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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

A report in a 1980 UK magazine stated:

• Bacon, Roy, (1983). Norton singles: Manx and Inter, and all side and overhead valve singles from 1927 to 1966. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.ISBN 978-0850454857
• Williams, P, & Reddihough, JA (1960). Motor Cycle Data Book: Motor Cycles, Scooters, Mopeds, Light Cars. London: George Newnes Ltd.

• Norton Model 50
• List of motorcycles of the 1920s