Norton Dominator

Key facts

Year

1954
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

497cc
Cylinders

2
Valves

Overhead
Output

30bhp at 7,000rpm
Maximum speed

90mph
Price new

£238
Manufacturer

Norton Motors Ltd

The Model 7 Dominator was the first twin-cylinder Norton motorcycle since the early 1900s and was first seen at the 1948 Earls Court Show. It was designed to compete directly with twin-cylinder machines from rival companies such as Triumph, Ariel and BSA. The last two companies having been previous employers of Norton designer Bert Hopwood.

Swinging arm rear suspension was introduced for 1953, the same year that the new Model 88 Dominator De-Luxe was launched. The Model 7 was dropped from the Norton range in 1956.

This Dominator has been the subject of a complete rebuild by its owner.