I remember when I first started riding Nortons, (Circa 1964) that there was a rumour that Norton had started to develop a four cylinder 500cc racing bike to compete with the Italian Gileras and MVs. During the following 50 years, I have heard some whispers about such a machine, but nothing concrete.
Was such a bike ever considered? Were any drawings made? Any preliminary prototypes worked on? Any information would be of great interest.
Colin.
Previously colin_sharpe wr…
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Previously michael_sulliva…
Previously michael_sullivan wrote:
Previously colin_sharpe wrote:I remember when I first started riding Nortons, (Circa 1964) that there was a rumour that Norton had started to develop a four cylinder 500cc racing bike to compete with the Italian Gileras and MVs. During the following 50 years, I have heard some whispers about such a machine, but nothing concrete.
Was such a bike ever considered? Were any drawings made? Any preliminary prototypes worked on? Any information would be of great interest.
Colin.
Oh yes. Norton worked with Cosworth to produce a number of engines one of which was located in Santa Cruz, CA.
It was shown in our Club stand at a number of motorcycle events but then disappeard from view.
The engine was called the "Challenge" and was an OHC watercooled twin. There is a photo of it and a description on pages 132-133 of Derek Magrath's book, "Norton the Complete Story
Mike
Further to this, I also remember rumours about a 4 cylinder bike in the late 1970s or early to mid 1980s but I cannot find any reference to it now.
Mike
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Oh yes. Norton worked with Cosworth to produce a number of engines one of which was located in Santa Cruz, CA.
It was shown in our Club stand at a number of motorcycle events but then disappeard from view.
The engine was called the "Challenge" and was an OHC watercooled twin. There is a photo of it and a description on pages 132-133 of Derek Magrath's book, "Norton the Complete Story
Mike