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- Apr 15, 2009
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Really interesting. FWIW, am I crazy or is the Manxman silencer simply the "standard" silencer turned sideways with bottom seam facing outwards and a different bracket? It has always seemed hard for me to believe that Norton made their silencers in house at Bracebridge Street. I mean it was a big non secret that even the featherbed frames were always made by Reynolds. It is hard for me to believe that Norton would design and make an entirely new silencer for a limited production model. Does anyone know, did Norton do any sheet metal work in house at Bracebridge Street? I dont believe, for example, that they made their own petrol tanks. Once they went to Plumstead things may have been different, but I don't think that even Commando silencers and mudguard were made in house, and at least at one point frames and petrol tanks were made in Italy. (So Norton pioneered the global supply chain.)
I guess my question is, assuming they are just standard silencers turned sideways, the most cost effective way to reproduce them might just be to fabricate the bracket and weld it on to a available existing silencer. Although this is above my pay grade, I assume the bracket could be fabbed in polished stainless and then MIG'd or TIG'd with stainless wire? The basic question is, are they just sideways silencers? Someone must have examples to compare?
Thanks a lot. I'm not sure if the Manxman mufflers are stock type pipes turned sideways. I'll look into. If so, I like your idea of modifying a standard pair. Thanks!Yes that makes sense. I think I confused myself trying to figure out how to attach a bracket to an already chromed silencer. Anyway, to me, the real question is: are they actually just the stock silencers turned sideways. They look that way to me, but I have never made a side by side comparison or taken measurements. Doubt Norton had a stylist (wonder though who designed the bodywork on the Deluxe models) but on the Manxman silencers it looks to me like they achieved an inexpensive Buck Roger's effect. (Not meaning to insult Ms. Dixon, I do kind of like the look.)
Ive seen video of 3D metal printing being used to manufacture a large sportcar Alu intake manifold. Hugely exotic and extremely pricey, but interesting concept. If this type of work gets to be mainstream and affordable, we could get Manx exhausts printed from MiTy's scans.
EDIT: Here's the viddy I watched:
@Mike T might be able to fill in more details, but I think you are right about them being basically mufflers turned sideways. Maybe they got the unfinished mufflers from the supplier and modified them from there (thus calling them manufactured "in-house"?).
'poorly crafted'?? May the wrath of AJD descend upon you (Joke!!) Mind you, 50's and 60's 'stylists' often appeared to be students of St Dunstans, and forever trying to second guess what punters (usually from a different generation and on another continent) would go for. I think: 'quirky' may be charitable at best. Though with outward seams, condensation and subsequent rot would be denied a handy refuge..Who in their right mind offers a muffler with outward weld seams? Didn't they think about HSE in 1960? Scary detail, in my opinion.
So, even if the Manxman model had such poorly crafted mufflers, I would for safety's sake fit the later Dommie version with revised brackets if necessary.
-Knut
'Though with outward seams, condensation and subsequent rot would be denied a handy refuge..
A character, yes, and I mean that in a respectful manner. She is a very vocal champion and font of knowledge for the Manxman. Other's of a less charitable nature might suggest a breached dam, perhaps...Not for long. The hot gases allows condensation to happen all way around. I've seen mufflers rotting at the upside as well.
Who is this AJD character? I haven't been a NOC member for several years ....
-Knut
Who in their right mind offers a muffler with outward weld seams? Didn't they think about HSE in 1960? Scary detail, in my opinion.
So, even if the Manxman model had such poorly crafted mufflers, I would for safety's sake fit the later Dommie version with revised brackets if necessary.
-Knut
HSE = Health, safety and the environment
I would say seams out is a potential hazard to the rider, the pillion passenger, and pedestrians who happen to be near the muffler either at standstill or at speed.
-Knut
I've never seen an original source, but common wisdom has it that the Manxman's blue frame and tank, red seat and "western" bars were styled in response to the US importer's request for a more "American/Harley" styled bikeHi Bodger
I got flamed by AJD on the NOC when I made the same comment about them being the same as Dommie silencers albeit rotated through 90 degrees. Obviously the Manxman one was the original design but it would make sense for Norton to utilise it on later (Dominator) models if it worked. The other upside to this is that there is a much larger (and already existing) manufacturing capacity for Dominator silencers so utilising the same silencer with two mounting options would make remanufacturing a more viable option.