New Norton Lives!
NEW NORTON LIVES!
ROUNDUP
JEFF ALLEN
THE RACKET WOULD HAVE been unbearable if it weren't for the fact that it
was coming from an all-new Norton engine.
Yes, Norton (no more “America,” now that the legal fight for the fabled name is over) is in business and making serious noise at its Portland, Oregon, headquarters with the first running prototype of the 952 Commando.
“We’re getting 73 horsepower and 69 foot-pounds of torque, and we haven’t even started tuning it yet!” exclaimed company president Kenny Dreer with characteristic enthusiasm. “The torque is in the 60s by the 4000rpm range, and stays above that all the way up.”
The 952 Commando may be an all-new design, but the basic
layout of the parallel-Twin retains its British heritage: 360degree crankshaft, air-cooling and pushrods working on two valves per cylinder. It will, however, be brought into the modern era by gear primary and timing drives, unit construction and electric starting. Also, a center main bearing for the full-roller crank enhances support and durability. Best of all, though, is the use of a counterbalancer to quell the lively vibes inherent to said configuration.
Dreer had the 86 x 82mm test mule hung in a most lovely chromoly-steeltube frame and revving up on his rear-wheel dyno (using a pair of Toyota mufflers!). Keihin flat-slide carburetors fed the prototype, but the future holds fuel-injection and 88 x 79mm cylinder dimensions. Dreer pointed to the ceiling and noted that there were no engine parts embedded therein. Good news, indeed, anytime you’ve got a newly designed powerplant running at varying
Easy maintenance and easy modifications are part of the design brief. For example, the camshaft is readily changed for hop-up. Also, the five-speed gearbox is a cassette-type, so the transmission can be removed without disturbing the engine. A six-speeder will also be offered.
Fork spec is still up in the air, but expect tubes of at least 41mm and possibly as much as 46mm, conventional in arrangement. Tires are modern 17-inchers, a 120/70 front and 180/55 rear, mounted on alloy five-spokers carrying Brembo brakes.
The bodywork was inspired by Dreer’s Vintage Rebuilds VR880s, but is bigger and more muscular. “This is the first test mule,” says company CEO Jeff Foster. “It is by no stretch even a pre-production prototype. This is a mule to validate the basic design parameters.”
Foster says the design will be finalized by September, and that preliminary groundwork for EPA and DOT certification would be underway, as well.
“We’re going to have a 100bike run in 2004,” he says.
“The solidification of the marque was one of the biggest hurdles. This is the first time in 25 years that Norton ownership is all under one roof. Now, we’re developing the company and developing the bike. We’re going to bring a tested product to market. Many of our suppliers have extensive automotive OEM experience.”
According to Dreer, the Commando is aimed at bikes like the Ducati Monster 1000. “It’s a Sport Standard,” he says. “I like to call it a Classic Superbike.
This is by no means a rehashed version of an old Commando. This is a totally new proprietarily designed vehicle.”
For the time being, testing continues, with Dreer no doubt smiling all the while. With his ears plugged, of course!
Mark Hoyer
