1957 Norton Dominator 750cc at Andy Tiernans

[@PNH750]

Lots of unanswered questions here. Those people who know their Nortons will be shouting loudly that putting a 650 or 750 crankshaft into a pre-1960 crankcase requires the fitting of special, expensive, shoulderless con-rods. Even harder is getting a 750 barrel on the 88/99 cases as the stud holes do not match and machining of the mouth is required. It is possible to convert a 88/99 engine to 750cc but an expensive decision that may also need the modifications, made in 1962, to the front frame lugs to prevent the larger engines breaking the frame. Plus what is that Stock number? A 08176 frame & engine number for a Dominator would make it a very late 1958 build. Possibly even a 1959 model.

[@carolramsey6287]

People get up to all sorts. I've seen a BSA B31 with B33 barrel and M21 crank to take it to 634cc, Harley WLA with ohv Matchless top end. I have a C15 and despite bearing the correct engine number those cases are definitely B25. I have seen many others. In 60+ years who knows what has been done to them?

[@PNH750]

@@carolramsey6287 I agree.......I worked at an engineering shop where they specialised in building up the crankpins, on a pre-1960 Norton 99 crankshaft by 2.5 mm, and then grinding them so that they were further outboard to give a longer stroke. With oversize pistons and different conrods you could make a 650 engine. I don't think that using one for racing would be a good idea.

[@skippmclovan1135]

That has the same idle sound as the 650SS. Single carb makes life a bit easier. Of Atlas, 650SS, 99, and 88 in that frame the sweetest running engine was probably the 88, although a particular Triton with a twin-carbed, pre-unit 'Wheelmark' 6T, with Bonneville cams, was spectacular, for sweet running, power, AND good handling. Wish still had it. Rebuilt in dark purple and black it was a stunning spotless pre-unit machine!

[@kevinjamesdawes7223]

I had a 380gt suzuki, not a mad fast bike, and we used to go to the transatlantic back in the sheene Roberts days. Oulton Park lots of people would ridevthevtrack the night before the race. I came across one of these and I was 2 up. The 380 kicked it's arse they were a relic back then. I would gate to see them go extinct but please don't elevate them beyond what they were, a post war relic.

[@alan1340]

Norton to a Suzuki?? No comparison, the Norton will endure and the Suzuki will fade away and vanish up its own orifice.

[@nounoufriend1442]

Think your living a dream ,GT 380 38hp Norton Atlas (this has Atlas engine) 49hp with bucket loads more torque , so unless you and your passenger weighed 3 stone between you ,the Norton would kick arse . Anyway GT 380's a relic now and quite collectable ,wish still had mine , but they were no speed demon even in their day

[@kevinhardy8263]

@@nounoufriend1442 hi yes i agree a good 380 would hit a 100 one up 90 two up a good atlas would leave it for dead

[@phillipbutcher6615]

Norton over a Suzuki any day

[@davidellis279]

Sounds like a sack of nails compared to Japanese engines,I had a 250cc Jubilee that sounded like that from new,it used to seize up on a regular basis,what a load of Crap,bought a 650cc BSA Golden Flash after and did 45,000 miles on it no problem.

[@derekbunting2862]

Very true David.I had a commando which was nowt but trouble. Never had a BSA but like the look of them.

[@nounoufriend1442]

Navigator wasn't Norton's finest 'engine problems and franny barnet suspension/brakes . Navigator was loads better roadholder forks ,good brakes and good engine ,underrated bike but tainted by reputation of Navigator