1962 Norton 650SS - Jay Leno's Garage

1962 Norton 650SS. Hop on the back of Jay's meticulously restored British twin, reputed to be the best of the Dommies in its day.
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1962 Norton 650SS - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1962 Norton 650SS - Ja...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage

[@gene978]

I can't get enough of how Jay is a REAL Human. His love for anything auto and the passion he has shows and to mention the previous owners and the care like he is best friends mentioning Walter many times and his wife. I would love to have just 1 toy to cherish and take care of and show off. It's amazing how Jay is just as passionate about each piece he has. THANKS JAY!

[@gregbrassington9369]

Beautiful bike , heaps of respect for Walter. Gentlemen 😁

[@stevelorenz6091]

That's because he's a honest good man, very rare type of goodman

[@anxiousappliance]

@@stevelorenz6091 I always ask "What would Jay do" and then I make my decision. I heart Jay

[@Sig721Tau]

@@stevelorenz6091 Not according to Conan O'Brien and David Letterman. I think it's because they were jealous of Jay's tv ratings.

[@stevecolwill9761]

gene978 The man is class, pure and simple.

[@servicarrider]

What a beautiful machine. And hats off to Walter. What a bright, talented, dedicated craftsman. He will live on for another 100 years through his craftsmanship.

[@midlantic1]

It's amazing how Jays comments reflect my own thoughts regarding the relationship with the bike and road as well as how working on your own bike does create a sort of bonding effect. Bag the music, the bluetooth, maps, and the rest and just enjoy the ride

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Truly awesome Jay greetings from the uk. I've not long since turned 30 and I use my 1967 Norton 650 SS as my daily rider something so satisfying about riding one having brought her back to life. Sublime handling, excellent reliability and a punchy engine an she doesn't drop a spot of oil anywhere even though I'm still running the chain primary :) Keep the awesome video's coming love watching your passion.

[@kshred3043]

8:00 "I always thought the Triumph Daytona 500 was really a sweet motor". And with that statement Jay Leno has totally solidified his motorcycle credibility in my mind.

[@HeavensGremlin]

I love old Nortons. Not the pre-war stuff, but the late 1950's to 1960's......lovely. A pal of mine used to rebuild old British bikes. Every so often, when he'd finished another one, he'd stop-by and get me to go for a blast. my favourite was a Manx Norton, soooo light....loads of torque. I'm just mulling-over getting a Commando. I know I shouldn't....but....summer is here........ What is it about the smell of these old bike too...... Halcyon days. Well done Jay, a nice little film by a 'Scholar and a gentleman', as the old saying goes... Thanks.

[@geneahart5607]

I very much appreciate Jay's love for British bikes, they are the foundation of my love for motorcycles.

[@ianjohnson4987]

You make such wonderful videos - thank you. This bike got me into motorcycling 60 years ago - I bought a copy of Motorcycle Mechanics with my paper round money and there was a road test of the norton 650SS - I was hooked. 118mph - wow! What a beautifully restored machine you are riding (the seat is not quite original but who cares) - it looks and sounds just right - just how a bike should. I am all misty eyed and grinning from ear to ear.

[@rosewhite---]

man at my first job in 1963 had one of these. he set off from bike shed full throttle with bike torque steering like crazy. amazing sound and sight.

[@johngunning2123]

Gorgeous motorcycle and an absolute pleasure to watch this video. I owned a 1966 Norton 650SS when I was seventeen. It was actually the motorcycle Dunstall used to show off their after market components at the 1966 Motor Cycle show in Blackpool in the UK. Fibreglass 5 & 1/2 gallon racing tank, clip-ons and rear sets, single-seat with a tiny toolbox in the rear of the seat, aluminium central oil tank, no ignition key or even a battery, with a tiny nose fairing. The bike was started by flooding the RHS float bowl and had magneto ignition. Night riding was problematic when you came to traffic lights because the dynamo didn't generate enough current to run the engine and supply electricity to the lights, so you had to slip it into neutral and open the throttle enough to increase the charging so the lights shone. I sold it for £200 and bought a brand new 1978 Norton Commando MkIII for £1465, at the time I earned £20 a week before tax and gave my mum £5 for board, but you could buy 8 pints of beer for £1 in 1978. Wish I still owned both of them now!

[@rodan2852]

Jay is a sincere man. Especially giving credit where credit is due. To restore a motorcycle to that calibre takes a massive amount of organization, patience and not to mention machinist skills akin to a watchmaker. Rip Walther

[@crumplezone1]

Great Video Jay, I live in Birmingham UK, where the BSA works was , we have a great heritage and thanks for keeping that old beauty purring its a credit to you .

[@randyhutchinson9910]

Jeff Jones Birmingham Sports Authority????

[@rhaz5348]

Ian Mangham, Birmingham teachers union??

[@mattklein8885]

solidarity forever

[@alansimpson2647]

I had never been to Birmingham before but found myself thinking down there was BSA works were, and it was!

[@alansimpson2647]

When i first came to Birmingham i found myself saying the Bsa factory was down there and it was! how did i know

[@peterdoe2617]

Back in '81, I came to visit the British Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham with friends of mine. Coming to this bike, we met a mechanic, who actually had been a worker, putting these bikes together at the factory, back in the days. And he told us how proud he was about this bike. The best (and fairly underrated, in his opinion) bike, Norton ever made at that time. For running so smooth, for running so fast. I remember him mentioning that if you fueled it up with 5star fuel (for the younger folks: this was how they rated the octane level: the higher the number, the more power you get before the fuel starts to ignite itself under pressure. But that is another topic.) This guy was so utterly fond of exactly this particular model that I never forgot. Pleased to see it beeing featured so nicely by Jay. Who really knows so much about every single bike he owns. Always a pleasure to watch. And maybe learn. Thanks for sharing, Jay!

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

I cant get enough of this channel, old stuff, new stuff, it's all great. Thanks Jay.

[@TheJohn8765]

Jay, I just love how you set the tone for the channel. I know you've got a team, I know not every vehicle shown is yours... I DON'T CARE! Your passion is evident. Your desire is evident. Your love is evident. Nicely done, mate. You show us cars and bikes we probably won't ever own, but you do so without elitism and with with genuine passion. Well done..

[@anthonybrunt181]

Brings back memories. Thanks for sharing. Had a 650 SS in 1969 when I was 17 years old in the UK. It handled really well. Popular at school. Now at 70 years old just bought a Royal Enfield Meteor 350cc with only 20bhp but still able to have fun.

[@nicetna2010]

@9:53 when you pull off the road and completely get it back to basics: that is exactly what that motorcycle was designed for - interactive feedback directly to the rider. Excellent.

[@MrToekneeG]

I used to have a Norton in the 1970s. Pushed it more miles than i rode it. Thank you Lucas electrics,. you prince of darkness, you! :P

[@johnburns4017]

I don't believe you.

[@MrToekneeG]

And i don't give a flying f*ck what you believe. I've lived it and your faith in my truths doesn't matter one iota to anyone but your good self. Have a nice day. . :)

[@johnburns4017]

I still don't believe you.

[@ant4812]

Here's one for you. Q: Why do the Poms drink warm beer? A: Because Lucas make the fridges.:)

[@TheNextGoogification]

Lucas dying last words - "Never drive at night" - Have you heard that one before?

[@Reverie100]

Jay Leno is my hero!! Thank you so much for sharing your stuff with all of us!

[@jimcollins2466]

Jay, I share your comment fully. I am 76 years old and still love the Brit bikes! God Bless America!

[@harveyge1]

Norton, Triumph, BSA, and certainly Brough - all in the old tradition of British motorcycles, the most beautiful bikes ever made. Thanks much!

[@louk231]

Jay is such a cool guy...Definition of modest. No airs about him...And I truly love his show..

[@Roadghost88]

Seems like just yesterday when I used to see Nortons every day in the summer. I always loved their design. That 650SS looks and sounds spectacular.

[@barryperdue7520]

I'm 71 yrs. old and have owned 16 motorcycles. The very best handling motorcycle I ever rode was a 1967 Norton Atlas 750cc that I owned, a person could release the handle bars and just shift your weight thru your hips to go thru a curve and this thing would track where you wanted it to! Later I had a Paul Dunstall kit put in it by Mr. John Belville, a noted Norton mechanic, added quite a bit more HP to the standard factory 57 HP! Later I bought a 1972 750 Commando with the Combat engine and Isolastic suspendtion. It was a really good machine , but the Altas owned my heart!

[@misterjones7929]

Love this Jay - thanks! I was at college in 1967 right next to the Norton factory in Woolwich, South London; and I spent my lunch breaks drooling as the factory test riders took the new Commando model for a spin. Of course also love the earlier 650SS of which you have the finest example. You're a lucky man!

[@Eric-tr4qs]

Jay you remind me of my Dad. That's a compliment. Thank you for highlighting the joy of disconnecting and enjoying the simpler things in life

[@kdsowen2882]

Stunning bike ! Walter was a Master of his craft . I owned an Atlas , tricked-up with twin-carbs ,Commando-head , Dunstal-pistons etc . With 'all-that' , it was just a 'smidge' faster than the 650SS . I have often thought about 'why' 650's looked so big to us back then , still don't know , but they definitely were . Dave NZ

[@monkeyman522]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

[@luciferstaxi]

I prefer the other book that Persig wrote- the one about the sailboat ride with the hooker.

[@nickjames205]

That was a Honda. Just finished that book today.

[@santanusircar1621]

It's so beautiful, elegant, timeless..

[@khalsted]

I love the passion Jay puts into all this and I always learn something cool. You can tell he had a lot of respect for Walter and how meticulously he toiled over this bike. So cool!

[@pdm2201]

I am looking forward to Jay’s critique of the Commando. Also the 1967-70 750cc Royal Enfield Interceptor.

[@thatmanstumototours2270]

Had a 71(70 English model imported for 71) Norton Commando back in 1982.Right hand shift and reverse pattern..... It was my first street bike. 18 bikes and 400,000 miles later, I can still hear that sweet sound....

[@out4lox262]

jay leno is great for doing these fantastic videos, which I doubt are intended as a money making venture. it's generous of him and I admire him for doing these.

[@martinda7446]

Yet another perfect piece of film for us to marvel at. This is what you get when you mix a professional at the top of his game along with his passion, and I just tip my hat to you Jay, you make it look easy, and it is far from easy to produce perfect things, just like that Norton and the chap you praised. Wonderful stuff (Am I going too far?) I just love these films.

[@whalesong999]

In the early sixties I began my mechanic trade at a large Honda/BSA dealership. We had a Norton Atlas in as a trade-in and was our hack bike for a time. While it was stronger running than the other British twins, it was numbing to the senses to ride for any distance due to the vibration. Jay's fortunate to get a big Norton twin that has been worked over make it a pleasant ride.

[@JR-bj3uf]

Same here but I worked in the 80s. We had a customer with an Atlas that was just a horror show. It hurt to ride it, if you could keep it running with the Lucas mag and the split bowl Monobloc Amals.

[@whalesong999]

@@JR-bj3uf Yeah, those mags were something but common in the era. Setting the timing accurately was quite a process, degree wheel needed as I recall.

[@jasonwieczorek5343]

This is my absolute favorite bike of all time... If things worked out better for me I would have purchased one of these over a house!!! Thank You for this episode!!!

[@18echosf]

By his ending comments, you can really tell that Jay Leno is a nice guy and cares deeply about the history of motor vehicles. I like that.

[@orangelion03]

I've met and chatted with him many times over the last 30 years (first talked with him in 1980...he owns several scale models I built and bought books from me) and he is indeed a very nice, personable guy.

[@mrbreckles]

All these years I've known Jay to be in to his vehicles (understatement of the week) and I didn't even think to see if he had had a KZbin channel. Well here I am and gladly so. Thanks for sharing Mr Leno.

[@1969JohnnyM]

Norton had such a great racing record. Beautiful bike.

[@gregbrassington9369]

Beautiful bike, heaps of respect for Walter and his family. A down to earth person. 👍👍👍👍

[@bobjohnson7207]

Jay with your comical philosophy you have become a great preserver of so many works of meta hubl art. Thanks for letting us into the part of life you like to share.

[@phillipsmom6252]

Jay knows everything about that bike. Every episode is an educational learning experience. I love that. He takes such pride in everything he owns. Cars and bikes I otherwise would never get to see. Thanks for sharing Jay, that's a beautiful bike.

[@GeneralMe100]

Walter is my type of guy, immaculate British iron, beautiful, Jay you need to open that 650ss up, do her justice on the open road, having said that it was truly wonderful to see a 650SS looking and sounding so nice.

[@JojoCrazyCat]

I have rode my bike to places i looked up on google maps. Parks and stuff. But the ride to those places is much of the fun.

[@SirBeauJangles]

The Dominators all felt best at speed with a Norton "straight" bar. It's not completely straight, but has a shallow kink upwards at each side. Its length was cut to be the same width as the riders shoulders. The bikes were set up so your joints weren't forced through much more than 90degrees. After a days ride, you arrived feeling far fresher than the "faster" guys with their clipons and rearsets, who all had sore necks from keeping their heads held up. For me, the nicest Dommie was the wideline framed model 99 600cc twin. Very, very handsome indeed.

[@MGunderm]

Thank you Jay. I've been riding for over 50 years now and this is one of the bikes that I have seen but never had a chance to ride. Looks like fun on two wheels to me.....

[@paulhye2900]

Beautiful lines, concept, and sound. Reminds me of my only new machine , a 69 BSA Thunderbolt. Thanks very much, Jay

[@larrytownley2231]

One of the best handling motorcycle I've ever ridden !!!

[@paulocarreiro5855]

Always the best episodes: Jay talking about bikes!

[@e.miller8943]

When Jay was talking about the large amount of maintenance on the old bikes, it reminded me of a comment a college friend from back in the '60's made. He said you never had to change the oil because it was always new because of all the leaks.

[@raymondjones8]

We’d get home, often soaked through to the skin; in our lovely British weather🥶. No matter how wet, how cold you were, the bike always come first. These old bikes have a character about them, each and every one, seemed to have a personality of its own, now lost unfortunately, in the realms or mass production🥺. There is a certain romance attached to these old bikes, this maybe partially due to the sad fact, we’re all getting older, though even in my youth, these thunderous machines, had a magic about them, plastic could never replace.🙂 Cheers Jay... for keeping these beautiful machines alive😜

[@johngunning2123]

I had a 1963 Norton 650SS and of all the bikes I have owned this was my favourite. It was also the easiest (English bike)I ever owned to start. Mine didn't have a battery, it was magneto ignition. A quick flood of the Amal carbie on the right and usually it started first time. I rode it home several times when the home made clutch cable broke at the lever end. I ended up carrying a spare but became good at repairing them.I still have a mould for them somewhere in the garage. My next bike was a brand new Norton 850 Mk3. I remember the day when I picked it up the electric start didn't work. When I quizzed the dealer he said, "Take it or leave it!" Maybe that attitude had something to do with the decline of the British motorcycle industry. Love English motorbikes, I was born 50 years to late.

[@HoosierHacker]

This is better than TV. One of my favoite shows. Thanks Jay!

[@woodsonpayne8378]

Dear Jay, I had my first car when I was twelve years old. A 53 Chevy Bel Air. I could only drive it on my street until I was fourteen and I was able to get a license. The state opened it up for fourteen year olds for a few years before the repealed the law and made the age sixteen years. So anyway, by the time I was in ninth grade in high school, I had two cars. The second car was a nineteen sixty Chevy Bel Air. .I used to get crap for seniors in study hall because I had two cars, and they were still waiting to turn sixteen. When I left home, I had a 1956 Chevy Bel Air Station Wagon with a Chevy 409 Big Block, dual four barrel carburators, Micky Thompson pistons, the works. When I was thirteen or so, I used to ride my bicycle six miles in the pitch black evenings to a all night greasy spoon restaurant. One of the fry cooks had a Norton Commando and he got off work at midnight. So I used to go there and drink coffee for hours, and then when he left work, I would go outside and listen to this Norton start up and take off.. I would do this in the summer, fall, and into the winter one year. I used to love the sound of that bike as the owner took off in a blaze of glory at full throttle. Can't tell you how many nights I went up there to watch this Norton take off. I used to go by in the late afternoons just to see it in the daylight. What a beautiful bike and what a sound. For me, it was the closest thing to a religious experience. Thanks for this video. Woodson Payne

[@naarvmaan]

“But more importantly more than even the bike is the man who restore this bike” jay is great

[@dixiedog1179]

Amen to the Classic Riding Position.

[@jschauer31]

One of the best ones you have done jay. Just wonderful. And what a beautiful job Walter did. Good stuff.

[@TonyAcaster]

I’m from the UK and I had an 88SS in the late 60s, the handling of the featherbed frame was amazing, it took you round corners, it was if you thought about where you wanted to go, it went. The best bike I ever had, had quite a few Italian and Japanese bikes after that but always regretted trading my Norton.

[@georgebell6143]

Hi jay, just watched your 1964 triumph video, brought back memories of the 1968 Bonny I had in the early sixties, that was my transportation, best days of my life, sorry early seventies. My buddy from high school has recently bought a 500 Daytona, and is bringing it to my place in June and we are riding it to the vintage motorcycle meet in Paris Ontario Canada. Pretty excited. The sound and feel of those triumphs cannot be explained to the initiated.

[@edwardralston9879]

This bike is so amazing. It's right up there with your 64 Triumph. Thank you so much for sharing

[@LiveFreeOrRIP]

Jay you make me want to get my 2 wheels back. I dont have a garage sadly right now so thats the only reason I dont go find my bike. One day YES one day I will ride once more.. There is NOTHING like a motorcycle. To all of you that have never ridden its worth it. Take the class and be safe and motorcycles are wonderful I have countless nights cruising into the night as my bike purred like a kitten and its a feeling of something you wont ever know unless you do it. I miss my CBR 929rr. I got it Brand new in 2000 had it for 5 years and then sold it..That bike was amazing from day one to the day I sold it.

[@gregwall3323]

Nice bike, I've owned a 1962 650 SS for around 34 years now & I'll never get rid of it. It's known in our household as "The other woman" ; ) Never felt the need to get anything else really. I notice that the tank on Jay's bike is different to the standard tanks on British & commonwealth export countries; I live in Australia & my bike started out as a QLD police bike, in fact it was one from the last batch of Nortons that were ever made in the original Norton factory in Birmingham before they moved to London. The standard tank held 3 & a half gallons (imperial ) of fuel.

[@ELKFILMZ]

Wow i like how deep you get at 9:30. I have to tighten everything on my Buell Blast also since its such a thumper. But you are correct its a nice way to connect with your bike.

[@Dahliaman1]

My Dad rode motorcyles in the 40s/50s/early 60s and for about 20 years. He owned a lot of diifferent makes and models and in his own words I had some decent stuff and some rubbish. Among those bikes he owned 4 new bikes, including a Triumph Tiger 100 (500cc twin), BSA B31 (350cc twin), Norton (650cc twin). And he owned an Aerial Square Four, no not the 1000cc famous bike, but this was the 500cc bike! When he retired aged 65 he returned to motorcyles, by reconstructing and exhibiting them. If memory serves me then these included a BSA 350cc (Blue Lightening I think called but not certain), Aerial 250cc (Red Hunter but again not sure), Panther 250cc. However, I am certain of one bike, a superb Norton ES2 500cc single - what a looker and that engine omg! I think Nortons of the 50s were very special looking, preferred them to Triumphs/BSAs/Royal Enfiels/Matchless etc. My favourite looking motorcycles of all time are in racing has to be the Manx Norton 500cc, and for the road has to be the Norton Dominator 650cc twin. Stunning bikes.

[@mattklein8885]

Red Hunters were either 500 or 350 SeanGot a 350 NH 58'

[@lovemetu]

@Dahlia Man Bsa B31 was an overhead valve 350cc single NOT a twin as you state !!

[@mattklein8885]

At dahlia manwas you talkin to moi or J Man

[@angusmcpherson]

I liked watching the forks articulate as they responded to the road conditions. It looked like a smooth ride👌

[@ADOTlied]

I love ya Jay, that was awfully thoughtful comment at the end, you and I met at the Celebrity Theatre where I gave you a painting long ago and I knew then you were special. I was right.

[@almilani4300]

Jay is a real motorhead who can talk and listen and feel his machines.

[@treydaponq]

Excellent as ever Jay, you are an absolute hero for the passion you show for machines and the history that travels alongside them.

[@oscarpark1523]

British-wise, I only was really a fan of the Manx, but that Norton there is one beautiful bike. Thanks Mr. Leno.

[@lawrencefisher5256]

Jay is fantastic and I enjoy him and his clips on all machines of transportation. It’s a very uplifting experience watching these clips much of them (motorbikes and cars) I recall seeing or actually driving. Great memories!

[@Yosemite-George-61]

You videos should be groupes and sold in cds, so they will allways be around. Thanks so much for all this.

[@jeathat]

Thanks Jay for sharing all your cars and bikes with us and letting us learn some stuff on the way and the videos give me something to watch while I'm working on the road

[@Land_Cruiser_40]

I've seen a Norton Commando John Player Special in the background of some other videos. I can't wait for the episode on that bike. Cheers

[@Korokukanas]

Hey Walter thanks for restoring a great motorcycle! It really was worth all the trouble. Thanks for showing us the Norton 650SS Jay, as always a great video that we all appreciate.

[@fritzdoerring9058]

I had a real hunger for one of those 'Snortin Norton' even when I had my Triumph that I loved. A Norton was prestigeous at that time - rep for duro and strength !

[@howardfritzke6149]

I always had a passion for Norton's, by the time I had the bucks to buy one they went out of business! Still maybe some day!

[@SFolkes97]

Tickle the Amal. Thank ya Jay, takes me back. I don't think I ever lusted for any bike, woman, or anything else more than I did for 650 Brits vintage 67 thru 70. I was riding Hondas, so years later when I finally bought a 500 Triumph it was such a shock - far more difficult to work on. BSA, Norton, and Triumph - "big bikes" - just before the Honda 750 Four and Kawasaki H-1 changed everything.

[@Sean_Coyne]

Interesting that Jay mentioned the Dunstall Norton Commando...wasn't a patch on my Gus Kuhn Norton. ;-) I got that new in 1973 in London, when the oil crisis was on and they limited the speed limit on the motorways. When it was run in I let loose and to hell with the speed limit. The cops chased me for miles on the M1 and couldn't catch me (naughty I know but what the hell, I was young). I also had a 1957 Ariel Huntmaster back in the day that someone had put a BSA Road Rocket motor in, that was fun too, I got 117mph out of that one (OK, I was going down hill, lol).

[@holmes230536]

+Sean Coyne Gus Kuhn Clapham Road, Stockwell SW9 South London, I bought my first 59 BSA A7 500 twin, wonderful memories on that motorcycle,

[@marcusberman2165]

Thank you Jay for these trips down memory lane.

[@BRITISHREPUBLICANuk]

You're such a great petrol head Jay - one of the world's best - thanks for sharing your passion!

[@JP-nt8xh]

Love the test drives how Jay gives you a real feel for all these great bikes.

[@andygoodwin7653]

Oh boy does that ever take me back to my youth ,love it

[@garthlundquist8316]

Thanks Jay. You are a class act. Like no other. Met you at Pebble Beach 1991 and you took the time to share your love and passion with a stranger. Remarkable.

[@jonahhex9620]

One of my best memories was an older guy letting me ride his Norton Commando when I was in college

[@pmayh3m]

@Jay Leno's Garage I loved the part where you're talking about google maps. Hilarious! I was laughing so hard. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@jiggermast]

I owned an SS for years, my favourite of all.

[@Orkaney]

Thanks for a great show here. Every new clip is a highlight.

[@tinkerbruzer]

This is awesome Jay!; I guy I worked with at ADOHR DAIRY FARMS had a Norton 650 and drove it to work. He said it took him three years to restore it and he painted it much like yours but in black & yellow. It's great see this model again: Big Frankie C-eee Ya!:

[@bobstevens9040]

An open face helmet would complete the 60's look Mr. Leno. A fantastic bike and video.

[@oldpartsandrust]

Hard to believe now, but I can remember me and some of my friends riding Norton's and BSA's because they were a dime a dozen! This was after the Honda CB, Kawasaki KZ and 3 cylinder 2 stroke, Suzuki GS, and Yamaha XJ and RD came out! My next door neighbor had a Honda 400 Four SS that would romp all over a Norton 650 and was all I wanted as a 19 year old! Loud, fast, and maintenance free! Funny how things change, by the way, you need to do a show on the 400 Four SS, a bike WAY ahead of it's time!

[@ibrarsiddiqi8948]

Just an excellent bike made down the road from my home. Lovely bikes.

[@PNH750]

My Norton Production records indicate that this 650 was imported into the USA in the middle of June 1962. The engine number (103038) also suggests that this Norton would have been fitted with the new AMC 2 gearbox (stamped NA on the box) which had a closer set of gear ratios. As someone has pointed out earlier, although the tank is restored in the correct colour is is actually too small for a genuine 650SS and is most likely to have come a 750 Atlas Mk1 import or possibly (after a repaint) a much earlier Manxman 650.

[@joeguzman3558]

Old cars and old moticyles old mechanical machines have souls they're alive they have feelings .

[@fritzdoerring9058]

Squeezed jnto them by Alt-Mechanics!

[@bryanpepperell]

Walter made the difference. I know as I owned that same model, What a lot of trouble it was! Three cheers for Walter who sure knew his stuff.

[@TheIDGE]

There was a T100 for sale near me about a month ago which I loved. I see a lot of similarities and think the T100 is certainly spiritual decentant of this bike. This bike has got to be one of the best 650SS' in the world, it really does look brand new.

[@anthonyzarlenga5282]

nice job Walter. My 1968 Triumph was Ride. Wrench. Repeat. But what a ride.

[@sanjeevdm]

Touch, feel, bond with - the motorcycle. Wow! That is heaven!

[@snowvillemos]

Best looking motorcycle for me.. simple clean looks.. beautiful

[@billbright1755]

Nice run down Jay. I like the old iron as well. Never rode a British machine but would be fun I’m sure. My buddy had a parallel twin 750 Kawasaki. Closest to that Norton I have ever rode. V-twins and transverse in-line fours and singles have been the layout of all my bikes. Both shaft and chain final drives. I know about that smooth shift, my 51 Chevrolet (216 thrift master) four speed, practically shifts it self with out even thinking about it.

[@roberthartman7536]

I owned a 1969 Norton Commando. It was the fastest motorcycle I ever owned. It was restored by Bruce Barkley the head of the motorcycle department at Fairview Collage in Alberta Canada. That would actually mean something to enthusiasts. Even so it required constant maintenance. After riding all day slowing down about a block from home ding, ding ,ding... Being intimately familiar with every nut and bolt on the thing I instantly recognized the nut from the rear axel rolling past me. I just let her coast to a stop and it was fine but I never did trust it at 140mph after that.

[@b.r.buckeyeman460]

Well Rob, you should have opened her up, ha ha.