started on the 2 strokes. Whole new ballgame.
TK4
Well-known member
Nostalgia ain't what it used to be for sure.
TK4
Well-known member
How much Norton was left in it after you fixed it up ? I'm betting not much.
Going back many years Smiths and Lucas where to stay away from. Unfortunately, if you owned Triumph, Norton or a few others you did not have a choice.
I lived near the factory of Smiths or Lucas in Cricklewood London. (Don`t remember it was a long time ago) Used to curse it ever time I passed it.
Sorry, Nope
All, 100% Norton.
Norton rods
Norton Hepolite pistons
STOCK Norton crank
Both sides of the cases were Norton
As per the old AHMRA rules.
At the time we were keeping it all Norton. It was a copy of the last motor to win the last HP shootout at Daytona. They don't do the shootout anymore because they changed the AHMRA rules that allow aftermarket engine parts. (When I say "copy" it was built by the same guy, Bob Perkins, using some of the original motor).
Darcy Tinsdale raced it this year with VRRA... with a custom crank, Cariilo rods, custom Venolia pistons and computer controlled, crank fired ignition. At least one DNS and 2 DNFs. snicker, snicker
It is a lot prettier today than when I rode it.
All, 100% Norton.
Norton rods
Norton Hepolite pistons
STOCK Norton crank
Both sides of the cases were Norton
As per the old AHMRA rules.
At the time we were keeping it all Norton. It was a copy of the last motor to win the last HP shootout at Daytona. They don't do the shootout anymore because they changed the AHMRA rules that allow aftermarket engine parts. (When I say "copy" it was built by the same guy, Bob Perkins, using some of the original motor).
Darcy Tinsdale raced it this year with VRRA... with a custom crank, Cariilo rods, custom Venolia pistons and computer controlled, crank fired ignition. At least one DNS and 2 DNFs. snicker, snicker
It is a lot prettier today than when I rode it.
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I know he’s a millionaire but, I think he shares a lot of the same things as most when it comes to vintage bikes.
https://youtu.be/lICP7S-jpvA
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https://youtu.be/lICP7S-jpvA
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I find it interesting that manufacturers are getting out ahead of our industry's resto-mod scene. Even in the car world there is this huge division of people, with one side one the "original only" movement and the other side that like their cars to stop, start and turn reliably. Take a guess where I fall. I love the idea of a 60's or 70's muscle car but wouldn't dream of driving without proper hydraulic disc brakes, suspension set-up and fuel injection. Bikes like this almost make it not worth while for the resto-mods in the bike world. You can get everything from an OE produced product: same looks and feel etc.
It may not be my thing, but I don't think it's a bad thing. More options in our industry should be encouraged.
It may not be my thing, but I don't think it's a bad thing. More options in our industry should be encouraged.
I agree.
I love the look of vintage bikes, but I'm just not the guy who has a project bike up on the stand for 12 months out of the year, scouring the classifieds for that 1963 part in good condition that they don't make anymore.
Ducati regularly dips their toe into it when they reissue bikes like the MH900e and the Sport Classic. I'd love to have an old BMW R80 Cafe Racer, but I'd be more than happy to have this in the garage instead, because it actually runs, has good brakes/suspension/engine/lights etc.
Roadghost
Well-known member
I think you would be surprised at just how well the old bikes perform once put together meticulously and adjusted as they were intended. Even today, with our maintenance-free park-it-and-forget-it gizmo bikes people come on here asking "what's wrong with my bike" because they don't understand it. Imagine those same guys riding a carbureted, points ignition bike with spokes, wire controlled drum brakes and a dry clutch. Their indignance over such affairs lasts up to today. Yet, there are those who learned to love maintaining their old horse. For a lot of those guys all they had to get around was that bike.
Robbo
Well-known member
The most important thing is that you ride...not what you ride.
There will always be styles/brands/new tech that will appeal to some and not others.
Whether you love it or hate it, kudos to Norton for putting a product out into the market.
Only time will tell how it all plays out.
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There will always be styles/brands/new tech that will appeal to some and not others.
Whether you love it or hate it, kudos to Norton for putting a product out into the market.
Only time will tell how it all plays out.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
How does anyone not see that these bikes have kickstands?
That Kawi 650 posted earlier is just a touch uglier than my my bike.
Are bikes built for people getting into bikes, in the middle of their riding lives or on their way out?
I like these Nortons a little. Prefer the BMW or the Ducati for looks though.
That Kawi 650 posted earlier is just a touch uglier than my my bike.
Are bikes built for people getting into bikes, in the middle of their riding lives or on their way out?
I like these Nortons a little. Prefer the BMW or the Ducati for looks though.
J_F
Guest
Some of us are still out riding 45+ year old machines...
Ride ‘em ... don’t hide ‘em !!!
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very nice...you said awhile ago you might part with that RD....I'd be interested
Roadghost
Well-known member
That's the same guy who doesn't understand why they don't have mirrors either.
