James Lansdowne Norton

Infobox Celebrity
name = James Lansdowne Norton


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birth_date = 1869
birth_place = Birmingham, UK
death_date = 1925
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nationality =British
residence = England, U.K.
occupation = Motorcycle designer and manufacturer
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James Lansdowne Norton was a motorcycle designer, inventor and manufacturer of the Norton motorcycles. One of the pioneers of the British motorcycle industry, he died in 1925.

Early life

James Lansdowne Norton was born in Birmingham in 1869cite web|url=http://www.madeinbirmingham.org/norton.htm|title=Norton Motorcycles|accessdate=2008-10-04] . He showed mechanical ability at an early age and made a model steam engine at the age of ten but began his working life as an apprentice jeweller. His interest was in the development of the bicycle, however, and he soon realised that his career was in engineeringt.cite web|url=http://www.realclassic.co.uk/norton07062800.html|title=1902 Norton Energette |accessdate=2008-10-04]

Business

James Norton started The Norton Manufacturing Company at the age of 29 in 1898 at premises in Bradford Street, Birmingham. Initially supplying the bicycle spare parts he progresed to fully assembled bicycles. He met Charles Garrad, who worked for the French Clement engine company and in 1902 Norton made his first powered motorcycle called the "Engerette" with a single-cylinder 143cc Clement engine made in Belgium. A fully restored example of the first Norton motorcycle is on display at the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham. Norton also used larger capacity Moto Rêve V-twin engines from Switzerland [cite web|url=http://www.khulsey.com/motorcycles/vintage_motorcycle_norton.html|title=Classic Vintage Motorcycles - Norton|accessdate=2008-10-04] and Peugeot engines from France. Rem Fowler entered one of these in the first Isle of Man TT race and won the twin cylinder class, beginning Norton's racing career.Also in 1902 Norton exhibited motorcycles with his own engine design of engine, the "Big Four" side valve single which remained in production until 1954. He went on to develop a prototype overhead-valve engine in 1922 with which Dan O'Donovan set a new world record for the 500cc kilometre at 89 mph.cite web|url=http://kelowna.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-Norton-Motorcycle-1969-British-Racing-Green-W0QQAdIdZ62557549|title=Norton Motorcycle|accessdate=2008-10-04] A road going motorcycle, the Norton Model 18 was launched in 1923 and became a best seller, as well as establishing many records, including Alec Bennet's Senior TT win.

James Norton was a great engineer but struggled with the business and his company went into liquidation in 1913, being bought by Bob Shelley, who owned an automotive accessories manufacturing business. James Norton died in 1925 so never saw how his designs would eventually become world leaders.

ee also

* Norton Motorcycle Company

References