With newly designed fuel tank and mudguards, the Model 7 Dominator was launched in 1949 with an advertised top speed of 92mph (148km/h). The Model 7 remained in production until 1956 despite being considerably overshadowed in 1951 by the launch of the Dominator Model 88 which was fitted with a McCandless "Featherbed" frame. The twin-cylinder Norton engine survived for some three decades, being further developed for the Atlas and Commando.
The Model 7 had a 497cc cast-iron cylinder head on an engine fitted to a plunger frame, and a single twin-spark magneto. Norton opted for a 360-degree crankshaft layout with a single camshaft at the front of the engine driven by gears and chain. Having the rockers integral with the head meant there were less gasket faces to leak - and less valve noise. The bore and stroke dimensions also made for a longer stroke resulting in more torque at lower rpm. In 1953 the Model 7 was upgraded with a swinging arm frame, 19in front wheel and a 'pear shaped' silencer as fitted to the Model 88. The Model 7 continued in production through to 1955 and was often used with a side car as they could not be fitted to the Featherbed frame Dominators.
Extract from the 1950 Norton catalogue:
Sources: New Zealand Classic Motorcycles, et al.
Norton Dominator Models
