What is it about the Japanese that allows them to keep producing such original looking custom bikes? The following 3...
Norton
No motorcycle marque holds as much significance in the cafe racer scene than Norton. The Norton featherbed frame was arguably the ultimate basis upon which to build a cafe racer. Often merged with Triumph engines to form ‘Tritons’ or Vincents to become ‘Norvins’, the featherbed was a motorcycle engineering breakthrough. Norton also won loyal followers with consistent race wins using their own engines. Norton dominated the Isle of Man TT recording an astounding 94 wins with models like the legendary Manx. During the early 70’s Norton suffered the same fate as other British motorcycle manufacturers and struggled to stay afloat. Thankfully today Norton is alive and well producing handbuilt bikes from their UK based factory. The current range pays homage to some of the brands most iconic models, seamlessly blending classic styling with modern technology.
I think the term ‘patina’ is often misused in the custom world. Nowadays it seems to be applied to any...
Jesse Bassett has been operating ‘The GasBox’ workshop in Cleveland, Ohio since early 2009. As a seasoned workshop mechanic of...
As it happens, the first motorcycle I ever went on as a kid was a Norton Commando 850 and since...
When customization is done correctly, it’s possible to add value rather than reduce it. Even when it comes to absolute...
This 2004 NorStar café racer was created by Dave Smith Classic Motorcycles in Plainfield, Illinois. Highlighting exquisite craftsmanship, the bike...
No more riding for me until the new year! (no this isn’t my bike…I wish!) My two wheel fix will...
“This is not the first motorcycle Caleb Matthiesen and the Vintage Steele crew have built together, and hopefully not the...
Peas and gravy, spaghetti and meatballs, Sonny and Cher. It seems some things are just made to go together. Take...
Take the most powerful engine in the Triumph modern classic range and shoehorn it into one of the most revered...
Wow what a great two wheeled weekend! We spent Sunday at the annual Mods vs Rockers event in Melbourne. About...
For some reason this front end photo of a Norton Cafe Racers makes me feel calm. This next one not...
An American heart with a British soul....
This Norton Commando is #6 of 13 Limited Edition Café examples built at Matt Rambow’s Colorado Norton Works. The bike...
American Cafe Racers in Colorado Springs set themselves a challenge. Create a motorcycle that “incorporates elements of the current trends...
Want a one off Triton Cafe Racer but don’t have the time, parts or know how to put one together?...
I’ve posted several times in the past about the New Norton Commando 961 and it seems finally that it’s production...
Some nice footage of the new Norton Commando in action alongside the Triumph’s “modern classic” Bonneville with a quick review...
This 1973 Norton Commando 850 Interstate was transformed into a cafe racer, featuring a Manx-style fuel tank, a custom bump...
If there’s one thing I love to see in the custom motorcycle scene it’s a good sense of humour. One...
There are days when I struggle to get anything done. I thought this was a problem everyone experienced, but then...
The Japanese custom automotive scene is bursting with unbound creativity and world-class craftsmanship. So for a photographer whose passion lies...
There were plenty of amazing Cafe Racers to drool over at this years Melbourne Mods vs Rockers ride but one...
Last week I posted a Triton and had a moan about how long it had been since I featured a...
The Norton 750cc Atlas, unveiled in 1962, marked the evolution of the capacity/horsepower race initiated in the 1950s among British...
1972 Norton Commando 750 | Thanks Jim, Ananda and Nick. Sinar F 4×5 | Rodenstock 210mm | Tmax 400 I...
At the beginning of 2020, Norton Motorcycles under the leadership of Stuart Garner dropped a bombshell when they announced they...
A silk purse from a sow’s ear. That’s the first thing that came to mind when this striking ’73 Norton...
The “One and Only” Norvin is a unique creation designed to honor Jean-Louis Millet, a former sidecar racer who achieved...
Not only are Norton finally producing the 961 Commando for sale but they have now added a Cafe Racer and...
In our opinion there’s nothing better than when a talented photographer turns his camera’s attention to classic motorbikes. These shots...
In the early sixties, the Domiracer was a heavily tuned Norton Dominator that produced around 55bhp and was capable of...
There’s nothing quite like a good lean in while you’re burning around on you Cafe Racer. The setup: The payoff:...
This outstanding Norton is, in my opinion, one of the best motorcycles to appear on Cafe Racer TV. The stunning...
The 2011 Melbourne Mods vs Rockers annual ride has been and gone. The event was a huge success with around...
What a weekend! First up was the 2012 Motorclassica at the Royal Exhibition Center in Melbourne with Luke from Fuel...
If there’s one things we love more than a beautiful Cafe Racer motorcycle it’s a well composed photo of one....
Aside from being the most iconic of all Cafe Racers, what really makes the Triton special is how it came...
Mick on his number 16 JPS Norton The aptly named ‘Mick Grant Special’ commemorates both Mick’s involvement in the Works...
Norton Motorcycles has a rocky history that predates Stuart Garner’s recent disastrous efforts. Since the early 1950s owners of the...
The current owner of this 1973 Norton Commando acquired it in 2007, preserving it in storage for over a decade....
Patrick Walker of Works Racing did exactly that. Since 2008, out of a shed beside his home in Stafford-Upon-Avon, Patrick...
There’s no denying that Norton Motorcycles has had a troubled past. From insolvencies to multiple ownership changes, and who can...
Actually on second thought I think I want a Norton!...
The Phantom EG is a 1920’s Board Tracker inspired custom motorcycle from The Phantom manufacturing company in the United Kingdom....
This remarkable ‘Mk IV-R Commando 900’ Norton motorcycle is a striking and entirely customized classic sports bike, conceived by Jets...
Looking for the ultimate desktop or coffee table accessory for motorcyclists? Thailand’s Omega Racer workshop has just the thing. Inspired...
Beautiful Cafe Racer, motorcycle racing, classic bike and two wheel lifestyle shots from Zebra in a Box....
The 2017 Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer MKII is a British motorcycle that pays homage to the classic Norton Commando...
In Cafe Racer terms the Triton was the ride of choice for Rockers of the 60’s and 70’s. The combination...
We have to say readers rides have quickly become our favourite addition to the site in years. we’ve been overwhelmed...
Now that Norton Motorcycles is finally in good hands we’re looking forward to seeing great things from the legendary British...
I hate to admit it but it’s been a while since I’ve posted a featherbed on the site! This...
If you frequent these pages you’ll be familiar with the work of Kyohey Sugimoto of Berrybads Motorcycles. The Japanese builder...
When Frenchman Sebastien Beaupere wanted pay hommage to Norton’s legendary Manx he was always going to have his work cut...
Although they call each other allies the US and the UK never quite see eye to eye. One area where...
“Ride past the grand Norton sign, and down the long driveway of the Norton factory at Donington and you step...
It’s not often a well known custom builder sends me photos of his living room, but seeing as these particular...
After the release of the Norton 961 Commando in 2009 MCN decided to pull together some of the best “off the...
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At the heart of the Triton is a special blend of Triumph engineering. A ’61 Pre Unit 650cc engine was...
Got a spare $45,000 (or more) and the desire to own two race bred Tritons? I just stumbled across...
If you happen to be passing through Nampa, Idaho and you spot this century old milking do yourself a favour...
Suzuki GSX1500 in a Norton featherbed frame. Loads of Japanese grunt in a perfect British frame. Very nice indeed....
The marketing crew at Norton has it all sussed back in the day. Find a hot blonde model (preferably one...
This would have to be my all time ultimate Cafe Racer. The combination of a Norton featherbed frame and a...
New York based, fashion and beauty photographer Marian Sell loves a good side project. He cut his teeth with two-wheeled...
Daniel Delfour, an experienced violin maker, decided to channel his artistic sensibility into crafting a truly extraordinary motorcycle. Combining a...
There are plenty of custom motorcycles born of mixed parentage. Some should never have been conceived and yet others like...
We love seeing new custom motorcycles turn up in our email from far away places, especially when they look as...
After the train wreck that was Orange County Choppers, I’ve been a bit reluctant to commit to any motorcycle related...
You can see this bike at the club runs in Western Australia. Fully race built but now road legal and...
I’ve been a huge fan of Spanish photographic rockstar Kristina Fender for some time. Not only does she take a...
