Norton Nomad

The Norton Nomad was a dual-sport motorcycle produced for the American market between 1958 and 1960 by the British manufacturer Norton. It came with a 500 cc or a 600 cc twin-cylinder engine, taken from the 88 Dominator and 99 Dominator and uprated with larger inlet valves, high-compression pistons and twin Amal carburettors, and the 600 produced 36 bhp. Only a few were made, about 50 of the smaller engine and about 300 of the 600, and the first Nomad imported to the United States finished eighth in California's Big Bear Run among 822 starters. The frame followed the Model 77 Dominator with the cradle under the engine replaced by tubing, and it had knobby tyres, an oval-section swinging arm, high wide bars, alloy mudguards and a small tank. It was the first of a line of on and off-road Nortons that ended with the Ranger.