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Hiya, this is my unusual bike, a 1984 Norton Interpol 2 (Rotary)…
One of the bikes I remember seeing at the Birmingham Motorcycle Museum (pre inferno) was the Norton Interpol in Police guise. Did they ever sell many to the Police force or was it a PR thing?
Have you done any engine work to it? I’d love to have a peek inside one of them!
Cool looking bike, must be fun to ride. The mods from Police spec look well done. To answer ID’s question: The West Midlands Police used Interpols for about a decade from about 1983. They were sold to other forces too, and the RAC ran a few as well. Not sure but I think the military used them for a while as well. The engine itself was widely used in drone (unmanned) aircraft that were used as target practice for AA guns and missles. The US military was the biggest customer for this and I suspect more engines were used in this role than were fitted to bikes.
Small aside: In 1985 my Dad was pulled over by Norton mounted copper while I was in the car with him. He got let off whatever it was!What is happening with the Norton brand now? I have read about a new bike coming (see earlier posts on this subject).
Donate – it makes you feel good!
These links should answer some of your questions…
https://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/ New Norton (not rotary)
https://www.uavenginesltd.co.uk/ Shenstone today
https://www.diamond-air.at/en/index.htm Manned aircraft
https://www.nortonmotors.co.uk/ Rotary spares/repairs
The new Norton Commando is made in the USA and is piston engined. The Norton Rotary engines are still made by UAV drones/spy aircraft in the Norton Rotary factory, Lynn lane, Shenstone and by Diamond Air in Germany for the Rotary version of the Katana aircraft.
Norton Motors at Rugeley support us Norton Rotary owners with a spares and repairs service.Thanks for the links. I check them out when I have some time spare. Look like interesting stuff.
How many F1s got made in the end? Know anybody who has one?
Donate – it makes you feel good!
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Originally posted by RadarThanks for the links. I check them out when I have some time spare. Look like interesting stuff.
How many F1s got made in the end? Know anybody who has one?Hiya, production numbers quoted vary a bit but i believe it was x140 F1’s plus x70 F1 sports, Total only 210. Yes i do know people who own them but then as a member of 1. The Norton Owners Club, 2. The Rotary Owners Club and 3. The Norton Rotary Enthusiasts’ club, i guess i would do!! LOL! [
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Total Norton Rotary bikes produced was around 1000 over a 10 yr period (1982-1992).re the first pic you posted, are all the heads finned like that – is it a cooling problem, or an attempt to stay away from watercooling, just i’ve never seen owt like it!
I slept with faith and found a corpse in my arms on awakening; I drank and danced all night with doubt and found her a virgin in the morning.
Aleister Crowley (1875 – 1947)Blackboard paint – Covers a multitude of sins!
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Originally posted by GSX Hooliganre the first pic you posted, are all the heads finned like that – is it a cooling problem, or an attempt to stay away from watercooling, just i’ve never seen owt like it!
Hi. Rotaryw**kel engines run hot. When Norton (err, BSA actually!) started work on the Rotary in 1969 they believed watercooling was for cars, not bikes. The Interpol 2 and classic were aircooled and needed plenty of finning. The later models, the Commander and F1 were watercooled.
so is it a case of higher combustion pressures and temperatures with the w/\nkel engine, or is it just the design and positioning of the internal components that limits cooling?
EDIT : Didnt know there was a sweary filter!
I slept with faith and found a corpse in my arms on awakening; I drank and danced all night with doubt and found her a virgin in the morning.
Aleister Crowley (1875 – 1947)Blackboard paint – Covers a multitude of sins!
No, they are not high compression engines. I think its something to do with the high frequency of power ‘strokes’. I would guess that 2 stroke piston engines probably run hot for the same reason?
VVankel, cheers for the production numbers. Sorry about the dumb question!! A blonde moment!
Donate – it makes you feel good!
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Originally posted by VVankelNo, they are not high compression engines. I think its something to do with the high frequency of power ‘strokes’. I would guess that 2 stroke piston engines probably run hot for the same reason?
https://homepage.ntlworld.com/derek.nicol/
Wankel you bloody forum tart…lol
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Originally posted by Jonnyfp
Wankel you bloody forum tart…lolYep… thats me!!LOL
Hmm… maybe that should be ‘confused forum tart’ at the moment… choices, choices, decisions, decisions…
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