Drag site icon to your taskbar to pin site.
Learn More
MotoUSA Newsletter
Receive Weekly Updates -
Sign Up Today
Shop Motorcycle Parts, Gear & Apparel at
Motorcycle USA
Home
Street Bike
Sport Bike
Cruiser
Dirt Bike
ATV
Scooter
Forums
My Moto
Motorcycle Reviews
Gear Reviews
Racing
Features
Videos
Photos
Buyer's Guide
Dealer Locator
Fantasy Racing
Ride Guide
1907 Norton TT Winner Photo Gallery
With over 40 years experience riding and racing bikes, Melling still was awed and honored to ride such a historically significant motorcycle. Check out the full story in
1907 Norton Isle of Man TT Winner
.
The 1907 Norton won the inaugural Isle of Man TT and now rests in the National Motorcycle Museum in the UK.
James Lansdowne Norton's name will forever be enshrined in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame with bikes like the first Isle of Man TT winning 1907 Norton to his credit.
It was always smart to keep an extra belt on hand as the heavy, thick leather belts were prone to breaking.
With no clutch, the drive is permanently engaged and the motorcycle only stopped via the decompressor.
The front suspension and fork on the 1907 Norton were more worthy of bicycle riding than smoothing out a motorcycle's travel.
As if concentrating on the road isn't enough, drivers of the 1907 Norton had to manually adjust the air and fuel mixture and lube the engine by means of a hand pump.
The 672cc V-Twin put out about 12 hp, which was plenty of push for a bike that only weighed 182 lbs.
In order to keep oil flowing to the engine, the driver would use a hand pump to lube the mill.
Time eroded the original tires away but for the most part the motorcycle is the same as it was 100 years ago.
Push faster, George, faster - full speed ahead.
Melling pedaled as hard as he could to get enough momentum to spark the antiquated engine.
With over 40 years experience riding and racing bikes, Melling still was awed and honored to ride such a historically significant motorcycle.
The 1907 Norton clocked a 42.91 mph fastest lap during the premier TT race.
Melling was like a kid in a candy shop aboard the Isle of Man-winning 1907 Norton.
It would have been funny to see Melling drag a knee which probably would have sent restorer George Cohen into coronary.
There is no tranny on the 1907 TT Winning Norton. Power is provided by a large, riveted 4-ply leather belt that goes from the front engine pulley and drives the rear wheel.
Not only was Fowler's bike state-of-the-art for its time, his sense of fashion is pretty avante-garde as well. (Nice suits, guys)
When you jump on board the 1907 Norton, be ready to ride because the brakes are almost non-existent and the drive is always engaged.
Melling does his best Rem Fowler impersonation aboard the same bike that Fowler won the first Isle of Man on 100 years ago.
Don't worry, Frank. If you drop the bike, it has only been appraised at $500,000.
With a puff of smoke and a hearty 'Hi, Ho, Silver,' Melling was on his way.
