Blast from the past - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

metric sprocket · 01-12-2007, 07:04 AM

Norton widow maker ,If some one has ridden one would you let me know .ron

**Louis** · 01-12-2007, 08:41 AM

What does it look like?

Apertureguy · 01-12-2007, 12:33 PM

According to a few sites I checked...there wasn't one. Here are the names/models I have been able to find:

Pre War (1908 - 1939)
Big Four (Model 1)
16H
Model 18
Model 19
Model 20
Model 22
CS1
ES2
CJ
Model 30
Model 40
Model 50 & 55
International

War time (1937 - 1945)
WD 16H
WD Big Four

Post War (1945 - 1970)
16H
Model 18
Model 19
Big Four
Model 500T
ES2
International
Manx
Model 7
Model 77
Dominator 88
Dominator 99
650ss
Atlas
Mercury
P11
N15C
Jubilee
Navigator
Electra

Superbike era (1967 - 197

Norton Commando models used Isolastic suspension and had 745 cc ("750") engines up to 1973 when the 828 cc ("850") engine came into use.

Commando Combat
Commando Fastback (1967-1973) just called "Norton Commando" until 1969
Commando Hi-rider (1971-1975) - targeted for American market
Commando Interstate (1972-1975)
Commando Roadster
Commando Interpol (1970 -1976) - produced for police force use
Commando Production Racer

Rotary period (1981 - 1992)
Interpol 2
Classic
Commander
F1
F1 Sport
RC588
RCW588
NRS588

**Clint** · 01-12-2007, 01:41 PM

Google returned nothing.

**intimid8er** · 01-12-2007, 01:45 PM

Probably a colloquialism.....

The Kawasaki 750-1000's of the 70's were known as such.

Currently, the I've heard the Suzuki TL1000's in their various iterations being referred to as "Widowmaker" also.

Apertureguy · 01-12-2007, 01:49 PM

The only Widowmaker I can think of (in the biker world) is the hill climb event.

On another note...my first real bike was called a Combat Wombat. Anyone ever hear of one of those? I forget the manf...but it might have been essex or...something which sounds similar to that.

**intimid8er** · 01-12-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

The only Widowmaker I can think of (in the biker world) is the hill climb event.

On another note...my first real bike was called a Combat Wombat. Anyone ever hear of one of those? I forget the manf...but it might have been essex or...something which sounds similar to that.

Hodaka. Wasn't it?

Don M50limited · 01-12-2007, 07:15 PM

Yes, it was a Hodaka

metric sprocket · 01-12-2007, 08:19 PM

The Norton was supposed to be an 850 and did the 1/4 mile around 11 seconds at 109 mph early sixties .Like I say i don't know .The old 903 cc Kaw z1 turned the same times I'll keep looking thanks agin ron

**intimid8er** · 01-13-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

The only Widowmaker I can think of (in the biker world) is the hill climb event.

On another note...my first real bike was called a Combat Wombat. Anyone ever hear of one of those? I forget the manf...but it might have been essex or...something which sounds similar to that.

I learned on an old YZ100 behind your train station.

Apertureguy · 01-15-2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intimid8er

I learned on an old YZ100 behind your train station.

LOL...that's so cool. If you're ever back to visit...please let me know.

Yes it was a Hodaka...the other brand the guy sold there was called Ossa...which I think were from Spain.

919Hooligan · 01-16-2007, 10:30 AM

The Widowmaker was the term first coined to the 1972 Kawasaki H2750 Mark IV. This is the only bike that I know of that has been referenced as the widowmaker consistently, in old magazine publications and in some motorcycle books. I owned one, and I can understand why some people bought these and went out and killed themselves. It's a beast. 74hp three cylinder 2 cycle, kinda like a 250cc motocross engine times three, on crack.

919Hooligan · 01-16-2007, 10:30 AM

Hodaka:

Combat Wombat
Road Toad
Dirt Squirt
Ace 100

Am I missing any?

Apertureguy · 01-16-2007, 10:43 AM

LOL...yeah that's them...I think the guys naming them were on crack. Although, it might not have existed back then.

4dtvman · 01-16-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 919Hooligan

The Widowmaker was the term first coined to the 1972 Kawasaki H2750 Mark IV. This is the only bike that I know of that has been referenced as the widowmaker consistently, in old magazine publications and in some motorcycle books. I owned one, and I can understand why some people bought these and went out and killed themselves. It's a beast. 74hp three cylinder 2 cycle, kinda like a 250cc motocross engine times three, on crack.

Had a 72 500 triple. That was death on 2 wheels. Didn't keep it long for the fact of after an hour of riding when you got off you whole body was shaking for hours. Moved up to my first new bike 1975 KZ900. Now that was a machine.

metric sprocket · 01-16-2007, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4dtvman

Had a 72 500 triple. That was death on 2 wheels. Didn't keep it long for the fact of after an hour of riding when you got off you whole body was shaking for hours. Moved up to my first new bike 1975 KZ900. Now that was a machine.

In 1971 Ithough the 500 kaw was called the blue streak.Never heard it called widow maker although it should have been .I had a 903 kaw z1 74 loved it Mine had the oil leak problems ,I,m still looking into the Norton.Any one that was around Trail British Columbia in 1966 would know ron

01-12-2007, 07:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
metric sprocket Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: KLR 650 Location: cobourg ontario/FoleyAl Posts: 71	Blast from the past Norton widow maker ,If some one has ridden one would you let me know .ron

01-12-2007, 08:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,626	What does it look like? __________________ Louis

01-12-2007, 01:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 27 44'17.07" N 82 45'20.16" W Sharkbait Posts: 9,101	Probably a colloquialism..... The Kawasaki 750-1000's of the 70's were known as such. Currently, the I've heard the Suzuki TL1000's in their various iterations being referred to as "Widowmaker" also. __________________ Song Pick of the Week 07/02 Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown Ever wonder if the Hokey-Pokey is what it's all about? I'm not foul mouthed. I just like to use the eff word. A LOT! Last edited by intimid8er; 01-12-2007 at 01:50 PM.

01-12-2007, 08:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
metric sprocket Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: KLR 650 Location: cobourg ontario/FoleyAl Posts: 71	Information appreciated The Norton was supposed to be an 850 and did the 1/4 mile around 11 seconds at 109 mph early sixties .Like I say i don't know .The old 903 cc Kaw z1 turned the same times I'll keep looking thanks agin ron

01-16-2007, 10:30 AM	#12 (permalink)
919Hooligan TurtleWax Taster Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2002 Honda 919 Location: St. Louis Posts: 592	The Widowmaker was the term first coined to the 1972 Kawasaki H2750 Mark IV. This is the only bike that I know of that has been referenced as the widowmaker consistently, in old magazine publications and in some motorcycle books. I owned one, and I can understand why some people bought these and went out and killed themselves. It's a beast. 74hp three cylinder 2 cycle, kinda like a 250cc motocross engine times three, on crack. __________________ Life's short and hard, like a body building elf. Last edited by 919Hooligan; 01-16-2007 at 10:32 AM.

01-12-2007, 12:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 2,920	According to a few sites I checked...there wasn't one. Here are the names/models I have been able to find: Pre War (1908 - 1939) Big Four (Model 1) 16H Model 18 Model 19 Model 20 Model 22 CS1 ES2 CJ Model 30 Model 40 Model 50 & 55 International War time (1937 - 1945) WD 16H WD Big Four Post War (1945 - 1970) 16H Model 18 Model 19 Big Four Model 500T ES2 International Manx Model 7 Model 77 Dominator 88 Dominator 99 650ss Atlas Mercury P11 N15C Jubilee Navigator Electra Superbike era (1967 - 197 Norton Commando models used Isolastic suspension and had 745 cc ("750") engines up to 1973 when the 828 cc ("850") engine came into use. Commando Combat Commando Fastback (1967-1973) just called "Norton Commando" until 1969 Commando Hi-rider (1971-1975) - targeted for American market Commando Interstate (1972-1975) Commando Roadster Commando Interpol (1970 -1976) - produced for police force use Commando Production Racer Rotary period (1981 - 1992) Interpol 2 Classic Commander F1 F1 Sport RC588 RCW588 NRS588

01-12-2007, 01:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 2,920	The only Widowmaker I can think of (in the biker world) is the hill climb event. On another note...my first real bike was called a Combat Wombat. Anyone ever hear of one of those? I forget the manf...but it might have been essex or...something which sounds similar to that.

01-12-2007, 07:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Don M50limited Third gear and cruising Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 07 Suzuki M50 Limited, 01 yz250f Location: Fairfield, Ca Posts: 459	Yes, it was a Hodaka

01-16-2007, 10:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
919Hooligan TurtleWax Taster Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2002 Honda 919 Location: St. Louis Posts: 592	Hodaka: Combat Wombat Road Toad Dirt Squirt Ace 100 Am I missing any? __________________ Life's short and hard, like a body building elf.

01-16-2007, 10:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 2,920	LOL...yeah that's them...I think the guys naming them were on crack. Although, it might not have existed back then.

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