A little Norton Model 7 history

Mention the name Norton and several iconic motorcycles come to mind. These include the Manx, the Inter, the Commando, even chimeric combinations such as the Triton or Norvin. Behind this backdrop of pedigreed performance, there are some well-known utilitarian mounts such as the 16H, the Big Four, and the ES2. The Model 7 unfortunately doesn't generate a great deal of excitement except for those that own them or those that understand the motorcycle's place in history.

The Model 7 Dominator  made its debut at the Earl Court Show in late 1948. It was Norton's first in-house foray into twin cylinder engines under the direction of Bert Hopwood. Hopwood came over from stints at BSA and Triumph where he was responsible for the Speed Twin. The resemblance between the two is uncanny although conincidental in my mind considering that the chassis came from the pre-existing, plunger-framed ES2.

Model 7 Dominator

Triumph Speed Twin

The Model 7 was a 496 cc, 360 degree, vertical twin featuring a new "laydown" gearbox intended to fit below the oil tank. It wasn't a performance bike and I think Bert Hopwood correctly understood the social reality of post-war Europe. It was an era of practicality and the Dominator was a sensible machine that was reliable, easy to maintain, while still offering style. Back at the home office, it was controversial. Joe Craig and J. Moore were not enthusiatic. They felt it was a departure from the racing tradition set by the famous single cylinder machines that were the foundation of Norton's reputation. The clash of styles eventually led to Bert Hopwood's departure from Norton before he really was able to see production in full swing.

The reviews of the Norton Model 7, on the other hand, are very complimentary on both its performance and presentation. Again, the mentality had changed from the pre-war years and in an era of rationed fuel and rebuilding of nations, the motorcycle fit perfectly. Hopwood understood the economic reality of the times. The earliest road test from my archive is March 1949 in The Motor Cycle shortly after the Earls Court Show boasts that performs with the power greater than 500cc's!

The Importance of the Model 7 Dominator doesn't rest in the bike itself but as the progenitor of a 30 year production run ending with the Commando. Not too shabby. It's great to see that tradition reborn again in the Norton 961 in all its incarnations. By all the reviews, I hope it will be as successful as it historic commpetitor Triumph. By the way, Thanks Bert Hopwood!

Norton 961 Commando

Happy New Year's Day

It's a new year and the slate is clean. For everybody, New Year's Day provides the opportunity to commit or even re-commit to something or perhaps someone. I have owned my motorcycle for three years and notwithstanding my military duties including a deployment to Iraq it has been difficult giving the Model 7 the real attention it deserves. Bernal Osborne aptly described my affliction in his foreword to the second edition of  Modern Motorcycle Maintenance  as "needless tinkering-a pastime at which, I may say, motorcyclists are notoriously adept." I'll digress just a second and say that this is a fabulous little book especially for the novice mechanic. Now, it's time to get in it gear and address the issues.

A definitely good read

Like I mentioned earlier, I consider myself a vintage motorcyclist and so the goal of the "restoration" is a return to its original state rather than a concourse level attempt. Let's look at mine on top versus the standard I would like to achieve on the bottom.

  

The most obvious work to be done is on the tinwork. The front mudguard is incorrect but while I was in Iraq I was able to source a an original one with the front stand. I just need to find or fab some front stays. The rear mudguard was most likely involved in some incident because a good portion has been bobbed off so I'll have to figure something out there. Other things that need attention include:

1. Chrome tank completion

2. Proper silencers

3. Respoke wheels

4. Skim brake drums and new brake pads

5. Complete Carb Rebuild

6. Centre stand completion

7. Rocker oil feed line replacement

8. Sidestand rebuild

9. Complete revision of clutch

10. New seat cover

11. Rechrome a few parts

So there's the list and now it's time to get to work (after I finish my New Year's Bloody Mary). I wish you the very best for the New Year and the best of luck with your projects.

What's in a name?

Don Quixote by Pablo Picasso

I will freely admit that I am neither a writer nor a literary intellectual and came up with the name for this blog as a bit of a lark. Rocinante is of course the name of my Norton Model 7. It came about as a result of my wonderful wife describing the motorcycle as my "sculpture in the garage" in that at least until recently it was stationary, took up space, and was buffed admiringly. Like all art, it deserved a name and the rest is history. At this point a disclaimer should immediately follow in the event my wife should happen to read this. Kate completely supports my hobby and embodies the noblest of vintage motorcyclist attributes. For both Kate and I, the true artistry is seeing those old bikes run.

 Steinbeck, Charley, and Rocinante taking a breather

I make no pretense to originality in using Rocinante to name both my bike and this blog. There are numerous literary, cinematographic, and musical references to Rocinante, Don Quixote's resolute and faithful horse. The most notable of these references is by John Steinbeck in his travelogue Travels with Charley wriiten in 1960. Steinbeck, Charley his poodle, and Rocinante the pickup/camper combo traveled all over the United States in an epic journey meant to pay homage to the country he loved before he died.

Any allusion to Cervantes' Don Quixote is ambitious considering the complexity of the novel. At its most superficial level it appears that Rocinante comes from the fusion of rocin meaning "nag" and ante which is latin for "before". It describes the fantastic transformation of a humble workhorse to noble steed which makes for a striking parallel to the restoration of a vintage motorcycle.  I should say that my Rocinante still has a bit of transforming to go!

Monument to Cervantes in Madrid

Finally, the allusion to Don Quixote describes my relationship to vintage motorcycling namely in terms of  what scholars may describe as naive idealism. I don't think I am alone in saying that I am not only attracted to the hobby for the bikes but also the period of history in which they were built. In an age where technology invades nearly all aspects of life, it's refreshing to work on a purely mechanical contraption and the simpler life associated with the era in which it was produced. Clearly, that craving has spurred a renewed interest in the "good ol' days" characterized by the resurgence of the Ace Cafe, Bonneville, hot rods, as well as the numerous print and online publications supporting the vintage motor world.

Rockers at the Ace

In spite of the idealism, the reality is that vintage motorcycling has provided a multitude of oppotunities to learn new things and meet new people. It is definitely what makes the hobby special.

Finally.......

It has been several months since I started work on this blog and I have to give credit to the December issue of "Classic Bike" for giving me the kick in the pants to just get something on the page. I don't consider myself a writer but reading such fabulous blogs like "The Vintagent", "Rapid Hare", and "Southsiders" really made me want to join the brotherhood and share my experiences.

It's an understatement to say that I love vintage motorcycling. It has always been a part of me albeit very suppressed. My grandfather was a keen motorcyclist in the 1920's and 30's riding marques like Terrot and Gnome et Rhone. He boasted of being  the first motorcyclist with electric lighting in his region. The pictures of him astride those bikes were fantasies that caused me to ride around for hours on my little 1950's era Motobecane bicycle pretending I was on one of his bikes. Unfortunately, motorcycling was severely discouraged in my household only to come alive by pure chance in the local bookseller a few years ago.

I  happened across "Classic Bike" and was instantly smitten. I could not put the magazine down. I found myself cruising the internet trying to figure out what type of bike I really liked. Initially, I fell for all the big names.....Goldstar, Vincent, Manx. But like most folks, these were simply out of my league. One day I was looking at the offerings of a reputable classic motorcycle dealer here in the U.S. and I found the bike I wanted....... a 1951 Norton Model 7

Why I chose this bike, what I have learned since getting it, and even the logic behind the name of this blog will all be grist for future postings. Thanks for reading.