1983 NORTON “Interpol 2”

Norton

1983

588cc

About the 1983 NORTON “Interpol 2”

Police model

Over the preceding few years, Norton had been developing the Wankel type rotary engine with a fair degree of success, and with NVT Engineering Co.Ltd profits improving in the late 1970’s it was decided to produce a model which it was hoped would appeal to the various police forces. Accordingly the Interpol model went into limited production and was supplied to several forces for evaluation and a number of them bought a total of about 140. The Royal Automobile Club also bought a few and so did the Armed Forces. The total number produced was 350.

After over-coming initial cooling problems brought about the extensive slow running of Police machines, the Interpol 2 was well received and liked by the users, but considerations of cost and of the uncertain future of the British industry persuaded many of the police forces that the BMW would be more suitable for their purposes.

The engine was a twin rotor of 588cc capacity, delivering 85bhp at 9000rpm. It was fitted with twin SU carburettors and linked via a diaphragm clutch to a 5 speed gearbox. The wheels and brakes were of Italian manufacture and the final drive was by a 5/8" Renolds chain running in an oilbath. As the anticipated chain life was of the order to 80,000 miles, no adjustment was provided.

The main frame structure was of box section from 16g sheet steel and the centre part served as a 4 litre oil tank and the rear section formed the mudguard and provided strong mounting points for the rear suspension units (Girling gas/spring cum hydraulics) and for the panniers and radio pack.