"Identifies as Norton"

[andy230]

Hello,

Having sorted the spoked wheels, cleaned it up a bit and tidied the electrics, I thought I would share some pics of the Skorpion.

Now taxed, insured, MOT'd and ULEZ compliant I can put a few miles on it.

I am reminded of the fact that it really is quite fun to ride.  I could probably improve the front brake (master cylinder ratio isn't ideal), and replace the tyres, but it handles nicely with the Triumph forks and a new Hagon shock.

I have been keeping a chopped down subframe since about 2005 "just in case", so thought I would use it to delete the pillion pegs.  Previously I had a big can on it, which used the bracket on the old subframe, but the little Supertrapp meant I could finally put the spare subframe to use.

I tidied up the rear with a new plate, LED strip for the tail/brake light, and a couple of new indicators.

I sorted a whole lot of wiring snaking round the headstock, and hid it under the tank.  A Triumph front guard was modified to sit below the fork brace.  The Bonnie has an 18" front wheel and its supposed to sit atop the brace, bit there was just too much daylight between the 17" rubber and guard with it like that, so I messed about with it to hang it below the brace.

So that's it for now.  I wonder what is next??!

Andy

[andy230]

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[andy230]

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[CrazyFrog]

Wow, looks really good that, great job!

[themoudie]

OOOer! The NOC 'll be after your gonads, with that one! 

But I know why it had to be a Norton.    Do you still have the beastie?

Nice to see it given another lease of life and suspect that SuperTrapp will get you neighbourly comment in the leafy suburbs of norf Lon'on. 

That gives me an idea that I maybe should try with the monoshock SRX and the XT600E engine. How many discs are you running Andy?

Trust all is well wi the family?

Good health, Bill

[Moto63]

Cracking looking bike. Enjoyed reading your progress reports as you’ve been moving along with it. Great to see a project come to fruition. 👍
Cheers, Michael

[andy230]

Thanks guys, yes I am pleased with it.  I was originally thinking to come up with a new seat/ tail solution, but I will leave it as is.

A bit bulky, but "Fat bottomed girls, you make the rocking world go round!" 

Bill, yes, still got proper British stuff, that's definitely for keeps.  And the Irish!

There's an NOC meeting at the Ace in a couple of weeks, but don't think I will take this.  They'd be blowing a gasket!!

The Supertrapp came with 6 discs fitted, so that what its running.  I may have a play with it as I have another 10 or so discs to noise up the neighbours.  They are somewhat used to it by now.

Cheers,
Andy

[iansoady]

Good build although not my style. But why a "Norton"? This is a Norton:

[Steve Lake]

nice one Andy! ... of course the NOC blazered keepers of the faith will be knocking on your door soon .... but who cares ... looks brill, wouldn't mind a 'go' on it 

[andy230]

Good build although not my style. But why a "Norton"? This is a Norton:

Agreed Ian.  Wholeheartedly!  I got the single seat on it about 2013 I think, and as the tail shape was a bit reminiscent of the rotary racers, I thought abut some sort of "black and 3 grey line" type colour scheme, or play on the JPS logos etc.

Also, it was about the time Norton were "coming back" (...as they have been since about 1982 - present...) and I think I kind of thought- "if they built something like this (sort of) then people would buy it..."  A big stupid single, in a decent chassis.  So I made it a "660 Manx" as a fictitious model

In the end when I got it just got painted flat black, I decided to break it up a bit with the Norton logos.  Not sure- maybe I missed mine, and like seeing the curly script.

Also I thought it similar to the C652 idea.  Lots of Skorpion bits/ people/ influence on the C652 Joe Siefert built, (even more with the "combat" prototype) and its kind of a bit like that. 

I did enjoy people telling me at the lights that it was great to see British bikes coming back, or thumbs up from cabbies etc!

Pretty sure I will escape without a cease and desist letter, but I cant help feel that if Norton offered a non-premium product, it could be a big single built (a bit) down to a price with good components and reasonable suspension, then they would buy it.  So many others are...

I think I should stick with the old stuff, cos I don't see anything promising coming from my favoured brand any time soon...

(And certainly not a 660 Manx)

Andy

[iansoady]

Maybe if it had a silver tank with black & red lining I'd like it more......