Norton 16H

Key facts

Year

1942
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

490cc
Cylinders

1
Performance

65mph
Price new

Not marketed
Loaned by

Private Owner
Manufacturer

Norton Motors Ltd, Birmingham

Norton supplied 100,000 motorcycles for military use during World War Two, mostly the 16H model. Following successful performance in War Office tests during 1935, orders were placed for 16Hs every year from 1936 to 1945. It was used by all British armed services and was also issued to Canadian forces. Although a dated design, the 16H’s mechanical simplicity and rugged construction meant it was well suited to military use. A few remained in service until the late 1950s.

Norton’s output during World War Two represented a quarter of the total wartime production of 400,000 motorcycles from British manufacturers. Their total was only surpassed by the 126,000 machines built by BSA.