The One and Only: 1000cc Norvin by Millet Racing

Norton frame x Vincent engine = Norvin… 

In 1950, Norton introduced the now-legendary Featherbed frame, which quickly earned a reputation as the best handling chassis money could buy. Before long, intrepid builders had began to create hybrid-style motorcycle specials that combined the best engine with the best frame, resulting in machines like the Triton (Triumph-Norton), Norbsa (Norton-BSA), and Tribsa (Triumph-BSA).

“In general, a Triton is a combination of a hearty Triumph twin engine and a sweet-steering Norton featherbed frame… but the term has also become a kind of short-hand for a certain style of classic motorcycle. Talk about Tritons and you expect to see a stripped-back cafe racer come scratching into view, equipped with clip-ons, rear-sets, single seat and racing tank, the kind of bike which would have looked right at home on the Isle of Man fifty years ago.” —Classic Bike Hub

One of the rarest, most legendary of such fusions was the Norvin, which involved shoehorning a mighty 998cc Vincent V-twin engine in a Norton frame. The originator of the combination was no less notable:

“It’s widely acknowledged that the first Norvin was the brainchild of the legend that is John Surtees.” —Timeless 2 Wheels

As the legend goes, Surtees, who was racing a Manx Norton and working at the Vincent factory at the time, built himself a Lightning engine with two Grey Flash (single) cylinders. Such an engine was said to make 20-30 more horsepower than a Norton twin.

Recently, we heard from Sylvain and Franck Millet, the sons of Jean-Louis Millet — a former sidecar racer with three French championships and a European championship to his name, who later managed a professional race team and founded his own exhaust company, Millet Racing.

The Norvin you see here began as a project of his, which his sons decided to carry to fruition after his passing. Says Sylvain:

“It was my father who started the project. When he died, we decided to continue his project, but we had to find the right people…”

Fortunately, Franck works in the motorcycle industry, running a communications firm for riders, and what’s more, their father had built deep relationships in the community, from F1 to aeronautics.

“The goal was to pay tribute to Jean-Louis Millet for all he was able to do for the motorcycling world. We didn’t want to make just another Norvin, but a unique motorcycle.”

Sylvain says that, in total, more than 15 people worked on the machine. Bruno Silvestre, a friend of the late Jean-Louis, served as the team leader, pulling in specialists from a variety of fields — many of them old friends or associates of Jean-Louis himself.  Nearly everything is custom, including the frame and shock absorbers, and the 3D models were used to make sure they could fit the big Vincent engine in the chassis.

This “One and Only” Norvin is the most stunning example we’ve ever seen, it weighs just 330 pounds — 130 pounds lighter than a Black Shadow! Below we talked to Sylvain Millet for the full details on the build, and present more photos courtesy of LSportphoto.

Norvin Special: Builder / Owner Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

My name is Sylvain Millet and my brother is Franck. We have always lived in the world of motorcycles and competition, because our father was a sidecar racer (3x French champion and European champion). After his racing career, he was manager of a team in the motorcycle world championship and he also had an exhaust company (Millet Racing), which was dedicated to competition motorcycles. At the end of his professional career, he started to reproduce old motorcycles like the Triton. My brother still works in the motorcycle world; he has a specialized communication agency for motorcycle riders.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

It’s a Norvin 1000cc. A Vincent engine in a Norton frame.

• Why was this bike built?

It was my father who started the project. When he died, we decided to continue his project, but we had to find the right people. Between the beginning and the finished bike, it was three years of work. Like I said, it’s a personal project. The goal was to pay tribute to Jean-Louis Millet for all he was able to do for the motorcycling world. We didn’t want to make just another Norvin, but a unique motorcycle.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

The goal that guided us was not only the design, but also to make a different motorcycle while remained true to the cafe racer spirit of the time, a refined and light motorcycle.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Everything was custom made for this bike. The chassis was made of aluminum and welded by a specialist. The exhausts were made by a person who worked in F1 and who now works in aviation. The shock absorbers were also made by a specialist.

We bought the minimum: wheels, brakes, chain and handles. We had to make 3D models to integrate the engine into the frame, because there is not much space. As it is a unique model, we also had to use the technology to calculate the angle of the front fork and the deformation in the event of braking.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Not really, but we can call it Norvin by Millet Racing, or The One and Only 😉

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

It weighs 150kg empty.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

This motorcycle is not intended to be driven. For the moment, she is going around stores, motorcycle shows, or museums. However, it works very well! We turn it on regularly.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

What we are most proud of is the teamwork that has been done for the continuation of the project. When my father died, we gave the continuation of the project to a friend of his, Bruno Silvestre. Bruno had never built a motorcycle, but he had an incredible determination to see this project through, to be the leader and the vision. We gave him the keys and he gave us regular updates on the progress of the bike. We are also lucky to be surrounded by very recognized people in the world of motorcycles in the region. The project caused a lot of talk, and our father’s relationships in the community counted for a lot. In all, there are more than 15 people who worked on the project, people from Formula 1 as well as people from aeronautics.

Follow the Builders

Instagram: @Syl20_millet | @franckmilletcommunication

Photo Credit: @lsportphoto