Norton's Future Assured, Maybe
NORTON'S FUTURE ASSURED, MAYBE
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THE INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL roller-coaster ride endured by one of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious motorcycle manufacturers finally may have been so completely smoothed out that the rebirth of another of Britain’s famous motorcycle names is a possibility.
Chief executive David McDonald recently completed a restructuring of the company, severing Norton’s links with the FUS metal-fastener company of Germany-a tie that drained the beleaguered British firm of cash-and announcing that his efforts to attract cash investments from London’s financial district had been successful.
With its FI Sport streetbike now selling well in Europe, the company has announced plans for an all-new streetbike, set for introduction this August. This will be based on the NRS588 racebike currently atop the points standings in the British Supercup series in the hands of pilot Terry Rymer. The new bike will be lighter than the FI Sport, with much sharper handling and much better braking, according to company sources.
But perhaps the most interesting news of all concerns recent reports from Italy, which suggest that talks between Norton’s McDonald and the Brothers Castiglioni of Cagiva continue.
According to sources inside Cagiva, elder brother Gianfranco Castiglioni favors a complete takeover of Norton by Cagiva. But those same sources say Castiglioni’s bankers favor a plan reportedly suggested by McDonald, which involves a joint venture between the two firms.
Such a joint venture would entail development of a completely new line of piston-engined bikes. It is well known that Castiglioni’s greatest Britbike passion is reserved for the old BSA marque, so it should not be ruled out that any new line of machines resulting from a Norton-Cagiva joint venture would appear wearing BSA nameplates, especially likely since Norton owns the rights to the BSA name.
The result of a joint venture between the two firms would be the sale of Norton motorcycles alongside Cagivas and Ducatis worldwide. And, maybe, BSAs, as well.
—Alan Cathcart
