Vintage Thing No.51 - Norman B4 Sports
This bike has to be the most stylish British tow stroke roadster without exception. I was captivated by its italianate lines many years ago when it appeared on Steve Wilson's book British Lightweight Two Strokes. I've probably mentioned before that, as a lanky git, 250 motorcycles are the practical lower limit for me but that doesn't stop me liking their delicacy and the "born with wheels" feeling a small and nimble bike can give you. It might be hereditary, too, My dad went on a European odyssey with my Uncle Phil on Uncle Phil’s 250 Panther and that had a Villiers 2T engine just like this Norman. They had a good time although the frame broke in Italy and we used to have a photo, now unfortunately lost, of an Italian blacksmith welding it up. There was a good reason for Steve Wilson to choose the Norman B4 for the cover for his book - it's a good all round bike with few flaws and about as good a bike as a Villiers powered twin can get. And for me the Norman B...