1992 Norton F2
1992 Norton F2
Fighting for survival
Britain’s once-great Norton firm endured a long struggle for survival throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s as a succession of owners failed to provide the investment needed. One of Norton’s more promising bikes was the F2, which appeared in prototype form in 1992.
Norton’s Dual Aims
The Norton management’s aim in revealing the prototype F2 in late 1992 was to interest the public in a sportster that would eventually go into production and, more immediately, to attract much-needed investors. The bike was designed by Styling International, a fum well known in the automotive world, and based around the 58&c rotary engine from Norton’s previous F1 and F1 Sport models.
Racy Chassis Geometry
Chassis specialists Spondon Engineering made an aluminum twin-spar frame with geometry similar to that of Norton’s works NRS588 rotary race bike, on which Steve Hisop had recently won the Isle of Man Senior IT. Suspension at both ends came from Yamaha’s FZR1000, as did wheels, brakes and exhaust silencer. Styling International’s bodywork incorporated a carbon fiber seat and tank-cover and was designed to disperse the considerable heat of the rotary engine. Norton planned to produce a series of F2s in 1993, but that relied on a major injection of financing – which proved as elusive as ever. Rumors of possible F2 production continued into 1994, by which time Norton had been taken over yet again. But when the new Canadian owners announced that the firm’s future lay in piston-engined bikes rather than rotaries, the likelihood of the F2 ever being produced seemed remote.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 558cc water-cooled twin-chamber rotary
Power Rating: 94 hp @ 9500 rpm
Valves:n/a
Fuel System: 2x34mm carburetors
Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); monoshock (rear)
Brakes: twin discs (front); disc (rear)
Wheels: 17 inch cast-aluminum (front & rear)
Weight: 407 lb
Maximum Speed: 145 mph
The F2′s streamlined styling was popular when this prototype was exhibited, but Norton’s long-running financial problems halted production plans.
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