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

Thanks guys really interesting I've been watching itchyboots stuff she's in Norway at the moment interesting stuff, been binge watching scooter tramp scotty and saddletramp again as well the us deffo has to be on the cards at some point although i'd probably buy a Harley out there rather than rent one :) Got a few big things coming up over the next few months so once that's all outta the way I can have a look at getting these big trips done with Dad.
 
Good morning Norton Rider from Iowa, USA., I'm 60 years old and have had
my Commando for 43 of them, as a 17 year old I was one of the few that
that appreciated our machines at an early age such as yourself. It's nice
to know there are guys like You enthusiastically keeping classics alive.
I enjoy all of Your posts, Your model 16H is beautiful, as is Your 650SS,
it sounds awesome, and as noted is a different sort of growl than a
Commando. Have a good day in the U.K. !
 
Glen, is the crank the same stroke and weight of a 750 Commando ?
It is the same stroke and I believe the weight is the same.
Someone who claims to know these things told me that the (pre MK3)850 crank and 650 crank are essentially the same.

Glen
 
Hi 1977 thanks for the comment! When you guys take some time out of your day to comment an give me advice means alot :)

Always wanted to go to America an Canada just not had the means yet totally on the cards for the future though.

Tend to get quite a few private messages bordering on nastiness on other sites just out of the blue one guy once messaged me saying I shouldn't be working on Norton's until I was 50 and had x years amount experience like he did which I found hilarious as we all learn an all make mistakes then ended up with him commenting every time I posted a video for quite a while seems to have fizzled out as most internet trolls do.

Would never ever want to be famous that's for sure.

Way of the world I guess which is a shame as I like to help others however I can an be positive n uplifting maybe that's just how my old man brought me up so mainly just post on here an Henks WD Bsa website anyways I'm digressing haha what I'm trying to get at I guess is that we have such a great crowd of people here.

Hopefully I can keep learning all the different skills to the best of my ability so I can teach the next lot who come through is a few people my age who I'm getting to know through social media who are also passionate about the classics which is brilliant to see.

Yep haha my memories on the Commando are hazy lol especially at 2:30am lol was last year I last rode her alot deeper n barkier than the SS as you guys say.

Feel very lucky to own the 16h really we are all just custodians of these bikes really preserving history an getting to ride an enjoy them at the same time. That's my thoughts on them :)

That's interesting Glen wasn't aware of that.

Hopefully once some of the Japanese classics are gone I can get another classic British bike, keep looking at Long Range Fastbacks and Interstates as well as the tr6's still not sure yet what I'll end up with to go along with my current Norton's I'd love a pre war :) Hopefully I'll still be lucky enough to be riding them all at 60+ when I met the lad who I got my 2010 Bonnie from he was 75 an still riding an I know a lad who goes to Monyash whos in his late 80s now and still rides a BSA Bantam.
 
If You ever get to the states, and come through Iowa, You'd be most welcome here. You exhibit
maturity beyond Your years- recognizing we are all temporary custodians of these legendary
machines, how true, among Your other comments.
 
Glen, is the crank the same stroke and weight of a 750 Commando ?
The crankcheeks are the same on a 650SS as on an Atlas and some more models. But the flywheels have different part number.
I guess the same crankshaft as on early Commandos. As it was a quick fix to tilt the Atlas engine to fit the new frame.
But balance factor is much different for a 650SS, an Atlas and a Commando. Might be only reason for different part numbers.
 
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That's interesting thanks Mike :) always wondered what revs the ss cranks are balanced for if anyone know's the answer to that one :)

Loving the Manx by the way Mike stunning bike from what I can see in your avatar.

Tell you all one thing I'm glad you all talked me outta cafe racing her all those years ago an I kept her original crazy to think it's been about 9 years of Norton ownership so far an I've loved every second of it was giving her a clean down after the ride the other day while it was drizzling an spent an age just staring at her haha the poor woman who ends up with me is gonna have to be as Norton obsessed as I am. Was having a laugh the other day with dad when one of my ex's said its me or the bikes I was single by the end of that week lol.
 
Contrary to Eddie I'd say that keeping speed limits is more important in Norway.
If you happens to ride through Sweden on your way to Norway, don't bother about Swedish speed cameras. They only gives a ticket to vehicles with a front number plate and a clear picture of the face.
And not all camera-cabinets are actually fitted with a camera! On my daily commute I pass a few of them at quite a speed and have only managed to make them flash once or twice. Police are scarce on the road in Sweden and I'm yet to get a speeding ticket after 25 years of riding bikes in Sweden. In Norway, on the other hand... you'll pay through the nose. Don't ask me how I know. Beautiful country though...
 
Loving the Manx by the way Mike stunning bike from what I can see in your avatar.
It's just an ordinary GP-frame -59 Manx with scars and dents. After races both in England, on the IoM and in Sweden for quite a number of years.
I try to keep it as it was in -67 when a friend of mine came 2nd in the Swedish championships.
My son says it has a 100-30 finish. Standing 30 meters from the track when it goes by at a 100 Mph, it looks great.
 
Awesome Mike :) that's awesome owning a bike like that the Manx has always been one of my dream bikes.


Squeezed one last ride in before the extra restrictions come in tomorrow been riding her every single day.

Decided I might as well start exploring the local area ^-^ looking forward to editing the video from todays ride.
Super love this bike know I sound like a stuck record but really is a golden age to own an ride a Norton.

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

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

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

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

22 year old and my first norton 650 ss :) from england
 
Yesterdays ride on the Norton 650SS had a wander out down the leafy lanes of Cheshire out to Prestbury. Going to be focusing on workshop stuff now I'm in tier 3. Plan is to get the 68 Commando bottom end together by Sunday evening.

Tomorrow will be spent cleaning and re cleaning components tomorrow, previous owner left glass media in the cylinder head on the Commando. Once she's sorted it'll be back on with the WW2 Norton.
 
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Yesterdays ride on the Norton 650SS had a wander out down the leafy lanes of Cheshire out to Prestbury. Going to be focusing on workshop stuff now I'm in tier 3. Plan is to get the 68 Commando bottom end together by Sunday evening.

Tomorrow will be spent cleaning and re cleaning components tomorrow, previous owner left glass media in the cylinder head on the Commando. Once she's sorted it'll be back on with the WW2 Norton.

Take your time putting the commando bottom end together mate
 
Yesterdays ride on the Norton 650SS had a wander out down the leafy lanes of Cheshire out to Prestbury. Going to be focusing on workshop stuff now I'm in tier 3. Plan is to get the 68 Commando bottom end together by Sunday evening.

Tomorrow will be spent cleaning and re cleaning components tomorrow, previous owner left glass media in the cylinder head on the Commando. Once she's sorted it'll be back on with the WW2 Norton.


That 650 is a sweet ride!
 
You mentioned that the 650ss smoothens out at high rpm so I was going to ask about the crank balance factor and balance method, then thought I should look back to the start of the thread to see if that had been covered.
I was shocked and a bit ashamed to read the nastiness you were met with here 9 years ago. At least one of the Nasties was given the boot and the forum is better off for it!
Glad you kept posting, not sure if I would have with such a mean-spirited initial response.
I didn't find info on balancing, did you pull the bottom end down and if so was the crank dynamic balanced?
I'm always on the verge of taking my 650 apart to try a dynamic crank balance, but it runs so well and vibes aren't horrible. Don't know if I would make it better or not.
It has a smooth spot at 80-85 mph in top. This is great, but smooth at 60-70 would be more practical.

Glen
 
I had to go to the beginning and have a read..... Some folks do have more than a fair share of gall. I still don't really believe the bile I read.....
 
Yeah totally Alan I tend to alter my line at this time of year so I don't use as much of the road stay on the drier less leavy bit

Thanks guys yeah it was pretty crazy wasn't it luckily it's been water off a ducks back.

Sometimes I think I'm probably a bit to honest an open an it tends to invite people to feel like they can have a go I'm always open for a laugh an a bit of a joke but some people always seem to cross the line like to think I get on with most people :)

I always seem to cop for it I've noticed it seems to happen a hell of a lot less now since I turned 30 although I do get the odd private message on other websites now an then that makes me roll my eyes. Shame as if we don't get more youngsters into the classics who's gonna carry the torch for our passions, I always try to encourage anyone who shows any interest, know I've said it before but we really are just custodians for these amazing pieces of automotive history. One of my mates who is in his late 20s an who had 0 interest in bikes now is obsessed with the Idea of restoring a Norton an actually doing his bike licence so he can ride one more people we get on them the better.

Has to be said though most people are awesome like you lot an that more than makes up for the odd one.

To be honest Glen I've not had the bottom end apart on her. John the previous owner who owned her since new I think did have her balanced my main computer has gone pop so I'm having to use a phone for everything at the moment otherwise I'd pull the information running superblends to, will still be on the drive though. Yeah she seems to be nice in 3rd n 4th really smooth but having said that I'm so used to riding it now , as you say though Glen they are surprisingly smooth in my opinion, I think once the Commando is together I might pop some of the gears out and have a bit of a look at the gearbox on the 650ss feels perfect but I'm quite curious to have a look at 2nd just for my own interest really at similar revs - speed it always feels smoother in the higher gears at the same revs as 2nd.

One thing I was considering was the style of grips I have on my Commando the touring style one that's the only place I ever notice noticeable vibes is through the bars but I am running very thin grips light grip though an u barley notice it I still grip mainly with my knees from all the track stuff I used to do an am very light on the bar controls.

Gonna fit a new chain at some point soon when I do I'll have to check how many teeth are on the front sprocket that'd be interesting I have a feeling she may be over geared slightly.

My 68 Commando is my first ever go at fully rebuilding a British Twin an doing a bottom end on one been really enjoying the learning process as if anything ever crops up on the 650ss I'll be able to deal with her. Never ever stop learning in life that's for sure.

I'd love to learn more about engineering and balance factors etc fascinating stuff isnt it Glen actually been considering going to study something engineering related.

In a lockdown over here now in our new tier system and its driving me absolutely insane not being able to ride the 650SS.
 
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