LOT 141

1968 Norton 650cc Dominator Sport Special Frame no. 18 125793 Engine no. 18SS/125793/P

Sold for US$6,900 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 141

1968 Norton 650cc Dominator Sport Special

The Amelia Island Auction|3 March 2022, 10:00 EST|Fernandina Beach Golf Club

1968 Norton 650cc Dominator Sport Special
Frame no. 18 125793
Engine no. 18SS/125793/P

Norton Motors was Birmingham's most prominent motorcycle maker, always in the news and always providing winning exploits for the city. Post-WW2, their success rate increased, with 'the unbeatable Norton' taking trophy after trophy in racing, becoming in the process Britain's most famous motorcycle firm. The company launched its first 650cc twin, the US-market Manxman, in 1960. Available in Europe the following year, the Dominator 650 was built in standard, De Luxe and SS variants, all of which featured a new cylinder head with downdraft inlet ports. With 49bhp on tap, plentiful low-down torque and exemplary handling courtesy of its race-proven Featherbed frame, the "Domi SS" was one of the outstanding sports motorcycles of the 1960s, being more than a match for Triumph's Bonneville in terms of all-round performance. Indeed, in February 1962 Motor Cycling achieved a best one-way speed of 119.5mph at MIRA with a 650SS, more than 10mph up on that of the Bonneville tested the previous summer.
Showing under 1600 miles on its 120mph Smiths gauge, the Dominator SS presented here is presented to its original specification and was most-likely given a sympathetic restoration some years ago. Having entered Mr. Jacob's collection in 1987, purchased from a seller in Daytona Beach, the bike will need a complete service prior to adding further mileage to the odometer.

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