Norton 16H
History, technical sheet and photo
Norton 16H motorcycle history
After the First World War, British industries were tasked with developing new motorcycles for the more manageable armed forces. In 1935, Norton managed to sell its model 16 to the military and adapted a gear change system to the foot the following year: this single-cylinder was the most widespread in the British Army until 1941.
The Norton 16H motorcycle armed the British motorcycle units throughout the Second World War until the M20 BSA progressively took over from the end of 1943. Nevertheless, it still largely equips the units Anglo-Canadian combatants throughout the Battle of Normandy, used primarily for back-to-front liaison missions.
In 1944 and until the end of the war, it served as the main training vehicle in Great Britain. The Norton 16H was produced until 1954 and is used in the Belgian, Danish, Greek and Dutch armies.
Norton 16H motorcycle specification
Creator/User: Britain
Denomination: WD16H
Weight: 280 kg
Maximum speed: 109 km/h
Front suspensions: girder front forks
Rear suspensions: solid rear
Brakes: drum brakes
Engine: 490cc, side valve air cooled single
Transmission: four speed gearbox to chain final drive
