DOMMI DO, DOMMI DON’T

I read with interest Fred Harrington’s article on his Norton 99 in RC214. I have one much the same, bought off ebay about 14 years ago. It also has a 1960 slimline frame and a 1959 engine. The bike was fitted with a 500cc engine when I bought it which I upgraded to a 600 which I got at a reasonable price. The bike had no history before 1993 so I suspect it was a re-import. Most of the tinware is correct and it has the same headlight shell as Fred’s. Interesting, eh? Maybe they ran out of Norton ones in 1960?

My Dommi is modernised with Boyer ignition and power box, which have proved to be very reliable; Yamaha switchgear and indicators; a Commando 2ls brake to make it stop, and a spin-on oil filter. I must say I love riding it. I replaced the bars with some with a higher rise to make it more comfortable which works for me.

I use it mainly for VMCC runs, and took part in an end to end run organised by the late Bob Fisher with 35 other VMCC bikes. That was a wonderful trip over eight days, and the Norton ran beautifully from start to finish.

My shed also contains a 1969 T120, a 1968 BSA Starfire and a 2010 Hinckley T100. I visited you at Shepton Mallet, nice Jaffa Cakes! Charlie Hallam, member

There seems to be a clear divide here, between people who feel at home on featherbed Nortons and riders who prefer the twins which came before and after. I wonder if it’s related to physical geometry, or possibly formative experiences…? Rowena