You can take any bike and ride it to anywhere with 'Norton' in its name. And that's just what RC readers have been doing on the Norton Challenge this spring...

Common As…

Bill Nelson rattled off a quick 220 mile round trip which took him perilously close to the Norton near Letchworth, so; 'I whipped out my little thing and snapped away. First ones this year! I'll make no comment about 'Norton' and 'Common' being on the same place sign…'

No, definitely don't make that comment Bill. Firstly, there's hardly any Norton motorcycles in this month's selection so they obviously ain't common at all. Secondly, those photos are actually really rather arty, so Bill's a front runner for the 'most creative photo' of the year award, providing he doesn't muddy the water with appalling puns!

BSA Honda 500s on eBay.co.uk

Meanwhile, In America…

Tom Nordmeyer found the tiny, unincorporated settlement of Norton in Wisconsin; 'with no stop-sign, no "you are entering Norton" sign, nothing but a church.'

So Tom risked life, limb and possible excommunication to position his gorgeous Ariel Square appropriately for the photo. Love the paintwork on the fuel tank, Tom!

Off-Road Adventure

Hazel Clarke has been really busy, so here's just one of the Nortons she bagged this month before taking her XBR500 on an off-road excursion which ended in tears and broken ribs (not hers, happily, although broken ribs aren't enjoyable for anyone).

The XBR and Hazel's XL are both now doing well after minor surgery!

Beast Barks Its Last?

Roy Smith bagged these Nortons while out riding around Robin Hood country, on what might be one of this summer's farewell rides on his Honda. 'The beast is a 1990 Honda CBR1000F' explains Roy, 'which I bought three years ago. It is getting to be a bit of a handful now -- I am pushing 67 -- so I am rebuilding a 1970 Starfire 250 from a wreck.

'I don't intend to restore it as such, just get it roadworthy. It won't even be standard as I've junked the useless horn and dipswitch and fitted Japanese items -- which work! I got the engine running for the first time in 15-plus years this month. It started fifth kick with good oil return, good charge on ammeter and all gears. Just needs a few cosmetics and fork repairs and we're there.' Great! So we'll be looking forward to seeing the next set of Roy's Nortons next to a 250 BSA…

Naugt On Shetland, It Seems

After scoring absolutely zero Nortons last year, Rowena has dragged her 2010 score up to an entire two with this one, bagged in May on her long distance trip. 'My route from Bude to the Shetland Isles was an extremely obscure one which passed several Nortons as I did my best to avoid dual-carriageways and bigger A-roads. The ex-military 350cc Harley-D is happiest at 50 to 55mph so for the first leg of the journey we followed the A361, all the way across Exmoor, past the stones at Avebury, on to Banbury and out the other side in Northamptonshire. I lost track of the 361 at that point - does anyone know what happens to it after Daventry Rail Freight Terminal? It appears to be consumed by Watling Street, more's the pity.

'Chipping Norton turned out to be the only Norton which I actually travelled through, so it's the only one bagged on this excursion. I could've diverted to grab another hatful along the 800-plus miles of the whole trip, but then I'd have missed the ferry!'

Been There, Done That

Tim Ellis travelled to Norton Conyers in North Yorkshire on his splendid Suzi stroker to bag this one. 'I know it's been on before,' says Tim, 'but I thought I'd go anyway.'

He's entirely right. It doesn't matter if someone else has been to that Norton before, or even if you've been to that very Norton yourself. The road is always different and the ride is always different - even when the same rider travels aboard the same machine. So it's always worth doing…

-------------------

Post Your Own

You don't have to wait for the next update to appear here on in the magazine. Instead you can upload your own Nortons via Facebook, here: www.facebook.com/pages/The-RealClassic-Norton-Challenge (You'll need a free Facebook account; then become a fan of the Challenge and join in)

Have a look to see who's been doing what and going where lately - or indulge yourself in some instant gratification…

Make A Date!

All Norton Challengers should set aside Sunday October 3rd 2010 because that's when we'll be holding the Grand Finale of this year's event, at a FREE get-together in the Midlands, in association with the Norton Owners' Club. Pop back later in the summer for more information, or see www.nortonownersclub.org