NORTON
800 P10 -1965
Complicated simplicity
It's impossible to
say what direction the British motorcycle industry would have taken if fate had
allowed it to develop further. All the factories had intriguing projects on their
drawing boards but - due to lack of money and confidence in the future - that's
where
most of them staved!
Norton's Only Dohc Twin
In 1964 Norton was
considering replacing its overhead valve twins, which were beginning to show
their age. The Plumstead factory - also part of the Associated Motor Cycles group
- was given the job of developing a new twin. Developed first as a 750, then as
an .800cc under the code name "P10," this prototype was intended for minimum
maintenance. It had a unit-construction engine and twin overhead camshafts.
One Chained Malady
A single chain
running inside a triangle of narrow tubes lined with anti-friction material drove
both overhead camshafts before returning to the crankcase by a tortuous route in
which it also drove the magdyno unit. Two further chains formed the primary and
secondary drives. Despite long trials, the P10 failed; excessive vibration
forced the use of flexible engine mounts. When Norton regained its
independence, it decided to cut its losses and, lacking other means, initiated a
design study based on the old Atlas engine. This became the famed Commando, which
used the excellent Isolastic mounting of the engine/ gearbox unit to eliminate
the vibration problem.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 800cc air-cooled
twin-cylinder; drysump lubrication
Valves: twin overhead
camshafts driven by chain
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 5-speed;
chain drive
Suspension: telescopic
forks (front); swinging fork (rear)
Brakes: Lwo leading
shoe drum (front); drum (rear)
Wheels: 19 inch
(front & rear)
Weight: 404 lb
Twin overhead camshafts, unit construction ofengine
and gearbox, and five speeds - the P10 promised much but was found wanting.
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