CLASSIC WORLD
Norton 1500cc V8 prototype clears its first hurdle, an 8000rpm run. Here’s how it went
It breezed up to 110mph, where it was completely stable.” That was the verdict of Classic Bike contributor and professional test rider Bruce Dunn, after his first ride on the recommissioned Norton Nemesis. “The speed data trace was a dead straight line, with no flattening off. That suggests there’s a lot more to come.”
The Al Melling-designed V8 prototype, which started life in 1998 as a doomed attempt to revive the Norton name, has been brought back to life by famed engineer Allen Millyard. “He rode it first, because he wanted to check if the cooling system leaked, and that the engine held its oil,” explains Bruce. “Allen’s had to do a lot of re-engineering, because he worked out that the original oil pump couldn’t flow the capacity required – don’t ask me how he worked that out, but he did – so he increased the bore size of the passageways and changed the oil pump. He re-engineered the original cooling system too, so that needed checking.”
Once Allen had deemed the bike safe, Bruce was given the job of running it up to 8000rpm – some way off its 14,000rpm redline but ample for a first run, given that Nemesis hadn’t been on a dyno beforehand.
“We had to run it at MCN’s test strip because it’s so noisy,” says Bruce. “A V8 through straight pipes makes some racket. But it doesn’t sound like an American V8, because it’s a high-revving short-stroke engine.
“It feels bulky, but well balanced. When I was turning round it didn’t want to flop over like some cruisers, but the main thing is the power – Allen wants to break the land speed record for a V8 bike [136mph] and it should easily do that.”
Nemesis is rumoured to be appearing at Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 1013. We’ll let you know if that’s confirmed.
Foggy’s Goodwood party
Four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty will headline a huge celebration of World Superbikes at this year’s Festival of Speed on July 10-13. More than 40 race bikes and dozens of riders from WSB’s golden era will be loitering in the paddock, and Foggy will thrash up the Goodwood Hill on his
1995 championship-winning Ducati 916. “I’ve had such a great time at the Festival of Speed over the years,” says Foggy. “I haven’t seen my 1995 916 for a while, so I’m looking forward to being reunited with the bike across the weekend.
“It’s great that World Superbikes is getting a moment in the spotlight and fans can see the bikes up close in the paddocks before they take to the hill.”
• Goodwood tickets available from goodwood.com