Norton Dominator

The Norton Dominator, a legend in the world of motorcycles, emerged in 1947 as Norton's response to Triumph's Speed Twin. Crafted by Bert Hopwood, an esteemed designer from the Speed Twin team at Triumph, the Dominator was a triumph of engineering that set the benchmark for Norton's twin-cylinder models for the next three decades.

The inaugural model, the Model 7, made its debut in 1949, boasting a 497cc parallel-twin engine featuring iron cylinders and heads, a Lucas K2F magneto, and a 360-degree layout crankshaft supported by two main bearings. Its design aimed for increased low-end torque, achieved through a long-stroke configuration of 66.0mm × 72.6mm bore and stroke.

Initially equipped with a plunger frame, the Model 7 underwent a significant upgrade in 1953, introducing a single downtube swinging arm frame, 19-inch front wheel, and distinctive 'pear-shaped' silencers while retaining its Model 7 designation. This model was favored for sidecar use due to its frame configuration, a feature later iterations couldn't accommodate.

The evolution continued with the introduction of the Model 77, exclusively for the Australian market, featuring a rigid-framed telescopic-forked 500cc Dominator. Approximately 240 of these units were manufactured from 1950 to 1952.

In late 1956, the 596cc Model 77 Dominator arrived, combining the cycle parts of the ES2 with the 600cc Dominator 99 engine. Co-existing alongside the Dominator 99, this model catered to sidecar enthusiasts until its discontinuation in 1957, supplanted by sidecar Featherbeds.

The introduction of the Featherbed frames in the early 1960s was a game-changer for Norton, heralding a new era of handling and performance. These frames, initially developed and raced by the McCandless brothers in Ireland, led to the birth of the Model 88 Dominator (Dominator De Luxe), leveraging the same 497cc engine. This model faced challenges with oil leaks and quality control due to outdated manufacturing processes at the Norton works.

Enter the Model 99 Dominator, a featherbed-framed 597cc variant introduced in 1955. Boasting 31 bhp, this version's alloy head allowed for a higher compression ratio, while full-width alloy hubs with improved brakes further enhanced its performance.

From 1960, a significant shift occurred with the slimline featherbed frame, enhancing rider comfort with narrower front seat tubes. This alteration influenced the redesign of seats, tanks, and overall styling, ushering in an era of refined aesthetics and improved ergonomics.

The 1960s also saw the introduction of the Norton Manxman and 650SS models, featuring the 650cc engine and a revamped frame design. The 650SS, specifically, gained widespread acclaim, earning the title of the "best of the Dommies" due to its sporty appeal and twin carburetor configuration.

The Norton Dominator's legacy remains etched in motorcycling history, embodying innovation, performance, and enduring design across its various iterations. From its humble beginnings as the Model 7 to the acclaimed 650SS, each iteration contributed to Norton's iconic status in the motorcycle world, leaving an indelible mark on enthusiasts and collectors alike.