22 year old and my first norton 650 ss :) from england

Had a 20 mile ride for dad to get his mot done on his gsxr my 650ss ran absolutely great after a bit of a run she got a lot better. Just wanna go back over the idle on my next ride out as it was sitting a little high but before that I need to address the slight hunting on idle acting like shes sucking a bit of air in has anyone used any gasket sealer on any of the carb gaskets if so what do you use is Wellseal ok? when I had the carbs off the gasket face on the head didn't look brilliant. Still though massive progress and great fun!

Was great showing Ivan at Motomax 33 the 650SS really value his opinion last time he saw her she was running but not as nice as she is now thanks to the change in pilot jets. Said shes sounding tons better so that cheered me up to no end.

Someone did mention the advance unit on the mag caused a similar issue on their bike.

Got a new phone today so took a few pictures with it really happy an got some gopro footage coming from all the work on the 650SS.

After the ride today the plugs looked a bit black again.

Only difference was I had Shell 99 in previously on the brown plugs. Today when I went to shell to fuel up they had shiny new E5 stickers on the pumps so ended up at BP with 97 Ron. So my thinking is the change in ron made the plug colour change.

Prior to changing the fuel looked great.

Did stick a fresh set of N4's in and had a bit of a ride after going back over the idle shes sorta settling at 1200 rpm + or minus 100 rpm hunting wise.

Not looked at those yet though so that'l be interesting as the plugs that were in were the original ones when I got the bike.

Felt really good today an the engine seemed to get better the more miles on her which is a good sign felt more an more responsive either that or I'm getting used to the 650ss

Enough of me rambling on here's some pictures.

68815492_10219441378089555_4277758070714531840_o by norton.rider, on Flickr

67649018_10219441375009478_7019366859757584384_o by norton.rider, on Flickr

68789224_10219441377169532_6449789320826978304_o by norton.rider, on Flickr

68584459_10219441374049454_4031959037984636928_o by norton.rider, on Flickr

68320742_10219441378729571_1177082160230694912_o by norton.rider, on Flickr

68967268_10219441373329436_2610112000134479872_o by norton.rider, on Flickr

Hi guys just a quick one to ask what's everyone's take on Concentric V Monobloc

Yes, Wellseal should be fine on carb flange gaskets. Well, it’s always been fine on mine! Folk do also use silicone, but silicone is degraded by petrol, so isn’t really the ideal choice.

In many folks opinions, monoblocks are a better carb than concentrics. BUT... premiers are also better than old concentrics. I do not believe you’d notice any actual improvement swapping concentrics for monoblocks. But you will have to start all over again with your fine tuning. And lay out quite a few quid.

I’d keep it as it is if I were in your shoes.

Cheers Eddie when they are off replacing the mains I'm going to give the wellseal a whirl wasn't to mad on the condition of the gasket face on the cylinder head.

Was just weighing it up as I'm gonna need a set of carbs for the Commando rebuild the original concentric's are beyond reproach on her so was a case of another set of premiers for the commando or get a set of monoblocs for the 650ss.

So was just curious about the monobloc v concentric debate as I've never rode a Monobloc twin carb bike.

I remember looking for a right handed monobloc with the full float bowl.

Just wish these storms would clear off really want to get stuck in on stripping the commando engine.

Got some footage exporting from the ride out today. What fuel are you favouring on the Norton's Eddie?

I always use high octane unleaded. I’ve got a Shell garage just down the road so tend to use their V Power most of the time. It’s 99 octane and (allegedly) has very low ethanol content. For track days I add some Silkolene Pro Boost octane booster for a little extra peace of mind. My car needs high octane petrol too, so I ‘swallowed the pill’ of the extra cost a while ago !

I’m no petrol chemist, but I know from direct personal experience that putting super market petrol in can definitely lead to running issues.

Also, the octane content in petrol does evaporate, so my theory is that if you put low octane fuel in, and leave it a few weeks, you’re gonna have paraffin. Whereas if you put high octane in, you’re still gonna have reasonable fuel. For toys like ours that often get stood for a while, this seems a good idea to me.

Thanks Eddie, yep that's tying in with my thoughts the plug colour that was nice in the previous picture was on Shell 99 same as you are running, they stuck some e5 stickers up yesterday so decided to go to BP. Unfortunately when I did although she's running ok I lost the really nice plug colour. So as an experiment I'm gonna drop the BP 97 an stick that in dads Suzuki and fill her up with fresh Shell 99. Shall be an interesting experiment that's for sure.

Fast Eddie said:

I’m no petrol chemist, but I know from direct personal experience that putting super market petrol in can definitely lead to running issues.

Click to expand...

A few years ago I filled up my car at Sainsbury’s and twenty minutes later whilst attempting to drive off at a roundabout the car misfired, jumped, stopped, went.... I was almost totalled by a large van but the car then shot off. Nursed it home and onto the dealer (it was less than a month old) they investigated and found the petrol tank was half full of water!
Sainsbury’s were not surprised and paid for all the work “it’s a common occurrence sir”- just before delivery of fuel, they flushed the pipes with water and I happened to be at pump#1 so all the water end up in my car!
I never use supermarkets petrol for any vehicle now and I never fill up at any petrol station if a delivery is ongoing.

Jeesh that sucks mate! Looking forward to dropping this fuel.

So this is interesting In my box of bits I've got a 389 Carb which was fitted on my 650ss when I got her and a chopped monobloc 376 so here's an interesting one for you all in my Steve Wilson book it mentions 118752 were fitted with lh and rh handed monobloc carbs not the chopped setup.

Been over all my paperwork as well an checked the original bill of sale for those just catching up got her from the original owner an got the original bill of sale warranty card etc.

I'd actually made a mistake on my original post she's a early 67' registered 68

Mines a 119 engine number just before the change to concentrics so she could have actually came with a 389/689 combo interesting stuff.

Never buy fuel until the day after seeing a delivery truck because it takes a while for the water and sediments in the tanks to settle out. The gas coming out of refinery storage tanks isn't the cleanest. They also need to have a 6 pack of N2 & heater to dry their piping when feeling inclined to flush them with water also to prevent damage to customer vehicles...Not the sharpest knives in the drawers.
If you get tired of that SS just send it my way. That's a very nice looking scooter.

I promised I'd never sell her an never will had such a huge grin yesterday! Felt amazing to add some miles onto her total.

This carb info regarding the 66/67 post engine number 118752 onwards having handed carbs has really got me interested with the info in the Norton book I was reading fascinating stuff that she might have had those fitted. What is strange though is in my box of original bits I've got a chopped 376 and a set of the 1 1/16th sleeves so makes me think its had a set of chopped ones does anyone remember seeing a early 67 with handed 389/689 carbs? Which I believe are 1 1/8th.

Oh yep an got / using longer manifolds as well.
Exciting stuff mines a 119 number an about 50 -100 ish bikes before they put concentrics an removed the mag.

If you put the Concentrics on the Commando & a set of Monoblocs on the 650ss I don't think you would be disappointed. On the other hand it wouldn't run any better. My 650 has the original 376 1 1/16" Monoblocs fitted one of which is chopped. The only downside to this is the tickover speeds up if the bike is on the side stand. On the up side there is only one carb to tickle & starting, running , & idle are perfect. The RH 689 type are sadly not available new, but the 389 I have just purchased for my AJS is very nicely made, & when stripped to check didn't even contain any swarf!

Thanks mate really appreciate the reply do you use the sleeves with the 376's.

Yep it's a shame the 689's aren't available unless I managed to turn up a nos one some how.

5 am an I'm looking at parts books haha Looking at the parts books it looks like it was chopped monobloc's for the 650ss only in 66/67. Atlas and others in those years got the handed one's before the 930's on all guessing the parts book is the accurate one an not the Steve Wilson book. Had a look where it shows the individual carb bodies.

I am using the sleeves in mine & it does go rather well. If you do decide to go down the Monobloc route I see that Burlen are out of stock of the chopped type. This isn't a problem as a standard body can easily be milled down to suit, the casting being the same.

Probably just cause I bought a set before mate

They are actually showing them in as a general base specification carb I might have just got the last set of the 650SS ones though.

Latest video is up on the 650SS all filmed over the past week in order.

Starting with chatting about where the clutch adjustment ended up
fitting my primary cover
bit of a look at changing the jetting in the Premiers
First few fire ups with the new pilot jets and the following test ride down the street with a look at the plugs
Finally finishing off with a 20 mile ride out to take dads GSXR for it's mot so I thought I'd tag along on the Norton 650SS last time I went to Ivan's at Motomax 33 on her I broke down on the way haha due to the jetting being incorrect.

This time though she made it there an back again an he thought she was sounding sweet!

You get an A+ for the pictures and videos. The Norton sounds great, my Atlas with the stock mufflers doesn't sound as good.
There is a place in your country called The Chain Man who sells O-ring primary chains for your dominator which might eliminate the need for running ATF in the primary. Give him a call and discuss it with him. I went to a belt drive almost 20 years ago just to get away from the oil mess.

Thanks mate I'll certainly check that out to be honest the big advantage seems to be with this 650SS she never drops a spot of oil the red grease tip and the fact that the original an only owner before me never over tightened the primary seems to have made a huge difference to it not leaking.

The exhausts an headers were from Norvil can't fault them as they have been on the bike since I got her.

I'd say the Commando has more of a roar to it but that could just be the difference in CC. The SS tends to bark which i actually quite like although I've not had her on the pipe yet properly as I'm thinking shes over geared itching for a dry day so I can try and count the teeth on the sprockets hopefully somehow without removing all the darn primary haha! Gonna check the rear one first as that will be easy.

Really made great progress in how she's running although I'm gonna end up going back to the start again with swapping over to the 376 Carbs providing Amal actually have them in fingers crossed they do was showing stock when I ordered them.

Exciting stuff though as it's an opportunity to learn about something else that I'm not familiar with Monobloc's ordered some of the inner sleeves to go inside of the manifolds just gotta figure out how they go back in. The ones that are in my box are bashed and dented so glad I got some replacements. No diagrams in any of my books either.

She's light and day compared to the Commando bit tatty in places from 50+ years of wear but I'd rather that than have the issues I'm facing thanks to the previous owner on the 68' Commando.

Just working out what cables I'm going to need for the carb's are they different lengths to the concentric ones guys? Tend to remember having a total nightmare getting cables to fit the Concentrics on the SS an pretty sure I've got the fuel lines sussed now.

Been looking at Venhill cables.

Least it frees up buying a set of premiers for the Commando

Actually found an old clip before of a younger me bouncing up and down trying to start her when I first got the SS that was funny to watch! Does sound a lot sweeter now that's for sure.

My advice leave the concentrics on the bike and enjoy it for a while. Maybe in the winter switch over but you have it dialed in now don't mess with it.
The Oring chain has grease sealed inside and will last far longer than just applying grease to the outside.

Thanks mate will do while I'm sorting the Commando the new 376's should be here tomorrow an the cables an fuel lines are ordered from Andover.

Couple of quick questions,

Does everyone have the balance pipe on the long manifolds near the head or carbs with monoblocs, guessing the carbs.

How do the 1 1/16 sleeves insert got the later type with the cutout guessing that the cutout stays near the carbs?