List of Norton motorcycles explained

This is a list of Norton branded motorcycles over all periods of the marque from 1908 to the present day.

Model list

Pre-War (1908–1939)

ModelEngineYears Notes
Big Four (Model 1)633cc single1907–1954A 475cc model was also made at some point
Model 7 (BS)490cc sv1914–1922Brooklands Special
Model 8 (BRS)490cc1914–1922Brooklands Road Special
Model 9(TT)490cc1912–1923Belt-drive
Model 3½490cc sv1911–1918Side-valve, became the Model 16 in 1919
Model 16490cc sv1919–1920Chain drive
Norton 16H490cc sv1921–1954
Model 18490cc ohv1922–1954Roadster
Model 19588cc ohv1926–1939Increased to 596cc in 1933
CS1490cc ohc1928–1939CS stands for camshaft. 1928–1930 were the Cricket Bat Motors. 1930s models were the Arthur Carroll designed motors.
ES2490cc ohv1928–1939There is no clear record of what ES stands for. Some say it stands for Extra Sport but most believe it stands for Enclosed Springs, referring to the two enclosed valve springs for induction and exhaust, as opposed to the exposed springs and push rods of the Model 18
CJ348cc ohc1929–1939Junior version of the CS1
JE348cc ohv1929–1939Junior version of the ES2
Model 20490cc1930–1939Two-port ohv version of the Model 18
Model 21490cc1927–1927Semi dry sump version of the Model 18
Model 22490cc1930–1931Two-port ohv version of the model ES2
Norton International Model 30490cc ohc1932–1939
International Model 40348cc ohc1932–1939
Model 50 OHV348cc ohv1933–1939
Model 55348cc ohv1933–1939Twin port version of model 50

War time (1937–1945)

ModelEngineYears Notes
WD 16H490cc sv
WD Big Four633cc svSidecar Outfit

Post-War (1945–1970)

ModelEngineYears Notes
16H490cc sv1946–1954
Model 18490cc single1946–1954
Model 19S596cc single1955–1958Model 19R only 1955
Model 19s600cc Single1957Big Four
633cc sv1947–1954596cc as from 1948
Model 500T500cc1949–1954Could also be supplied with a 350cc engine
Norton ES2ES2490cc single1947–1964
ES2 MK 2490cc single1964–1966
Model 50 OHV348cc1955–1958Popular single with featherbed frame from 1959 popular for Triton conversion
Model 50 OHV MK 2348cc1964–1966
International Model 30 490cc1947–1958
International Model 40 348cc1947–1958
Manx Model 30498cc ohc1946–1963
Manx Model 40348cc ohc1946–1963
Model 7497cc twin1949–1956First Norton Twin Motorcycle, designed by Bert Hopwood
Model 77497cc1950–1952A rigid framed version of the Model 7, supplied only to the Australian market.
Model 77596cc1957–1958Built mainly for sidecar use
Dominator 88497cc1952–1966Same engine as a model 7 but in a featherbed frame
Dominator 99596cc1956–1962
Nomad497cc & 596cc1958–1960US on/off road model
Norton Jubilee250cc1958–1966
Navigator350cc1960–1965
Electra ES400400cc1963–1965Enlarged Navigator with electric start
Atlas745cc1962–1968Norton Atlas Scrambler was an off-road variation
650cc Nov 1960 – Sep 61Export Only First 650cc machines
650 Sports Special650cc1961–1968Became the Mercury in 1968 (then equipped with only one carburettor)
Mercury650cc1968–1970
P11A750cc1967–1968Atlas engine in a scrambles frame, became the Ranger in 1968
Ranger750cc1968-
N15750cc1967–1968The N15 was a Norton engine in a Matchless frame; the Matchless G15 was essentially the same motorcycle.

Superbike era (1967–1978)

See main article: Norton Commando. Norton Commando models used "Isolastic" engine mounts (rubber mounted) and had 745 cc ("750") engines up to 1973 when the 828 cc ("850") engine came into use.

ModelYears Notes
Commando Fastback1967–1973Just called "Norton Commando" until 1969
Commando Roadster1970–1975750cc 1970-73, 850cc 1973–1975. Targeted for the American market
Commando Interpol1970–1976Produced for police force use
Commando Hi-rider1971–1975Targeted for American market
Commando Production Racer1971-Special high-compression engine
Commando Interstate1972–1975750cc 1972-73, 850cc 1973-75
Commando Combat1972Came with "2S" cam, shaved head to increase the compression, and was made in both Roadster and Interstate form. Early on there were engine failures which quickly gave the Combat a bad name. Even though those problems were rectified, the press was so bad that the name was discontinued later in the year.[1]
Commando "Combat"1973Officially, there was no 1973 Combat, but the engine was still available. This is still confusing today as some parts manufacturers list a 73 Combat, meaning the high compression engine.
Commando "John Player Special"1974Limited production 850 styled on the John Player racers

Rotary period (1981–1992)

ModelYears Notes
Interpol 2P41
ClassicP43
CommanderP52 police model, P53 civilian model
F1P55
F1 SportP55B
RC588
RCW588
NRS588

Post Rotary period (2014 onwards)

ModelYears Notes
Norton Dominator
Norton Commando 961 SF MkII2015–present
Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer MkII
Norton Commando 961 Sport MkII

See also

Sources

References

  1. Web site: GME - Norton Commando ID. gregmarsh.com. 2019-02-20.