Norton 650SS, 1968 - Motorcycle Review

[@normanrussell5526]

One of the best British models ever made. My friend Norman Russell owned a 1966 model for about 30 years. Registration JKA30D. Love to know where it is now.

[@peterturnham5134]

When I was at school I wanted a 650SS, even then they were rare. In the end I got a standard 1964 750 Atlas. It had the same beutiful seat you have, same good looking but useless clocks. This bike was already 10 years ild and I was competing against the first Superbikes. OK it got café racered. Combat Comando engine, aluminum everywhere, it would go but not stop. On the front I was using the twin leading shoe off of an early comanndo. This still braked like a wet rag. I had two choices, there is a stiffening kit for the TLS , alternatively a Manx front brake that was said to be good. I went radical. I found a double sided Norton 83 break on a racing sidecar outfit. Adapted my forks, skimmed the hubs (very important) fitted racing green linings. This baby STOPS! However, I now am 67 yerars old so for my sins I have bought a 1963 650SS, concurs standard right down to a 64 tax disk. It is smoother, more comfortable ride than my Atlas Café Racer, well balanced. You say it doesn't handle like a modern bike, well I own and have owned RD350LCs Ducati 900s, VFR Hondas. I can tell you a 650SS can danse like a ballerina in bed (don't ask the que'stion I have) However What I learnt when I first got on a VF 1000 honda was that THIS thing goes round corners at 130MPH+. For your front brake. Keep it standard, , take it to Mick Hemmings Norvil , andover or another Norton specialist and get it skimmed and reshoed..

[@tristangallagher2035]

Thanks for sharing. I have a '66 model here in southern CA, which I ride every week. My fave bike for the mountain twisties. Never get tired of the exhaust note!

[@sgch101]

Thanks for the comments Tristan. I didn’t know much about this model until we made the film and it’s a lovely bike. The exhaust note is spine-tingling at times - fabulous!

[@johnwilcox4078]

Greetings from Wisconsin! Well done video, beautiful restoration, great story!

[@pjhammer78]

What a beautiful rebuild! Well done, great story nicely told. ❤

[@sgch101]

Many thanks!

[@co2gorecarbonconman]

Sports Special......Lovely job.... Enjoy it while you can.

[@johnpage4581]

Really nice job,bought back memories of when my friend Keith purchased a new one in the mid 60s.lovely bike we went to the TT many times,really reliable.Another 60s memory a chap who lived down our road in Edmonton ,who was quite wealthy purchased a brand new BSA Gold Star for £350.He really rubbed it in also a new centurion helmet,italian goggles,Lewis leathers.Geat times,great memories,great music ie the Shadows,well done again.

[@sgch101]

Thanks John, glad to hear it brought back some memories!

[@LeifDjurfeldt]

That's a proper bike that is!

[@stevef9530]

Nice bike, and sweet story about your father in law. I had a 650ss in the 70s, a bit of a rat bike, bought from a Welsh racer for £230, and sold it in 1980 for £300. I loved that bike, so when I came across one in 2013 I snapped it up (for a lot more than 230). Anyway, I rebuilt the engine which was in an awful state and the gearbox, and now am enjoying it for summer afternoon rides in the French countryside where I live. They’re a bit like naughty children, you have to keep an eye out for bad behaviour, but gotta love that low down power and sound. Beautiful.

[@frogandspanner]

5:54 The sludge trap is in the flywheel - between the cheeks. At my age I get lots of sludge between the cheeks. When I rebuilt my 1966 650SS in time for the NOC Centenary celebration (1998) I fully dismantled the bike, and the sludge trap was full of crud - I don't know how any oil managed to flow through it. Had Norton switched to concentric carbs in '68? The seat is not the same as mine - it seems to have more of a hump - was that standard? I had my brakes and shoes machined (by Pete Lovell) to match, and the braking is superb - I get tyre screech in the dry.

[@johncranwell3783]

Slime line featherbed….great rides….not long since I let go of a few wide line parts…great film

[@adrianpancaldi8646]

Beautiful restoration! It was funny to hear the owner say compared to modern bikes it doesn’t handle. I can understand how coming from modern machinery you may say that. However the featherbed frame was the benchmark in handling that made manufactures, especially the Japanese, understand that a motorcycle was more than sticking an engine between two wheels. Certainly in the right hands I have seen them surprise a modern rider in the bends.

[@mervingoose1151]

when i was at a place called the busy bee late 1967 ( watford ) a guy let me ride his brand new 650ss there was a roundabout there and let me tell ya that thing handled fantastic flew round that round and round scraping everything ,,,great handleing bike !!

[@sgch101]

You hooligan! 😀

[@williamgregory6684]

Beautiful restoration!! I'll take a British Classic (any) over anything made today.They might seem crude to some people but jyou just have to learn the limitations of each bike . I've never ridden one that didn't handle superbly that was set up correctly. I have owned a couple and always kicked myself in the ass for selling them. They have always been rugged and always got the job done if maintained properly.

[@brucegeange7082]

I rode a red 68 ss one time when I was 17 accelerated up to 80mph up a steep hill from a standing start. Bloody fast bike

[@jonathanjones9790]

Thanks for another interesting video Simon. A charming tale of the Norton's history and some great action shots.

[@gordoncogswell328]

Well done Simon, well done Clive, I really enjoyed the bike and the views of Northumberland.

[@sgch101]

Thanks Gordon, glad you liked it!

[@TrapShooter68]

Love the sound of those older British bikes. Thank you!

[@sgch101]

Glad to see you back again and thanks for the comments!

[@martinowl]

Lovely looking bike. Well done on the restoration. Goes well too.

[@philipd4863]

Enjoyable video again Simon , keep them coming 👍

[@sgch101]

Cheers, Philip!

[@philgreen5ges]

Great video Lovely machine and story Brilliant job

[@sgch101]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nielsjensen3817]

Norton 650SS, and The Ventures - Walk don't run. It dosen't get much better than that. :-)

[@sgch101]

Exactly what we thought, Niels! You are the first (and only) person to mention this but the music goes well with this bike! We don’t usually use such well-known music, but made an exception in this case 😊.

[@bigred8438]

Is it true these buggers vibrate more than other 650 vertical twins of that era, which is why the ditched the feather bed and went for the new isolastic frame?

[@iivaridark6850]

Interesting history and bike! Thanks!

[@phillipmitchell5879]

Thanks! A great Norton. Better. more usable than it's big brother, the 750 Atlas, which would shake your fillings out above 4500 rpm. Triumph's Edward Turner knew what he was talking about when he warned of going beyond 650cc for his parallel twin design. The resolution for the Atlas' excessive vibes was 'Isolastic' (rubber) engine mounts for the Commando successors. The 650 SS & Meteor would be very sweet Nortons to enjoy...

[@ianlawrie919]

Great idea the oil filter 👍

[@rajb5595]

Thank you Mr Hadden ! Could you come back once again with different videos on the BSA 500 and BSA 350 ??

[@sgch101]

Do you mean the B31 and M20? We’ll certainly film those again as they are our own bikes!

[@rajb5595]

@@sgch101 Yes Mr Simon . the B31 and M20 ( without the sidecar) . Preferably , side by side . It will be a treat to the nerves😍

[@russell5090]

Amazing video once again thank you so much , keep it up

[@sgch101]

Cheers, Russell, glad you enjoyed it!

[@rogerwredford]

Very nice Bike, Simon. Congrats on the fine restoration. I have a '63 model, and it's probably my favourite classic bike. Lovely smooth power, great sound, classic Norton look and silky handling. Don't suppose you have a paint code for the tank, do you, as mine is currently red and I want to go back to that signature Norton silver and black. Cheers

[@sgch101]

Will ask the owner and get back to you.

[@rogerwredford]

@@sgch101 Thanks. I have heard Mercedes Titan Silver is a good match, but if there is something more original, that'd be great. Cheers

[@sgch101]

@@rogerwredford David, the owner of the 650SS, tells me the paint was "Ford Arctic Fox", but he doesn't have the relevant paint code.

[@rogerwredford]

@@sgch101 Great stuff. Thanks Simon,I will have a look for it.

[@sgch101]

@@rogerwredford Correction! The paint was Ford Silver Fox, code A2P/CV.

[@SongsFromTheSaddle]

Great video. Even better because I know the bike and rider!

[@sgch101]

That always enhances a film! Thanks for the comments.

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

well 2 year before 1962 they built 630 for the USA export market known as the Norton Manxman 650 they were in brigh metalic blue and red seat and more chrome there are only 12 of them in the uk and i own a early one and rebuilt it on my own with only the cank farmed our for a regrind of minus 10thou

[@twinphill900]

A beautiful bike.

[@sgch101]

Cheers, Phill.

[@UncleLongbeard]

brilliant bike

[@MothershipVideos]

Awesome.

[@albertheaton6455]

Had one in 1965 lovely bike

[@sgch101]

Thanks for the comment!

[@nickolasmurrell6447]

I had one of these and it is called a sports Special not a super sports

[@ludo9234]

Doesn't handle, your having a laugh. That would out handle many modern bikes.