Words by Tim Huber.
First patented in 1952, Norton?s featherbed chassis was originally developed for TT competition and upon its release (and for roughly the next two decades) was objectively the best-handling motorcycle frame in existence ? at least until Norton one-upped itself in ?67 with its Isolastic frame. However, while Norton?s vertical twin engines of the same era were far from lackluster, they vibrated markedly more than the mills from fellow British marque, Triumph ? not to mention the Meriden firm?s 650 and 750cc Bonneville twins were considerably easier to tune for more power.

These factors would ultimately give way to the now-iconic Triton; an all-British cafe racer that combined the best of what the era had to offer, taking Triumph?s potent twin engine and stuffing it into Norton?s Featherbed frame. Often utilizing Norton brakes and Roadholder suspension, these two-wheeled amalgamations were primarily pieced together by private riders mainly in and around London, though eventually a handful of dealers started offering turn-key Tritons.
Recognized today as a massively influential ?model? and an early archetypal cafe racer, the majority of Tritons were fitted with Manx-esque tanks, humped monoposto race seats, swept-back pipes, and clip-ons and rear-sets. These machines frequently lined the road outside of London?s famous ACE Cafe, and played a crucial role in the dawn of cafe racer culture. Eventually, stiff competition from the far East would dethrone the ...