1973 Hi-rider no spark

marshg246 said:

Yes, but either work. Some like the older type some the newer.

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I thought there was some concern for fire on older type H lines for if/when the headgasket let's go and combustion gases hit the cross over line near the head?

Tornado said:

I thought there was some concern for fire on older type H lines for if/when the headgasket let's go and combustion gases hit the cross over line near the head?

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Don't know, never heard that. I use the later type unless someone specifically askes for the "H" type because 1) less connections = less chance for leaking connections 2) Less complicated 3) It's already cramped in that area. Also, every non-Norton British bike I've owned are/was that way.

Richard Tool said:

You want to look sharp ( clean shaven ) for the Norton girls that will inevitably swarm you anywhere you stop …

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Esp. with the rarely seen (in comparison) & standout hi-rider styling.

Deckard said:

Yeah, you have a fiberglass tank and if it's ever tasted E fuel, can't be sealed successfully. Good aftermarket metal tanks available. Good OEM tanks are a crap shoot. Plenty of threads here about that. Roadster style an easy upgrade for more capacity.
Unless you have access to non E fuel, I wouldn't use that tank any more. Engine damage will occur.

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A fg tank with efuel will also destroy the tank, including ending up with a goopy stew, that will end up gunking up the carbs, including getting in the engine.

Another progress report on my '73 Hi-Rider revival. As mentioned in previous posts, the PO had installed extended length fork tubes to this bike to, I assume, add to the chopper look Norton was trying to capitalize on with this model. Upon removal of the extended fork tubes, they were found to be +10" over stock length. Originally I purchased a used stock length set from Ebay that included the internal springs and plunger assemblies. When arrived they were in nice usable condition, but one tube was bent. It was only bent slightly, but it was bent. Contacted the seller and he was very cooperative about accepting a return of them. He even offered to return half of my money and said I could keep them. But if I did that I would still need to find one good useable tube. Ultimately, I returned them and received a full refund of the item price plus shipping costs. Thanks to him. Ordered a new Andover-Norton pair from an Ebay seller. They arrived and as expected are excellent. Now have the forks reassembled and back on the bike. Kind of a first step toward making this bike rideable and to getting away from the Hi-Rder style and model. Undecided as to what to take on next, but will continue on one thing or another. New chain, and changing handlebars, exhaust, seat, etc are on the to do list.

There are people who straighten fork tubes.

Triton Thrasher said:

There are people who straighten fork tubes.

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It's kinda water under the bridge at this point. And, I'd guess that shipping to and from those services, in addition to their service charge would be an equalizer cost wise.

quawk said:

It's kinda water under the bridge at this point. And, I'd guess that shipping to and from those services, in addition to their service charge would be an equalizer cost wise.

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New ones are reasonably priced.

And readily available.

Another update on the resurrection of my '73 Hi-Rider. As previously posted, I replaced the +10" over extended fork legs installed by the PO with new stock length fork legs from Andover Norton. Upon replacement and rebuild of the forks, I saw that Norton used a fiber/paper washer between the upper bronze bushing and the oil seal. Watched a video of the forks rebuild by a YouTuber, and they omitted this washer. I went ahead and purchased the washers and installed them in my rebuild. (Trying to do things correctly) They seem rather odd. Can someone tell my the purpose of these paper/fiber washers, and were they really needed. I realize Norton must have thought so.