Norton ES2

The Norton ES2 is a Norton motorcycle produced from 1927 until 1964. From 1965, a different machine was produced for a short time by parent manufacturer AMC, based on a Matchless but badged as Norton ES2 Mk2.

Norton ES2

1961 slimline featherbed-framed ES2
Manufacturer	Norton Motors Ltd, Aston, Birmingham
Parent company	AMC Ltd from 1953[1]
Production	1928–64[1]
Predecessor	Model 18 1922–27[1]
Successor	Norton ES2 Mk2 (Norton-badged Matchless) 1965–66[2]
Engine	490cc OHV air-cooled single
Top speed	82 mph[1]
Power	1960: 25 bhp @ 5500 rpm[3]
Transmission	4-speed gearbox to chain final drive
Brakes	1959 onward: 8.00" × 1.25" front, 7.00 × 1.25" rear
Tires	1959 onward: 3.00" front, 3.50" rear × 19"
Wheelbase	56 inches
Seat height	31.5 inches
Weight	380 pounds (170 kg) (dry) 392 pounds (178 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity	1947–58: 2.75 Imperial gallons[4] 1958–63: 3.5 gallons[4]
Oil capacity	4 pints
Fuel consumption	50 to 60 mpg

Development

1949 ES2 with telescopic front fork and plunger rear suspension

It was a long stroke single, always 79mm × 100mm bore and stroke, originally launched as a sports motorcycle but throughout its long life it was gradually overtaken by more powerful models.

It remained popular due to its reliability and ease of maintenance, as well as the traditional design. From 1947 the ES2 had an innovative hydraulically damped telescopic front fork and race developed rear plunger suspension. From 1953 it had a single downtube swinging-arm frame.

Featherbed frame

From 1959 it used the Rex McCandless-designed featherbed frame, with upgrades including an improved AMC gearbox, revised cylinder head, crankshaft-mounted Lucas RM15 60-watt alternator with coil ignition and an 8-inch front brake with full width hubs front and rear.^[1] The wideline Featherbed-framed bike was road tested in The Motor Cycle 4 June 1959 issue and was reported to have a mean top speed of 82 mph with petrol consumption of 56 mpg at 60 mph.^[1]

Slimline featherbed frame

For 1961, in common with other large-engined Nortons, the bike was further improved with the Slimline frame with upper frame rails narrowed and a restyled slimmer fuel tank.^[5]

Finale

ES2 Mk2 bearing an 'E' suffix (1967) UK registration plate

The last ES2 was introduced in late 1964. A Matchless-based machine with Norton badges, it was produced for two years before final discontinuation, coincident with the commercial failure of the AMC Group.^[6][7]

A report in a 1980 UK magazine stated:^[8]

The slow but immensely likeable Featherbed-framed 350 Model 50 and 500 ES2 Norton ohv singles were dropped and in their place appeared the Model 50 MkII and ES2 MkII, or, with Norton badges hastily tacked on the side, the Matchless G3 and G80. They failed to fool anyone, let alone the buying public. In 1966 the heavyweight singles were all but a memory...