Norton is granted a US patent for it's Isolastic frame.
Believing the classic Norton Featherbed frame design went against all engineering principles, former Rolls-Royce engineer Dr. Stefan Bauer designed his "isolastic" frame around a single 2.25 inch top tube. Bauer, Norton-Villiers Chief Engineer Bernard Hooper and assistant Bob Trigg, all decided (though the patent document gives Hooper credit as the lead inventor) that the engine, gearbox and the swing-arm should be bolted together and isolated from the frame by special rubber mountings in an attempt to reduce the problem of engine vibration being transmitted through the frame.
As great an idea as it was, though it isolated the rider from vibration very well it left the engine to vibrate like a Home Depot paint can-shaker. Eventually destroying anything attached to the engine.
