Dunstall Nortons For '70
DUNSTALL NORTONS FOR ’70
Three Lusty Sporting Machines: With 68 bhp And An Optional Six-Speed Gearbox.
ENGLISH RACING entrepreneur Paul Dunstall has introduced his 1970 lineup of revised Norton roadsters. For the past several years Dunstall Nortons have gained the respect of road riders and racers alike, marked by excellent acceleration and hairline handling. And while competitors and “cafe racing” enthusiasts have been well served by his products, the road-going tourer was sadly neglected. Well, such is no longer the case, for leading this year’s array of new bikes is the Dunstall-Norton Gran Tourer.
This is a new venture for the London racing engineer, prompted by the sales of many machines to foreign visitors intending to enjoy some touring before returning home with the bike. And, significantly, like its stablemates the “Sprint” and the “Export,” the Tourer has the full Dunstall engine treatment. This includes extensive modification to the head and ports, 1/8 in. larger intake valves, high compression pistons (10:1 or 10.5:1), 32-mm carburetors and many other refinements. Horsepower is rated at 68 bhp at 7000 rpm.
The Dunstall-Norton Sprint is a somewhat leaner model, devoid of panniers and bulkier touring trim. Comparatively light and nimble, this model is designed a fun bike for street use. It is also dissimilar from the tourer in that the machine comes with alloy wheels and alloy control levers. Additionally, the Sprint is offered with a choice of handlebars: clip-ons, short roadster style or high touring bars. Implementing the standard Norton gearset, this model is said to be capable of 115-mph top speed. However, for all three models there is an optional six-speed gearbox available for $ 1 20. The latter packs a higher (4. 1 5: 1) top gear than the stock unit (4.84:1), enabling the Dunstall Norton to achieve a top speed of 133 mph.
Incidentally, a highly desirable feature of this transmission is that it uses four pairs of wide gears instead of the alternative six pairs of narrower gears. This is made possible by using three shifting forks. Consequently, the hairy Norton’s torque is kept in reasonable discipline by the chunkier cogs.
Priced at $1400 at the factory, the Sprint costs $100 more than the Tourer. At the top of the line, there is the Dunstall-Norton Export. Mechanically, this model is virtually the same as the Sprint and Tourer, with the exception of that very prominent hydraulic, twindisc front brake (Continental Report, April ’70).
Also, this model comes standard with a wind-cheating fiberglass fairing, rearset footpegs and clip-on handlebars. The Export cafe racer is actually a streetlegal version of the Dunstall production racer and is equally at home on road or track.
For those interested in purchasing machines such as these the chore is surprisingly simple, and the Dunstall firm handles all the paperwork. Further, if you plan to buy a Dunstall-Norton with the intention of touring England when you get there, they will also make the necessary arrangements for the road fund license, insurance and shipment of the bike at the end of your tour. [o]
