Norton Navigator
Encyclopedia
The Navigator was a Norton
motorcycle
made from 1960 to 1965, based on the Norton Jubilee
250cc when the Norton factory was closed following the collapse of the parent group Associated Motor Cycles
.
Motorcycle Show the Navigator was a development of the Norton Jubilee. As well as bring bored out to 349cc, it also gained the Norton Roadholder forks with eight-inch brakes to replace the Jubilee's lightweight front end. The down tube on the frame was also stiffened to improve handling and deal with the power increase to 22bhp. The cylinder block was also now a single casting to improve oil retention although both models had two part cylinder heads.
The top speed was recorded at over 129 kilometres per hour (80.2 mph), and the factory persuaded Harold Daniell
, the Isle of Man TT
racer who named the Norton Featherbed frame
, to enter a standard Norton Navigator in a race at Silverstone race track
where it recorded 163 kilometres per hour (101.3 mph) on the straight with only minor carburettor modification.
The 1960 model was still aimed at the Jubilee market, with heavy valenced mudguard and enclosed rear end. In 1961, optional extras included a handlebar mounted fairing and screen, as well as large legshields and panniers, giving it the enclosed look popular at the time. Early Navigators came with two-tone paintwork in grey and black for the "De Luxe" and grey and blue for the "Standard" model. From October 1962, the Standard's colour options were changed to black and polychromatic blue, with black seats with white piping.
When Norton production moved to Plumstead
in 1963, production of the De Luxe ended, but the Standard model continued with wider front forks and a steering lock, until Navigator production ended in 1965 with the collapse of Norton's parent group, Associated Motor Cycles
.
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...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
made from 1960 to 1965, based on the Norton Jubilee
Norton Jubilee
The Jubilee is a Norton motorcycle made from 1958 and 1966. Named to commemorate Norton's Diamond Jubilee, the 249 cc Jubilee was a break with Norton tradition designed in response to UK legislation introduced in 1960 limiting learner riders to motorcycles of under 250 cc...
250cc when the Norton factory was closed following the collapse of the parent group Associated Motor Cycles
Associated Motor Cycles
Associated Motor Cycles was a British motorcycle manufacturer founded by the Collier brothers as a parent company for the Matchless and AJS motorcycle companies...
.
Development
Launched in 1960 at the Earls CourtEarls Court Exhibition Centre
The Earls Court Exhibition Centre is an exhibition centre, conference and event venue located in west London, United Kingdom in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea . It is the largest exhibition venue in central London. It is served by two underground stations, Earl's Court and West...
Motorcycle Show the Navigator was a development of the Norton Jubilee. As well as bring bored out to 349cc, it also gained the Norton Roadholder forks with eight-inch brakes to replace the Jubilee's lightweight front end. The down tube on the frame was also stiffened to improve handling and deal with the power increase to 22bhp. The cylinder block was also now a single casting to improve oil retention although both models had two part cylinder heads.
The top speed was recorded at over 129 kilometres per hour (80.2 mph), and the factory persuaded Harold Daniell
Harold Daniell
Harold Daniell was a British professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who competed in the 1940s and 1950s...
, the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
racer who named the Norton 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...
, to enter a standard Norton Navigator in a race at Silverstone race track
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
where it recorded 163 kilometres per hour (101.3 mph) on the straight with only minor carburettor modification.
The 1960 model was still aimed at the Jubilee market, with heavy valenced mudguard and enclosed rear end. In 1961, optional extras included a handlebar mounted fairing and screen, as well as large legshields and panniers, giving it the enclosed look popular at the time. Early Navigators came with two-tone paintwork in grey and black for the "De Luxe" and grey and blue for the "Standard" model. From October 1962, the Standard's colour options were changed to black and polychromatic blue, with black seats with white piping.
When Norton production moved to Plumstead
Plumstead
Plumstead is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. Plumstead is a multi cultural area with large Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities, in similarity to local areas such as Woolwich and Thamesmead...
in 1963, production of the De Luxe ended, but the Standard model continued with wider front forks and a steering lock, until Navigator production ended in 1965 with the collapse of Norton's parent group, Associated Motor Cycles
Associated Motor Cycles
Associated Motor Cycles was a British motorcycle manufacturer founded by the Collier brothers as a parent company for the Matchless and AJS motorcycle companies...
.