 1974 Norton F750 'Space frame' | |
| Manufacturer | Norton Motorcycle Company |
|---|---|
| Also called | JPN, JPS Norton |
| Parent company | Norton-Villiers/Norton Villiers Triumph |
| Production | 1972-1974 |
| Assembly | Norton Villiers Performance Centre, Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire |
| Class | F750 racing motorcycle |
| Engine | air-cooled OHV parallel-twin |
| Power | 69 bhp (51 kW) - 78 bhp (58 kW) |
| Transmission | 5 speed, chain drive |
| Footnotes / references [1][2][3][4][5] | |
The John Player Norton, also referred to as JPN and JPS Norton, were a series of Formula 750 racers manufactured by Norton Motorcycle Company from 1972 to 1974 and sponsored by cigarette manufacturer John Player. The engine for these machines was derived from the unit used in the Norton Commando, which was a development of the 1948 Bert Hopwood designed 500 cc Dominator.[6] The lack of power from the engine, compared with other manufacturers, led designer and rider Peter Williams to a adopt a radical approach to chassis design. Riders of the bikes included Williams, Phil Read, Tony Rutter, Mick Grant, John Cooper, Dave Aldana and Dave Croxford.
To celebrate the success of the racers, Norton produced a limited edition version of the Commando, the Norton Commando John Player Special, styled on the racers.[7]
- ^ Cathcart 1996, p. 38.
- ^ Harmon 2018.
- ^ Hewitt 2016.
- ^ Aynsley 2018.
- ^ Cathcart 2008.
- ^ Bacon 1989, pp. 6–7.
- ^ Scaysbrook 2020.