Stop, Look, And Listen To This Norton P55 F1 Rotary Race Bike

History is a cyclical factor. Take Norton Motorcycles, for instance. It’s an organization that has weathered loads of ups, downs, and sideways struggles, together with allegations of monetary malfeasance all through a couple of administration. While that historical past is effectively exterior the scope of this piece, suffice to say that the ignominy of the Stuart Garner period wasn’t the primary time that Norton directors discovered themselves in murky waters so far as the regulation was involved. 

Today, although, we’re right here to speak about a totally totally different Norton, from a totally totally different time. Joe Seifert owns a 1990 Norton P55 F1 rotary prototype race bike, which was apparently the primary one ever to go away the Norton manufacturing unit in these days. As he tells the story, he had some type of cope with then-Norton proprietor Phillippe Le Roux that noticed him take supply of this machine earlier than the manufacturing model was fairly able to roll out. (Le Roux was later convicted of deception associated to persuading shareholders to take a position more cash on this explicit iteration of Norton, however that conviction didn’t occur till 1998.) 

Seifert’s explicit P55 F1 raced in Germany, and is fondly remembered by most who had been alive to see it in particular person. One factor they keep in mind most of all is the distinctive sound—which undoubtedly sounds in contrast to another bike. You’ll get to listen to it on the finish of this video, as Seifert does take it for a brief little blast to offer everybody an auditory deal with. 

Along the best way, Seifert talks a bit about possession, declaring a number of the extra attention-grabbing options of this explicit machine. As with any racing bike, it’s seen its justifiable share of upgrades alongside the best way. Only round 140 P55 F1s are believed to have ever been made, which makes them fairly particular to start with—however Seifert’s machine might be among the many most particular of all. 

While the inventory bikes had a five-speed gearbox, Seifert says that his P55 was upgraded to the six-speed gearbox out of a Yamaha OW01. Somewhere alongside the best way, he additionally acquired a Norton P56 prototype, Seifert says—and transferred the experimental WP entrance fork from that machine onto his racebound P55. 

What’s the completed machine wish to journey? Obviously, as all individuals should do, Seifert has placed on quite a lot of years since 1990. So, it’s in all probability not a shock to listen to him say in 2022 that he feels this bike is a bit too quick for his capabilities, as a result of it’s in all probability a bit a lot for a lot of on a regular basis riders. It’s a novel piece of motorcycling historical past, and one we’re glad has been dedicated to video for extra fans to witness.