There are few British motorcycles with a greater halo of exclusivity than the Norton F1R (P55) from 1990. Not only because they were built only 140 copies of the model. Also because of the type of mechanics it uses, as well as its history within the competition. In short, we are facing one of those icons that any self-respecting collector (and has a solvent bank account) should try to get a copy sooner or later.
To give even more interest to the matter, what we show you today is the first F1R that came off the brand’s assembly line. at Shenstone on April 1, 1990weeks before Norton delivered the second unit to a customer. Without a doubt a precious little piece of history that over the last 34 years has had only one owner, Joe Seifertthe same one who has now decided that the time has come for someone else to enjoy it as they deserve.
Norton F1R (P55): 140 truly unique “rotary” HP
Thanks to the colleagues at Visor Down we have been aware of the auction that H & H will hold on October 30, where this Norton F1R will be one of the star protagonists. A unique motorcycle due to the aspects already mentioned above and which, in addition, represents the starting point of the meager series of 140 examples that the British brand manufactured between 1990 and 1991.
This specific unit served as a prototype to compete in the German series “Battle of the Twins” (BotP), since this discipline did not require brands to have a minimum number of copies manufactured for registration. The most diverse prototypes met there, unlike the British championships where this rule had to be complied with, just as it happens in other competitions such as WSBK.
As detailed in the description of the auction announcement itself: “In its first year, the brand entered with only the exhaust and intake duct, as well as the fairing, which differed from the production standard. In the years that followed, it acquired a different swingarm and front forks, a different exhaust, different carburetors, high-compression pistons, twin-plug aero engines, etc.”
Over the next five years, the Norton F1R “He managed to win some races, but he couldn’t exploit the machine’s full potential. After her time in action, Tim and Joe Seifert used her in exhibition events. “Richard Negus rebuilt the engine a few years ago and added a factory exhaust system to replace the stylish but not fully functional underseat exhaust he acquired toward the end of his active career.”
Currently, this Norton F1R is equipped with CNC-machined high-compression pistons, Mikuni flat-gate carburetors, and a 6-speed gearbox of a Yamaha FZR750R (OW01). The rear swingarm was redesigned specifically for track, while the WP inverted front fork It comes from the 1991 exhibition prototype of the former P56 (Rotary Racer).
The first Norton F1R will be auctioned on next October 30 within the autumn event at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull and is expected to raise between £52,000 and £56,000. (62,000 and 67,000 euros).
If you have that amount you can try steel with it. If not, click on this link and delight yourself with its beautiful imprint and all the details that surround this emblematic British racing car.
