Best Norton engine builders and machinists

1up3down said:

Three years ago I had my 850 motor completely rebuilt by Jim Mosher of Performance Indian, superb work.

Jim works out of his home shop in the Pecos area outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and built the 159mph Norton Bonneville motor.

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Here is the 920cc Nitrous Norton Bonneville racer mentioned above owned and ridden by Fred Eiker (my old racing buddy and a great rider).



Check out Jim Moshers' twin engine land speed record bike at.
http://performanceindian.com/
He is a very busy man.

John, yes that is the guy, quite a lot of his cranks now in the race bikes within the NZCMRR.
Regards Mike

toppy said:

Here in England Mick Hemmings is my recommendation. He and his wife Angila have been involved with Norton for decades and they are both charming to deal with at all times, unlike another vendor who's imformous for he's lack of charm should you have a problem (which you probably will). I have also had great service from Norman White in the past and more recently from Steve Maney. All three of these have plenty of past competition success both on bikes and with others on their machinery to leave you in no doubt that they know what they are doing.

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Yep Jim Matt and Doug are treasures To us all

I cannot believe that so many people would rely on others to build a fast engine for them. I farm bits out for machining and often stand and watch while the work is being done. However the assembly and start-up are always in my own hands. Years ago a young guy offered to build my Triumph race motor for me. I felt like strangling the little bastard.

acotrel said:

I cannot believe that so many people would rely on others to build a fast engine for them. I farm bits out for machining and often stand and watch while the work is being done. However the assembly and start-up are always in my own hands. Years ago a young guy offered to build my Triumph race motor for me. I felt like strangling the little bastard.

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Because some people are better architects/electricians/accountants/lawyers/farmers/builders/postmen/busdrivers (my bike friends) than crankshaft grinders ?

Standing and watching usually incurs a 50 % surcharge

Why would you strangle some young "bastard" who was expressing an interest in old bikes. Seems like a thing to encourage. We were all young and stupid once

It seems to be fashionable to be down on young people and it does surprise me.

I have spent time with my kids and their mates and Im damn impressed with how smart they are. I wouldnt want to have to compete with them for a job.

I do my own assembly and development but only simple machining. But some are not happy enough to do even that so thats why I recomended a guy like John who can do all of it or just the machining - whatever you feel confident in.

for European mainland :

i highly recommend Constant Trossèl from Hollandnortonworks. He is the only one that gets to work on my bike. its a 5 hour drive to his place for me, but its well worth it. Perfect work everytime and great to deal with.

acotrel said:

I cannot believe that so many people would rely on others to build a fast engine for them. I farm bits out for machining and often stand and watch while the work is being done. However the assembly and start-up are always in my own hands. Years ago a young guy offered to build my Triumph race motor for me. I felt like strangling the little bastard.

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I too would like to know how parachutes are made but reckon I'd take the time to pack my own.
Ta.

Interesting thread. I'm not new to grazes knuckles, but I would not have the time, tools, smarts or confidence to build my own motor.

I'm new to Commando's and I'm feeling my way (read "making mistakes" ) with my '73 850 Roadster, which was imported into Aus from the US about 4 years ago. The bike was sold to me as having been totally rebuilt by some-one in Queensland who knew what they were doing. While I've never wanted a totally original or concours bike, some of the "re-building" has proved to be decidedly dodgy. Any recommendations for an experienced Norton guru in Victoria??

++ Johnm

Diver3284 said:

Interesting thread. I'm not new to grazes knuckles, but I would not have the time, tools, smarts or confidence to build my own motor.

I'm new to Commando's and I'm feeling my way (read "making mistakes" ) with my '73 850 Roadster, which was imported into Aus from the US about 4 years ago. The bike was sold to me as having been totally rebuilt by some-one in Queensland who knew what they were doing. While I've never wanted a totally original or concours bike, some of the "re-building" has proved to be decidedly dodgy. Any recommendations for an experienced Norton guru in Victoria??

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Hi

I had a very good experience with Mike from RoadnRAce (out past Bendigo) http://roadnrace.com.au/
He is also spoken of very highly by people I trust to work on other parts of my P11.

toppy said:

Here in England Mick Hemmings is my recommendation. He and his wife Angila have been involved with Norton for decades and they are both charming to deal with at all times, unlike another vendor who's imformous for he's lack of charm should you have a problem (which you probably will). I have also had great service from Norman White in the past and more recently from Steve Maney. All three of these have plenty of past competition success both on bikes and with others on their machinery to leave you in no doubt that they know what they are doing.

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+1

I know full well that is not true, but I like to think that the best mechanic I am (maybe i am not even able to do well my real profession!).
And i think the best mechanic is every one of you that I always get invaluable technical advice.
For me it's a nice play, a relaxing pastime, an opportunity to meet again with friends; if my bikes were rebuilt by a real mechanic they would most definitely setted better but my mind would then need a shrink!
Ciao
Piero
http://thomasdunstall.blogspot.it/

For machine-shop work in the frozen north of the UK:

Crank grinds & re-bores: Bannister Engines in Bamber Bridge, Preston - an old-school outfit who understand the .090 rad crankpin requirement - he tends to wait until there's a batch to do then dresses the wheel accordingly.
He's also replaced valve seats for me.
For cylinder head re-threading with bronze inserts: Burton Engineering, Redmarsh Industrial Estate, Thornton. He also does re-bores, and valve seat work.

I'm with Piero and Acotrel - for me most of the fun and satisfaction is in hearing an engine run which I've built myself, but it's not for everyone.