1963 Norton Dominator 650SS, 650 cc. Registration number 926...

Hammer

£4,500

1963 Norton Dominator 650SS, 650 cc. Registration number 926 BRV. Frame number 18 - 102157. Engine number 18 - 102157 650SS 1370.
The Dominator was developed in 1947/8 by Norton to compete against the Triumph Speed Twin by Bert Hopwood who had been on the Speed Twin design team at Triumph . The first Dominator, the Model 7, had a 497 cc parallel twin engine with iron cylinders and cylinder head and a Lucas K2F magneto, the Dominator 88 (500 cc) and the 99 (600 cc) followed.
Unlike some performance twins of the time, where the engine seriously out-classed the capabilities of the chassis, Norton's featherbed frame (introduced in 1952) and Roadholder forks provided a controlled ride and responsive steering.
The 650SS introduced in 1962, the Featherbed frame was narrowed along the top rails creating what would be called a "Slimline Featherbed". The engine displacement was increased again to 650cc and a special twin carb head was installed resulting in a top speed in excess of 110mph. The 'SS' stood for Sport Special.
Once they started building 650s, there didn't seem to be much point to continuing to produce 600s. So 600 production was dropped to concentrate on the new 650, it continued until 1969 when the Commando took over.
BRV was first registered on the 2nd of May 1963 and by 1988 was in the hands of Brian Dobson of Feltham who sold it to Ian Graham of Hull, at this time the MOT records a mileage of 3,868. Our vendor bought it from him in 2006. At this time the engine was not running smoothly so he had it refreshed with new pistons and rings, (see photos on file).
Now offered for sale as he has moved and storage is an issue, it will require some light recommissioning, it has a V5C, V5, and an old MOT.