New 2013 Norton Domiracer?

I can understand the comments made by Triton -Thrasher, but this is 2013, and they will only make 50 of these 2013 Domiracers, the monostock suspension frame, tank, seat e.t.c. will be just for this batch of bikes, they will not even come with lights unless the customer asks for them, as they are meant as a track bike. –hence they will not come with a guarantee :!:

If you really want to return to the original 1961 500cc Domiracer made by the Brace Street Factory, then you need to obtain the wideline Lowboy frame, (they can be made, at a price) a 500 Domi engine and tune the engine yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WZ6OKzzt_Y
 
For the last fifty years people needing attention or credibility have ripped off the word "Domiracer" to slap onto themselves or their bastard projects.

Norton built special twins for racing since the early 50s mostly because the race-sanctioning body in their largest market, the USA, had legislation that banned the use of the production featherbed Manx for a decade or so. In the factory records these bikes were listed as a "Daytona 88", and they were Model 88 nortons stuffed with as many special and Manx racing parts as they thought they could get away with. In 1959 Norton twins started to do well in U.K. production racing with some factory development parts which peaked during 1961 and 1962 when Norton built seven or eight 500cc and 650cc roadracing bikes with combinations of special engine or chassis parts to compete in important races in the U.K. and USA markets.
The "Domiracer" name was made popular in reference to the works 88 500cc racer which appeared during 1961 with a special lower version of the featherbed frame and advanced engine modifications to strengthen the crankshaft and lighten the valvetrain.
The Domiracer 500cc pushrod twin lapping the TT course at over 100mph in the 1961 race is legendary and since then it's good name has been used for publicity by everyone and their brother to talk about bikes that have nothing to do with anything the original Norton factory ever put together for racing.

If your bike does not have engine or chassis parts that were used on the original works Domiracer, then do Norton history and it's fans a favor and just don't use the word....
 
Couldn't agree more. The description "Domiracer" has been drug though the mud and used so terribly, to describe motorbikes that have no connection or relevance to the real Domiracer.
Within the Norton community, it's the equivalent to the bastardization of the term "Cafe Racer".
Such a shame really. I guess people just like to use cool terms and phrases. Even when done incorrectly.
The biggest issue is the misinformation posted all over the internet and spouted off by custom bike builders that seem to know nothing, or care about preserving accurate history.
Anyone coming into motorcycling has to wade through so much inaccuracy, that often, history is meddled with forever. And newcomers unknowingly perpetuate it all.
 
wilkey113 said:
Within the Norton community, it's the equivalent to the bastardization of the term "Cafe Racer".

That doesn't strengthen your argument, as the "definition" of the term 'cafe racer' has no final authority and never will. UNLIKE the 'Domiracer' which is a clearly defined original project with almost 100% certain specifications.
 
I completely disagree. The term cafe racer is a very specific one, describing a very specific style of motorcycle and a very specific period of time. And the young lads that built and rode those machines.
Perhaps my comparison isn't the perfect direct analysis between Domiracer and Cafe Racer. The point I'm making is that those terms are considered "cool". They sound "cool". And therefore have been bastardized and watered down to the point of being completely unrecognizable. And people will use them in any fashion that they like, in order to justify and bolster their "custom" motorcycle build.
I'm not here to give a history lesson, and I personally don't even care. I'm not on some crusade to set the record straight. But I'll make comments which are appropriate and factual, especially on a forum where I participate.
I just think it's a gross misuse of historical motorcycling terms that have gone through the washing machine. I'd think that any enthusiast of vintage motorcycles, would want to preserve the correct representation of these facts. But time and time again, they get crapped on.
 
I like it whatever it is
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WZ6OKzzt_Y&feature=player_embedded[/video]
 
Mr Garner's Co owns the Norton name, and can do what it likes with its trademarked names ?
Assuming that it was trademarked in the 1st place ???

And, hey, Nortons stole the Manxman name from Excelsior.... ?

Featherbed frame, eh ??

New 2013 Norton Domiracer?
 
wilkey113 said:
I completely disagree. The term cafe racer is a very specific one, describing a very specific style of motorcycle ...Perhaps my comparison isn't the perfect direct analysis between Domiracer and Cafe Racer... I just think it's a gross misuse of historical motorcycling terms ...

I think you misunderstood my reply.

A "style" can be portrayed in a million different ways, evidence the Triton. A Domiracer is quite a narrow definition that can only be, as you said, grossly misused (or done properly, which it's definitely NOT, in this case). You are more than correct in your criticism, but since "cafe racer" is well beyond grossly misused these days, it no longer even makes a good comparison.
 
Not knocking it but it would have been nice to see more British manufactured parts on it; Maxton, Harrison maybe? And wasn't the term "Café Racer" originally derogatory, bit like "Boy Racer" is now and I don't mean the Ajay?
 
Yep, my memory is that "cafe racer" was a derogatory term, just as Coffee Shop Racer for AJS and Matchless " ...CSR" models was not the kindest....
cheers
wakeup
 
Well when my build is complete, Im going to call it a "pub racer"! & +1 speirmoor :mrgreen:
 
First let me say that I think it's a good looking bike, a good marriage of something old & something new, but is it only me or did anyone else pick up on the disclaimer in the beginning " it's not a runner at the moment so we can,t hear it thru these traditional pipes"....... I mean come on, it seems like more of the same smoke and mirrors. Cj
 
If you are operating on a shoestring, or less, its probably good business sense to put it out there,
and see if they get any firm orders before rushing into production...

'Rush' possibly being a relative term here....
 
"see if they get any firm orders before rushing into production..."

Isn't that what they do with their "Commando"?

I kinda like this Domi though...
 
Snorton74 said:
Isn't that what they do with their "Commando"?

This is not unknown, in the british automotive world anyway, it must be said.

Somewhere it was mentioned that when the Jag XJ 220 was announced, they took ~1300 deposits.
Even though production was going to be only 500.
The others all got refunded. Eventually.
Hefty price, and deposit, too.
 
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