1962 Norton Dominator 650SS
1962 NORTON DOMINATOR 650SS BACKGROUND
The story starts not with a
Norton, but with the
1938 Triumph 500 Speed Twin, the world's first "modern" vertical twin. The rest of the British motorcycle industry went nuts and rushed to field their own 500 twins. But WWII got in the way, putting things off until after the war. But once civilian production resumed British vertical twins started popping up all over.
BSA was first in 1946 with their A7 (500). Norton and
Matchless both launched their first 500 twins in 1949, Norton calling theirs the Model 7.
FEATHERBED FRAME
In 1950 Norton introduced the game-changing Featherbed Frame for it's road racing
Manx singles, and by 1953 had dropped the Model 7's 500 twin-cylinder engine into the Featherbed, creating the
Dominator 88. In 1956, they punched the 500 out to a 600 and renamed the bike the Dominator 99.
1962 NORTON DOMINATOR 650SS ARRIVES
In late 1960, they punched it out again, this time to 650cc to create the 1961 Dominator 650SS. At this time, they also narrowed the top frame rails near the front of the seat for greater rider comfort, earning them the nickname 'slimline' Featherbeds. Twin carbs and a new tank and seat combo were added. The 650SS ran through 1969, overlapping the 1968 introduction of the iconic
750 Commando.
1962 Norton Dominator 650SS
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine type
Displacement
Bore & stroke
Horsepower @ RPM
Fuel system
Ignition system
Primary drive
Clutch
Gearbox
Final drive
Frame type
Front Suspension
Rear Suspension
Front brake
Rear brake
Wheelbase
Seat height
Curb weight
Fuel capacity
Top speed
|
Air-cooled OHV twin
647cc / 49.5 ci
68mm X 89mm
49 hp @ 6,800 rpm
1- Amal Monobloc carburetor
Lucas Mag-Dyno
Single-row Chain
Multi-plate, wet
4-speed, right-foot shift
Chain
Double cradle “Featherbed”
Norton Roadholder forks
Swing arm w/2 dampers
SLS drum, 8-inch / 203mm
SLS drum, 7-inch / 178mm
55.5 in / 1,410mm
31 inches / 787 mm
434 lb / 198 kg
3.5 US gal / 16 L
119.5 mph / 192 km/h
|
Check out these NORTON BOOKS


Norton Motorcycles: From 1950 to 1986 (British Motor cycles since 1950)


Norton Commando: The Complete Story (Crowood Motoclassic Series)


Norton (Classic Motorcycles)


Norton


The Norton Commando Bible: All models 1968 to 1978


The Illustrated History of Norton Motorcycles (English and Spanish Edition)


Norton (Osprey Collector's Library)


Norton Dominator Performance Portfolio 1949-1970


History of Norton Motorcycles


Norton: The Complete History (Crowood MotoClassics)
For more like this, please visit our
NORTON MOTORCYCLE BOOKSTORE


Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide 2020-2021
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MOTORCYCLE BOOK STORE
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Back to top - 1962 Norton Dominator 650SSLast updated 12/11/20
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