Norton Model 77 Dominator

Norton Model 77 Dominator
ManufacturerNorton
Production1956-1958
AssemblyBracebridge Street, Birmingham
PredecessorNorton Model 7 Dominator
Engine596 cc (36.4 cu in) air-cooled OHV vertical twin
Bore / stroke68 mm × 82 mm (2.7 in × 3.2 in)
Power31 bhp (23 kW) @ 5,750 rpm
TransmissionWet clutch, 4-speed, chain drive
SuspensionFront: telescopic forks
Rear: swinging arm
Brakes8 in (200 mm) drum front, 7 in (180 mm) drumrear
Footnotes / references
[1]

The 1st Norton Model 77 Dominator was a 500 cc all iron vertical twin rigid framed Norton motorcycle manufactured by Norton Motors Ltd from 1950 to 1952. All 237 examples were exported to Australia. Very little publicity surrounded this model - so much so that it was denied that they existed for some decades. It is possible that they were intended to be sidecar haulers, but the stock Model 7 - with the identical all iron engine- was equipped with sidecar mounting points, so this aspect is still a matter of discussion.

The 2nd, and more well known Norton Model 77 Dominator was a 600 cc vertical twin motorcycle manufactured by the Norton Motorcycle Company from 1956 to 1958. It was based on the Model 7 that it superseded, and was primarily intended for sidecar use.[2] Norton modified the featherbed frame of the 88 and 99 models in 1957 to be suitable for sidecar use making the Model 77 superfluous and the model was dropped in 1958.[3][4]

  1. ^ Reynolds, Jim (1990). Best of British bikes. Patrick Stephens. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-85260-033-4.
  2. ^ Reynolds, Jim (1990). Best of British bikes. Patrick Stephens. p. 97. ISBN 978-1-85260-033-4.
  3. ^ "Norton Dominator". Classic-British-Motorcycles.com. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Norton Factory Brochure 1957 - Model 77 600cc Twin". Retrieved 18 June 2021 – via Sheldon's Emu.