Norton – Was it a fraud from the start?
Malcolm Offline
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#1
Norton – Was it a fraud from the start?
The first in a series of interviews relating to the Norton story.

The story is not a good one for the UK motorcycle industry.

By John Hogan

Editor of SupeBike.
17-02-2020, 08:08 PM
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Smokin Haddock Racing Offline
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#2
RE: Norton – Was it a fraud from the start?
Some serious failings from various regulatory bodies.
18-02-2020, 03:34 PM
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bsa499 Offline
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#3
RE: Norton – Was it a fraud from the start?
The first part of this story is disturbing enough and I reckon it would be wise to be extremely careful (as I hope I'm being) before responding to the thread. The part of the sad tale that really resonated with me were the references to the late Bob Stevenson. I was a massive fan of his in his Greeves Oulton days, particularly at Darley Moor. Of course he then went on to help in forming and developing the hugely successful Spondon Engineering. To read of him being treated in the way he was I found really upsetting.
18-02-2020, 08:26 PM
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Sam Pato Offline
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#4
RE: Norton – Was it a fraud from the start?
A very sobering tale. As always it seems its the man in the street who seems to shoulder the losses.

Just from basic business intuition I could never work out how this was viable.

Although minor in comparison with those who've been ruined - part of the tragedy is that he leveraged the Norton name/brand which now is probably destroyed.
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18-02-2020, 11:41 PM
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bud62 Offline
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#5
RE: Norton – Was it a fraud from the start?
I called at the factory to pick up some stuff not long after they moved to Donington Hall.

I was given a quick 5 minute tour which was unexpected, but welcomed and for the life of me I couldn't see how it was a viable business? It was like an enthusiasts workshop on a grander scale!
23-02-2020, 11:06 PM
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Alfie Noakes Offline
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#6
RE: Norton – Was it a fraud from the start?
A very good friend was involved with the media side initially(he soon got out of it after the Dunlop TT for obvious reasons) and he's also good friends with Stuart Tiller - the Dunlop TT debacle was never going to happen and previous comments / interviews are just the tip of a sad melting iceberg.
24-02-2020, 11:01 AM
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