Beschreibung:

After a lengthy development programme commenced in the 1970s by Norton-Villiers-Triumph, Norton’s rotary-engined roadster debuted in 1982 as the police-specification Interpol, though it would be 1987 before the motorcycling public got to sample the rotary’s excellent handling and smooth, almost vibration-free engine in the form of the un-faired civilian Classic. The Classic used Norton’s twin-rotor 588cc engine in its original, air-cooled form (the later Commander was water-cooled), coupled to a five-speed gearbox with left-side ’change. This compact unit was slung beneath a tubular spine frame suspended by Marzocchi at the front and Koni at the rear. Triple disc braking was courtesy of Italian Brembos. With 79bhp on tap, the Classic’s performance was on a par with that of contemporary Japanese 600s: a top speed of 125mph and a standing quarter-mile time of 12-and-a-bit seconds being easily achievable. Comparing it with the Honda CBR and Kawasaki GPZ 600s, Bike magazine found that ‘the Norton stomps both Japanese bikes on top-gear acceleration from 5,000rpm, where it’s a second ahead and moving 7mph faster (at 96mph) than both after a quarter of a mile.’ Conceived as a limited edition model - just 100 examples were made - the Classic is today one of the most collectible of modern Nortons. Number ’051’ of the 100 built, this Classic was sold new to Mr Bryn Pritchard and remained in his collection until his death. The vendor acquired the machine, which has covered only 14 miles from new, via Cotswold Classics in 2006. The vendor advises us that most of the brightwork has been re-plated by a specialist and the engine stripped and refurbished by the Norton Motor Company last August at a cost of £1,500 (invoice available). Finished in Norton’s traditional silver/black livery the machine is offered with the aforementioned service invoice and Swansea V5 registration document.