British Motorbike History - Norton, Triumph and BSA

[@jiggermast]

There are so many British bike documentaries around now, but I really enjoyed listening to this fella talking, his own obvious interest in motorcycles shines through! I do hope he's done a few more.

[@duanesmith5074]

Thanks for the history I have two beautiful 850 Norton interstates one I bought in 75 when I was in the service the other was given to me when I repossessed it from a unlawful owner. Incredible motorcycles very fast all modernized electrical systems and a blast to raced against Harleys. And just like the old days they eat them alive

[@georgemcmillan9172]

I have been riding motorcycles since the age of 5 years old. At 56, I have owned many different bikes like, a Norton 850 Commando, '69 Triumph Bonnevile, a custom hardtail Harley Davidson Ironhead chopper, a few Hondas and Kawasakis. The Kawasakis were my favorites. I still have a '75 Kawasaki Z1 900 cafe bike that was put into my will the day it was purchased! This is a great quick view of British bike history. I had freinds when I was younger that only rode Triumphs, BSAs, and Nortons. Great machines! I only wish I still had my "Thumper" and the Commando. Oh the regret of the youthful indiscretions...

[@daveevans2261]

Brilliant video, great history lesson on British bikes, thanks for showing us. 👍

[@fredgrove4220]

If you want to see all these bikes and many more, visit the National Motorcycle Museum at Bickenhill, near Birmingham Airport.

[@dennisleslie8962]

Consider this: In 1969, Honda introduced its CB350 K0. Honda then proceeded to sell more CB350s during the next 9 years or so than all the bikes made and sold by the ENTIRE British bike industry during ALL the years of its existence. Just 1 Honda model outsold the entire British bike output by all their manufacturers. That sure puts things in perspective, and no amount of nostalgia can change that. British bikes have their place - at the back of the line.

[@BilgemasterBill]

Thanks for putting this whirlwind survey of historic British Iron together and up here for all to enjoy. No need to apologize for having skipped this or that marque or model. You hit lots of interesting high points, and that's plenty good enough. If I want to learn everything there is to know about the '52 Snordley Snark and its unique total loss chip oil lube system, I'll Google it. Thanx again!

[@SloopyDog]

I had a Norton Dominator that had raced in the Isle of Man TT. It was fantastic. Beautiful and very quick. Those were the days.

[@fredfarnackle5455]

Yeah, I had a 1959 Dominator 600cc with twin carbs, high compression pistons, high lift cams and polished ports, racing magneto and a home brewed stainless steel Gold Star look-alike 'silencer' on siamese pipes. It had started out as a back-up bike for the Thruxton 500 race. What a machine, it went like the powers and out handled any other make of bike on the road. I used to ride round the outside of Triumphs on bends and laugh my head off at their frames flexing. The only bike that could go faster than my Dommie was a good Bonneville but I could always easily beat those to 110mph. I agree with the narrator about the vibration, it was pretty bad, but mine never dropped any oil. Sigh... Yes, those were the days.

[@peterford9369]

When I was in the army back in 1970, a friend had a Norton Commando. I think it was a 67,68. What a beautiful bike. And power. He took me for a ride and with both of us on it pickup was badass. And sound, marvelous. I'm just 70 now, and have a 2005 triumph Bonneville T 100. I love it totally. This came from a 1975 Honda CB 750 four. Another classic beauty. I love bikes, but alas, can't afford to have as many as I'd like. But have to say, the ones I've had, have turned out to be classic. From the Suzuki GT 500 to the Honda, to the VMAX, to now the triumph. They all had their great points and not so great. But they are all pretty cool. Thanks for the looks.

[@mickypful]

Many , many thanks. Very enjoyable watch. I was just a bit too young to be in the glory years and just caught the British bikes in their final throws. Passing my test on a BSA 250 and then moving on to a Triumph Tiger 100 SS it was a great time. Eventually buying my first Japanese bike ( a Honda ) it was not difficult to see why they were going to become dominant. Power, smoothness, reliability were different class , unfortunately. Still, I applaud their fight back in later years but learning of Norton's demise recently , it shows what a difficult path that will be. Safe riding.

[@carpediem6568]

Never cared about collecting cars. But this collection is fascinating and doesn't take up much room. It's fascinating. Great presentation.

[@WiltshireBornandBred]

During my time with Avon Tyres, I did many different things with Jeff who is a super fella. It was always like meeting your favourite uncle!

[@combatmako]

Just my opinion but the Norton Dominator 99 is the Most Beautiful MC EVER! ✌️❤️😁

[@andrasgaspar2881]

O K

[@andrasgaspar2881]

Exellent

[@WASPdaddy]

I thought I saw a Francis Barnett cruiser 84 in the background, I passed my test on a 58 Fanny B cruiser 80 in 72. Went out next day and purchased a Bonneville Tiger 120.... Great video :)

[@whalesong999]

Awesome collection and nice to see and rekindle old memories. I just began to ride in 1957 and had a German Zundapp 200cc Challenger. I'd drop by the various shops and oggle the British machines, so handsome, all brands. I thought the AJS "Spring Twin" was the handsomest of them all but a new Ariel Square Four was just as beautiful.

[@davidlj123]

Thoroughly enjoyed that, right old trip down memory lane and my childhood. Would've liked to have seen the Ariel Square Four 1000cc in there as a nod to serious innovation, but you can't have everything! Thank you!

[@albertabi]

I owned in 1981 a BSA 600 mono from 1955. I loved it!

[@sassyblondel]

Thank you for that. I really loved my British bikes when they ran. Someone should reproduce the Vincent with modern materials.

[@psk1w1]

It is possible to make a completely new Vincent using standard parts made today.. Just buy all the parts and get building.....

[@almilani4300]

When they ran was SELDOM

[@keithsage7258]

Hell Yes..

[@kimbostitch7034]

They do ...its the Irving Vincent conceived in Australia in late 80's

[@rogergoodwin374]

Very interesting, told about frame styles. I learned some good things about motorcycles.

[@duanetrivett750]

Great Video ! I am American but Triumph is always been my Favorite Bikes, the older ones. i have yet to have of the second Generation Triumphs . I had a 63 69,70and 57. Here in the US to put any other Bike over a HD is almost treason . But Triumph is my favorite. Thanks for the video.

[@wataboutya9310]

Really enjoyed watching and listening to that! My first two wheels with an engine was a Norman Nippy.

[@jerrylagesse9046]

That museum is aces . Loved my visit .

[@mark.e.p]

Thank you a great short history lesson on the British bike industry.

[@onlythewise1]

my dad had a 1965 bsa 650 cc candy apple red and i was scared to go fast on it . so I took it around the block at 15 years old only he never knew it , but when you try to start it the kick starter could kick back on your foot , I was 120lbs then

[@clementsebastian1977]

Great information Sir, about British Motorcycle Companies 👍

[@Corinthian44]

A well produced programme , this chap ( or his producer ) knew what they were talking about . Yes , a good informative programme !

[@Cmdrrnvr1]

Outstanding knowledge delivered with an infectious enthusiasm

[@jamesroberts9192]

Love motorcycles. You did a fantastic job on this one. And everything clean as it can be. (And the motorcycles are out of this world nice very nice indeed ). I've got to give you a very high 10 indeed.😇👍😎

[@samishahzad3968]

Wonderful superb greatest All old British bikes BSA Norton triumph. Greatest Olds.

[@slepycitron]

Thank you. Lots of memories, with a most informative presentation.

[@johnofypres]

Thanks Jeff, excellent.

[@TS50ER]

A Vincent capable of 140 mph and police cars in the 1950s capable of 80 mph. It must have been a great time to ride a bike in the UK!

[@blbobk]

Yes it was great. We had no speed limits back then outside the town limits. No speed limits, no helmets and no brains. Perfect. lol

[@nigeh5326]

Much as I love the Vincent for its engine and build quality for its time NO Black Shadow would do 140 mph 125 mph yes, 140 mph NO! 140 mph from the factory didn't come until the Laverda Jota at the end of the 70s if memory serves (Jotas were v v loud btw)

[@nack3218]

+blbobk No motorways either . The roads were shite , and imposed their own speed limits lol . Most roads where i lived were surfaced with 'peanut' gravel . Deadly on bends , for two wheels . On the straights was like riding a washboard . lmao

[@Dahliaman1]

Don't follow your point, very few had Vincents so your link between Vincents and police cars is meaningless

[@TS50ER]

Dahlia Man piss off!

[@tomthumb3085]

Brilliant video, thanks. I recognised every one of them before you said what they were.

[@garypatrick7817]

Yer showing yer age....

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Great History and info .. The Vincents were so impressive Mono Shocks and all ...

[@lisatwitchell403]

Most of this agreed with my experience as a motorcycle mechanic and motorcycle owner. I thought it was a better than usual presentation. I do have one complaint and I've had it on almost every British motorcycle history presentation. It seems they don't know that in 1968, just before the Norton Commando came out in 1969, Norton increased the engine size of the Norton Atlas to 750cc and it was still in a feather bed frame. How do I know? I owned one for 10 years and put close to a hundred thousand miles on it. It looked pretty much like new when I sold it to a motorcycle collector. The only thing that wasn't absolutely stock was the gas tank. The gas tank on that model had steel emblems on the side that would ruin your knee when you kick started the motorcycle. It also had a large groove down the right and left top of the tank. I removed those damn emblems and filled in the two grooves on the tank so it was smooth all over. Everything was painted black. The collector was very happy to get the motorcycle along with some extra parts. Now, it's only ridden a few hours a year on sunny days. It was the best motorcycle I ever owned. I could laugh at all the Japanese motorcycles until they came out with 900 CC plus engines. My Norton couldn't reach their top speeds but it would out drag race them and out road race them.

[@harrygatto]

Lots of memories here, many thanks.

[@brucegeange8991]

Mr. Stone Equally at home talking about classic or modern. And he knows what he is talking about.

[@briancorrigan2827]

Best one This guys dialect too great engineers. Brough superiors were crazy mechanized. The sexiness of the mechanization

[@babsoetens]

such knowelge,amazing,and what a collection of bikes,i'm so jealous.thanks

[@pujabelgian]

Thanks for the tour! Very interesting.. well done.

[@dnrg62]

Absolutely stunning,great work ,lots of people build cafe racers most aren't aesthetically pleasing like yours.d

[@wbabojo2779]

I like the music at the end. Reminded me of the upper class landed gentry, the sort of people who run this TV chanel. What once was a thriving business, kept going from the sweat of the employees, has become the amusing after dinner conversation piece. And so, like everything else, all that once belonged to the ordinary man, has become the preserve of the rich, where motorcycles languish in vacuum sealed barns, to be forgotten about.

[@sharonduffy829]

Beautiful bikes! A friend had a Triumph Trident. It was fast and fun! A very interesting video! Thanks Jeff! :-)

[@wesseljacobs2201]

The amazing thing is these bikes can go as fast as these days sport bikes while they are so heavy and all solid materials just no plastic

[@donaldmoreland8909]

Back in 1971 one my workmates had a brand new Royal Enfield 750 interceptor in light blue I use to drool over it.I was riding a CZ 125

[@stewartw.9151]

The writing was on the wall for the British bike industry in 1962 already! I bought a - or rather my Dad bought for me since I was only 16 - a Honda CB77 of 305cc. Up to that time we had only seen small engined bikes from Honda and Kawasaki etc. screaming around race tracks at ludicrous speeds, and of course the little Honda 50 mopeds on the streets. This CB77 was a real performer and revving to over 9000 rpm easily and happily stayed with the 650cc Triumphs and BSAs etc. It was a smooth twin with electric start and leaked no oil whatever! Remarkable! It was only years later that British industry cottoned on - too late though!

[@damijanruzic9128]

AMAZING AND FASCINATING THINGS, THESE GOLDEN AGE BRITISH BIKES!!!

[@nunyabizness199]

Great vid there, wonderful place, reminds me of Cliff Mahjors "Cycle Hub" in Portland Or. US. Back in the day.

[@MjA-tz8so]

Brilliant video and a brilliant Museum

[@simonharvey9782]

Good presentation for those new to British bikes,it's demise and reascendance. I like Jeff stones stuff, it's bosting.

[@BlueHopi144]

Had An Bullet Enfield 350 while living in India 10 years ago ...amazing British byke too

[@damijanruzic9128]

I STILL LOVE THESE MASTER PEACES OF MOTORBIKE DESIGNS.

[@stanleydenning]

Born and raised American. My blood runs red, white and Blue. But I love British bikes. Harley Davidson sucks.

[@dogphlap6749]

Such a good video. My first motor bike in 1962 or 63 was a then old LE Velocette like the one shown with the hand gear change (3 speed I think), a water cooled horizontally opposed twin cylinder 150cc engine and shaft drive. After that a 350cc AJS. Then the Japanese bikes arrived and they were so much better. The British bikes had hardly changed since WW2, still leaked oil and shook horribly, no wonder the British firms went broke, the Japanese bikes had needle roller bearings where the British bikes had plain bearings and reved smoothly to unheard of rpm. They were built like watches while the British bikes were built like mangles. So sad. A mate of mine raced and drove on the road a BSA Gold Star, I still remember the enormous throat of the Amal carburettor on that 500cc single cylinder racing engine. Sounded great to my teenage ears.

[@gwwayner]

Although the Brit-bikes were lovely on backroads, and lovely to look at, my biggest complaints were the excessive paint-can-shaking vibration at higher revs and the fact that you couldn't keep the oil on the inside! On the other hand today's high-tech motorcycles means that you need to take out a 2nd mortgage to get the engine/valve adjustment serviced.

[@JamesCouch777]

They were and are still cool.

[@chucklantz8290]

If your Brit bike leaked oil, or vibrated badly, that was not the bike's fault. A standard tune-up and some normal care taken when installing gaskets would solve both problems. I've owned, ridden and raced Triumph and BSA singles and twins, and I've never seen even a drop of oil beneath any of them, and they all ran smooth as silk. Anyone who had a different experience was suffering from "pilot error."

[@greenrider9943]

@gwwayneryoutu.be/addme/ovMJwQPm3lqQ0eECAQFftuAAJFuIeQ

[@charleshendrick7266]

A very well done abbreviated history of the British bikes. Out of all of them I have to give the edge to Vincent. They seemed to be so far ahead for their time and managed to incorporate engineering and common sense application in their design. I for one would like to see a resurrection of those beautiful bikes with a few modern touches and materials.

[@jonathanmeehan4400]

Thinking of rebuilding an old British bike, what tap and die set would be best to invest in??

[@obfuscated3090]

Don't buy anything until you need it. You'll need few taps and dies but thread varieties vary. Visit and STUDY British motorcycle forums. That way you'll have a better idea of WHAT to buy to make your own. All the old service manuals and supplements are on the net for free. AVOID aftermarket manuals.

[@paulj6662]

Pre 68 they used mostly 26 TPI CEI, 55 degree whitworth form, 1/4 5/16 3/8 7/16 all 26tpi some 7/16 20tpi, screws into aluminium casings 1/4 whit 20 tpi. A few BA, BSF and BSP but I doubt you`ll need those. After 68 Triumph BSA, Norton used UNF/ UNC inch sizes "unified" 60 degree thread form. the 1/4 whit tap is prob the 1 you`ll use most.

[@keithsage7258]

Are there many British motorcycle salvage yards in England?

[@onfin3al6]

In a bike shop in orlando I seen a bike on a stand . I was thinking I didn't know Triumph's were sold here . Looked exactly a 650 Bonnevile , closer inspection it was a Kawasaki .

[@cepinobel]

Great video, very well done, thank you.

[@haroldpearson6025]

It would be nice to have a few programs covering the smaller bikes ridden by working men and many lads.

[@ronanrogers4127]

Needless to say the Trident/Rocket 3 had a 120 degree crankshaft layout, and not a 320 degree as stated. The crankpins even spacing at 120 degrees gave an inherent balance when cylinders fired.

[@Dahliaman1]

I thought from the outset 140mph for the Vincent, I would have thought more like 125, possibly 130mph. Personally I consider Nortons look such class acts. Shamefully all my 2 wheelers were Hondas, however my Dad owned many makes of bikes including a new Triumph 100 (500cc); Norton ES2 (650cc); BSA B31 (350cc); and another make I cant recall but possibly an Aerial or Matchless. My favourite bike of those days (Vincents aside) then for me it had to be the Norton, particularly the Dominator 650cc. The BSA Gold Star what a looker - sigh!

[@alastairandheatherwilson9732]

Pardon P

[@alastairandheatherwilson9732]

The Norton Model ES2 was a 498cc machine, bore and stroke 79 x 100

[@barryphillips7327]

Yes i would have to say when he said 140mph for the Vincent Black Shadow i was most impressed! In 1950,s very machines were capable of such speed , did not see the Norton Commando 850, but i did notice underneath some the traditional little oil leak, most British machines cars trucks motorbikes all did it, but it was the Japanese Honda,s and Yamaha,s that very near killed off the British bikes, the Japanese bikes were RELIABLE and hassle free motor cycling.

[@MrBeezumph]

A standard Black Shadow would not reach 140mph, in 1968 the Rocket 3 was the worlds fastest production motorcycle hitting 131mph until the Z1 in 1972

[@MrBeezumph]

A standard Black Shadow would not hit 140mph. In 1968 the Rocket 3 became the fastest production bike reaching 131mph, it stood till 1972 and the Z1

[@MrConan89]

I have a Triumph T160 and Mk3 Norton Commando in the Philippines. The T160 is unique here. There are 6 Commando's that I know of. There is also a T150 Triumph here and the owner lives about a mile from me.

[@vn9393vn]

Much as I preferred riding with no helmet when it was legal to do so, I always remember back in those days working in Edgware General Hospital that was fed with the North Circular Road and later the M1 with two wards full of 16 to 18 year old guys in vegaetable states being kept alive on machines, waiting for the next guy to be brought in from a head injury accident, where the machines supporting the longest stay patient were then turned off to make room for the new arrival.

[@alokkulkarni78]

that's so sad man

[@petermoyes8766]

i had a 69 velo thruxton ..i wore a helmet ,to keep my ears warm lol ,,but yeah ,,us ton up boys ,,kept the hospitals busy .

[@alfnoakes392]

I remember when the compulsory helmet laws came in (in the UK) one of the less well-know effects was to suddenly hugely reduce the number of healthy young organs available for transplant (primarily kidneys back then).

[@kawasaki5187]

and a big drop in bike thefts @@alfnoakes392

[@charleswindsor1184]

Where is this shop?

[@kirtleyburggraf8786]

What is the name/location of this museum? Would love to see it.

[@issanmike1]

Birmingham motorcycle Museum, just off the M42

[@anderslennqvist6168]

Where is this place, please? Must go there...

[@mctavish199]

I would have enjoyed this more if he had explained the frame/chassis construction so that we could actually understand it.

[@ericgeorge5483]

What a great video, thank you for uploading it. Thank goodness that at least we have the great new Triumphs to fly the flag for Britain now!!

[@dennismckeown5863]

someone is making Nortons now also.

[@Britishshooter]

Yes, strangely they are called Norton and are hand built in England

[@deniscullis8518]

Good vid thanks xden

[@sunbeam1926]

in 1937 an empire star (running on methanol) all iron engine of 500cc lapped at 100mph. NOT a goldstar and NOT a 350 as stated here. On the back of this, goldstars were produced in 1938 and 1939. these were the M24 models and were all light alloy engines of 500cc. By the way Sunbeams built in Wolverhampton were doing this in the 1920s Ridden by riders such as Gordon Cobold and tuned by Harry Weslake.

[@jonpage4029]

Fascinating

[@geraldcooper8527]

Well done

[@ElectricBubble]

That was hardcore, keep it up!

[@chrispigott1189]

The Police in Cambridge in the 60s had to buy a Daimler Dart sports car to try and catch people like me on my Norton Domi 600cc ! Those were the days !

[@fredfarnackle5455]

ROTFLMAO! I remember I rode my Dominator 600 from Portsmouth to London one day and along the way ended up on the Kingston bypass with a Jag XK120 beside me at the traffic lights. When the lights changed he shot off like a dragster but I just took my time and caught him at the next set of lights whereupon he did the same thing again. So at the third set of lights I knew what he was going to do and gave it full throttle, I'll never forget the look on his face as I left him in the dust. Priceless!

[@dave20thmay]

Ruislip Police also had a black dart. Looked funny parked at the end of my road in Eastcote with two burley coppers in. Telling me that it was fast enough to catch a Vincent.

[@kawasaki5187]

Very good, thanks

[@redmired4992]

Wow super collection

[@andyinnes2178]

Still the most beautiful bikes ever made.

[@peterprice6365]

Where is this museum?

[@kyakaruvlogs2784]

Wonderful video. I hope TVS will do justice to the Norton brand, Mahindra take the BSA phoenix out of the ashes and Bajaj manufacture a simple but lovable Triumph.

[@JRondeauYUL]

I call that a dream room

[@logicalguy488]

He did not even mention the Ariel Square 4 or AJS or Matchless ???

[@cramersclassics]

Bravo!

[@geoffreygreenhalgh6744]

Very good, I had a Gold Star and a BSA A7ss. Got a 1250 Bandit now!

[@sicks6six]

ah the oil on the shed floor (A beer tray under the engine, remember) and exhausts falling off and foot peg vibration, yip those were the days, they do sound nice.

[@nunyabizness199]

A little safety wire here and there, no problem. You actually got to tinker with them. I liked that. But they would do corners like NO Japanese motorcycle ever could...

[@Mondo762]

With Norton and Royal Enfield back in production, they need to bring back Vincent and Ariel motorcycles. Black Shadow and the Square Four would be great to see.

[@MrBeezumph]

Ariel do make a motor cycle, if you can afford one, hand built in the same factory as the Atom. Norton are releasing a 200bhp V4 next years with their own engine not the Aprilia they have bee using on their race bike

[@dereksmith5019]

I was hoping for more info on AMC bikes .

[@beammeup8458]

Yes .... we used to make things ... now we sit on our sofas with a packet of crisps and a cans of lager .... watching our country and industy drain away..... and dream of bloody yesterday ...RIP

[@aladinfox4098]

Great voice, just right 🎶

[@alastairandheatherwilson9732]

Has anyone heard of a 250 cc Dunelt 2 stroke with a double diameter piston circa 1928

[@astrazenica7783]

I was looking for any Jeff Clew videos :( Prolific motorcycle author

[@johnpage4581]

Built a Norvin in the 60s ,incredible bike , sold it for £70 in 1970 dam.

[@pdm2201]

The Triumph Trident “had a horrible habit of just letting go”.

[@alaing6463]

- superbes motos, quel prestige !

[@frederickbowdler8169]

On the pot holes roads of the sixties what was the point of a 60 plus engine?

[@rogergoodwin374]

Who made Bultaco, Matches motorcycles?

[@rogergoodwin374]

Matchles not matches

[@haltomont]

Hey there I had a 1976 T140V you didnt mention that at all

[@sirgalah561]

Is there any mention of Royal Enfield?

[@halbuchert6928]

Luv this vid