Leno shows lasting appeal of Brit bikes with Norton 650SS

It has been a few weeks since we've seen a motorcycle featured in Jay Leno's Garage, but he has returned with a real classic – a 1962 Norton 650SS. While Norton may not be as well known today as fellow Brit Triumph, it built some of the top English sport bikes of its day and this was one of the fastest motorcycles you could buy.

This particular Norton is propelled by a 650cc parallel-twin that was capable of 119 miles per hour in period tests, notes Leno. Of course, being in Jay's collection, the bike doesn't show any of the negative stereotypes of old British bikes. There's no leaking oil here, and in fact, Leno says the restoration his bike underwent probably makes it better than the day it came off the assembly line.

While technically a sport bike, the Norton is much more relaxed than its modern equivalent. Compare Leno's position in the picture above to the way riders look on today's sport bikes. He's sitting up straight with his arms and legs out in front of him, rather than hunched over like you would see today.

Scroll down to check out this wonderful piece of vintage motorcycling as Leno shows off the Norton on the curvaceous backroads around his shop.