The Model 50 was a

touring motorcycle A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. Although almost any motorcycle can be used for this purpose, manufacturers have developed specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders. Touring motor ...

built by Norton between 1933 and 1963. A further Model 50 was briefly produced by Norton parent-company AMC during 1965 and 1966 using a re-badged Matchless. ''Motorcycle Mechanics'', December 1964, editorial p.3 ''(Earls Court) Show - not much new. "Two Matchless singles christened the Mark II versions of famous and former Norton models by virtue of a Norton badge''". Accessed and added 2015-01-21 ''Motorcycle Mechanics'', December 1964, pp.29-31 "What's new? Bill Lawless takes a look at the 1965 models." "Messrs AMC reintroduce the once popular Model 50 and ES2 Nortons by calling them the Mark II models and sticking Norton badges on Matchless G3 and G80 machines". Accessed and added 2015-01-22 Designed by

Edgar Franks Edgar is a commonly used English given name, from an Anglo-Saxon name ''Eadgar'' (composed of '' ead'' "rich, prosperous" and ''gar'' "spear"). Like most Anglo-Saxon names, it fell out of use by the later medieval period; it was, however, rev ...

in 1933, the first run was almost identical to the Norton Model 18 except for the bore and stroke. The single-cylinder engine was 348 cc with pushrod operated overhead valves. Halted by World War II, production of the Model 50 single restarted in 1956. After 1959 the Model 50 gained the

Featherbed frame The featherbed frame was a motorcycle frame invented by the McCandless brothers and offered to the British Norton motorcycle company to improve the performance of their racing motorcycles in 1950. It was considered revolutionary at the time,"' ...

, Lucas RM15 crank-mounted alternator (upgraded from magneto/dynamo used on 1957-58) coil ignition and improved lighting. In common with other large Nortons, the frame was updated to the 'slimline' version with revised styling in 1961. When road testing a used example provided by a London dealer in 1964, UK monthly magazine ''Motorcycle Mechanics'' reported top speed with cruising. Few survive in original condition as many were converted into 'Tritons' with Triumph engines. Production ended in 1963.

References

Model 50 {{motorcycle-stub