Why are all Nortons Black?

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Grandpaul;
Nope, I think it had something to do with another woman in the picture. It seemed like a stretch to me cause he was a kind of Von Dutch type of guy and was usually drunk when I went to his shop. Talk about non-conformist, but pretty creative. He had previously done my 'Stang with Shelby stripes and did an excellent job so I had him do the Commando. Doing stripes on a car or MC sounds easy but it's all in the proportions and details, easy to get wrong.

Fullauto;
I think it's blasphemy to use Korean car and Norton in the same sentence :D

Scooter
 
BillT said:
I noticed that several members list Buells in their signature line. I, personally, think Norton and Triumph are a good match.


and maybe a Guzzi :wink:

Why are all Nortons Black?
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Or Ducati ???

And some bikes look good in black. ( black paint hides all evils )

http://i579

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GRM 450 said:
Or Ducati ???

And some bikes look good in black. ( black paint hides all evils )

http://i579

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Ah Ducati's :D :D
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I like black on a Norton. With all the chrome and aluminum (silver) and the black tires, hoses, rubber bits and seat having a black tank, side covers and frame makes for a simple and effective two color scheme. I think it looks classy. Think of it like a black tux.

My past Nortons have been black/gold (with gold decals); black/white; orange/black frame etc.; blue&white/black frame; and blue with chrome frame etc. and I almost forgot, graphite/black frame etc. My next paint job will be yellow/black.
 
I reckon black is kind of "timeless". Unlike powder blue safari suits, or bell bottom pants, brylcreem and old spice and other things that becomes dated. Black and denim jeans will still be in fashion 30 years from now?!

I also like black 'cause nothing else seem to match the tyres!

Why are all Nortons Black?
 
Wow! that's the cleanest, shinyest bike I've ever seen! Have you ever started it up?

I don't think they were that shiny on the show room floor. Nice paint. Nice bike!
 
I would be happy to send you numerous pics of Nortons I have painted for customers in colors other than black, including solid red, metallic red, solid yellow, green metallic, red metalflake and blue metalflake. I paint bikes for a living (www.vintage-vendor.com) , including Jerry Doe's Interstate. Check my post under "Motorcycle Related", about the 4th one down titled "Quality Motorcycle Painting at Reasonable Prices." If interested, send me your e-mail address to brent@vintage-vendor.com
Thanks,
Brent Budgor
The Vintage Vendor
 
Hmm, very good question and I agree that the black and gold combination with polished aluminum and chrome is hard to beat. That is what my MkIII is. But then I saw a candy red model and fell in love. It was time to repaint my black and the red is sure nice but I don't want to loose the black. Ahh, the answer was to get another tank/side covers and paint them in the original red. Did that. Then I saw a fireflake blue tank for sale and got that too, then an orange set since I really like orange. But wait how about a silver interstate tank setup? Yep now got one of those. Then a purple that needs restoring and rough black one to make the white/red/blue scheme. It only takes a few minutes to change the tank and covers... my previously patient wife is now wondering how many colors are there? I haven't mentioned to her about the yellow, or fireflake gold or the different colors in each tank style... or that the eventual goal is have a Norton to put them all on. Ain't our sickness great! (BTW, Craig at Precision Motorcycle Painting does great work too, my red set is in his gallery.) solarmoose
 
gw88
I agree with RennieK, That is without doubt the shiniest cleanest bike I have ever seen as well. The weather in Oz must be a whole lot better than in the UK! Looks fantastic!
Does your front mudguard stay have a kink to clear your caliper? Mine ended up looking like a bit of a dogs dinner after I had finished practicing my blacksmith job on it. Still got the standard master cylinder on?
 
Why are all Nortons Black?


Not all black...

Why are all Nortons Black?


Yellow is good

Why are all Nortons Black?


Black can look good, too..

Why are all Nortons Black?


Different take on a MK111, that last one, with Hi-Rider tank.
 
I bought her in 1978 all dressed in black...didn't have the heart to change after GP's rebuild:

Why are all Nortons Black?
 
bigstu said:
gw88
I agree with RennieK, That is without doubt the shiniest cleanest bike I have ever seen as well. The weather in Oz must be a whole lot better than in the UK! Looks fantastic!
Does your front mudguard stay have a kink to clear your caliper? Mine ended up looking like a bit of a dogs dinner after I had finished practicing my blacksmith job on it. Still got the standard master cylinder on?
Click to expand...

RennieK / bigstu

Thanks guys. I get my inspiration from all the beautifully restored machines featured in this forum. I can only afford to have i bike, so, it gets all of my attention. The weather in Oz is generally pretty good. Particularly in Brisbane, Queensland. Apart from the few storms during cyclone season, it is pretty much riding season most of the time. Keeping rust and corrosion at bay is my biggest issue, living close to the ocean.

Bigstu, the mudguard stay has a slight bend in it to clear the caliper. Not such a big deal tho, just repaint with grey paint after bending. The m/c is original but has 13mm kit and stainless line installed.

Why are all Nortons Black?
 
Wow,
I really generated a flurry of activity since posing the question in my orig. post!!!!!!!
I liked the comment about yellow looking like an angry wasp going down the road.
I think I'll get a nasty yellow jacket wasp air brushed on the side of my yellow helmet.
It was a pleasure as well as a privilege to see all the great pics everyone posted.
Some fine looking bikes surfaced during the topic. Boy I wish I could ride a few of them. :idea:
I liked the orange/blue Buell too. Maybe next on the list :roll:
Also, I got a lesson in psychology. i wear black and fear the world. Spot on I guess?
I liked the response regarding shapes etc... Best I've heard on arcitecture.
It actually made me realize the logic of why we build the way we do.
I'm jealous , I can't paint or I too would have a tank and side cover set in every color avail. :cry:
I really enjoyed how this took off.
Thanks to all who contributed.
I feel kinda devilish :twisted:
But I'm keepin mine canary yellow :wink:
Marshal
 
Good occasion to add my red one
sometimes I'm tired of this color(15 years) and would like to change for a dark candy metalflake and grey panels
Vincent
Why are all Nortons Black?


Why are all Nortons Black?


--------------------------------------------------------------
http:southsiders-mc.blogspot.com
 
Hi Kebra
The Candy apple red looks stunning. So good it seems a shame to change it.
But I do like the dark red flake, especially with the black and gold transfer, but not the grey panels.
 
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