The 1989 Honda GB500 TT from Japan was powered by a 498cc SOHC single producing 40hp at 7000rpm. Weighing 170.0kg (375 lbs) and with a seat height of 790mm, it was aimed at cafe racer riders.
The 1947 Norton International, hailing from United Kingdom, by contrast offered 490cc of OHV single power, delivering 29hp at 6000rpm. Tipping the scales at 155.0kg (342 lbs) with a top speed of 145km/h (90 mph), it offered a distinct riding experience. 1980s motorcycles are the rising stars of the collector market. Early sportbikes and final-generation air-cooled models are gaining strong interest.
Specifications Comparison
| 1989 Honda GB500 TT | 1947 Norton International | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 498 cc | 490 cc |
| Power | 40 hp | 29 hp |
| Torque | 39.0 Nm | 35.0 Nm |
| Cylinders | 1 | 1 |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 145 km/h |
| Quarter Mile | — | — |
| Dry Weight | 170.0 kg | 155.0 kg |
| Wet Weight | 184.0 kg | 168.0 kg |
| Seat Height | 790 mm | 780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1395 mm | 1370 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 14.0 L | 14.0 L |
| Gears | 5 -speed | 4 -speed |
The Verdict
These two machines serve fundamentally different purposes. The 1989 Honda GB500 TT is built for spirited café-racer style riding, while the 1947 Norton International targets outright circuit racing performance. On paper, the 1989 Honda GB500 TT's 40hp trumps the 1947 Norton International's 29hp, but raw numbers don't tell the whole story in such different segments. Choose the 1989 Honda GB500 TT if you value spirited café-racer style riding; pick the 1947 Norton International for outright circuit racing performance. Parts availability is moderate for the 1989 Honda GB500 TT and difficult for the 1947 Norton International — an important factor for any restoration project.
About the 1989 Honda GB500 TT
The 1989 1989 Honda GB500 TT packs a 498cc SOHC single engine with 40hp into a cafe racer package from Honda.
Full 1989 Honda GB500 TT Profile →About the 1947 Norton International
The 1947 1947 Norton International packs a 490cc OHV single engine with 29hp into a racing machine package from Norton.
Full 1947 Norton International Profile →