NORTON
350 Kneeler ·1953
Kneeling before the multis
The streamlined "Kneeler" starred at the 1953 London
Motorcycle Show. Though Norton had always claimed that its competition machines
were virtually identical to those sold to private riders, this time they seemed
to have overlooked that old principle.
Modified Featherbed
After secret trials of its revolutionary aerodynamic shell
at the Montlhety track near Paris and on the Isle of Man, the Kneeler was ready
to race against the multi-cylinders, which were becoming a dominant force. Its basis
was the classic Manx 350 in a highly modified Featherbed frame. Only the lower tubes
and the steering head had been retained. The two upper tubes were lowered and,
passing either side of the cylinder head, were extended into a raised girder
framework at the rear to support the dampers.
Keeping the Weight
Down
To keep the center of gravity as low as possible, the long, low
fuel tanks were installed on either side of the engine and their upper surfaces
were specially shaped to form elbow and knee rests for the rider. A mechanical
pump was driven off the intake camshaft to lift the fuel to the carburetor.
This amazing machine raced at the North West 200 in May 1953. Ridden by the
great rider Ray Amm, it managed only three laps when carburetor problems put it
out of the running - but not before it had broken the lap record! The Kneeler
did not reappear on the track until November 1953 - and then it broke 33 world
records on the banked Montlhery circuit - including the AllComers' World Record
at 133.7 mph, a higher average than Taruffi's 1939 record established on a supercharged
Gilera 4.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 350cc air-cooled single-cylinder fourstroke
Valves: twin overhead-camshafts
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm with twin spring/dampers
(rear)
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 19 inch wire (front & rear)
Maximum Speed: 135 mph
Today, former world
champion Sammy Miller preserves the Kneeler at his museum; alongside him is a
photo of Ray Amm at the North West 200.
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