Norton ES2

Norton ES2

Manufacturer	Norton Motors Ltd Aston Birmingham
Also called	'Easy-two'
Production	1927-1964
Engine	490cc OHV air cooled single
Top speed	78 mph[citation needed]
Power	21 bhp @ 5000 rpm[citation needed]
Transmission	4 speed gearbox to chain final drive
Weight	380 pounds (170 kg) (dry)

The ES2 was a Norton motorcycle first produced in 1927. It was a long stroke single originally launched as a sports motorcycle but throughout its long life it was gradually overtaken by more powerful models. The designation ES2 originated from the original design where E was for extra cost, S for sports and the 2 was a reference to the second version of the 79mm x 100mm 490cc engine.^[1]

Norton ES2 1939

It remained popular due to its reliability and ease of maintenance, as well as the traditional design. From 1947 the ES2 had an innovative hydraulically damped telescopic front fork and race developed rear plunger suspension. From 1953 it had a single downtube swinging-arm frame and was uprated to the Rex McCandless Featherbed frame in 1959 and featured an improved AMC gearbox, revised cylinder head, modernised alternator and an 8-inch front brake with full width hubs. For 1961 the bike was further improved with the Slimline frame with upper frame rails narrowed and a slimmer tank.^[1] The last Norton ES2 was produced in 1964.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Norton ES2". http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/1523324111/. Retrieved 2008-10-24.