1962 750cc Norton Atlas

Norton

1962

750cc

About the 1962 750cc Norton Atlas

This handsome machine was one of the last built at Norton’s factory on Bracebridge Street, Birmingham before it was closed by the parent AMC company in 1963 and production moved to London. The export-only Atlas was Norton’s first 750cc twin, offered in response to demand for big engines from America. Although the company’s US distributor Berliner Motors styled it the 750SS, suggesting Super Sport, the original Atlas was in a moderate state of tune. For smooth, flexible running it had a single carburettor and a moderate 7.6: 1 compression ratio. Even so, an American magazine obtained a respectable 119mph and a 14.5 seconds standing-start quarter mile on test. Riding at over 100mph with the “Western” handlebars favoured by America buyers would not be a comfortable experience!

The AMC-built Atlas, known as the MkII in the US, was made from 1964 to 1967 and also available on the home market. It had twin carburettors and a rev counter as standard.