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NORTON MOTOR CYCLES

Sad news indeed, but there is a lot of competition in this field and even here in Crete the number of different makes - all as far as I am aware from the Far East - is numerous.

Maurice :cool:
 
how sad, they seem to be doing well with the new models.
 

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WE have to keep the memories alive, all those who had Norton bike from the old to the new
I had a 1973 Norton Comando 850 please show us your bike pics and share your memories1580373038366.png1973

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1907
 

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So sad to read that Norton Motorcycles have gone into administration. I worked at the old Norton in Aston from 1954-57 I worked in the Buying Department, and really enjoyed my time there. Our offices were based at the Shelley factory in Aston
Brook Street. On Friday nights they used to hold dances in the Works Canteen - one old shilling (5p) entrance fee.
 
My workmate bought a Norton Dominator in1958 .He could just about get his toes to touch the ground.Even the police could only just keep up with him onemorning when he as late for work up Ashted Row:)
 
Bob Shelley was the man that saved Norton and was responsible for the most successful years of the company from 1926 to the 50s. If you had a British car pre 1960 you most likely had tools or a jack made by RT Shelley in Aston Brook Street. A remarkable company overlooked by many commentators and historians. There would have been no Norton if Bob hadn't rescued them!
 
History - Norton Motorcycles
View attachment 141173
The Dominator is a twin cylinder motorcycle developed by Norton to compete against the Triumph Speed Twin. The original Dominator was designed in 1947 and 1948 by Bert Hopwood, who had been on the Speed Twin design team at Triumph. Wikipedia

Engine: 497 cc (Model 7 and 88) 596 cc (Model 99) OHV air cooled parallel twin
Weight: 395 lb (179 kg) (dry)
Fuel capacity: 3.5 gallons (16 litres)
Seat height: 31 in (787 mm)
Manufacturer: Norton Motorcycle Company
Wheelbase: 55.5 in (1,410 mm)
Edifi said:
My workmate bought a Norton Dominator in1958 .He could just about get his toes to touch the ground.Even the police could only just keep up with him onemorning when he as late for work up Ashted Row:)
Click to expand...
what were they on push bikes
 
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British Army ordered 100,000 Norton motorcycles

Norton was the main military motorcycle supplier prior to World War II and supplied almost 100,000 machines to the British Army after the outbreak of hostilities in September, 1939.
WW2 WD16H
A 16H was first offered for military evaluation in 1932, together with a Norton Model 18 and a Norton Model 19. It was found to be suitable and the Norton designers began working with the War Office on a range of developments and modifications. Military orders were placed for the 16H (designated WD16H for War Department use) from 1936 and continued throughout the course of the Second World War, setting a ten-year record for the longest time the War Office procured a single make of motorcycle.[2] The entire staff of the Norton factory in Bracebridge Street Birmingham were needed to meet demand - even the racing team found themselves on the WD16H production line. A popular despatch machine, the WD16H was also used for training, reconnaissance, convoy control and escort duties.


1580711569715.png
Revealed: The watery grave of WWII Norton motorcycles ...





The Norton 16H
 
Dont panic men! The British Army in France and Belgium 1940 Belgian girls give flowers to British troops riding a Norton motorcycle combination in Herseaux, as the BEF crosses the border into Belgium, 10 May 1940. 1580742475536.png
 
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sylviasayers said:
So sad to read that Norton Motorcycles have gone into administration. I worked at the old Norton in Aston from 1954-57 I worked in the Buying Department, and really enjoyed my time there. Our offices were based at the Shelley factory in Aston
Brook Street. On Friday nights they used to hold dances in the Works Canteen - one old shilling (5p) entrance fee.
Click to expand...
Did you know Ian Paskin Sylvia?
 
sylviasayers said:
So sad to read that Norton Motorcycles have gone into administration. I worked at the old Norton in Aston from 1954-57 I worked in the Buying Department, and really enjoyed my time there. Our offices were based at the Shelley factory in Aston
Brook Street. On Friday nights they used to hold dances in the Works Canteen - one old shilling (5p) entrance fee.
Click to expand...
Hi Sylvia,

You must have known both my father and grandfather at that time. My father, Jim Bate was the Works Manager at Shelley's (often known as Sonny Jim) as my Grandad, also Jim Bate was the works policeman. Grandad was to be found at the entrance resplendant in his Corps of Commissionaires uniform. My father started at Shelley's in 1919 just 6 years after Bob Shelley bought Norton. My father was the last one to leave Norton and locked the doors for the last time in 1963. My Grandad started there in 1920 after returning from the Army of Occupation in Germany and was the Works Blacksmith. The only way my father could get my Grandad to stop work was to sack him when he was 87. Grandad lived a few doors down from Shelley's at 91 Aston Brook Street.

I remember the social club well and played snooker there many times.

Brian B
 
Brian, that is a great story about you Dad and Grandad! Unfortunately we are seeing too many stories of great businesses being sold or closed.

Welcome to the Forum! There are is so much knowledge and history here and really great folks.

Brian B said:
Hi Sylvia,

You must have known both my father and grandfather at that time. My father, Jim Bate was the Works Manager at Shelley's (often known as Sonny Jim) as my Grandad, also Jim Bate was the works policeman. Grandad was to be found at the entrance resplendant in his Corps of Commissionaires uniform. My father started at Shelley's in 1919 just 6 years after Bob Shelley bought Norton. My father was the last one to leave Norton and locked the doors for the last time in 1963. My Grandad started there in 1920 after returning from the Army of Occupation in Germany and was the Works Blacksmith. The only way my father could get my Grandad to stop work was to sack him when he was 87. Grandad lived a few doors down from Shelley's at 91 Aston Brook Street.

I remember the social club well and played snooker there many times.

Brian B
Click to expand...
 
Brian B said:
Hi Sylvia,

You must have known both my father and grandfather at that time. My father, Jim Bate was the Works Manager at Shelley's (often known as Sonny Jim) as my Grandad, also Jim Bate was the works policeman. Grandad was to be found at the entrance resplendant in his Corps of Commissionaires uniform. My father started at Shelley's in 1919 just 6 years after Bob Shelley bought Norton. My father was the last one to leave Norton and locked the doors for the last time in 1963. My Grandad started there in 1920 after returning from the Army of Occupation in Germany and was the Works Blacksmith. The only way my father could get my Grandad to stop work was to sack him when he was 87. Grandad lived a few doors down from Shelley's at 91 Aston Brook Street.

I remember the social club well and played snooker there many times.

Brian B
Click to expand...
Fabulous two-way story of loyalty and respect. Great story.
 
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