A stroke of genius to combine the Matchless and the Norton to create such a pure shape , what absolutely stunning looking machines.

@motohomeless9168

4 ай бұрын

Thanks! They are amazing

@josecarlospoggian5460

3 ай бұрын

Congrats to the Americans to made its hybrid possible, simply beautiful ,👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏I didn’t now !

In the mid 1960's my dad Lee Winstead helped build the 1st norton P-11. His business was motorcycle sales and service, Grass valley California. He did a lot of aluminum and titaniaum work at McClelan Air Force base on the F-102's as a civilian mechanic, My dad made the 1st aluminum plates and mated the 750 Atlas to the Machless frame. My father Chose the G-85 matchless because it was the only scrambler at the time that would fit his 6' 5" frame. My dad never gets any street cred for his work but he was a Norton, Triumph and Ducati distributor, so maybe he was just not one of the boys. but I saw the bike bing built at my dads shop when I was barely out of my diapers.

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

That’s is so awesome! Your dad must have been an awesome guy!

@pandrop490

4 ай бұрын

What a legacy, you must be proud. As a Brit it wasnt unusual to hear about my father and uncle mix and match engines and frames especially featherbeds etc back in the day to reduce weight or increase stiffness for different uses or simply because you had blown an engine and swapped out that for another but these P11s are just stunning !

Two P11's together, what a joy! Thanks for posting.

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

I’m glad you enjoyed

Bought a new 64/65 Norton Scrambler for $1200 + at 17 yrs old..financed it (Dad cosigned) $45 a month...when the knobs wore off the rear tire it was geared so low I became the quickest punk in town. ;)

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

That’s great! They are surprisingly quick

Working in a Norton bike shop in the early 70's I had the opportunity to tune and ride a few P 11's. The reangling of the gearbox to nest into the engine cases and allow a shorter/lighter frame was a beautifully done mod that made the machine shorter and lighter. Also made it handle better in the dirt. The power application was - well, it made the narrator giggle a couple of times in the video. I think it was Mike Patrick that won the desert racing crown 2 or 3 times with one of these 'back in the day". Good times. Still have a couple of Commandos from back then. Atlas, P 11, Commando - Boomers one and all . . .

This is a video that warmed my heart. I grew up around people who loved Triumphs, mostly 650 Bonnevilles with a few T100s (500cc) thrown in. I always kinda wanted a cool motorcycle and then one of my friends bought a BSA that had been imported from the UK. He immediately jumped off of it and broke his femur so he put it up for sale to help with his medical expenses so I bought it. Turned out it was a rat, frame from a 500 cc A50, fairly nice but worn A65 engine, all over not great. I got back to college at the end of that summer and my roommate showed up with a new P11 Ranger. It wasn't long before a guy who lived down the street wanted the BSA badly, so I took the cash from that and some of my savings down to the local BMW-Norton shop with the idea that I was going to have a P11. When I got there, the dealer said "Oh, the P11 has been discontinued but Norton has come out with these." And I looked on his showroom and and there sat a couple of motorcycles with funny pointed rear fenders and cheap-looking metal-flake paint. Not impressed so I walked away. So there I was, no BSA and no Norton. But about 6 weeks later, my roommate says "I going to drop my P-11 off at the dealer to get an oil change and some warranty work done, can you pick me up at the dealer and give me a ride home?" I said sure, borrowed by brother's car. and followed him over. I went to look at the "space rocket" Nortons again and there sitting in the middle of them was a red FireFlake Commando "S". Within hours, I was the poorest motorcycle owner in North Carolina, but my love for that wonderful glitszy motorcycle never went away. I rode it almost non-stop (except for when the exhaust pipes cracked) for a year and a half, then it was stolen off the college motorcycle parking lot. I took the insurance money and went back to the dealer "Oh, the 'S' has been discontinued". "WHAT???" "Yeah, they replaced it with the Roadster". With the promise (not completely kept), that that had solved the exhaust problems, I was back on the Norton road again. Some of my friends were motocross-crazy but that looked pretty dirty and tiring to me so I safety wired the oil plug, taped up the lights, cut up a plastic trash can to make number plates and took it to VIR for the road races. Now I was the poorest and slowest motorcycle owner in North Carolina. But I persevered and learned to at least get out of my own way and discovered you could cut class on Friday, go to Nelson Ledges or Bridgehampton, race Saturday and Sunday, and if you drove all night, be back for class on Monday morning (yeah, like you were going to be worth a d**n sittin there in class). That's how I spent my last college year -- I told people I majored in motorcycle road racing and despite the distractions, got on the Dean's List my last semester. As I was finishing up my degree, I was looking for a job so I wrote Norton-Villiers in California and asked about a job. I got a letter back from Brian Slark telling me that they didn't have any openings (my degree was in journalism and publishing so not a lot of help) but he'd get back to me. I thought "well, I tried" then I got a letter telling me that they still didn't have anything in California but the Service Department in England were looking for a technical writer. They asked me if I was going to Daytona that year - I said yes. They said "we can't promise anything but would you like to talk to someone from England while you're there". I was thinking that it wouldn't turn out to much but I said sure. They told me to go over to the Norton pit at the end of one of the practice days and introduce myself. So I walked over, found two of the most beautiful little blue road racers that I had ever seen. I asked the person who looked the least busy and he said "Hello, I'm Peter Williams and we've just finished testing the streamlining on the rear of the seats. I think I know who you want to talk to". Thinking I was really over my head, we walked over to an older gentlemen so I introduced myself -- he stood up and said "Oh, you're the American who is in publishing, I'm Dennis Poore and I'd like to talk to you" I'm standing there looking up at this immaculately-dressed man (suit trousers, gleamingly-polished black shoes, a white shirt and tie with a John Player Norton white jacket) -- I'm thinking "is this Lord Soandso or Prince somebody? Yes, I am SO over my head here" -- and he said that they were investing in Norton and looking for help. He told me that they were expanding the product line and were planning to add to the Service Department and would I like to come over for a short trial-run job at the factory. "It would mean moving to England and you probably wouldn't want to do that and it would only be a probationary job, sort of like a working apprenticeship, since you don't have direct industry experience, so that doesn't sound like a very good offer, does it?" I should have said something like "how much does it pay?", instead I said "when do you want me to be there?" I signed on for a three-month trial job for $20 a week and after a few weeks helping my new boss catch up with loose ends, I got assigned to write the combined 750/850 Workshop Manual (the one with the black loose-leaf cover with white and green printing on it). I guess I did a good enough job because there always seemed to be more work for me to do (and I got a promotion and a real salary). That lasted for six years, a bit at Norton-Triumph in California and a bit working on the Norton Rotary project. All because of the way I fell in love with that little red P-11 Norton 55 years ago - not bad for a little North Carolina boy, huh? Now I sit, a slow white-haired old man, with my 850 Production Racer (which I think might have been the only one ever built at the factory) that I've owned for over 50 years, and a lifetime of memories -- and I still get a thrill out of seeing a P-11. (PS - A little clarification. The engine in the P-11 was the engine designed for the "Mk 2 Atlas" Norton. It had twin carbs and points ignition (as opposed to the single carb and magneto on the Mk1 Atlas) and the "SS" cam from the Norton Dominator 650SS, which was an incredibly quick and agile predecessor to the 750 Atlas -- this cam grind is not to be confused with the Combat "Two-S" cam that came later. True "Matchless engines" were a completely different line. Because the racers and mechanics that had put together the first prototype of the P-11 at Bob Blair's "ZDS Motors" -- the Norton distributor in California -- had used so many of the tried-and-true Matchless parts, the AMC management decided to make the model available also as a Matchless. Following the Matchless model codes, the same motorcycle was sold by Matchless dealers as the "G15CS" -- since it had lights and a horn, if it was sold as a pure desert racer without road equipment, it would have been a G15CSR. Since AMC/Matchless owned Norton at the time, they could do whatever they wanted to with their marketing strategies at that time, the serial numbers on the first Norton 750 "Scramblers" included the code N15CS. Later, after about 1966, Norton VIlliers had been set up and the marketing emphasis changed to favor Nortons, thus the model code was shown as the P-11, P-11S, or Ranger, Norton was on the tank, and Matchless variant was quietly dropped. So, while the Matchless designation of G15CS is included in the P-11s heritage, the engine in the P-11 is actually from the Norton Atlas of the mid-1960s and was in the direct line of Norton Dominator twins and was the engine that was adopted - with minor refinements - into the early Norton Commandos, designated as Model 20, Norton's model code for the Atlas twin cylinder sports-touring motorcycle, Mark 3. The engine in the P-11 range was always a "Norton engine".)

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Wow! Such a fantastic comment to read! Thanks for all of that information! It’s a small world. I live in South Carolina. If you are ever interested in getting rid of your Norton, I would be honored to have that bit of history. Are you still in North Carolina?

@brucebear1

Жыл бұрын

@@motohomeless9168 Yes, I'm in NC. Are you going to Kershaw AHRMA races in a couple of weeks? When people ask me if I'm selling my Norton, I tell them "check with my widow". (Not to be rude but it's a very important piece of my life.)

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

@@brucebear1 i completely understand. I was thinking of coming on that Saturday to watch some of the racing. Are you going to be there?

@brucebear1

Жыл бұрын

@@motohomeless9168 That's my plan. I will probably be hanging around with the CyCo motorcycle Norton racers in the pits. Come on over let's talk.

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

@@brucebear1 sounds good!!! I’ll stop by to say hey

I do not usually watch bike runs , but this had my attention , oh yes ! I had a very second hand Dunstall Norton Commando with the Quaife five speed , rear sets , ally tank and bikini fairing back in the day . Light , fast and it vibrated , until I had it rolling , then it was almost silky smooth ; rubber mounted engine plates . I loved that bike , what a sound , and wish I had it still . Your video brought back some memories . I will subscribe right now , from Bristol , Uk .

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!! I would love a Dunstall one day!

I absolutely ❤ the sound of a parallel twin with a 360° crank!!!

@motohomeless9168

7 ай бұрын

You and me both!

I just noticed you only have 17 subscribers , But 14 likes . Good luck with the channel , I will be spreading the news . Waiting for the rebuild to start .

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I am doing my commando before the P11 as I need a lot of parts for the P11

Thanks, I have the P11A but opted to put the hi pipes on. Looking forward to more from you, thanks.

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Yes! I like the look of the hi pipes better as well.

@Beeza56

Жыл бұрын

@@motohomeless9168 mine is for sale if you’re interested. I bought it from the original owner in ‘16

@brucebear1

Жыл бұрын

@@Beeza56 What your general location? I'm in central NC, USA.

@Beeza56

Жыл бұрын

@@brucebear1 Hi Bruce. I’m in Putnam Valley NY.

@brucebear1

Жыл бұрын

@@Beeza56 Is your P-11 still for sale?

Excellent vid... my first new bike was a P11A (low-pipe) kept it for several years and rode it all over...

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

7:05 citizens arrest, citizens arrest! Passing on a double yeller! 😆 Beautiful bikes . I miss my Atlas.

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!!

😂😂😂😂Vibraaation it’s true I had an Atlas 750, I taught those P 11 were better. They’re looks are better than the Atlas, especially clutch cover with periferia screws , thanks a lot 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

@motohomeless9168

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment! They do look better than an Atlas. I have a P11 build coming to the channel soon, so make sure to subscribe!

sweet! you getting those good vibrations man

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

All of the Vibrations!

Beautiful...

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I had exactly the one on the right, loved it..

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Awesome!!!

Wow, such great looking bikes. I like the looks of these much better than the Commandos.

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! They look absolutely fantastic!

Yes! Both would be nice long distance bikes!

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

I don’t know if I could hold on that long!

Beautiful bikes!

@motohomeless9168

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! They really are!

We have a 650 Royal Enfield. Just bought a 2:1 for it. Not a P11 but smooth and easy to live with.

@motohomeless9168

8 ай бұрын

I do like the way Royal Enfields look. I wouldn’t mind picking one up eventually

I had G15 was great norto/matchless

@motohomeless9168

4 ай бұрын

Those are super cool!

I had a 67 P 11 in ? 80. I didn't no the history? I'd looked at a very nice one near Stone Mt. Rode it. Shifted really smooth. 1500.00 seemed high? Stopped by Triumph of Marietta. They agreed that 1500 was too much. There mechanic had one and an extra engine minus the top end /said he'd sake all If it for 150.00.And he lived closer to me.He was at New Hope. That's how I wound up with/for a brief while /a 67 P 11.

@motohomeless9168

5 ай бұрын

Oh wow! Now, $1500 for a P11 is unheard of, let alone $150! I bet you wish you still had it!

Best of British

@motohomeless9168

3 ай бұрын

Thanks! They are good!

Yep. A real shaker. At certain rpms, you could barely hold the grips. Still I had a lot of fun with the one I bought new in 1966. It was a do-anything bike on which I at one point mounted knobbies and a bash plate and rode several enduros, and at another point put on clubman bars and was into the early cafe racer scene as I commuted to work daily. But yeah, it shook so badly that parts would simply fall off if you missed a day of bolt and screw tightening. I don't know, but I don't think LokTite had been developed yet.

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Definitely a lot of vibration around 3400 rpm. Do you still have yours?

@ralphmurre8708

Жыл бұрын

No. I WISH I still had it, but that was many bikes ago.

What fantastic looking bikes, mate. Particularly like the high-pipes version. Do you not have 'helmet' laws in your neck of the woods?

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! No, we do not have any helmet laws here. I always wear one, my friend normally does as well, but it was just a quick ride up the road, so he didn’t bother. I will be building a P11 soon on the channel, so subscribe so you don’t miss it!

Great..

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

💯👍

@motohomeless9168

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

They still look classy after all this time.

@motohomeless9168

4 ай бұрын

They really do look good!

@robertkirk4387

4 ай бұрын

@@motohomeless9168 Here in the UK when they were in fashion ( I remember) They were considered the rolls Royce of bikes and Triumph the Bentleys, BSA and the others Likes, Ariel, Matchless, Vincent, cotton, Velocette and Brough had all since long gone (Shame) the police used Norton 850 commando's for a while but the Japanese copied them all and came back with cheaper more reliable versions of their own, we all know what happened next. Take care mate, have a cracking day. Regards from the UK.

@motohomeless9168

4 ай бұрын

I’m doing a commando build on the channel right now. I’m going to do a P11 build when I’m done with the Commando. I’ve got an Ariel that you will find interesting that I will be doing a video with soon. Subscribe so you don’t miss them!

Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Ok…

Well, I own a N15 and a P11 and the engine is not a N15 engine . In both bikes are Norton Atlas 750 cc engines .

Where are you riding ..... no lid law ?

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

US. In South Carolina. Over 21, no helmet required

@brucebear1

Жыл бұрын

@@motohomeless9168 That was going to be my guess, "uplands" South Carolina.

Cool pair of Norton, but your mate not wearing a crash helmet ,not so cool

@mjh5437

Жыл бұрын

Steve McQueen sez mind your own bizness.

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, he usually wears one. That is the only time I have seen him not wear one.

@TheStevemcqueen68

9 ай бұрын

cannot enjoy ridding ,if you have no head, each to there own,

i love mine non better

@motohomeless9168

Жыл бұрын

Yes!!

AMC bike

@motohomeless9168

4 ай бұрын

Good bikes!