- Norton 16H
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Norton 16H 
Manufacturer Norton Motorcycle Company Engine 490cc, side valve air cooled single Top speed 68mph (109 km/h) Power 14 bhp @ 4,500 rpm Transmission Four speed gearbox to chain final drive Suspension Girder front forks, solid rear Brakes drum brakes Weight 388 ib (176 kg) (dry) Fuel capacity 3.5 gallons (16 litres) The Norton 16H is a designation given to British motorcycles made between 1911 through to 1954 with various modifications and refers to a single cylinder Norton 490cc side valve engine with a bore and stroke of 79 x 100 mm. The H denotes the Home model as distinct from the Colonial export model.[1] Norton was the main military motorcycle supplier prior to WW2 and one of the main suppliers of motorcycles to the British Army in World War II with a total of nearly 100,000 produced. British Army Nortons were also supplied to the Commonwealth forces such as Australian, New Zealand, India and the Canadian Army.[2]
Contents
Development
1921 Norton 16 H
In 1911 James Lansdowne Norton entered a side valve 490cc single in the new 500cc Senior Class race of the Isle of Man TT. He was unplaced but the following year the motorcycle had been improved and won the Brooklands TT and set three world records.
A drive chain was developed to replace the belt drive and although production was delayed by the First World War the Model 16 as it became known gained a Sturmey Archer gearbox and had a racing heritage that included 21 world records.
In 1921 Norton launched the 'Colonial' which was a Model 16 with higher ground clearance for use on poor quality roads, and designated the UK model as the 16H (for 'Home'). Despite its initial racing successes, the 16H was considered the "poor mans Norton" and never gained the superlative descriptions popular for the Norton racing machines.[3]
WW2 WD16H
A 16H was first offered for military evaluation in 1932, together with a Norton Model 18 and a Norton Model 19. It was found to be suitable and the Norton designers began working with the War Office on a range of developments and modifications. Military orders were placed for the 16H (designated WD16H for War Department use) from 1936 and continued throughout the course of the Second World War, setting a ten year record for the longest time the War Office procured a single make of motorcycle.[2] The entire staff of the Norton factory in Bracebridge Street Birmingham were needed to meet demand - even the racing team found themselves on the WD16H production line. A popular despatch machine, the WD16H was also used for training, reconnaissance, convoy control and escort duties.
Pre war, the RAF ordered many hundreds machines with a non driven 'box' or Model G (person carrying) side-car. Military Motorcycles left the Norton factory in Army Service Green, Khaki green, Khaki brown or Olive green, depending on colour specified at time of production. Prewar RAF machines (up to September 1939)were delivered in RAF Blue. Wartime RAF bikes were identically coloured as the "Army" bikes. A number of machines were painted sand 'desert camouflage' by local workshops in the Middle East and used in Palestine and the North Africa Campaign.
Military motorcycle Production
Date Production Notes[2] 16-09-1935 1 Evaluation machine 13-12-1935 308 Chilwell depot (50 a week) 11-03-1936 309 Chilwell depot (50 a week) 08-05-1936 219 Chilwell depot (50 a week) 04-09-1936 1 Experimental lightened machine 15-10-1936 1 Experimental lightened machine 20-10-1936 108 Chilwell depot (50 a week) 28-12-1936 2223 Chilwell depot (50 a week) 08-05-1936 219 Chilwell depot (50 a week) 01-02-1937 135 Exported to India Office 12-10-1937 1 Twin seat prototype 12-10-1937 1 Twin seat prototype 01-11-1937 7 Export to NIZAM forces 30-12-1937 200 Spares delivered to Chilwell depot 02-04-1938 500 Chilwell depot 19-07-1938 350 Chilwell depot 16-03-1939 6000 22-03-1939 7 Ex works 20-06-1939 1601 Chilwell depot 21-11-1939 4000 Chilwell depot 01-02-1940 4000 Canadian Army export 10-04-1940 4000 Chilwell 07-06-1940 78 Stirling depot 07-06-1940 31 LP Civilian models 03-06-1940 17000 Chilwell 2000 per week 30-10-1940 1893 15-02-1941 20 Royal Air Force 26-03-1941 5000 Chilwell 04-04-1941 74 Ex Canadian 03-07-1941 10000 Included 1000 engines and 250 gear boxes 10-11-1941 6000 Chilwell 1600 per month 18-11-1941 3 22-12-1941 39 Royal Marines 04-02-1942 5000 12-03-1942 35 18-03-1942 25 15-04-1942 50 14-06-1942 1250 13-04-1943 2 10-05-1943 522 Royal Air Force Combination 08-08-1943 150 Royal Navy 26-08-1943 120 Royal Air Force Combination 06-11-1943 150 Combination 16-11-1943 125 Royal Navy 16-11-1943 5000 27-11-1943 4600 07-01-1944 75 Royal Navy Combination 17-04-1944 30 Combination 19-06-1944 212 Royal Air Force Combination 11-08-1944 150 29-09-1944 2 Combination 05-10-1944 1 02-12-1944 12 03-05-1945 200 03-05-1945 138 India 13-01-1945 50 Combination 18-01-1945 200 Combination 03-05-1945 36 Combination 22-11-1945 1 Passenger Side-car 22-11-1945 2 Box Side-car The exact number of bikes and the manufacturing dates for the military machines produced after beginning of 1940 are not certain. The Norton Assembly Books for the military motorcycles are missing and probably destroyed.
Post war
Postwar "civilianised" military Norton 16HAfter the end of hostilities in 1945 there were many thousands of Norton Model 16H motorcycles all over the world. Some continued in use by the British and Commonwealth Armed forces until the end of the 1950s. Many were sold by the War Department to other armed forces, including the Dutch, Belgian, Danish, Greek and Norwegian Army which used the 16H throughout the 1950s.[4] The remainder were sold to dealers who converted them to civilian colours and specifications.
The 16H and the Model 18 were also the first civilian models built by Norton after ending of the hostilities. In 1947 the machine received its final modification with telescopic forks, improving handling and giving the bike a more modern look, despite its age. The basic engine configuration proved popular with customers so Norton continued production until the mid 1950's when the fashion for twin cylinder motorcycles was prevalent. The 16H has a strong following of enthusiasts to this day.[1]
See also
- BSA M20 - similar size WWII military use motorcycle from BSA
- Norton Motorcycles
- Norton Big 4
- List of Norton motorcycles
References
- ^ a b van den Brink, Rob. "The Norton WD 16H and BIG 4 website". http://www.wdnorton.nl/. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
- ^ a b c Orchard, C. J.; Madden S.J. (1997). British Forces Motorcycles 1925 - 45. Suton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7509-1445-9.
- ^ Kemp, Andrew; De Cet (2004). Classic British Bikes. Mirco. Bookmart Ltd. ISBN 1-86147-136-X.
- ^ "WWII Norton WD 16H stranded in Norway". http://ketil.svendsen.googlepages.com/. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
External links
Categories:- Military motorcycles
- Norton motorcycles
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