Norton back in business

[jonbuoy]

I don't know how much it went for but I would have thought Triumph might have put in a bid. I'm sure they could knock out some great decent Norton/Triton specials.

[Daffyd]

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.....

DBD Goldstars? Pardon my ignorance. I remember the BSA Goldstars. Was DBD a sponsor or a team?

[xwhatsit]

DBD Goldstars? Pardon my ignorance. I remember the BSA Goldstars. Was DBD a sponsor or a team?

The Gold Star was a long-running model, the first one was a pre-war model. There were YB32s, ZB34s, BB34s and BB32s, CB34s and CB32s, but the one that is most famous and everybody recognises was the final DBD34 model. (32=350cc, 34=500cc).

Even still, the DBD34 came in lots of different versions, from trials to touring to clubman -- but the Gold Star model that everybody thinks of first is the DBD34 clubman, with the clipons and swept-back exhausts (and massively high gearing, making it a complete prick to ride on the road).

[Daffyd]

The Gold Star was a long-running model, the first one was a pre-war model. There were YB32s, ZB34s, BB34s and BB32s, CB34s and CB32s, but the one that is most famous and everybody recognises was the final DBD34 model. (32=350cc, 34=500cc).

Even still, the DBD34 came in lots of different versions, from trials to touring to clubman -- but the Gold Star model that everybody thinks of first is the DBD34 clubman, with the clipons and swept-back exhausts (and massively high gearing, making it a complete prick to ride on the road).

The number of models no doubt contributed to the ultimate failure of BSA.
History records that bike and car manufacturers that produced multiple models in relatively small numbers as opposed to large numbers of fewer models went broke.

One car maker that springs to mind is Borgward - Hansa, a German family owned firm.

Sorry, a bit off topic.

[slofox]

DBD Goldstars? Pardon my ignorance. I remember the BSA Goldstars. Was DBD a sponsor or a team?

Wot XWHATSIT said....BSA's DBD Goldstar.......I should have made my meaning clear...

[Ixion]

..

Even still, the DBD34 came in lots of different versions, from trials to touring to clubman -- but the Gold Star model that everybody thinks of first is the DBD34 clubman, with the clipons and swept-back exhausts (and massively high gearing, making it a complete prick to ride on the road).

And close ratio gearbox to boot. AND an Amal GP carb which had no idle circuit whatsoever.

[xwhatsit]

The number of models no doubt contributed to the ultimate failure of BSA.
History records that bike and car manufacturers that produced multiple models in relatively small numbers as opposed to large numbers of fewer models went broke.

One car maker that springs to mind is Borgward - Hansa, a German family owned firm.

Sorry, a bit off topic.

Well... maybe, but I don't think so. You're talking four, five models over twenty years. Take a look at the Jap manufacturers in comparison. And offering a single model in multiple trims (i.e. the clubman, touring, trials versions) was what all the manufacturers did back then. I mean, look at the CB750. How many iterations in 10 years?

And close ratio gearbox to boot. AND an Amal GP carb which had no idle circuit whatsoever.

You can say that as often as you like, but it doesn't stop me wanting one any less I won't be putting a Concentric on it either

[Bob]

If you want to know why BSA (and the rest of the British Motorcycle Industry) failed, can I recommend reading

Whatever Happened to the British Motor Cycle Industry? by Bert Hopwood

Bert was there from the start, working at Triumph with Edward Turner. This is a damning read, but worth a look - if nothing else for learning how NOT to run a company! That the British Motorcycle industry went from the 3rd largest dollar earner for the UK to bankrupt is appaling... and Hopwood's book catelogues the mismanagement.

[Bonez]

I mean, look at the CB750. How many iterations in 10 years?

Just the Ks, Fs and As. Along with specials for various gummerment depertments.

Pom management where just too tight to update manufacturing facilities, stuck in a rut they apperently couldn't get out of. Then along came the little yellow men in white coats that had bikes that sold at a reasonable price for most folk and the rest is history.

[martybabe]

I wish them well, I just hope they keep it simple this time and build from there like Triumph.

A bullet proof retro middleweight a bit like your Kawa W650 bearing the Norton Logo, get the older fellas interested and be affordable to Newer riders.

Maybe even borrow a few engines from Mr Yamahonkawsuzi to get bums on Norton seats Ala rotax and BMW.

Oh well whatever, I just hope they walk before they run, leave the Wankel/jet/rocket/18 cylinder bikes till later.

[xwhatsit]

Just the Ks, Fs and As. Along with specials for various gummerment depertments.

Pom management where just too tight to update manufacturing facilities, stuck in a rut they apperently couldn't get out of. Then along came the little yellow men in white coats that had bikes that sold at a reasonable price for most folk and the rest is history.

K, F and A were just different specs of CB750 (normal/touring, sport and automatic). There were several different models of K and F, dunno about A, what a strange concept that transmission was.

I think they should do the reverse of what the Japs did years ago when they put them out of business in the first place -- kidnap a W650 and pull it to bits to work out why it's such a pearler of a motorcycle

[Bonez]

K, F and A were just different specs of CB750 (normal/touring, sport and automatic). There were several different models of K and F, dunno about A, what a strange concept that transmission was.:

Apart from the original 1968 CB750s(which had sand cast engine casings) and the K bike varied only in year(which the numbers after the K stood for-K1 ment it was manufacture in 1971 which ran to 1978-K8) of manufacture pretty much with improvements(wiring loom connections,carbs,clutch etc IIRC) and a few changes cosmeticly(tank, seat, side covers to go with the times) over the years it was produced. In broard terms there was basicly three models of F-F1/F2/F3. Two models of A-A1 and A2

[xwhatsit]

Apart from the original 1968 CB750s(which had sand cast engine casings) and the K bike varied only in year(which the numbers after the K stood for-K1 ment it was manufacture in 1971 which ran to 1978-K8) of manufacture pretty much with improvements(wiring loom connections,carbs,clutch etc IIRC) and a few changes cosmeticly(tank, seat, side covers to go with the times) over the years it was produced. In broard terms there was basicly three models of F-F1/F2/F3. Two models of A-A1 and A2

There were several DOHC Ks as well. And don't forget those silly C `Custom' models, the SC models too. All in all, still more iterations than a Gold Star -- but I think we've all forgotten what the original point was

[trustme]

The Dreer Nortons were certainly a nice looking bike, pity they never got produced, now maybe they will .
With an big tank like my old 74 Interstate & I would be tempted , build an ADV tourer & the Scram might have to go.

[Bonez]

The were certainly a nice looking bike, pity they never got produced, now maybe they will .
With an big tank like my old 74 Interstate & I would be tempted , build an ADV tourer & the Scram might have to go.

Nice alright. Didn't they have a or tried to have around 100 or so on pre-order? http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/