Best upgrade

Fast Eddie · Jan 3, 2020

My list is also long, but not everything I’ve done is ‘the best’ it’s just good for my wants!

My top 5 shortlist of ‘best’ mods would be:
Tri Spark with matching coil as sold by cNw: great starting and running with no kickbacks.
FCR carb kit: easy starting, great low speed fueling, faultless power delivery.
Link bar head steady (mines the cNw version): tight handling.
Brembo disc kit from cNw: proper braking.
Barnet clutch plates: slip free, drag free clutch.

OK, I gotta make it 6:
Avon Roadrider tyres: confidence inspiring handling, even on the track.

Brithit · Jan 3, 2020

On my last three Nortons, I made my own wiring harness from scratch. Simple, easy for me to understand, etc. Along with upgraded switchgear, ignition switch, and good quality rotor/stator, electronic regulator. Chances are, any problems I have on the road are not going to be electrical.

worntorn · Jan 3, 2020

Looking at these lists, I think I need to start removing factory parts and installing aftermarket, my poor old Mk3 is way behind.
It does have a much improved front brake, the Madass unit.
The stock brake always overheated when ridden hard in the mountains of BC, Washinton, and Montana.
It was ok for flatland riding (would be fine in the UK), but not for the Rockies in pursuit mode.
Other than the brake, the bike is almost as shipped from the factory.
Oh, it runs Boyer analogue ignition, which some say is a downgrade from stock. The Boyer has been on there for 34 years now, according to the invoices I received from the original owner. It works great.
So does the rest of the bike.

Glen

ntst8 · Jan 3, 2020

Hydraulic clutch, love it.
Alton Starter, my knee loves it.

Onder · Jan 3, 2020

You know what the best upgrade is? ALL OF THEM :-O

maylar · Jan 3, 2020

Seriously, my bike was only a few years old when the tachometer drive o-ring failed. On a holiday ride a couple hundred miles from home. The Honda oil seal mod was the first upgrade I did. That and replacing the cheese head screws in the timing and gearbox covers with Allen screws. I learned very early on that Norton's leak oil because they were designed to.

ILLF8ED · Jan 3, 2020

Electronic ignition definitely. However every unit I’ve used since 1998 has eventually failed. Boyer, Lucas RITA and TriSpark. Currently on a second TriSpark and so far working well.
In ‘73 my first Commando had points and they needed to be adjusted often. Used to take this ‘72 combat to Bill’s Cycles in San Bernardino, Ca for service. After getting it back it ran so nice.

Before Kegler had his “clamps” available there was a mod we did drilling the frame tube, brazing a nut on and using two 1/4” bolts to set the spindle. Did that on my ‘73 and also on my current ‘72.

MexicoMike · Jan 3, 2020

"In ‘73 my first Commando had points and they needed to be adjusted often"

But they probably never failed!

Craig · Jan 3, 2020

Yes, my swing arm has same mod as ilf8ed not the kegler clamps ....

ILLF8ED · Jan 3, 2020

MexicoMike said:
"In ‘73 my first Commando had points and they needed to be adjusted often"

But they probably never failed!

The only failure was the ‘72 auto advance unit had a problem. Bill’s replaced it with a ‘73 unit. As you said the points never failed me.

Triton Thrasher · Jan 4, 2020

Does “worst upgrade” need its own thread?

bill · Jan 4, 2020

that IMHO would be most anything with the Dunstall name on it

Triton Thrasher said:
Does “worst upgrade” need its own thread?

Triton Thrasher · Jan 4, 2020

bill said:
that IMHO would be most anything with the Dunstall name on it

Funnily enough, I almost mentioned Dunstall there!

zotz · Jan 4, 2020

Triton Thrasher said:
Does “worst upgrade” need its own thread?

Yes actually. I think it could be quite educational so I'll start one.

eskasteve · Jan 4, 2020

bmwbob said:
I've had my Norton for 30 years now and new all the 4 previous owners (all dead now) except the original owner who sold it to a friend with 1500 miles back in the early 70s. I bought it in 1990 from a friend, but it needed lots of help.

I added the following that made the bike so much better:

Electronic ignition No more Lucas
1975 Exhaust header No more lose header
Mikuni Carb no more dying at stop lights
Steering damper No more wobble
Barnett Clutch No more slipping clutch
RoadRider tires They just work

So what's your list:

My list mirrors what most owners do to make their bikes more enjoyable. The upgrade that was the most useful was that I devote 5 hours every Thursday (in season) to go for a ride. By far the best upgrade that in almost 50 years of Norton ownership that I've ever done. Sure as heck doesn't matter what you do if you don't ride the darn thing!

jbruney · Jan 4, 2020

Pulling her out of the long hibernation and addressing known issues. Most of all riding regularly.... They like that a lot as do I.

elefantrider · Jan 4, 2020

- Venhill Featherlight clutch cable
- Royal Purple 20w50 HPS oil
- Ditching the ignition box and putting back the stock Points ignition and AAU.
- Ditching the BP7ES NGKs (foul too easy) in favor if fine wire Champions.
- Amal Coated Throttle Slides

olympus · Jan 4, 2020

Replacing the headlamp loom as part of the rebuild.... only to find once fitted no power into the headlamp shell and up the white wire... it has somewhere a poor bullet connector or fractured wire
Will; be speaking with AN on Monday

maylar · Jan 4, 2020

eskasteve said:
Sure as heck doesn't matter what you do if you don't ride the darn thing!

Which is why I bit the bullet and installed an e-start last Summer. My Norton is very pretty to look at but what good is that if I can't start it? Funny though, after the e-start I learned that cracking the throttle a little makes hot starting far easier. Maybe if I had known that before hand I wouldn't have opted for the electric leg.

I haven't used the kicker since, so maybe next season I'll try it with the throttle open to see for sure.

Nah, push the button.

MexicoMike · Jan 4, 2020

maylar said:
Which is why I bit the bullet and installed an e-start last Summer. My Norton is very pretty to look at but what good is that if I can't start it? Funny though, after the e-start I learned that cracking the throttle a little makes hot starting far easier. Maybe if I had known that before hand I wouldn't have opted for the electric leg.

I haven't used the kicker since,

I removed the kick start pedal several years ago!

Best upgrade

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