It all started when I saw this on the internet-
It was Kenny Dreer's non-running prototype 952 with monoshock rear end, that he showed for the first time in New York at the announcement of the New Norton (America).
I knew IMMEDIATELY I HAD to have one. I called VR and talked to a guy, I asked if I could buy one now, then buy one of the new engines when they were done? He replied they were going to be totally different, unit construction, etc.
Anyway, time went by and history happened. In the meantime, I spoke to Kenny on and off over the years, and we did some dealing in VR parts. After he closed the sale of Norton America, he offered me some of the original prototype parts and we made the deal.
This is what I consider to be one of my top three builds in 45+ years - 1975 Norton Commando 850 / original Norton America monoshock
Original parts from the prototype bike include the bodywork, monoshock swingarm, "tight tuck" pipes, and carbon fiber primary cases (not installed).
Specifications & features include:
Norton 850 Commando Mark III e-start engine, vertical air-cooled OHV pushrod twin, dry sump
Norton 850 Commando Mark III frame, modified for upper monoshock mounting location
Kenny Dreer Norton America Custom fabricated monoshock swingarm with “big bearing” conversion
Isolastic eng/trans mounting subframe, modified for e-start and "big bearing" swingarm bearings
Kawasaki 636 Fork yokes, stem turned to fit OEM Norton steering bearings
Mark III vernier isolastic mount system with Dace Taylor top steady & Windy Eads front steady
Excel rims (2.5” F, 3.5” R) laced with Stainless Steel spokes & nipples by Buchanan’s
Custom built one-piece rear axle & spacers for OEM Norton Mark III rear hub
Kawasaki 636 front axle with custom built bearings by Buffalo Bearings
Dreer VR880 dual disc front hub & rotor spacers, with custom built axle spacers
Metzeler Lasertech tires: 100/90x19 Front, 120/80x18 Rear
Front forks: Showa 41mm fully adjustable (compression, rebound & damping) inverted forks
Rear Shock: KYB fully adjustable, gas charged reservoir rear monoshock
Front Brakes: Dual 4-pot Tokiko calipers, 298mm Brembo full-floating rotors, Nissin master cyl.
Rear Brakes: 2-pot Nissin caliper, lightened & drilled Norton 280mm rotor, Nissin master cyl.
Dreer VR880 matched seat/tail, fuel cell, sidecovers and front fender; in Blue with Red & White pinstriping
Dreer ONE-OFF “tuck in” exhaust headers w/ peashooter reverse cone megaphone mufflers
RK 520 chain, Drag Specialties Aero 95mm gas cap assembly, CRG bar-end mirrors
Kawasaki 636 push-pull throttle & clutch lever assembly, Doherty HD cables
Clubman rearset footpegs
Sparx 12 volt, 230 watt, 3-phase alternator, Sparx 3-phase regulator/rectifier, H4 halogen headlight
Sparx magnetic trigger electronic ignition, Blue Streak dual-lead 4 ohm, 12 volt ignition coil
Kawasaki 636 handlebar mounted lighting & accessory control switches (2005 spec)
Born Again Bikes hand-wired electrical harness system
AGM heavy duty battery, Barrel-type security keyswitch
Performance Specifications
10.25:1 Compression Ratio
Approximately 65 Rear Wheel Horsepower @ 6,500 RPM
Approximately 56 lb/ft Maximum torque @ 6,500 RPM
Maximum engine RPM – 7,000
Balance Factor – 63% (wet)
0 – 60 MPH – 3 seconds
0 – 100 MPH – 10 seconds
¼ mile Elapsed Time – 11.5 seconds @ 120 MPH
Top Speed – 137 MPH
Physical Specifications
Dry weight – 375 lbs
Wheelbase – 56”
Seat height – 32”
Overall length – 84”
Overall height @ top of meters – 42”
Overall width @ handlebar tips – 27”
Ground clearance – 5-1/2”