Norton P11 was "Dynamite on Wheels"
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- The unique Norton P11 "Project 11" was conceived to compete in the Southwestern deserts of America. This unusual looking motorcycle was a Matchless G85 CS frame & running gear with an Norton Atlas 750 power plant and drivetrain installed. High power to weight or "Dynamite on Wheels" Wahoo!
The first bike I owned was a 1967 Norton P11 Scrambler that I bought new when I was home on leave from the USMC. I put clamp on pegs on it so I could take a passenger. The pegs had a tendency to vibrate loose and my passengers often had burns from the pipes so I mostly rode solo. Nice bike while it lasted. Had a couple of Commandos over the years too.
Great looking bike!
I am really enjoying these close looks at some classic machines that are not the same old same old. Keep up the good work!
Glad you enjoy them. I like these videos best, love learning about these beautiful older bikes. Wahoo!
That's one good-looking British beast!! Fantastic.
Truly beautiful and unique machine.
I always loved this bike! BTW you mentioned concentric carbs. That just means the float bowl is in a circle “around” the carb body. The bowl on the previous generation “monobloc” were on the side. Thanks for the classic bike content!
It has a look that just grabs you. I'm always a sucker for a red motorcycle anyway. Thanks for the Concentric carb info too. Hope to make more of these good old bike videos soon. Wahoo!
My first new bike was a P11A (low pipes). Piece of cake to work on and keep in tune (notwithstanding Lucas electronics ). Easy to ride, snappy but not high-strung.. had vibration and just slightly more than zero-padding in the seat, but I was young so who cared... rode it all over and in any weather (from humid heat of Texas and Florida to foot deep snow in North Dakota... try that in today's modern marvels...). When properly tuned (check the valves once a month, points about the same...), one or two kicks and ride away...
It sounds like you grew up right. First time I saw a P11 I was totally amazed. The more I learn about them the more that amazement grows. Wahoo!
I love this video, thanks for posting it. in the early 1970's I owned a 1968 version, but mine was a mix of the P11 and the Ranger. It had the P11 seat and aluminum oil tank but steel gas tank 2 gallons imperial. It had the low pipes but the cone on the end of them was sharper angle than the Ranger you showed on the photo. Yes it would do 100'ish. The single leading shoe front brake was inadequate but you got use to it. My P11 weighed in at 387 wet. I weighed 137 lbs in those days. My next bike was a H2 Kawasaki 750 triple. The Norton felt just as fast but it likely wasn't.
I believe the Norton ran mid 13 seconds 1/4 mile at St. Thomas drag strip in 1973. I sold it for $800 CDN. Yes it was candy apple red but I painted mine a Porsche brown. The side covers had a bunch or bananas painted on them. Something to do with smoking too much pot. Enjoy.
Dang, I love hearing this. Life is good. Wahoo!
I read in a motorcycle mag that it ran in the low 11 seconds on the 1/4 mile with a fly weight rider.
@@dennismckeown5863 possibly, I out ran a Hemi Charger but not full 1/4 mile. It was on the street on Ellington Ave East in Toronto Canada .
My first bike was that royal Enfield Indian and my second was a 1969 p11 them were the good times
Wahoo!
Thanks for this , i wish i was young enough to start again , i spent my years with BSAs , Yamahas , and Hondas , but i feel the calling for a Norton .
The P11 is a real good looking motorcycle. Love the pipes!
I remember road racing against a couple of those at Louden N.H. in the 80's, Beautifull Bikes to look at exquisite, with fine tube frames, and both were in Candy apple red . Another Bike that some tried racing was the Norton's built into Trackmaster frames, both were the same king of Beautifull but didn't seem to make great Roadracers.
They do look good. Wahoo!
My P11 handled just fine at all speeds.
fun machine!
Superb !!! All the best Brit bikes went to the USA, like the Royal Enfield Interceptor Mk1A 👍
Glad you liked it
Had one in the late 60"s. It was gold metal flake in color. Fun to ride and sounded great. Drum brakes of the era were not very good.
Would love to take one for a spin. Wahoo!