1988 Norton 588cc Classic
Registration no. F789 YOL
Frame no. LE073
Engine no. LE073

After a lengthy development programme commenced in the 1970s by Norton-Villiers-Triumph, Norton's rotary-engined roadster debuted in 1982 as the police-specification Interpol, though it would be 1987 before the motorcycling public got to sample the rotary's excellent handling and smooth, almost vibration-free engine in the form of the un-faired civilian Classic. The Classic used Norton's twin-rotor 588cc engine in its original, air-cooled form (the later Commander was water-cooled), coupled to a five-speed gearbox with left-side 'change. This compact unit was slung beneath a tubular spine frame suspended by Marzocchi at the front and Koni at the rear. Triple disc braking was courtesy of Italian Brembos. With 79bhp on tap, the Classic's performance was on a par with that of contemporary Japanese 600s: a top speed of 125mph and a standing quarter-mile time of 12-and-a-bit seconds being easily achievable. Conceived as a limited edition model - only 100 examples were made - the Classic is today one of the most collectible of modern Nortons.

Number '073' of the 100 built, this Classic was sold new to the current vendor and has covered a mere 539 miles since acquisition. Presented in commensurately good condition, this rare machine is offered with Norton correspondence and owner's certificate, two old MoTs (most recent expired 2005), an invoice and an old-style V5 document. Re-commissioning is advised before returning it to the road.