Norton back in business

[Bob]

Norton is back in British hands after 15 years of US ownership.

Stuart Garner has bought back the trademarks and development work relating to the Norton, Manx, Atlas, Commando and Dominator brands.

Mr Garner is looking at establishing a 15,000sq.ft complex at Donington. Mr Garner said “This has been a challenging and exciting period for us.We are proud to have brought the brands back home and we now intend to focus on re-establishing Norton as a premier motorcycling brand across the world."

A new road bike has been promised for 2009.

[oldrider]

What goes round comes round, another British resurgence? Best of luck to them. John.

[Daffyd]

Good to hear. I hope it works out. I still remember the Manx Nortons racing at Ryal Bush and Teretonga in the late 50's and early 60's. (Along with the 7R AJS's, Vincent Black Lightning, Matchless and Velocettes.) Can't remember the model names of the last two. Maybe G85 Matchless? They were the days. (sigh)

[pete376403]

Good to hear. I hope it works out. I still remember the Manx Nortons racing at Ryal Bush and Teretonga in the late 50's and early 60's. (Along with the 7R AJS's, Vincent Black Lightning, Matchless and Velocettes.) Can't remember the model names of the last two. Maybe G85 Matchless? They were the days. (sigh)

G50 - 500 cc version of the 7R.

[Daffyd]

G50 - 500 cc version of the 7R.

Makes sense...Thanx for that.

There was also a G45, a 350 version.

[Ixion]

Velos is the 60s would have been Venom or Thruxton. Earlier there might still have been some of the pre war (or very early post war) cammy Velos KTT, KTS still competing.

But Velo would have been way out of their class up against a decent Manx. They never got back into racing after the war.

[Motu]

Spare us the Rotax powered ''classic'' please!!!.What happened to the American ''Commando''? That was very nice,paying homage to the Commando in a modern package.That's they way they will have to go...forwards,not back.

[xwhatsit]

Yay! Wonder if they'll take Triumph's strategy -- retros, to get the old (rich) farts all teary-eyed and wallet-opened -- but with some unique modern bikes as well.

The more bike manufacturers the better, competition and diversity is good for all of us.

[Bonez]

Things are looking interesting indeedy. Good luck to them.

[tri boy]

tri boy smashes open the glued up piggy bank in anticipation

[Bob]

[QUOTE=Motu;1773160]Spare us the Rotax powered ''classic'' please!!!.What happened to the American ''Commando''? That was very nice,paying homage to the Commando in a modern package.

Wonder if that (the American Commando) is part of the deal? Or rather the plans and development work? Think that the line "Stuart Garner has bought back the trademarks and development work relating to the Norton, Manx, Atlas, Commando and Dominator brands" points that way.

[GrayWolf]

Yay! Wonder if they'll take Triumph's strategy -- retros, to get the old (rich) farts all teary-eyed and wallet-opened -- but with some unique modern bikes as well.

The more bike manufacturers the better, competition and diversity is good for all of us.

Yeh in 30 years time Yamahondukasaki will introduce the 'RETRO; CBZXL1000RR for YOU old farts to get teary eyed over and open ya wallets!!!

[Bob]

Of classics and moderns... I happen to know the webmaster of one of the biggest classic bike sites. And he told me that whilst the regulars all go on about old bikes and how great they are... and how awful modern bikes are... when it was still in production, one of the most read reviews on the site was of...

.... wait for it...

... Kawasaki W650.

Seems they liked the old concept, but rather fancied modern reliability!

[Bonez]

Of classics and moderns... I happen to know the webmaster of one of the biggest classic bike sites. And he told me that whilst the regulars all go on about old bikes and how great they are... and how awful modern bikes are... when it was still in production, one of the most read reviews on the site was of...

.... wait for it...

... Kawasaki W650.

Seems they liked the old concept, but rather fancied modern reliability!

Still an appealing bike. I'd certainly have one in the shed.

[slofox]

Good to hear. I hope it works out. I still remember the Manx Nortons racing at Ryal Bush and Teretonga in the late 50's and early 60's. (Along with the 7R AJS's, Vincent Black Lightning, Matchless and Velocettes.) Can't remember the model names of the last two. Maybe G85 Matchless? They were the days. (sigh)

There was a G50 Matchless racing round Ruapuna in the early 70's......and DBD Goldstars and 7R's and etc etc etc......then the 2T's came along and shat all over them......

Nice to hear of a Norton resurgence - loved those dominators in their day.....