Norton Cafe Racers

No motorcycle marque holds as much significance in the cafe racer scene than Norton. The Norton featherbed frame was arguably the ultimate basis upon which to build a cafe racer. Often merged with Triumph engines to form 'Tritons' or Vincents to become 'Norvins', the featherbed was a motorcycle engineering breakthrough. Norton also won loyal followers with consistent race wins using their own engines. Norton dominated the Isle of Man TT recording an astounding 94 wins with models like the legendary Manx. During the early 70's Norton suffered the same fate as other British motorcycle manufacturers and struggled to stay afloat. Thankfully today Norton is alive and well producing handbuilt bikes from their UK based factory. The current range pays homage to some of the brands most iconic models, seamlessly blending classic styling with modern technology.

Well Nourished – Berry Bad Triton Racer

I think the term ‘patina’ is often misused in the custom world. Nowadays it seems to be applied to any old rust bucket that’s been left to rot in a barn. We probably have the whole rat bike scene to blame for that. Stating that a motorcycle had patina used to be…

British Beat Norton Commando 850 Cafe Racer

Norton Motorcycles has a rocky history that predates Stuart Garner’s recent disastrous efforts. Since the early 1950s owners of the brand have struggled with financial issues. But somehow, despite all that, the British marque became an icon. This can be attributed to game-changing engineering developments such as rubber-mounted engines and featherbed frames…

Norton

Tasteful Triton – Berry Bads’ Norton featherbed

The Japanese custom automotive scene is bursting with unbound creativity and world-class craftsmanship. So for a photographer whose passion lies in custom automotive its a bucket list destination. This feature comes to us directly from Japan thanks to two such photographers. Christine Gabler and Marc Holstein travelled to the land of the…

Made in Metal Top Shelf Triton

Take the most powerful engine in the Triumph modern classic range and shoehorn it into one of the most revered frames in the history of motorcycling. What do you get? A modern-day Triton cafe racer. An absolute masterpiece that could quite well be the ultimate cafe racer. Lo and behold this happens…

Six Fifty Stile – Triton Cafe Racer

There are plenty of custom motorcycles born of mixed parentage. Some should never have been conceived and yet others like the Triton cafe racer were a match made in two-wheeled heaven. Take one of the best frames of the 1960s, a Norton Featherbed, and marry it to one of the fastest engines…

Tune in – Goblin Works Norton Dominator

After the train wreck that was Orange County Choppers, I’ve been a bit reluctant to commit to any motorcycle related reality TV shows. What I like most about the custom scene are the friendships it creates and the sheer fun of having a go at creating something functional and cool. What I’m…

Norton

Hoofing Bike – Cyclecraft Norton Commando

As it happens, the first motorcycle I ever went on as a kid was a Norton Commando 850 and since that day I have always had a special affinity for the legendary English motorcycle. Nowadays most of my riding buddies have Commandos (I’m not even joking, it’s an epidemic…) so even though…

Norton

A Classic Cafe Racer – The Yoshida Machine Triton

Aside from being the most iconic of all Cafe Racers, what really makes the Triton special is how it came to be. Unlike other classic bikes from the same era, the Triton was never a factory built motorcycle. Instead, it was dreamt up by home builders in the UK during the late…

Norton Commando Mick Grant Special

I have to admit I have a bit of a soft spot for the new Norton Motorcycles. They may be out of my price range, but that certainly doesn’t stop me from taking an interest in what they’re doing with the iconic British brand. A while ago I featured a road test…

Norton

Vintage Steele 1972 Norton Commando

Vintage Steele workshop owners Josh Steel and Chris John take pride in giving credit where credit’s due. Their latest build was a team effort, bringing together old friends to create a bike they could all be proud of. Based on a ’72 Norton Commando John explains that the Scrambler styled custom was…

Norton

Gas Box 59 Triton Cafe Racer

Jesse Bassett has been operating ‘The GasBox’ workshop in Cleveland, Ohio since early 2009. As a seasoned workshop mechanic of over 20 years he’s got all the skills it takes to piece together a reliable classic ride, however it’s Jesses’s eye for detail and his personal aesthetic that’s really impressive. Clean, simple…