At the end of 1962r the original Norton works had been shut down, the racing program liquidated and the works twin racing project was sold to Paul Dunstall. Later in the 60s and up until the present day various racers and replica-builders have de-stroked 650, 750 and 850cc Norton engines to 500cc, but they have nothing to do with anything the factory ever did.

Anything that is going to be called a truly historical replica of a Norton 88 racer or Domiracer needs to have the original stroke intact, as that is the main feature that defined the Model 88 Norton and distinguished it from it’s larger siblings which used many of the same parts and castings.

A 650, 750 or 850 engine that has had a short crank installed is just that, a short stroke 650ss, Atlas or Commando, it sure is not a Norton 88…..