Dave Norton's

SHRIKE

Last update 5/28/2007

See more pictures in the photo gallery.

Latest additions...

More photos (added 5/28/2007 - Racing cockpit)

"Ask Mr. Shrike" (latest addition - 5/8/2007 - a conversation)

First built in 1983, the Norton Shrike ran up 78,000 miles powered by a Yamaha 650 Maxim drivetrain. Recently restored using a BMW K1200RS, the Shrike is again turning heads on the streets of Temecula CA. Read more to learn a good deal of useful info on autocycle theory and design, and to find out what makes the Shrike unique among three-wheelers as an inexpensive sports car, a frugal commuter, a safer motorcycle, and a personal poke in the eye to conventional wisdom. The rebuild is progressing nicely now, check in for occasional updates on progress. Are YOU having any fun? I am!

Specifications:
Curb weight: 1080 lbs, Length; 165", Wheelbase: 105", Width: 72", Track: 64", Height: 53" Ground Clearance: 4.5", Engine: BMW K1200RS, 1200 cc, 4 cyl, fuel injection, 4 valves/cyl, dual overhead cams, 6 speeds, 130 hp. Tires: Front: Yokohama 032R in Hard compound, Rear: Metzler 880 170/60-17
Tire life: front: 5,000 mile, rear: 1,500-1,800 miles. Note: motorcycle rear tire/wheel will be replaced with automotive ones soon.

Performance:
Lateral G: 1.0 at low speeds (40 mph), Braking G: 1.0, 0-60: 6.4 sec, 1/4 mile: 14.6 sec @ 97.6 mph, Top Speed: I have no idea (something over 120 mph. It's still accelerating at over .2 G at 80 mph). Fuel consumption: 30 (kick-gas) to 40 (very relaxing) mpg.

Read the story of the Shrike.

Get an update on the Shrike's return to service.

See drawings of the Shrike's chassis.

See the Shrike photo gallery.

New section! "Ask Mr. Shrike"

The first iteration Shrike.

The Shrike has Lotus (i.e. Triumph Spitfire) front suspension, Porsche steering, and 60 hp worth of Yamaha 650 Maxim power.

The Shrike's builder.

Dave delivered a paper, The Design of a Three-Wheeled, High Performance Sports/Commuter Vehicle, to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in Vancouver B.C. in August of 1983. The paper describes the stability, efficiency and safety for the design. Contact the author for more details.

A Shrike with a skin.

Click on this image, or any on the page, for an enlargement

This first version was built in 1984 and was driven daily for 78,000 miles.

1/4 mile: 17 seconds at 78 mph,
35 mpg, 85 mph, and handles like a sports car.

Dave Norton, builder and driver of the Shrike, can be emailed here.

You can get your own information package from Dave Norton.

Go back to the Shrike's main page.

First built in 1983, the Norton Shrike ran up 78,000 miles powered by a Yamaha 650 Maxim drivetrain. Recently restored using a BMW K1200RS, the Shrike is again turning heads on the streets of Temecula CA. Read more to learn a good deal of useful info on autocycle theory and design, and to find out what makes the Shrike unique among three-wheelers as an inexpensive sports car, a frugal commuter, a safer motorcycle, and a personal poke in the eye to conventional wisdom. The rebuild is progressing nicely now, check in for occasional updates on progress. Are YOU having any fun? I am!
	Specifications: Curb weight: 1080 lbs, Length; 165", Wheelbase: 105", Width: 72", Track: 64", Height: 53" Ground Clearance: 4.5", Engine: BMW K1200RS, 1200 cc, 4 cyl, fuel injection, 4 valves/cyl, dual overhead cams, 6 speeds, 130 hp. Tires: Front: Yokohama 032R in Hard compound, Rear: Metzler 880 170/60-17 Tire life: front: 5,000 mile, rear: 1,500-1,800 miles. Note: motorcycle rear tire/wheel will be replaced with automotive ones soon.
	Performance: Lateral G: 1.0 at low speeds (40 mph), Braking G: 1.0, 0-60: 6.4 sec, 1/4 mile: 14.6 sec @ 97.6 mph, Top Speed: I have no idea (something over 120 mph. It's still accelerating at over .2 G at 80 mph). Fuel consumption: 30 (kick-gas) to 40 (very relaxing) mpg.
Read the story of the Shrike. Get an update on the Shrike's return to service. See drawings of the Shrike's chassis. See the Shrike photo gallery. New section! "Ask Mr. Shrike"
The first iteration Shrike. The Shrike has Lotus (i.e. Triumph Spitfire) front suspension, Porsche steering, and 60 hp worth of Yamaha 650 Maxim power.	The Shrike's builder. Dave delivered a paper, The Design of a Three-Wheeled, High Performance Sports/Commuter Vehicle, to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in Vancouver B.C. in August of 1983. The paper describes the stability, efficiency and safety for the design. Contact the author for more details.
A Shrike with a skin. Click on this image, or any on the page, for an enlargement	This first version was built in 1984 and was driven daily for 78,000 miles. 1/4 mile: 17 seconds at 78 mph, 35 mpg, 85 mph, and handles like a sports car.