Norton back in business

[rudolph]

There first bike there gonna start building is a Norton 16H just the same as the old one

[Ixion]

Really? They can put me down for one then, I'd love one of those.

[Motu]

Is that the one with the Rotax motor?

[rudolph]

Is that the one with the Rotax motor?

Yer kind of, its a Side valve Rotax moto

[AllanB]

If Kawasaki had made the W650 a W750 (or 900 - oh yeah) and popped 17 inch wheels on it with modern rubber I'd probably have one in the shed.

Old bikes are really just that - old bikes - by today's standards poor handling, brakes, power and vibrate like hell. Sure do look pretty. I'd like a classic bonnie just for once a month Sunday mornings.

Poor Norton - let it die gracefully I say - they had their day and should remain a loved classic. Ditto Indian.

[Motu]

Yer kind of, its a Side valve Rotax moto

What's a ''side valve''? Do they use them in 2 strokes?

[xwhatsit]

What's a ''side valve''? Do they use them in 2 strokes?

Nah you're thinking of rotary valves. Side valves are what they fit to the new Aprilias to make pumping your tyres up easier instead of getting the pump fitting wedged in the spokes.

@AllanB: 17" rims? What on earth would you want to fit scooter wheels on? My Super Cub has 17" wheels and it's bloody hard to find a tyre in that oddball size. 19" is what proper bikes have. I've got 18" wheels, but I don't think it'll catch on.

[Shaun]

2007 Norton Rotary Race bike

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/norton06120100.html

[NordieBoy]

What's a ''side valve''? Do they use them in 2 strokes?

Beta (or GasGas - can never remember) are using a side valve 4-stroke in their new trials bike.
They say it reduces the number of parts or something.
They're then going to use the engine in the dirt bike.

[Unit:Me]

My first ever bike was a Norton 850 Commando with a roadster tank and semi-western handle bars. I loved that bike and it served me well in the mid 80s. Then is was a big bike to me, now, well, its just so cute and the rear wheel size is a laugh. But it would go anywhere, and often we would end up off road. Had to carry a gerry can between Greymouth and Westport on a Sunday though. The interstates had a bigger tank.
Anyway, I hope they do the retro re-creation as Triumph have so successfully done, I would have another one in my garage in a heartbeat, simply for those Sunday afternoon pootles, that would be way cool.

[rudolph]

What's a ''side valve''? Do they use them in 2 strokes?

What says the man with a S.V. BSA M20 in his aviator

[trustme]

http://www.cycleworld.com/article.as...article_id=425

This is what they need to make, the rotary is a bit too out there , we don't need more ubber sport bikes
Light, simple parallel twin, maybe 270 crank, follow the classic Commando lines, ie a lighter more powerful better handling version of new Bonnie, with performance more like an air cooled Ducati Monster.
Do another version geared more for all road touring, a simplified version of the new BMW 850GS,make it simple, reliable & bullet proof . A bike that sits in between the DR's KLR's & the big heavy ADV bikes
I reckon they would sell well

[raftn]

I might have to etend the garage.............mmmmm.........

[wharfy]

What's a ''side valve''? Do they use them in 2 strokes?

To us oldies a "side valve" motor ( also known as a "flathead" ) has the valves located NEXT to the piston(s) the head has a combustion chamber shaped to enclose the cylinder and the valves. Think Briggs & Stratton 4 stroke lawn mower.

Simple, reliable easy to service - fuck all power.

[Ixion]

And there you have your answer, young fellow. Don't be shy of asking, it's the only way that youngsters like you will improve your knowledge of engines, eh. For your next research project, you can see if you can find an oldster who can tell you about inlet over exhaust.