Non Traditional Beauty

Generally speaking, I always prefer the traditional livery of Norton motorcycles, and especially their racing counterparts. But every once in a while, I come across a machine that's so different, and at the same time, so striking in appearance, that it demands attention. Such is true for this racing Dominator.

I'm unsure as to the history of this bike, but it's got some very interesting features. The frame is a standard wideline featherbed, form a production machine, rather than a Manx chassis. Based on the fairing lettering, this is a 650 motor, and since the wideline featherbed was never produced with a 650 motor, it's surely a special machine. Petrol tank, seat unit and fairing are fiberglass, while the central oil tank is alloy. The front wheel is a standard Dominator hub and likely a single leading shoe brake plate. It's rim is a shouldered alloy unit, while the rear rim is standard chrome steel. Shock length looks to be longer than standard, and the rear sets are mounted quite high. It's hard to tell exactly from the photo, but they're either mounted to the swingarm spindle, or potentially even higher than that. Clip ons are of the Manx type, with the lever perches built directly onto them.

That's about all the details that can be seen, but I'd certainly love the opportunity to inspect this machine in person, or get more details if anyone out there, knows anything about it.

I guess it makes sense to keep an open mind about these old racing motorbikes. You never know when one of them, in a very unique set up, will catch your eye and raise curiosity. So, to the Henry Bros., my hats off to you.