1939 Norton 16H Motorcycle

Engine: Vertical, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled
Displacement: 490 cc (30 ci)
Bore & Stroke: 79 x 100 mm (3.11 x 3.93 in)
Power: 10.49 kW (14 hp)
Transmission: 4-forward, manual
Weight: 166 kg (367 lb)
Original Cost: Unknown  

Norton started making motorcycles in 1902 and by 1907 had established themselves on the motorcycle racing circuit. The 16H model was introduced in 1911 and, with many modifications through the years, was produced until 1954. The H in the model name denoted Home model, meant only for British sales, while the C models were for export. By the Second World War, Norton was supplying one-quarter of all British Commonwealth Armed Forces motorcycles, and nearly 100,000 model 16H motorcycles were produced. The military models were often painted different colours, depending on the branch of military, this motorcycle is painted in the RAF blue.

The Norton 16 model was first introduced in 1911 as a racing bike but by 1921, it was renamed the 16 and later the 16H. The H designated it was "Home" or british market only bike. Norton also released C versions of certain bikes and they were for the export market. During the Second World War, the WD 16H were produced specifically for the British War Department.  

Chronology:

1898 - Norton Motorcycles started as a manufacturer of fittings and parts for tw-wheel vehicles.
1902 - Norton starts manufacture of motorcycles with bought in French and swiss engines.
1907 - Norton starts its reputation in the motorcycle racing world which lasted well into 1960s.
1908 - Norton-built engines added to the Norton range.
1916-1918 - Norton producing motorcycles for war effort - mostly for Allies.
1919 - Resumed production and delivery of civilian motorcycles.
1936-1945 - Norton got back into military motorcycle production early and because of that, they had a large inventory ready and provided  one-quarter of all British military motorcycles. The WD 16H and WD Big Four with side car were the standard motorcycles used.
1946 - Reverted to civilian production of motorcycles again and gradually started increasing their range.
1949 - Norton added the twin-cylinder Model 7 - known as the Norton Dominator.
1950 - Norton introduces the Featherbed Frame on the Manx Norton and it became a benchmark for all other frames.
1953 - Norton is sold to Associated Motorcycles (AMC).
1960 - New version of Featherbed Frame developed known as the Slimline Frame.
1963 - Last Manx Nortons sold.
1966 - AMC becomes insolvent and is reorganized at Norton-Villiers.
1967 - The new Isolastic-framed Commando 750 introduced, a much smoother riding bike that out-performed the Triumph and BSA twins of the time.
1972 - BSA Motorcycles are in financial trouble and the condition for the British Government to provide assistance was to merge BSA with Norton-Villiers.
1973 - Norton-Villiers-Triumph formed.
1973-1975 - The company is still struggling financially and by 1975 the range of motorcycles is reduced to two models - the Mark 3 Interstate and the Roadster.
1980s - The company went through several incarnations/owners.
1988 - Brand is relaunched as Norton Motors Ltd. and is very successful in racing circles but sales slow in commercial market.
1993 - To manage outstanding debt, company sold to Canadian company, Wildrose Ventures who reformed as Norton motors.
1994 - Wildrose is reverted to Aquilini Investments.
Late 1990s - Kenny Dreer of Oregon, who had started by restoring and upgrading commandos, started producing his own designed Commandos.
2006 - Dreer Norton operations suspended.
2008 - UK businessman bought the brand and established Norton Racing Limited.
2011 - UK Government provided funding to help Norton to expand into the export market.
2020 - Due to financial mismanagement, company goes into receivership. Indian comapny TVS Motor Company buys Norton.
2020 - December 2020, first new motorcycles produced after one year of suspended production.