(NGC) Norton designed 650 twin, licensed to Chinese

[pyoungbl]

I saw this on another site yesterday, looked like a spoof.  Today I found it on the official Norton site so I guess it's true after all.
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/news/2017/07/27/norton-motorcycles-announce-agreement-with-zhongshen-manufacturing-of-chongqing/

Norton has licensed their 650cc twin design to Zongshen.  Full disclosure, Zongshen makes the RX3 which is sold in the US under the CSC name...and I have one.

Maybe this kind of license agreement will bring in enough cash to keep the company (Norton) afloat.

Peter Y.

[lorazepam]

If they keep QC high, this should not affect quality of the engine. The Chinese are capable of very good quality, just have to keep an eye on them.

[bad Chad]

Norton is not going to use any Zongshen motors, nor are they looking for technical help.  Zongshen is paying Norton for the license to make a Norton designed 650 twin.

[TimmyTheHog]

If they keep QC high, this should not affect quality of the engine. The Chinese are capable of very good quality, just have to keep an eye on them.

ya, despite of the saying "those cheap chinese parts", a lot of china made items can be quite high quality.

Just a lot of time, the QC gets lazy/corrupted , that is when shit hits the fan...

[Testarossa]

I have no doubt it will be a solid engine. But it sure doesn't look like a Norton and I'm sure the contract specifies it won't go into a retro-frame Britbike clone. That might be a lot of fun and could outdo Enfield.

[JJ]

Interesting...and can't wait to see what they come up with.  :1: :thumb

After the Commando, of course, this is my all time favorite 650cc Norton....

...the legendary 1962 Dominator SS650 with the Featherbed frame! :1:   Beautiful classic!!

[pyoungbl]

The 650 will most likely go into a Zongshen branded bike, much like the RX3....an Adv bike, then morph into a standard version of same engine/frame.  It's water cooled and looks very similar to the current NC250 lump.  650 is pretty large for the world market (read 3rd world) where even a 250 is considered large.  Maybe they are thinking about expanding Europe and North America penetration.  Rumor has it that this engine won't be on the street for a few years.

Peter Y.

[JJ]

The 650 will most likely go into a Zongshen branded bike, much like the RX3....an Adv bike, then morph into a standard version of same engine/frame.  It's water cooled and looks very similar to the current NC250 lump.  650 is pretty large for the world market (read 3rd world) where even a 250 is considered large.  Maybe they are thinking about expanding Europe and North America penetration.  Rumor has it that this engine won't be on the street for a few years.

Peter Y.

Zhongshen Cruiser....let's just all hope it does not turn out like this....