Description
Norton Commander P52 - 1 of only 253 produced
The bike has a bit of history, it was registered 4 years after its build because it was one of the P52 that was exported to Ghana as a demonstrator bike and then returned to the factory in 1993. It is identifiable by having two cooling fans on the radiator rather than the usual one. Basically Norton used it in Ghana to showcase their Police bike and to try to sell it to the government.
It was then owned by a commercial airline pilot who used to ride it from Sussex to Heathrow, apparently all the cars used to move out of the way thinking he was a policeman. Then it was property of the older gentleman whom I purchased it from in November 2019 at H and H auction at the Motorcycle Muséum in Birmingham, Graham is himself related to one of the TT big rider who gave his name to one of the corner of the race!
I have recommissioned the bike in 2019 with Neil at Riverbank Motorcycle and since I have ride it in London Winter and Summer, it is an amazing ride. It is a heavy bike tho but it goes well when you open up and push it on open road. I also ride in the London traffic and it's quite handy in town too even so the box make the end wider.
Rex at Victory Motorcycle did the last service two weeks ago and put a fresh MOT and a new rear tyre.
It was handle warmer for winter, central and side stand. It also has been on the Ulez test so there is not paying the ULEZ tax has engine has passed the test.
Frame No:4231
Engine No:4231
- 1st registered in 1993, built in 1989
- Police spec P52 model, built for police export then not shipped.
- Mostly unrestored and original
- Engine completely overhauled in 2011 by specialist R Negus with photos and invoice.
- 1 of only 253 produced
- Rare to find in this condition
- In good running order
- Comprehensive history file with old MOT's, receipts, original handbook and parts book and associated paperwork
NOTE
the rear light has been damaged (see pics) I am ordering the part to replace it but I am not sure I will have time to replace it.
Mileage is 60 000 milesThe Commander was a Norton motorcycle with a Wankel rotary engine.
The first Norton Wankel motorcycle was the 1987 Classic using an air-cooled engine, built as a special edition of just 100 machines. It was followed by the air-cooled Interpol 2 model.
The Commander was a liquid-cooled successor to the Interpol 2, liquid cooling being adopted for greater power and reliability. The Commander's final-drive chain was protected by a full enclosure. Some cycle parts (such as wheels, forks, switchgear, clocks & brakes) were bought-in Yamaha items from the XJ900.
Two types of Commander were built. The P52 was a single-seat model equipped for police use. The second was the dual-seat P53 civilian tourer. Both the P52 and P53 had panniers integral with their fibreglass bodywork. The P53 bodywork was later revised to have detachable Krauser [de] K2 panniers.
Article on the topic
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