How many new Nortons have been built?

Why wouldn't someone at Norton just come out and say what's out there and current production levels. What countries are represented etc. obviously there's not a lot of us out there but that could be used as a marketing tool. Be one who doesn't run with the pack.
 
gchoppin said:
Why wouldn't someone at Norton just come out and say what's out there and current production levels. What countries are represented etc. obviously there's not a lot of us out there but that could be used as a marketing tool. Be one who doesn't run with the pack.
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I’m sticking with just under 4000 but hope its closer to 2500. For rareness sake. Jeez... i better stop using mine as a daily rider—- except its tooo enjoyable to miss a day riding a Norton. I actually wish there were more days per year I could ride. Damn snow!

I really wouldn’t want to ride anything other than this bike. Its the perfect match for me.
 
Richard, that would require an average of 10 bikes per week for 8 years and we know they were doing no where near that in the beginning.

FWIW, my bike, collected from the factory 3 weeks ago, has an engine number ending in under 1700...

So if the engine numbe theory is right, that’s less than 1700 built.

Unless, and this is just a thought, did the engine numbering system change when they brought engine manufacturing in house? Could it be 1700 engines made by Norton?

As already mentioned, the easiest solution here would be a simple answer from the factory.
 
richard-7 said:
I’m sticking with just under 4000 but hope its closer to 2500. For rareness sake. Jeez... i better stop using mine as a daily rider—- except its tooo enjoyable to miss a day riding a Norton. I actually wish there were more days per year I could ride. Damn snow!

I really wouldn’t want to ride anything other than this bike. Its the perfect match for me.
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I'll ride mine till it dies. Then....I'll load it in a van and drive it to Canada and pay you Cootes fellas for a rebuild. :D
 
5 or 6 build tables , 2 bikes a week per table , Two builders per table. Barring and unforeseen issues. That's how it was described to me when I was at Norton.
 
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TonyA said:
5 or 6 build tables , 2 bikes a week per table , Two builders per table. Barring and unforeseen issues. That's how it was described to me when I was at Norton.
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So we’re still at that 20 per week mark, give or take.

Even if the figure is ‘only’ 1700, that’s still a lot of hand built bikes when you think about it.

Better that than 17,000 injection moulded ‘cookie cutter’ bikes !
 
TonyA said:
5 or 6 build tables , 2 bikes a week per table , Two builders per table. Barring and unforeseen issues. That's how it was described to me when I was at Norton.
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Two builders per table, Lets think about that, builders, not small engine mechanics, not mechanics, builders.
In my experience. Builders build to the inch, Carpenters to the quarter inch and Cabinet makers to the thou.
Maybe its just a poor choice of words or my interpretation of them.
I do know that BSA in the early seventies had a huge backlog of orders for their new range of bikes and had people "building" bikes that didn't have a. No I wont go there.

Assembling is probably more correct as to what happens at Donington Hall.
 
nopdog said:
Two builders per table, Lets think about that, builders, not small engine mechanics, not mechanics, builders.
In my experience. Builders build to the inch, Carpenters to the quarter inch and Cabinet makers to the thou.
Maybe its just a poor choice of words or my interpretation of them.
I do know that BSA in the early seventies had a huge backlog of orders for their new range of bikes and had people "building" bikes that didn't have a. No I wont go there.

Assembling is probably more correct as to what happens at Donington Hall.
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When I went to the factory the assembly process (think it was 5 booths/tables) was each 'build' had a senior technician and a 'Norton Academy' apprentice. They were assigned each build from start to end. If a build couldn't be progressed for whatever reason (usually awaiting parts) it waited patiently in line... I saw approx. a dozen part-builds including mine. The assembly area can only be described as a large airy, carpeted, open plan office with smaller glass walled offices along one side.... it looked pretty spotless inside and possibly the best working environment any mechanic/technician could ask for! I would like to have seen more of the factory where many of the in-house parts are made/finished, maybe on my next visit.
 
Concur with that Mark.

I saw the fabrication shop, I was really quite surprised how much they actually make in house. And there seemed to be a good positive ‘vibe’ about the place too. There wasn’t much evidence of ‘flow’ as I’d expect to see in a more mature manufacturer, it was definitely more of a ‘jobbing shop’. And I suspect that same operational approach ripples down the supply chain too. And that’s almost definitely what then bites them in the ass as parts shortages later on, I see this all the time!

I saw the two TT bikes chassis being produced in the fab shop, they were seriously impressive to see. No pictures allowed tho, of course!

I really wanted to see the engine build room, but wasn’t allowed, can’t remember why. Praps I looked too shifty ?!
 
This is from the Alan Cathcart 961 California article :



It’s getting on for a decade since since


Stuart Garner acquired the rights to

Norton in October 2008. Hard graft, a

bit of risk taking and several changes

in strategy have put Norton back on

the map. Norton has built nearly 5,000

motorcycles so far and delivered them

to owners around the world. It

exported 77.6% of the 1,000 bikes

made in its last financial year.
 
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TonyA said:
This is from the Alan Cathcart 961 California article :



It’s getting on for a decade since since


Stuart Garner acquired the rights to

Norton in October 2008. Hard graft, a

bit of risk taking and several changes

in strategy have put Norton back on

the map. Norton has built nearly 5,000

motorcycles so far and delivered them

to owners around the world. It

exported 77.6% of the 1,000 bikes

made in its last financial year.
Click to expand...


Nearly means closer to 4,000. I’m telling yeah.
 
Ok , Got it. Makes sense . I think they are around 10 to 12 bikes a week . Based on the 2 bikes per week per table ? 500 bikes a year x 10 years ?
 
If any of you really want a better idea of exact numbers then visit the service/sales department at the factory. On the big white board they have their sales and actual targets for the year for all the UK dealerships. Don't tell anyone I told you this or it might disappear.
 
I know the answer.
Bikes produced is slightly less than the turnover of staff that have worked there.
29 members of staff either sacked or walked out since Christmas 2017.
 
skinthespin said:
Don't worry Britfan60, anyone that negative can't be happy!

Norton continue to go from strength to strength with thanks from hard working individuals and loyal customers, were all good here!

Simon
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I"ve had my share of gripes and posted them. Having one of the first boatload to the US wasn't easy on anybody. Eventually, my dealership stepped up, the factory stepped up. What can I say? Time to just enjoy it. And to add, I never meant to hurt the company or to piss off other owners, it was a desperate plea for someone to notice and to get on the road. It worked. I don't hold grudges.
 
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