Norton: Difference between revisions
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* 1898 Company founded by [[James Lansdowne Norton]] - a toolmaker with deeply religious beliefs and very high standards. He began with the supply of fittings to the two-wheeled trade. | * 1898 Company founded by [[James Lansdowne Norton]] - a toolmaker with deeply religious beliefs and very high standards. He began with the supply of fittings to the two-wheeled trade. | ||
* 1902 Built his | * 1902 Built his first motorcycle powered by an imported [[Clement]] engine which hung from the bicycle frame downtube. Advanced for these times, the machine was called the Energette, with either direct belt or chain transmission and two-speed gearbox. | ||
* 1903 More machines were developed using mainly [[Peugeot]] engines. | * 1903 More machines were developed using mainly [[Peugeot]] engines. | ||
* 1907/1908 Norton | * 1907/1908 Norton began to design and produce his own engine. The success of this simple, well-built machine lasted for over four decades. His concentration on engineering and neglect of finances brought trouble. This resulted in in a buy out by R. T. Shelley, who joined Norton as managing director - thus giving the firm a firmer footing. | ||
* 1915 Although there was little involvement in the Great War, production of a three-speed gearbox and all-chain drive commenced. | |||
* 1920 Norton moved to Bracebridge Street and remained there until 1963. | |||
* 1925 James Norton died at the age of 56, after two years of ill health. | |||
* 1927 A new ohc engine designed by [[Walter Moore]] first appeared. This had the magneto behind the engine (rather than in front), and a camshaft driven by shaft and bevels, all mounted on a new cradle frame. | |||
* 1929 [[Walter Moore]] left the company and was replaced by [[Joe Craig]] who became famous as the firm's race director. He co-designed an engine with [[Arthur Carroll]] that was one of the greatest designs of all time and that remained almost unchanged for over thirty years. | |||
* 1931 Norton became predominant in the racing world and remained there for much of the decade - until the outbreak of war. | |||
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== Sources of Information == | == Sources of Information == | ||
The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press ''and'' | The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press ''and'' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norton_%28motorcycle%29 Wikipedia] | ||
Revision as of 12:53, 21 March 2007
NORTON
Norton have been producing Motorcycles since 1902
- 1898 Company founded by James Lansdowne Norton - a toolmaker with deeply religious beliefs and very high standards. He began with the supply of fittings to the two-wheeled trade.
- 1902 Built his first motorcycle powered by an imported Clement engine which hung from the bicycle frame downtube. Advanced for these times, the machine was called the Energette, with either direct belt or chain transmission and two-speed gearbox.
- 1903 More machines were developed using mainly Peugeot engines.
- 1907/1908 Norton began to design and produce his own engine. The success of this simple, well-built machine lasted for over four decades. His concentration on engineering and neglect of finances brought trouble. This resulted in in a buy out by R. T. Shelley, who joined Norton as managing director - thus giving the firm a firmer footing.
- 1915 Although there was little involvement in the Great War, production of a three-speed gearbox and all-chain drive commenced.
- 1920 Norton moved to Bracebridge Street and remained there until 1963.
- 1925 James Norton died at the age of 56, after two years of ill health.
- 1927 A new ohc engine designed by Walter Moore first appeared. This had the magneto behind the engine (rather than in front), and a camshaft driven by shaft and bevels, all mounted on a new cradle frame.
- 1929 Walter Moore left the company and was replaced by Joe Craig who became famous as the firm's race director. He co-designed an engine with Arthur Carroll that was one of the greatest designs of all time and that remained almost unchanged for over thirty years.
- 1931 Norton became predominant in the racing world and remained there for much of the decade - until the outbreak of war.
Sources of Information
The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press and Wikipedia