Norton Atlas 750 test ride prior to engine work by Performance Classics.

A short test run on this machine to check for some of the ailments and noises reported by the owner, prior to any mechanical work to be done. All seemed well at first, but some noises joined in the fun along the way.

[gettingold]

My first bike was a BSA and my second was a 750 Norton Atlas. Good times in the 60's

[davidskeates]

Great film, respectful riding of a machine, do envy you the Welsh roads! I had a Commando engine in sideline featherbed bitsa. I think a lot of the damage to the reputation of British bikes was done when people who didn’t have the understanding of how much fettling they needed. Pattern parts were poorer quality and many people expected the fit and go they were used to with Japanese engineering. With the help of a very fine gentleman I matched Beth piston con rods rings etc to be the same weight for both assemblies and then rebalanced the crank, rods, pistons etc dynamically, what a difference. With a single mikuni carb it was a first kick starter every time. loved the torque, weight, power balance of that bike.

[pandoralechat]

Thanks for this beautiful ride on the Norton today! I miss my 1965 Atlas every day.I hope that you can get it back in shape soon! 😁😁

[niallsommerville]

A welcome respite from listening to Brexit nonsense, thanks.

[teredude]

My first real motor cycle I drove. My older brother went to UNM in the mid 60's. He scored one of these and stored in my parents garage. He had hi- comp pistons and some other trick motor work done. My Pop took me out by my house to the end of Stapleton runway on the dirt trails. Twelve years old it didn't get any better than that.

[mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi]

Had a 61 Dominator SS title showed 600 cc. Open dual carbs no air ox. Forged primary cover not the stamped for Berliner leaky sieve stamped primary. Had the featherbed frame not the cantilever rear frame of most Doms on YT. A running former basket case. Fit a college student budget. But sluggish though not choppy. Found the best British bike mechanic in the state, got him curious. Said he’d check and tune it for $40 all in. When I went back in the spring he was grinning ear to ear. After I rode it I was too. Seems somebody put the rocker arms In backwards. Immediately increased breathing by 25% probably ditto for power. Could almost outrun a Dunstall Atlas to 60mph and wasn’t even near redline at the ton (100mph). All in $440 and faster than Bonnie’s and 750 atlases. Even walked away from a solo Sportster with a 150 lb. rider on back of mine. Trying to buy something similar now. Don’t want or need a nearly 500 lb. water cooled modern retro Brit bike especially not with FAKE WTF? carbs. Thank God true vintage Norton’s Triumphs Beezers etc still available For less than a new Soeed Twin.

Quote for today:

“I know not what road others might take but as for me, give me authenticity or help me forget about riding again.

Anybody know of any reasonably priced 60s 500 cc or up British two wheeler for sale? Help make a hip old man happy one more time.

[glaicogobbo]

Dear Paul Henshaw and distinguished gentlemen who have spoken quite properly in this video! Although I have no experience with Nortons and other English machines there is no longer being a more human Ariel Twin 500 K.H. 1951/1952, I think that in the 60's to 70's there were many union fights. Much ill will prevailing in the production and assembly circles of English machines. All this was reflected in a very unpleasant moment, culminating in the OPEC oil crisis, the lack of public to purchase large-capacity machines and, of course, the expansion of Japanese motorcycles with high quality and more innovative designs such as a single gearbox with the engine, which greatly simplified according to the requirements of LUCAS for English manufacturers, the assembly of lower cost equipment and much simpler than magnets, separate dynamos, separate motor housing with two primary chains (from the motor shaft to the clutch and from the clutch to the final secondary current). Although I would prefer the English system of the past, as everything can be treated separately in maintenance matters, allowing the use of super-additive oils, since the clutch is not submerged in lubricating oil, which gets dirty with the wear of the clutch despite good filtration. We have the only English motorcycle, but manufactured and assembled in a distant country in Asia. Until the present moment, due to the cost of super specialized workers, social charges, cost of machining operations, cost of land for the park, it has not yet been possible to manufacture a distinctly English and competitive motorcycle. Norton was a sad example, ill-fated from the start by the dishonesty of its owner, disappeared in Hindu hands. I'm waiting!

[jeremykeller]

HORRIBLE VIBRATION! The 500cc Dominator motor was a delight, but Norton did not have the finances to develop a new motor to face the competition from Japan. The cheapest expedient was to keep punching out the barrels--500cc--650cc--750cc, and thus create a disaster.

[alanhodge]

nice countryside but no place to open it up

[WindOnMyWings]

Great bike, tasty video! If I may ask, how much can a rider trust on those bikes? I mean this: I know that they were originally assembled with not enough precision, and they suffer of very intense vibrations, those things creating many problems; also, lubrification was originally not good enough and crankshaft bearings as valves ended damaged after a few thousend kms. Anyway, with a proper restoration, precise assembling and some modifications, I have heard by some specialists that they can gain a lot in reliability, better than when they were brand new. Which is your opinion, as an owner? I saw that you ride it very carefully, let's say like a gentleman ;)