The ultimate racing Norton singles - Kneeler and F-type

An F-type Kneeler would indeed have been a remarkable machine, if (a) Joe Craig hadn't been fundamentally conservative (b) AMC would have paid for it, and most importantly (c) the FIM hadn't banned dustbin fairings.

Previously paul_standeven wrote:

The last McCandless project for Norton was the Kneeler, made in 1953/4, a Works Norton with a prone riding position and lateral petrol tanks. The frame was modified with lateral tubes running from just above the rear fork pivot to the steering head. This bike survives, and is owned by the Sammy Miller Museum:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2006/04/article/memorable-motorcycles-norton-kneeler/

It was entered in the North West 200 with a 350 engine. It overheated (this was cured by adding as second air intake tube each side), but was otherwise successful. No complaints about its handling, apart from Joe Craig, who hated it, and got the marshals to ban it!

This bike may be contrasted with the 1954 F-type prototype. It was largely a Works engine of that date, but laid horizontally, and a unit 5 speed gearbox with a shaft above and below the mainshaft. It had a spine frame. John Surtees tested this bike, but after its first test, the news came through that the race department was to close. It never ran again. Over many years, Surtees managed to acquire enough parts to recreate this bike, shown here:

http://motopaedia.com/wp/2016/02/13/1954-norton-f-500/

Surtees built and tested his machine. Are there any other bikes / engines out there?

I have this silly fantasy that Norton could have combined the F-type engine / frame layout with the Kneeler tank/ fairing and riding position, and made a truly remarkable bike.

Paul