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New Norton Cafe Racer

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The new Norton Cafe Racer, the latest addition to the line-up of the resurrected British manufacturer, has proven a major attraction at the NEC Motorcycle & Scooter Show which is currently running in Birmingham, the same city where the company was found back in 1898.

Based on the 961 Commando, the sportier Cafe Racer sports some obvious differences compared to the existing model, including lowered handle bars, a new headlamp cowl and conventional wire wheels (compared to the carbon fibre versions of the 961 SE) with black anodised rims. There is also its rather loud yellow paint job.

Norton has also made some serious changes to ensure the Cafe Racer can cope with the sportier demands of its riders. Front suspension consists of upside-down Ohlins forks and stopping power comes courtesy of radially-mounted Brembo Monoblock calipers and discs.

Norton is currently taking orders for the Cafe Racer, priced at £13 495 (R162 000) in the UK with production scheduled to kick of early in 2010. There are currently no plans to export the bike to South Africa.

In addition to the Cafe Racer, the Norton stand is also displaying a NRV588 Rotary race bike. New Norton boss Stuart Garner, managed a very impressive 290km/h top speed on an NRV bike earlier this at Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA.

Technical Specs Norton 961 Cafe Racer

Engine type: Parallel twin with push-rod valve actuation, dry sump
Displacement: 961cc
Bore x stroke: 88mm x 79mm
Compression ratio: 10.1:1
Power: 59kW @ 6 500r/min
Torque: 90Nm @ 5 200r/min
Frame: Steel tubular with integral oil tank
Wheelbase: 1420mm
Front suspension: 43mm Ohlins adjustable USD
Rear suspension: Ohlins reservoir-style adjustable twin shocks
Front wheel: 36 spoke 3.50 x 17” Black Rim
Rear wheel: 40 spoke 5.0 x 17” Black Rim
Front tyre: 120/70 x 17”
Rear tyre: 180/55 x 17”
Front brakes: Full Brembo system, twin Brembo 320mm semi-floating hi carbon stainless steel discs & Brembo 4 piston radial callipers
Rear brakes: Full Brembo system, single Brembo 220mm disc, Brembo 2 piston “Gold Line” caliper



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