Best tools & picture thread (2014)

[Hobot]

I've got full front view of all my Norton tools in one spread somewhere but mean time this less impressive tool comes in more handy. If something on a Norton needs a rap tap its nice to smack shock a wave of lip curling impact through the thing and be done with it.

I'm a student of the late Mr. Hudson which made spectacular use of vital heater

One most prized tools of a clumsy mechanic, offset handle long nose end pivot short jaw dissecting forceps.

 

[RennieK]

Here is some factory and some homemade tools:

#1 is a cut away timing cover used to support the pinion shaft when tightening or loosening the the cam or oil drive worm nut or setting the tension of the timing chain. I didn't canabulize a good cover either, it was thrashed around the points well. A reasonably priced tool can now be purchased at Andover Norton, link below.

#2 is a whitworth thread file but an sae one would be also useful.

#3 An exhaust nut wrench

#4 Is the stock Norton tool kit multi tool for shock adjuster, chain case plugs and has a large slot drive on the end I believe is for the chain case drain screw.

#5 Cable lube sealing applicator for spray can lube.

#6 Timing Cover Seal Guide

#7 Engine Sprocket Puller

#8 Chain Breakers

#9 Valve Spring Compressor

#10 Timing Pinion Puller

#11 Gearbox Lockring Tool

#12 & 13 used for holding clutch plates while deglazing

#14 Spoke Wrenches

This photo has a homemade inner clutch hub pin spanner. I didn't have any spare clutch plates to make the normal tool so I made this up.

The next 3 are light alloy tools for the sump plug, primary cover plugs and other various fasteners on the bike. I won the middle one at the Lumby Rally.

Beside them is my clutch diaphragm tool made from a sink drain strainer and bottom transmission stud with some spacers. It works very well.

Below are another exhaust nut c-spanner and some tire irons.


Here is the clutch hub C-spanner detail:

I had a whole stack of clutch plates that had been sitting for decades that badly needed deglazing. After doing about 1/2 dozen I made up a holder that would grab the lip but not bottom out on the emery cloth. I felt it would apply more even pressure all over the discs than what your finger tips would as they exert the force in just a few concentrated spots.

I was taught to file the tips of tire irons down so they slide into the bead more easily. You can pinch a tube just as easily with the big thick dull ones. The smaller ones are stock metric bike irons and the bigger one is from Princess Auto (Canada's Harbor Frieght Store). You get them on sale for $3.99 but they are real thick on the ends.

Here's a link to Andover's factory tools:

http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/SI%20Se ... 0Tools.htm

another similar thread:

gear-puller-other-secial-tools-t8506-15.html

Anyone else have some cool tools, improvised or what ever to show?

 

[kevbo82]

I also got a set of the Koken sockets on ebay and was happy with them. I got seriously lucky when i started building my commando, my brothers neighbor sold his house and moved out of state, i was working at my brothers house and the neighbor came over when he was leaving and told me he left some stuff in the garage, and I could go through and take anything i like. Found a whole tool box full of specialty triumph tools including a whole set of stahlwille witworth wrenches! Not to mention the guy left a shop vac, bench vice, drill press, brand new air conditioners and more behind! Turns out his dad was into vintage triumphs and it was his tools. Apparently his dad was the guy who invented exhaust wraps!?

 

[texasSlick]

Here is a tool I can't live without in my shop.

It even works as a thread gauge, if you can do the math.

Slick

 

[elefantrider]

Who on here makes that small portable exhaust wrench.... the one which is made to work with a breaker bar?
Cannot find the post.

Need to get some leverage on my exhaust nuts.... and need an wrench with a real handle on it.

 

[drones76]

One of the headbolts, I think it was the one in the back center, needed a manifold wrench. It has another name that escapes me right now.

The key to the wrench above is that the walls have to be thin around the head of the wrench. Again Craftsman fit the bill. I bought a cheap set at Harbor Freight and the head walls were too thick.

 

[gtsun]

elephantrider where are you in So-Cal? You can buy the basic witworth sockets ans wrenches from John at Moores Cycle at 1631 N. Orangethorpe Way. Anaheim, ca 92801 (714) 447-4402 Keith Moore is gone saddly but John is a great guy. Also there are a few of us forum members in the area. You should join us for a ride. I will PM you my info so we can meet up. Glenn T. S.

 

[john robert bould]

Arn 't Commandos AF? not whit.

 

[drones76]

Arn 't Commandos AF? not whit.

Depending on the year, they can be a whole lot of everything.

 

[AlanColes]

drones76 - IIRC, that wrench is also referred to as a starter wrench as the shape is helpful in removing automotive starters.

Still, to this day, miss my set of Snap-On BW offset box-end wrenches that were stolen 38 years ago. IIRC, it was the 3/8 one that was so comfortable in my hand that I would just hold it whenever I had anything to think about.


The above recommendations will point you to some readily available, good quality tools to take care of your needs.

However, if you run across any old Snap-On British Whitworth for a reasonable price, pick them up in your hand and if you like them, buy them.

The advantages of Snap-On over some of the newer offering is most are very well finished, very strong and very thin (easier fit in tight spots).

 

[pauldridge]

Maybe one of the most obsolete original toolkit tools is the Lucas point gap gauge.
The little swing-out tab measures 0.015" thick to set the correct gap.

I think I just figured out (after 40 years) that the long wedged tip end is supposed to be the screwdriver
tip for the points plate screws!

Yep, I've got that same tool in the drop-down door tool compartment on the driver-side door of my '59 Jaguar MK IX Saloon. It came from the factory, along with a brake bleeding kit, small lube gun, and valve timing alignment gauge along with a host of other items. I guess the guys at Conventry assumed I'd be removing the camshafts to adjust valve clearances along the roadside!

Gotta love that British engineering

 

[gtsun]

I guess modern cars/bikes don't come with such tool kits because it's hard to put a Laptop into a roll up kit...

 

[elefantrider]

I am looking for the best exhaust nut wrench. Anyone have one like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Norton-Exhaust- ... 1264690619

 

[L.A.B.]

I am looking for the best exhaust nut wrench.

The best wrench in my opinion, is the 'BMW' exhaust nut tool.

 

[elefantrider]

Looks like there are a few different types of the BMW wrench. I like this one also. Needs to work with all types of Norton rose nuts.

 

[Deets55]

This post is a shout out to David Goldman. Dave is a forum member and moderator of his own site:
http://www.doov.com/apps/nortoncompanio ... &Itemid=10

When I was looking for a way to mount a degree on my bike I found Dave's site and saw the tool he made to mount a degree wheel to the alternator rotor nut:

I contacted Dave about it and asked if had any for sale. We exchanged a couple of e-mails and one day he asked for my home address. I week later one of his tools showed up at my door. I found an extra rotor nut and my degree wheel and assembled it :

Dave did not want any money for the tool or shipping costs, claiming I am his Beta tester. This is a testament to the type of members this forum has and to the forum itself.

Thanks again Dave !

Pete

 

[Onder]

Having just bodged my way through using the degree wheel and a washer shaped magnet
I hope the Beta test was successful and the widget is now on offer!

 

[Dennis C]

I found this adapter to use open end wrenches with a torque wrench great to take the guess work out of tightening all sorts of nuts to correct torque.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-Adju ... 9b&vxp=mtr

Dennis

 

[gripper]

I Can't recommend item 5 in the photo. The cable spray can thingy is an excuse to get an eye full of whatever your choice of lube is and piss the rest of it down the outside of the cable.

The morning before I seized my bike with the anti wetsump valve saga I was listening to Art Sirota's song "pushin my Norton down the road blues" must have been an omen. Thought to myself before departing, Yeah probably got enough tools on board to do a cylinder head change at the side of the road. Fail.
Collected two good con rods from a fellow accessnortoneer on Monday, driving out of his place, passed Norton Lane, could be a good omen.

 

[baldy]

Inexpensive Engine Valve Seat Cutting/Finishing Tool Kit at Mikes XS will work for Norton. Used it twice.

http://www.mikesxs.net/product/35-0116.html