The Older One.
Its not all about ‘short’ stroke Nortons, we also love the longer stroke version. To 1954 spec, this 100mm Norton engine has a very different characheter. Like all great bikes, the engine is well matched to the brakes and gearbox (4-speed if you are asking).
Although not faster in lap time, the earlier long stroke Norton is a wonderful bike to race. The longer stroke and slower revving bike create a very forgiving handling motorcycle. Works Racing's test rider, Mike Russell, states, “The earlier bike is so forgiving and you don’t feel you are going quickly until you look at the lap times. I once managed a lap at Lydden Hill where every corner the bike was in a full 2-wheel drift from corner entry to exit. wonderfull”
