Norton 650SS explained

Norton 650SS Dominator
Production:1962–1967
Successor:Norton Mercury
Engine: overhead valve, air-cooled parallel twin
Bore Stroke:68mm89mm
Top Speed:110mph115mph
Power:49hp @ 6,800rpm
Transmission:Four-speed, chain final drive
Brakes:Drum brakes
Wet Weight:198kg (434lb)
Sp:uk

The Norton 650SS is a vertical twin motorcycle made by Norton Motorcycle Company from 1962 to 1967. The 650SS was based on the Norton Manxman.

The machine was capable of 110mph115mph.[1] [2] SS stood for Sports Special. Norton discontinued its 600 cc models to concentrate on production of the 650SS, which quickly gained a reputation as the "best of the Dommies".[3]

Development

Norton produced a 650 in 1961 for export only, which was sold in the US as the Manxman. It was finished in polychromatic blue and a bright red seat with white piping and much chrome plate, and a special exhaust system only fitted to the Manxman.[4] The Manxman 650 twin produced 52 bhp, giving it a top speed of more than 120mph. A race machine developed by Heinz Kegler had speeds of 150mph and won pebble beach races.[5] Initially production was at Norton's Bracebridge Street, Birmingham factory, but following the factory's closure in 1963, production was transferred to parent company AMC's works in Plumstead, London.[6]

A European styled version of the Manxman was shown in early 1962 at the Amsterdam International Auto Show and went on sale in April that year as the 650SS. The machine had twin Amal Monobloc carburettors with the intakes angled downwards. Twin exhausts replaced the 99SS two-into-one and the headlight nacelle was replaced with a separately mounted speedometer and tachometer. The 650SS was finished with a black frame with silver fuel tank and optional chrome fenders.[5]

In February 1962 Motor Cycling magazine achieved a best one-way speed of 119.5mph at MIRA with a 650SS. This was more than 10mph faster than the rival Triumph Bonneville tested the previous summer.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Reynolds, Jim . 1990 . Best of British Bikes . Patrick Stephens Ltd . 978-1-85260-033-4 . registration . 99 .
  2. Book: Brown, Roland . 214–215 . 2006 . The Ultimate History of Fast Motorcycles . Parragon . Bath . 978-1-4054-7303-3.
  3. Book: Kemp . Andrew . De Cet . Mirco . 2004 . Classic British Bikes . Bookmart Ltd . 978-1-86147-136-9.
  4. Norton Manxman . Cycle World . March 1962 . 8–11, 44 .
  5. Web site: The Norton 650SS . Smith . Robert . Motorcycle Classics . January–February 2007 . 13 August 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090501081502/http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/2007-01-01/norton-650ss-super-sexy.aspx. 1 May 2009.
  6. Web site: Scaysbrook . Jim . Norton 650SS: Norton's top twin? . Old Bike Australasia . 1 July 2021 . 9 April 2021.
  7. Web site: 1967 Norton Dominator 650SS Frame no. 123113 Engine no. 123113 . Bonhams . 2 July 2021.