Aprilia-Powered Norton to Compete at Isle of Man TT

Norton will not be bringing their own V4 to a MotoGP circuit anytime soon; no one has any doubt that they want to, and as soon as they are able. As a stop-gap, and a very good learning experience, they will field a kit Aprilia RSV4 engine - not too different from what the CRT teams have access to - in a Spondon frame in this year's Isle of Man TT. That last connection is interesting as Spondon used to frame many racing Nortons in its previous incarnation. And, Norton's new owner, one Stuart Garner, also happens to own Spondon. It's better to keep the program in-house as much as possible so as to learn everything it is possible to learn when using another marque's engine. In this way, Norton can prepare to create their own future MotoGP CRT engine. Since Norton already has some designs for this, I doubt very much that they will make a duplicate RSV4 engine - they will want their own. Norton has a reputation to protect if they plan to stay connected to their heritage in a meaningful way.

http://tinyurl.com/7xogr79

Bulding and Racing a Vintage Seeley Norton

Putting your mind to something and then getting it done is what often makes the difference between those who go somewhere in life and those who don't even know where they are. This of course, is not always true, as absolutes are very hard to come by in this universe. And, when goals like this are achieved, it is often only possible due to money, incredible skill, access to certain special resources, and a number of the right connections. However, the task is difficult and the path treacherous and the journey is filled with failures no matter who you are or what the scope of your project.

To read, see and hear a story of incredible dedication from two undeniable talents in vintage motorcycle racing - building, modifying, and racing them - please check out this story of the Seeley Norton and the two people behind the quest, Kenny Cummings and Dan Rose. The visuals alone are worth the click!

http://seeleynorton.com/

Norton to Return to Racing! & Pit Pass Radio with Kevin Schwantz

Norton is now working on a 200+ hp rotary engine with which they hope to enter first British Superbike and then World Superbike. They have been developing this concept since last year and are focused on making it to the 2011 Isle of Man TT with it. Great news! It will be very nice to see the Norton name back in modern racing again. Of course, I still like to see them in various vintage racing events...Take the link to learn a bit more.


http://tinyurl.com/ylaspcq


Tonight's Pit Pass Radio show (live tonight - podcast after that) will feature World Champion Kevin Schwantz, representing his Schwantz School motorcycle track\race school. Also featured will be Peter Doyle (former Mat Mladin crew chief), Peter Lenz (125GP racer), Rob Dingman (AMA President), and Ezra Lusk (AMA Supercross Lites Champion). Take the link to learn the details...

http://tinyurl.com/yzcn9j9

Jerry Romano’s Square Norton & 2010 Kawasaki ZX-10R Review

You really have to take a look at this machine. Jerry Romano has managed to fit an Ariel Square Four into a Norton Featherbed frame. Just the fact that he massaged the engine into the frame speaks volumes about his skill with motorcycles. This is one of the most incredible customs to come along in a while - it even looks factory-made. The 997cc Ariel Square Four engine is the design of Triumph legend Edward Turner and is a classic all by itself...take the link and be impressed!

http://tinyurl.com/yarjtc9

The 2010 Kawasaki ZX-10R has finally been ridden for the press. It is mostly unchanged, but they did alter the bodywork to more closely resemble the ZX-6R and to make the bike appear to be much lighter - even if the weight is still the same. It certainly looks sharper! The turn signals are a bit of an acquired taste, though. However, the bike is even smoother than last year and it will really tear up a track! Take the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yhk7cxz

More Afternoon Moto News - New Norton, Motorcycle Safety & Allstate Giveaway

The new Norton Motorcycles will begin producing their Norton Commando 961 in England. Of course, we all know that the original design was penned by American Kenny Dreer, but it is Stuart Garner who had the resources to finally get the marque back in the business of making machines of lust. The first 50 Nortons should get to the US this year - that's a good thing when you consider how long many of these people have been waiting for their 2010 Commando.

http://tinyurl.com/y9zfewc

The California Highway Patrol is pushing a message of looking out for motorcyclists all across the state. Of course, the target audience is auto and truck drivers (mostly auto) drivers. The MSF is quite happy about this work as you would expect - and we should all thank the CHP for the effort. It is better than being ignored as we are in other states...

http://tinyurl.com/yhz7qo8

Through a press release, the Allstate insurance company has announced a special giveaway. One lucky winner will win a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle designed by legendary bike builder Dave Perewitz. It will be revealed on 19 February (I will update this post at that time) and will be a Pro Street style machine. To enter the "Allstate Pro Street Sweepstakes" please take the link to the link...

http://tinyurl.com/y8udajk

More Afternoon Moto News - Brutale 1090RR Review & New Norton Races!

The new MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR is something to behold - lovely, powerful, and very well-made. Well, how does it perform on the street? Well, let's just say that the Brutale sets the standard in the naked bike segment as it always has. The author here finds it slightly less perfect than the Streetfighter, but at least the Brutale has well-sorted suspension right off the production line and it is much more reliable than the Ducati...and that is borne out through the large number of warranty work on the new Streetfighter. Go MV and you will never regret it!

http://tinyurl.com/ycvesfx

The 'new' Norton is going racing, finally! Chris Walker, of British and World Superbike series and new Sales Manager for Norton, will be taking the Commando 961 to the Thundersprint event. That's right, no VIP and full access to Walker and the beautiful race bike from the new Norton shop - thanks, of course, to Kenny Dreer. Really fantastic news!

http://tinyurl.com/ydslhmv

Thursday Evening Moto News - Team Suzuki Motocross & Norton Commando Cafe Racer SE

It's actually Team Suzuki City and they have three riders - Steven Clarke and Matt Lemoine competing in the East Coast Lites Supercross series and the AMA Outdoor Lites Championship, and Sherri Cruse will contest the AMA Women's Motocross Championships. The team has been around for three years now and they even have a sponsorship deal with Nitro Circus. 2010 will have good off-road racing as well!

http://tinyurl.com/yham779

At the MCN London Motorcycle Show - go ahead, guess where it is - the newly constituted Norton released their new 2010 Norton Commando Cafe Racer Special Edition (maybe not correct nomenclature). It is a lovely machine and customers can custom order - changing the finish, suspension, wheels and much more. It is not even all that expensive given the work. Take a look and you will see why this machine would look so good with you on it. Oh, and don't forget to pay attention to the young woman in the background - it's priceless!

http://tinyurl.com/ylnx39g

More Afternoon Moto News - TTXGP Out of Isle of Man! David Bettencourt RIP & Norton, New

The TT Zero event, which just happens to be run by the ACU, is displacing the Isle of Man round of the TTXGP. There is a great deal of information after the link, so you should probably just go there to read the details. But, it just gets really sad when money and politics (which are everywhere) start to make our sport more complicated and harder to deal with. This move by the Isle of Man Tourism people is simply idiotic. I hope that the TTXGP sues them!

http://tinyurl.com/ycbw8nq

David Bettencourt has died while fighting leukemia and awaiting a bone marrow transplant. David's father, Dick, founded Bettencourt Honda over 65 years ago, and the name is a big part of the motorcycling culture. The dealership has sponsored hundreds of racers in its time. David was a championship-level dirt track and ice racer and will be remembered as a good friend to many people.

http://tinyurl.com/ydhfvx4

Nort0n, the new Norton that is, will be at the MCN Motorcycle Show in London. Honestly, did you expect any different? Of course Norton will be there!

http://tinyurl.com/ya7kceh

Tuesday Evening Moto News - Norton 880 Monoshock Cafe Racer

This is a rather short one, but very interesting. Paul Zuniga decided to build a Norton similar to the one Kenny Dreer originally designed as the Norton rebirth. His Norton has a single-shock rear end and inverted Kawasaki forks. It will have an 880c.c. over-bored Norton twin in it as soon as he is finished. But, now it looks just fine as it is. It looks very good and it starts my mind to wandering...

http://tinyurl.com/ya7qtuq

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Brittown DVD & WSBK Practice Day 2

A DVD chronicling part of the life of vintage Norton racer and mechanic Jeff "Meatball" Tulinius from his homebase, his Hell On Wheels shop in Anaheim, California. The film is called "Brittown" and it covers his time racing a BSA and just being himself. There is a video preview after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yfny4e4

We now have some more reports from the World Superbike Championship testing taking place at Portimao in Portugal. Jonathan Rea was the fastest on this day, but it was a wet session - good for testing, though. Leon Haslam, yesterday's leader, was close to Rea in second. There is plenty more for the teams to do, so expect yet another leader tomorrow.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzy6xf

http://tinyurl.com/yghj74u

http://tinyurl.com/yzt5e6l - From Haga and Fabrizio

Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Yamaha Zuma 125 & Norton Cafe Racer

It's a scooter, yes, but a very cool one. The 2010 Yamaha Zuma 125 is one tight, little ride and it rides very well for a machine of this size and tune. The funny part about this specific model is that the average age of the people who purchase it is 48! Maybe it's because this scooter is built to last a very long time - and it sips petrol at 70 miles per gallon or so...

http://tinyurl.com/y8kxh79

A sweet Norton restoration if I have ever seen one. OK, so it is more of a resto-mod, but I still find it to be rather tasty. The interesting bits are numerous, but the Aprilia V-twin engine powering it seems to say enough for this post. Really, you owe it to yourself to go and learn about the Taimoshan Cycle Works and the owner of it all, John Pellew.

http://tinyurl.com/ydw9u8y

Christmas Day Moto News - A Little Something for You

Yep, it is Christmas Day and people are stuffing themselves and getting gifts, but some of us are still paying attention to the news of the day - not everyone celebrates this day. And, even those who are having a great day will still be checking their blogs and newsletters.

With that in mind, we start with a rather beautiful machine from French designers Frank Charriaut and VincentPrat. They visited the Legend of the Motorcycle International Concours d’Elegance in June 2008 and decided to build a machine for themselves. They took a featherbed frame and a Norton 750 engine and turned it into the bike you see pictured here, the CP Project One. It is an incredible design exercise which would look perfect in my garage!

http://tinyurl.com/y98mnya

Now we have a 'Best of 2009' from MotorcycleUSA which brings us their picks for the best machines and best companies in the motorcycle industry from 2009. They have some controversial choices, but they do back them up with good reporting and good information. Take a look and see if you agree with them...

http://tinyurl.com/yekovwg

Lastly, for this post, comes some news on the Czech Dakar Team - one of the best European entries - is getting ready to head out for the Rally Dakar in South America. They have 36 team members total across all class entries, and they will be riding a Yamaha WR450F in the motorcycle competition. They have a quality team and good support, which only makes the racing more interesting!

http://tinyurl.com/y8gsadu

In Celebration of the New Norton Commando SE - A Giveaway

Yes, that's right, Motorcycle Classics magazine is giving away a selection of Norton-themed items to the lucky winners of a contest. There is no purchase necessary and entry is a snap. Don't miss your chance to win something!

http://tinyurl.com/ybetmen

Michael Dunlop May Leave Norton for 2010

Dunlop had intended to ride the new Norton at the Isle of Man TT, but could not do so due to technical problems. He couldn't even get the bike in good enough shape to qualify for the Senior TT. The NRV588 is behind all of the competition, by a long way, and he is not sure it will be worth riding in the TT. He is not tied to them legally, so he is not walking on a contract. It's just that he is a racer and he should be on something with which he has a chance to win.

http://tinyurl.com/y89klcb

Geoff Leather Wins National Motorcycle Museum Trophy - U.K.

Leather is a 61-year-old funeral director who loves to race motorcycles. His 1955 350cc Manx Norton (dream machine) was the highest placed original motorcycle in the Lansdowne Classic Series. That is how he received the award. He will be retiring the bike, though, and will race a replica of it in future events...

http://tinyurl.com/ybbypmr

2010 Race Retro Celebrates 60 Years of the Norton Featherbed Manx

The Norton Featherbed Manx was debuted in April of 1950 and it was a sensation in motorcycle racing. So, to celebrate this incredible innovation, Race Retro's 2010 Stoneleigh Park event will feature the Norton Owner's Club from 12 to 14 March 2009. There will be several historic motorcycles on hand, some great vintage racing, and some other fun entertainment...the Ken Fox Troupe Wall of Death!

http://tinyurl.com/yh7jzco

Do Not Forget - 2010 Toronto Motorcycle Show This Weekend!

The 2010 Toronto Motorcycle Show will be held 11 - 13 December 2009 at the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Even more brands have been announced now; Norton, Royal Enfield, Husqvarna, Saga, Zero and more will be in attendance in addition to the already broad spectrum of manufacturers already known. There will be tons of exhibitors with accessories, parts, apparel, helmets, and much, much more. It is worth the price of admission!

http://tinyurl.com/yjfpc6k

Incredible List of Italian Motorcycle Museums (in Italy)

Some of the collections are only available to view via appointment, so check the details to be sure. This list is quite inclusive and includes some of the rarest and most beautiful machines on the planet. The only problem...all of them are in Italy. But, that is a good reason for a vacation!

http://tinyurl.com/yfa4mlp

More De-Briefs from Carole Nash International Show in U.K.

The Carole Nash International Motorcycle & Scooter Show at the NEC in the U.K. is almost over - just one more day of festivities. However, the reports from the event are starting to come in. First, it was very well attended - more than expected - and there was plenty of excitement from manufacturers, distributors and the attendees. They even had the U.K. Get On! booth at the show, with a mobile unit full of training motorcycles. More as I see it...

http://tinyurl.com/ykmwtk6

Irish TT Racer - Walter Rusk - Blonde Bombshell

Supposedly, the town of Ulster still remembers Walter Rusk. I hope that is true. He raced in several 'real roads' races - of course, those were the only races in many locations - during the 1930's right up until World War II. He raced for the likes of Norton, AJS, Sunbeam, and Velocette. He died while in training to become a Royal Air Force pilot...ending this amazing life way too early.

http://tinyurl.com/yda33o6