Peter Williams John Player Norton - First Look

Four decades ago, Peter Williams won the 1973 Isle of Man F750 TT on a motorcycle of his own design, lapping at 107.27 mph (not far off Mike Hailwood's 1967 outright record on a works Honda). Not bad for an air-cooled, pushrod Norton Commando engine. Always an innovator, Williams claims credit for all sorts of modern motorcycle design elements including disc brakes, cast wheels and twin-beam frames.

To commemorate that epic win, Peter Williams Motorcycles is now taking orders for replicas of that very distinctive TT-winning John Player Norton; only 25 of the monocoque-framed Commandos will be built. The stainless-steel chassis that formed fuel tank and frame lent the bike its "monocoque" name. The new replicas will follow the layout of the 1973 bikes, the main difference being that CAD and CNC laser cutters will considerably reduce the 12 weeks each frame took to construct back in the day.

Engines will be built by renowned Norton specialist, Mick Hemmings, using all-new parts, including Peter’s own cam design. The replicas will feature a host of bespoke parts such as cast magnesium wheels and forks created from the original ’70s drawings. Where drawings were not available, the company says new parts have been created by referencing and digitizing two of the original race bikes.

The PWM replicas are supposed to be ready later in 2013, and you’ll need £65,000 to procure one, about $100,000 at the current exchange rate. (PWM says the four original bikes are valued at over £250,000—too expensive to risk riding, really.)

For more information, info@peterwilliamsmotorcycles.com or telephone (+44) 01327 220 534.

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