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 Norton - 750 P 11 Ranger
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Norton P 11 Ranger motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
920

Capacity : 750
Model : P 11 Ranger
Production : 1966 - 1967
Category : (R) Street Bike

NORTON

750 P11· 1967

An Idea Born Forty Years Too Soon

In an effort to survive the chill winds which blew through British industry in the Sixties, the Associated Motor Cycles group proposed a merger with Norton in 1962. The association took full effect in 1966 and production was henceforth limited to big 650- 750cc machines: the Featherbed-frame Norton Atlas 750 and 6SOSS, the Norton N15 (with a Matchless frame) and the big Matchless G 15.

A Short-Lived Venture

Even in such a moribund market, the time was ripe for something different. In 1966 Norton designed this 750 P11 with the big twin-cylinder engine of the Atlas sports road bike in a lightweight frame. It was a flop, and was on the market less than two years, despite an attempt to relaunch it under the name "Ranger"; it was finally rendered obsolete in 1968 by the launch of the Commando Fastback. Much nicer to ride, the Fastback had the same powertrain, but different engine mounting made it smoother to ride .

Dream bike

With hindsight, the P11 seems a brilliant concept, for it invented, twenty years before its time, the fashionable modern concept of a big off-road motorcycle. Light and lively, it was an ideal machine for getting away from it all off the highways or on mountain trails, but was still good in town. Never mind those harsh vibrations; its engine excelled in such conditions and its one great failing was that it never caught on in the vital American market.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: air-cooled 745cc (73x89mm) 360 degree parallel twin four-stroke with dry-sump lubrication

Valves: overhead

Fuel System: two 30mm carburetors

Transmission: 4 speeds, chain drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (from), swinging fork (rear)

Brakes: single leading shoe 7in drum

Wheels: 3.25 x19in (front), 4.00x18in (rear)

Weight: 368 lb

 

With its torquey engine, the featherweight P 11 was an amazing two-wheeled plaything.






Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.