1956 Norton Dominator

Bought in 1990 from a collegue of his, this Norton Dominator 99 is one of three motorcycles we’re selling from the same collection, so if you’ve ever fancied a three-bike collection comprising this plus a Velocette Venom and a Triumph Bonneville T120 then you’re in luck…

This 1956 example is finished in a classic silver and black colour scheme, and has always been “incredibly reliable”. It’s one of the sought-after ‘Wideline Featherbed’ frames too, and if that’s not enough to get your juices flowing then you’ll be thrilled to hear that it has the rare Norton gearbox instead of the more common AMC that was fitted after the firm took over.

Oil-tight with “beautiful handling”.

With a black frame and mudguards and a silver ‘n’ chrome fuel tank, this Norton Dominator looks every inch the British bruiser it is. Sleek and muscular, the low riding position oozes power and is one that helps make every single one of your classic motorcycle dreams come true.

It bears closer scrutiny too, because this one is a very nice example indeed. Keen to avoid creating a “Christmas tree”, Duncan brought it back to life after buying it but didn’t over-restore it. We salute his good taste.

However, please don’t think that this is just an excuse for offering a scruffy ‘bike because nothing could be further from the truth. The fuel tank, for example, is in a great condition with no dents or other damage. The paintwork is glossy and the chrome shines beautifully (albeit with a small amount of pitting (#12) - and we love the twin rubbing strips and central orange band.

The wheels are good too, and they’re fitted with matching Avon Speedmaster MKII tyres – and y’all know how we feel about matching tyres by now, don’t you?

Flaws? Only a few. The Norton badge on the nearside of the fuel tank is damaged (#18), the rear mudguard has a dent and has lost some paint (#19 and #53), the filler cap has some rust starting (#44), the horn is rusty (#72) and the fuel tank will need refurbishing at some point as it has a few flaws (#69 and #108, for example).

The Dominator is fitted with a 120-mph speedometer and if that isn’t a statement of intent we don’t know what is.

The black vinyl seat, which is piped in red, is comfortable and free of damage. There’s plenty of room for a pillion too, so you can share your new classic Norton with a loved one.

Problems to sort? Well, the rubber foot pegs are a bit perished and split (#11 and #63) and one is missing (#71). That’s not a bad To Do list, is it?

The engine is workmanlike and all the better for being so; you might think you want a concours example but you really don’t if you plan on actually rising it.

There are some nice engineering flourishes including a wired exhaust flange (#29), the Norton gearbox instead of the AMC one they started fitting shortly after this one was built, and an oil cut-off valve (#34) to stop the dry sump filling with oil when it’s standing.

This was fitted because a full sump will prevent you being able to kickstart it. Duncan, the seller, has suggested that the new owner might want to get a transfer made up for the fuel tank to remind them of the need to turn this on and off until they get used to it. He’s had the Dominator for 32 years now, so is pretty good at remembering.

Faults? Well, the exhaust is a bit battered and has some rust spots. If that sort of thing bothers you then it could be replaced cheaply enough but there is an argument for leaving it as it is and just riding it long and hard without fear you’re devaluing it. This is a rider’s ‘bike par excellence and deserves to be treated as such.

Oh, and one front fork has a small dent in it (#100).

The Dominator comes with a stack of old MoT certificates as well as some old invoices for work carried out.

There are some old tax discs too, plus its original log book.

With a wonderfully Old School name for a wonderful example of “good, solid British ironmongery”, the Dominator needs no introduction. A star of the silver screen in films like Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Spider-Man, and TV shows including Heartbeat and The Professionals (and, to be fair, The Benny Hill Show…) it’s one of the most recognizable motorcycles of its era.

And, this one, despite its lovely condition, isn’t going to sell for a fortune, either because we estimate the hammer will drop somewhere between £5,000 and £9,000, at which price point we think it’ll be a bit of a bargain.

That paltry sum also gives you some headroom to improve it as you go along, and as none of the jobs look to be complicated or expensive, you’ll be adding value while you have fun.

(It’s also part of a three-bike collection from the same chap, and we can’t think of a nicer bloke to buy from as you start your classic British motorcycle collection…)

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular bike is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.