1964 Norton ES 400 Electra

The 1964 Norton ES 400 Electra sits in an unusual corner of Norton's lineup, a mid-displacement twin built with electric starting at a time when kickstarts were still the norm across most of the British industry. This is a bike aimed at practical, everyday use rather than track ambitions. The electric leg was the headline feature, and it changed the ownership experience more than any engine tweak could: cold mornings, stop-and-go commuting, and riders less inclined to wrestle with a kickstart all became easier propositions. It still rides like a Norton underneath, with the handling manners the marque built its reputation on, just wrapped around a more accessible starting system.

The 1964 model carried over without significant mechanical changes from the prior year — buyers comparing it to a 1963 example should focus on mileage, service history, and condition rather than spec differences.

Today's buyer tends to be a Norton collector rounding out a lineup of period twins, or a rider drawn to the electric-start novelty who wants something usable rather than a trailer queen. Collector interest sits at a moderate level, making condition and originality the real value drivers on any 1964 Norton ES 400 Electra.