When Norton was #1 at the strip

[IBF2]

Beemerdons mentioned in another post one of his first bikes was a Norton. That reminded me of T C Christianson's Norton Top Fuel bike back in the 70's. TC was the man to beat back then. Sunset Cycles were always the cutting edge of new ideas back then. The Harleys had a tough time beating him and one of the few to run with him was Russ Collins (Vance & Hines mentor) on his multi engined Honda's. Here are a couple links to some clips re: Hogslayer then and now.

Then:

 

[beemerdons]

Thank You IBF2, I remember "Hogslayer" well. I had the opportunity to see run it a number of times, I would always buy an extra cost pit pass so I could watch the complex startup drill on "Hogslayer".

Every single Motorcyclist here on our fine FJR Forum has a "Bike I Should Have Kept" lament, I truly regret selling my 1964 Norton Atlas 750 with the Combat engine. Would love to won another Norton!

 

[El Toro Joe]

Elmer Trett was the guy to beat

https://www.streetfire.net/video/the-late-elmer-trett-vs-ron-webb-world-record_205232.htm

 

[beemerdons]

Elmer Trett was the guy to beat

https://www.streetfire.net/video/the-late-elmer-trett-vs-ron-webb-world-record_205232.htm

Thanks Joe, it is always so nice to see a fellow gray hair pulling off a victory!

Our Niehart did win the shuffleboard contest at the Woodinville Park though!

 

[rushes]

I've been waiting for a good chance to post pics of this Norton. Absolutely beautiful bike seen at the vintage MX in Jefferson,TX.

 

[John d]

Thanks IBF2

I wished I could have seen TC do a run, but I did see him start it up once and do a burnout at the 1993 INOA rally in Illinois. There, he used another Commando on the rollers to start Hogslayer. Impressive!

"1964 Norton Atlas 750 with the Combat engine" That would truly be a rare machine Don.

Rushes, That is one nice custom Norton. I found some more info on it here. It also reminded me of a PII I had.

I keep waffling on whether to sell my 200,000+ mile '74 Commando that I've owned since '79, but it would be hard to let it go, since so much of my life has been spent riding it.

 

[beemerdons]

Very Nice Russ, Thank You!

 

[beemerdons]

Thanks IBF2

I wished I could have seen TC do a run, but I did see him start it up once and do a burnout at the 1993 INOA rally in Illinois. There, he used another Commando on the rollers to start Hogslayer. Impressive!

"1964 Norton Atlas 750 with the Combat engine" That would truly be a rare machine Don.

Rushes, That is one nice custom Norton. I found some more info on it here. It also reminded me of a PII I had.

I keep waffling on whether to sell my 200,000+ mile '74 Commando that I've owned since '79, but it would be hard to let it go, since so much of my life has been spent riding it.

Wowser john d, that 200K is so very impressive; Congatulations, Bravo, Huzzah! https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1972-Norton-Combat-Commando-100607820 A month does not go by that I do not go to Cycle Trader and search for Norton's. I was so lucky my Atlas was purchased new, I bought my 1959 Triumph 500 Speed Twin fourth hand and it was an absolute disaster. I had bought my 1974 Norton from the catalog at Champion Motorcycles in Costa Mesa, California; our FJRBluesman has mentioned that dealership is still in existence.

Being a dumb 17 year old, yeah even dumber than I am now, I let the "older" Salesman (he was probably 22) talk me into the "Combat" option. Yet it worked out well for me, because it was surprisingly non temperamental. It had hotter cams, larger carbs and higher compression; but it started up easily and didn't foul the spark plugs. I enjoyed it for many miles until October 23, 1968: The day I joined the US Army. My Atlas was the very first motorcycle that carried me into Mexico, so that Norton carried so many great memories for me!

 

[Fontanaman]

What an awesome thread. Thanks all for sharing.