Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 13:00
1990 Norton Commander
Spares or Repairs
Registration No: G672 PRC
Frame No: 4189
MOT: None
1990 Norton Interpol project
Ideal winter project
Al correct numbers machine
Current V5c on file
The rotary-engined Norton Commander stands as a rare machine in the motorcycle world, with only around 300 units ever produced before the final curtain fell on Norton’s production line due to the Midland Bank shutting down production. With adequate funding, this twin-rotor Wankel-powered machine could have become a benchmark touring motorcycle of its era. Felix Wankel’s ingenious rotary engine design featured a triangular rotor—a marvel of simplicity with remarkably few moving parts. Its high-revving capabilities and near-vibration-free operation made it an engineering marvel. Norton’s version of the rotary engine employed twin rotors, each fed by constant-vacuum SU carburettors. These carburettors drew in the intake charge through a plenum chamber, which served a dual purpose: cooling the engine and optimizing performance. The intake charge first flowed through the finned centre of the rotors, ensuring efficient cooling before igniting the power.
This Norton Commandor was purchased to restore at some point, but due to too many commitments and other projects, the current vendor has not got around to starting it and has decided it's time to let a new person take it on. Most parts are available for the restoration. With the help of Andover Norton in Hampshire, this Commandor could be placed back on the road. Sold with other parts available and a current V5c.
