Norton
From Graces Guide
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 forst 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 begins 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 financial touble. This resulted in in a buy out by R. T. Shelley, who joined Norton as managing director - thus giving the firm a firmer footing.
Sources of Information
The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press and