Norton Big 4

Norton Big 4
Manufacturer Norton Motorcycle Company
Also called Model 1
Production 1907 - 1954
Engine 633cc, side valve air cooled single
Top speed 68mph
Power 14.5 bhp @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission Four speed gearbox to chain final drive
Suspension Girder front forks, solid rear. Telescopic front fork from 47 to the end and rear suspension as option
Brakes drum brakes
Weight 305 lb (170 kg) (dry)

The Model 1, or more commonly known as Big 4 was a Norton motorcycle made between 1907 and 1954 in various forms. With 633 cc (38.6 cu in), it was the largest and most powerful side valve engine, with plenty of low end torque in the model range, and was mostly used to haul sidecars. Approximately 4700 of the nearly 100,000 military bikes made by Norton during WW2 were Big 4 sidecar outfits. Designed to carry two or three men plus their fighting equipment over very rough terrain, the Big 4 was used for reconnaissance and carrying loads of ammunition to the front line troops. It was called Big 4 due to its power rating of 4 hp, calculated as tax horsepower. Calculated using current methods the horsepower rating would be 14 brake horsepower.[1]

Civilian Norton Big 4

1952 Civilian Norton Big 4

The first Big 4 machines were civilian versions starting in 1907 with a bore and stroke of 82 x 120 mm. The model was produced for nine years after the end of World War II when Norton ended the manufacture of side valve singles to concentrate on twins. As from 1948 the bore and stroke changed to 82 x 113 mm to give 596cc capacity.

Military Norton WD Big 4

Norton Big Four military outfit (detail)

The WD Big 4 was a development of prewar trials outfit with a sidecar wheel coupled to the motorcycle rear wheel through a dog clutch and drive shaft. Initial trials were carried out at Studland in Dorset and it coped well with challenging terrain.[2] The simple design also meant it was easy to maintain in the field. All three 18" X 4.00 wheels were interchangeable with various makes of tyres for off road use.

The sidecar was unarmoured, with thin sheetmetal on the front of the sidecar and there was no suspension in the rear of the heavy duty frame. The sidecar was mounted on four leaf springs, and had two friction disc shock absorbers at the back. The Big Four was eventually replaced by the Ford GP or the Willys Jeep in 1941.[3]

The Big 4 could be equipped with a Bren gun or a 3 inch mortar, bombs could be fitted to a platform in place of a sidecar, but this seems to have been a one off model, same with the Thompson equipped Big 4[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Norton Big 4". Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  2. ↑ Orchard, C. J.; Madden S.J. (1997). British Forces Motorcycles 1925 - 45. Suton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7509-1445-9.
  3. ↑ "Civil versus military details guide (Big 4)". Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  4. ↑ "Norton Big 4 with Motleymount and Thompson". Archived from the original on 27 December 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-08.

See also

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