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Library

The Norton Owners Club library holds copies of a wide range of literature about Nortons.  These include books, sales brochures, price lists, test reports and other publications.

The collection is not available for loan, but the NOC Librarian can use the library to assist Members with researching information.

The following titles make a comprehensive, although not necessarily exhaustive, list of books about Nortons:- 

 

Please advise us of any other publications to add to this list
 

Norton Commando - The Complete Story
Author Matthew Vale Publisher The Crowood Press, 2011  ISBN 978 1 84797 238 5
Details Hardback, 192pp 245 x 190mm, with colour photos
Another large and comprehensive treatment of the Commando.  To be reviewed
   
Norton Tuning
Author Paul Dunstall Publisher Andover Norton, 2010  
Details Paperback
This book was written in the late 1960s and most of what is written still applies today. As the original was long out of print, the publisher approached Paul Dunstall who gave permission to reprint it and wrote a new foreword
   
The Essential Buyer's Guide - Norton Commando
Author Peter Henshaw Publisher Veloce Publishing, 2009  
Details Paperback, 64pp 139 x 195mm, with 100 mainly colour photos
A no-nonsense, straightforward guide to buying a Commando, The reality of living with a Norton Commando, Relative value of each model, Detailed, step-by-step guide – points to look for, Spares prices, Auction guide, Facts & figures, Restore, or pay more to start with?, Problems that arise from lack of use, Useful contacts – clubs, parts suppliers, restorers, Very detailed description of Commando development
   
The Scrapbook Series - Norton
Editor James Robinson Publisher Mortons, 2009  
Details Perfect bound A4, 132pp, with photos
A 'bookazine' of Norton history and development based around a collection of images from the Mortons Archive
   
Motorcycle Apprentice
Author Bill Cakebread Publisher Veloce Publishing, 2008 ISBN 1 84584 179 9
Details Hardback, 128pp, 101 pictures, 30 in colour
Life in the AMC factory where Nortons were produced 1963-1969 with unique photographs
   
Flat Tank Norton
Author George Cohen Publisher NortonGeorge Publishing, 2006 ISBN 0 95537 430 2
Details Hardback, 260pp, with 600 photos
With chapters on the 1907 TT, many stories about the pioneer record breakers at Brooklands and all of the author's archive material, 95 % of which has  previously been unpublished. Many stories from the likes of Rem Fowler, Dan O'Donovan, Rex Judd, Pat Driscoll, Dan Bradbury and of course letters and lectures by James Lansdowne himself
   
Norton Commando
Author Mick Duckworth Publisher Haynes, 2004 ISBN 1 84425 021 0
Details Hardback, 144pp, with colour and b&w photos
A very detailed description of Commando development
   
Norton
Author Mick Woollett Publisher Osprey, 1992 ISBN 1 85532 202 1
Details
Hardback, 320pp, with b&w photos
The largest and most comprehensive history of the marque yet written
   
Manx Norton
Author Mick Walker Publisher Aston Publishing, 1990 ISBN 0 94662 736 3
Details The history of these racing singles with black & white photos. A good read
   
Norton, The Complete Story
Author Derek Magrath Publisher Crowood, 1991 ISBN 1 85223 5454
Details 160pp
A nicely written history with illustrations throughout
   
Norton Classic Motorcycles
Author Don Morley Publisher Osprey, 1991 ISBN 1 85532 140 8
Details Colour photographs
A well printed photo book with full captions and text
   
Pictorial History of Norton Motorcycles
Author Jim Reynolds Publisher N.M.M./Temple, 1985 ISBN 0 60035 170 X
Details From the earliest days to 1958; well illustrated and fully captioned
   
The Norton Story
Author Bob Holliday Publisher Patrick Stephens, 1972 ISBN 0 85059 791 9
Details The original Norton history book, since brought up to date with reprints
   
The Unapproachable Norton
Author Bob Holliday Publisher Dalton Watson/Beaulieu Museum, 1979 ISBN 0 90156 444 3
Details A picture book with captions and good coverage of racing machines
   
Norton
Author Dennis Howard Publisher Ballantyne Books, 1972 ISBN 345 02437 0
Details Softback
A Norton history and a good read but it is rare to find copies in the UK
   
First Norton Knocker Scene
Author Bruce Main-Smith Publisher B.M.S. Ltd., 1979  
Details Bruce's photos of OHC Nortons. Lots of lovely Manxs and Inters
   
Norton Motorcycles 1928 to 1955
Author Bruce Main-Smith Publisher B.M.S. Ltd., 1959 ISBN 0 95024 126 1
Details  
   
Norton - A Racing Legend
Author Jim Reynolds Publisher Apple Press, 1995  
Details Captioned picture book, b&w/colour photos and running text
Also covers road Nortons
   
Illustrated Motorcycle Legends - Norton
Author Roy Bacon Publisher Sunburst Books, 1996  
Details Captioned picture book, b&w and colour photos and running text
Many brochure illustrations of earlier machines
Also being sold as The Illustrated History of Norton
   
Built for Speed
Author John Griffith Publisher Temple, 1962  
Details Not solely a Norton book, but with many Nortons featured, including racing prototypes
Reprinted by Bruce Main-Smith Ltd.
   
Tuning The Norton Twin
Author Steve Robinson Publisher    
Details  
   
Norton Repair and Tune-up Guide
Author   Publisher Chilton, 1973 ISBN 0 80195 913 6
Details  
   
Norton Twin Restoration
Author Roy Bacon Publisher Osprey, 1987 ISBN 0 85045 708 4
Details Softback, 240pp with many b&w photos
Covers all twins including Jubilee and P11
   
Illustrated Norton Buyers Guide
Author Roy Bacon Publisher Niton Publishing, 1991 ISBN 1 85579 004 1
Details Identification and analysis of all post-1945 models, with plenty of photographs
   
Norton Tuning
Author Paul Dunstall Publisher Lodgemark Press ISBN 0 85077 091 2
Details 30pp in large format
How to hot up your Dominator or Commando
   
Norton Singles
Author Roy Bacon   Niton Publishing ISBN 1 85579 013 0
Details Pocket sized guide with plenty of illustrations
The first of 3 booklets in the Motorcycle Monograph series
   
Norton Dominator Twins 1949 - 1970
Author Roy Bacon Publisher Niton Publishing, 1990 ISBN 1 85648 306 1
Details Pocket sized guide with plenty of illustrations 56pp
The second of 3 booklets in the Motorcycle Monograph series
Reprinted in 1995 by The Promotional Reprint Co. Ltd. for Selectabook
   
Norton Commando - All Models
Author Roy Bacon Publisher Niton Publishing, 1990  
Details Pocket sized guide with plenty of illustrations 56pp
The third of 3 booklets in the Motorcycle Monograph series
Reprinted by The Promotional Reprint Co. Ltd. for Selectabook Ltd. in 1995
   
The Book of the Norton
Author W.C. Haycraft Publisher Pitmans, 1953  
Details Covers all side and overhead valve singles from 1932 to 1952 and OHC models to 1939
   
Norton Dominator Twins
Author W.C. Haycraft Publisher Pitmans, 1963  
Details Covers all Dominator models from 1955 to 1965
   
Norton Motor Cycles
Author Edgar Franks Publisher Pearson, 1950  
Details Covers all singles machines from 1932
   
Norton Motorcycles
Author P.L. Garratt Publisher Pearson, 1962  
Details Covers all singles and Dominator twins from 1948 to 1960; also Navigator from 1961 to 1962 and 650SS
   
Norton Motorcycles 1928-55
Author Edgar Franks Publisher Temple, 1959  
Details Covers all singles plus Model 7 and Model 88. Republished by Bruce Main-Smith Ltd.
   
Norton Service and Overhaul Manual
Author Fred Neill Publisher Lodgemark Press  
Details Covers all early 1960s singles and twins, including Jubilee and Atlas
   
Norton 500, 600, 650 and 750 Twins Workshop Manual
Author D.J. Rabone Publisher Haynes, 1974  ISBN 0 85696 187 6
Details The manual for all the big twins from 1957 to 1970, including the Atlas hybrids
   
Norton Commando Workshop Manual
Author Jeff Clew Publisher Haynes, 1978 ISBN 0 85696 125 6
Details The manual for all the Commando variants, 750cc and 828cc from 1967 to 1977
   
Twin Cylinder Manual for The Unapproachable Norton
Author   Publisher Clymer Publishing, USA, 1972  
Details Softback, 88pp, with b&w photos
Covers the Lightweight Twins, Models 88 & 99, 650SS, 750 Atlas and 750 G15 CS
Detailed information on all the Models listed, based on the Norton Factory Shop Manual
   
NOC Commando Service Notes
Author Tim Stevens Publisher Norton Owners Club, 1979 Out of print
Details Hints and tips for all Commandos, including electric start
   
Norton 750 and 850 Commandos - All Years
Author Mike Bishop Publisher Clymer Publishing, USA ISBN 0 89287 158 X
Details A service, repair and performance manual
   
Tech Digest
Editor Mike Frick Publisher International Norton Owners Association, 1999  
Details Version 3.2, b&w
Handy hints and tips for Commando models with some information for Atlas
   
Norton Singles
Author Roy Bacon Publisher Osprey, 1983 ISBN 0 85045 485 9
Details Hardback, 192pp with b&w photos
A technical and general history of all singles from 1927 to 1966
   
Norton Twins
Author Roy Bacon Publisher Osprey, 1981  ISBN 0 85045 423 9
Details Hardback, 192pp with b&w photos
A technical and general history of all lightweight and heavyweight twins
   
Norton Rotaries
Author Kris Perkins Publisher Osprey, 1991 ISBN 1 855321 81 5
Details Hardback, with b&w photos
Pictures of rather poor quality but otherwise a complete and in-depth technical history
   
The Manx Norton
Author Mick Walker Publisher Redline Books, 2001 ISBN 0 9531311 4 9
Details A comprehensive history of the Manx Norton, including information on tuners and the current classic racing scene
   
Norton - The Racing Story
Author Mick Walker Publisher The Crowood Press, 2002 ISBN 1 86126 546 8
Details A history of the Norton racing motorcycle
   
Manx Norton
Author C.J. Ayton Publisher Haynes, 1985 ISBN 0 85429 452 X
Details The 1st. of 3 booklets in the Super Profile series. Slim, but much useful information and reprinted road tests
   
International Norton
Author C.J. Ayton Publisher Haynes, 1985 ISBN 0 85429 365 5
Details The 2nd. of 3 booklets in the Super Profile series. Slim, but much useful information and reprinted road tests
   
Norton Commando
Author Jeff Clew Publisher Haynes, 1983 ISBN 0 85429 335 3
Details The 3rd. of 3 booklets in the Super Profile series. Slim, but much useful information and reprinted road tests
   
Norton Commando Gold Portfolio
Author R.M. Clarke Publisher Brooklands Books, 1995  
Details B&W illustrations
Roadtests and Commando related articles taken from the motorcycle press in 1968 and 1977
   
British Motorcycles Since 1950 (volume 3)
Author Steve Wilson Publisher Patrick Stephens, 1986 ISBN 0 85059 626 2
Details Hardback, 224pp, with b&w photos
Not solely devoted to Norton but 150 pages devoted to the marque
   
Norton from 1946
Author Cyril Ayton Publisher Bay View Books, 1988 ISBN 1 87097 900 1
Details Roadtests and Norton articles up to 1968 from the Motor Cycle and Motor Cycling magazines
   
Cycle World on Norton 1962-71
Author   Publisher Brooklands Books, 1987 ISBN 1 86982 663 9
Details  
   
Norton Commando
Author   Publisher Cycleserv (Australia), 1972 ISBN 0 90996 907 8
Details  
   
Garden Gate Manx

Author
Niels Schoen Publisher New Step 3D ISBN 978-90-9029193-2
Details Hardback, 164pp, with 300 illustrations
A coffee table book with many images in 3D depicting the detailed rebuild of the author's plunger Norton
   
Norton Toute L'Histoire
Author Didier Ganneau Publisher EPA (France), 1987 ISBN 2 85120 256 11
Details  
   
Norton Commando Motoscopie
Author Christian Guislain Publisher Gallet (France), 1993 ISBN 2 91025 902 1
Details  
   
Norton Commando Revue Moto Technique
Author Nestor Elyn Publisher ETAI (France), 1984 ISSN 0 1507214
Details  
   
Norton Commando Onderhouds Notities
Author   Publisher NOC (Belgium), 1990  
Details  
   
Norton Commando Onderdelenbo
Author   Publisher NCN (Netherlands), 1987  
Details  
   
Norton Commando Werkplaats Handboek
Author   Publisher NCN (Netherlands), 1984 ISBN9 09000 741 5
Details  
   
Norton Commando Reparaturanleitung
Author   Publisher Bucheli (Switzerland),1977 ISBN 3 71681 319 2
Details  
   
Norton Commando Rennmotorräder
Author Christian Spahn Publisher Serag (Switzerland), 1986 ISBN 3 90800 745 3
Details  

 

From original data compiled by Peter Thistle, Norton Owners Club; with later additions

 


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