The Model 50 was a Norton

Norton (motorcycle)

Norton is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade". By 1902, they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range...

 touring motorcycle

Touring motorcycle

A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. Although any motorcycle can be used to tour with, manufacturers have brought specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders...

 designed by Edgar Franks in 1933, and except for the bore and stroke was almost identical to the Norton Model 18. The single-cylinder engine was 348cc with pushrod operated overhead valves.

Halted by World War II, production of the Model 50 single restarted in 1956. Its popularity was partly due to its simplicity and economy, up to 75mpg from an over-engineered but understressed engine capable of 75mph. After 1959 the Model 50 gained the Featherbed frame

Featherbed frame

The featherbed frame was a motorcycle frame developed by the British Norton motorcycle company to improve the performance of their racing motorcycles around the twisting and demanding Isle of Man TT course in 1950. It was considered revolutionary at the time, and the best handling frame that a...

 and improved lighting. Few survive in original condition as many were converted into 'Tritons'

Triton motorcycle

The Triton was a modified café racer motorcycle of the 1960s-1970s. The name derives from a contraction of Triumph and Norton, the two brands of motorcycle combined.The intention was to combine the best elements of each to give a bike superior to both...

with Triumph engines. Production ended in 1963.