I’m bored

jan nelder · Oct 31, 2020

Dommie Nator said:
I've only a few poor camera photos.
The frame was made by Richard Adams, Warwickshire and I think with an original frame jig.
As nice as it is I think it looks sterile, with too many square edges on the cycle parts. I wouldn't swap it for my Dommi natrix. (last image), or my Commando come to think of it.
If I was to do another project it would be a twin, possibly a Lowboy Domiracer replica.

I believe Adams uses the Sprayson frame jig, and definitely bronze ‘welding’.

Bernhard · Oct 31, 2020

jan nelder said:
The new Works Norton engine , used on the road, will be pretty low maintenance for quite a time ( based on a conversation with the maker, who is not a ‘salesman’ type) An electric decompressor is an option, and I would fit a kickstarter and standard box( also advised by maker) for road use.

If you are buying brand new, then you might get trouble free motoring, for a short while, depending on your yearly mileage. If you can give the engine regular oil & filter changes, then all well and good, bto t some people are not personally into that, I did 100, 000 miles on a JAP watercooled bike but did oil changes twice as often. My late brother-in-law's Norton ohc 500 chewed up the bevelled gears which cost him over 3 month's wages to replace.
This is the kind of costs you have to deal with with Manxs e.t.c.

Fast Eddie · Oct 31, 2020

Bernhard said:
If you are buying brand new, then you might get trouble free motoring,

Well, new build IS the topic of this thread.

Voodooo · Oct 31, 2020

Bernhard said:
It's all well and good hankering after these bikes, but do bear in mind they were not built for joe public to do high mileage on the road, they will require twice as much maintenance to keep them in fine fettle, don't ask me how I know.

Are you confusing a modern 961 with a modern new build Manx? It seems even the 961 can have its fair share of mechanical and electrical issues. Otherwise this forum of modern Norton’s probably wouldn’t exist lol

Fast Eddie · Oct 31, 2020

From someone with actual experience of running a Molnar Manx and not an armchair expert, or someone talking about keeping f*cked up old race bikes going, this is taken from another none related thread over in the Classic Commando forum:
“I stand in awe of Andy's work, and hold the opinion that very few people offer the quality of a Molnar product. I own and race a Molnar Manx, and it has run flawlessly for over two years. It has been 99.9% maintenance free. I changed the gearbox from a 6 speed Hemmings to a 4 speed TTI to comply with class rules. Changed plugs and oil, and that is it (except for jets at different altitude tracks). Andy is currently building me a new engine for the Manx (just as a spare, and to maybe play with some porting on the old engine)”.

Bernhard · Oct 31, 2020

Not everyone has a racing license and save just one bike for the race track.
I enjoyed my limited canter on a 250 Desmo Ducati over 50 years ago, the discounts offered by motorcycle dealers on these Italian bikes in the late 1960s were eye watering, but how often do you see these ohc 250, 350 bikes these days, the last one I saw was at a motorcycle dealership classic bike weekend 15 years ago - they all appear to have gone to that great big scrap yard in the sky.
The Italian marque never had a good spares setup in this country so the bikes fell into disrepair.
The Manx 500 is a little better cared for in the UK, you can even buy a brand spanking new one, but do bear in mind unless you live round the corner from the makers, you cannot get spares over the counter , as explained about the old Ducati dealer setup, indeed any spare parts at all.

Fast Eddie · Oct 31, 2020

Bernhard said:
The Manx 500 is a little better cared for in the UK, you can even buy a brand spanking new one, but do bear in mind unless you live round the corner from the makers, you cannot get spares over the counter , as explained about the old Ducati dealer setup, indeed any spare parts at all.

There is NO comparison with inadequate spares availability for old Ducati‘s 50 years ago and the situation today for Manx Norton’s!

So long as you’ve got a phone or internet access you can probably get ANY part for a Manx Norton quicker than you can get for ANY modern mass produced bike.

But you might have to put up with them being better quality that the old OEM parts !

Voodooo · Oct 31, 2020

Bernhard said:
Not everyone has a racing license and save just one bike for the race track.
I enjoyed my limited canter on a 250 Desmo Ducati over 50 years ago, the discounts offered by motorcycle dealers on these Italian bikes in the late 1960s were eye watering, but how often do you see these ohc 250, 350 bikes these days, the last one I saw was at a motorcycle dealership classic bike weekend 15 years ago - they all appear to have gone to that great big scrap yard in the sky.
The Italian marque never had a good spares setup in this country so the bikes fell into disrepair.
The Manx 500 is a little better cared for in the UK, you can even buy a brand spanking new one, but do bear in mind unless you live round the corner from the makers, you cannot get spares over the counter , as explained about the old Ducati dealer setup, indeed any spare parts at all.

What’s your knowledge on these?
it’s a 1970 MKIII 350 twin cap tank with tach.

Voodooo · Oct 31, 2020

Bernhard said:
Not everyone has a racing license and save just one bike for the race track.
I enjoyed my limited canter on a 250 Desmo Ducati over 50 years ago, the discounts offered by motorcycle dealers on these Italian bikes in the late 1960s were eye watering, but how often do you see these ohc 250, 350 bikes these days, the last one I saw was at a motorcycle dealership classic bike weekend 15 years ago - they all appear to have gone to that great big scrap yard in the sky.
The Italian marque never had a good spares setup in this country so the bikes fell into disrepair.
The Manx 500 is a little better cared for in the UK, you can even buy a brand spanking new one, but do bear in mind unless you live round the corner from the makers, you cannot get spares over the counter , as explained about the old Ducati dealer setup, indeed any spare parts at all.

Here’s one I have my eye on.

DevonNorton · Oct 31, 2020

Bernhard said:
One question, how are the lights powered if I see no generator?

Hi Bernhard
I contacted Ian Loram and this is his reply...

Well, it was quite a job to take a bike like a Manx and create an electrical system from a bike that would not normally have one and to get a 1930s engine to put out 12 volts.
My mechanic George has a son who is an electrician and another Rotary friend who created a set of pullies and belts driven off the crankshaft (at a future club night I am sure we can get George to explain exactly what he did).
We have a 20 volt alternator from a Kaboto Tractor and 12 volt battery which it charges fine so the electrics and headlight are brilliant. I have attached a couple of photo's.

There's some clever folks round these parts. And using tractor parts is so Westcountry. Proper job!

Andy

Bernhard · Oct 31, 2020

Yes a very neat job, no doubt you have a lot of tractor spares in the West country.

Bernhard · Oct 31, 2020

Voodooo said:
What’s your knowledge on these?
it’s a 1970 MKIII 350 twin cap tank with tach.

A 350 March lll but not a 3D.
The twin cap I think is rare.
Any idea where it is kept?
Motorcycle museum perhaps?
Great pics.

Voodooo · Oct 31, 2020

Bernhard said:
A 350 March lll but not a 3D.
The twin cap I think is rare.
Any idea where it is kept?
Motorcycle museum perhaps?
Great pics.

March 3? 3D?
what do you mean?

it’s for sale. Original paint etc.

Voodooo · Nov 1, 2020

How would a 62 Manx perform against a 961 Dominator on the same race track today if raced side by side.
I know the weight and power differences, also the suspension and brakes. The Manx is about 100 pounds lighter and 30 or so less hp, it would be interesting to see the track speed and time difference between the two bikes on the same track, same day, same rider.

Bernhard · Nov 1, 2020

Voodooo said:
How would a 62 Manx perform against a 961 Dominator on the same race track today if raced side by side.
I know the weight and power differences, also the suspension and brakes. The Manx is about 100 pounds lighter and 30 or so less hp, it would be interesting to see the track speed and time difference between the two bikes on the same track, same day, same rider.

Depends on the rider, track, whether it's damp etc. If the track is a riders circuit without a long straight, ie. Brands Hatch short circuit, then they may cancel each other out.
It all depends on which rider has the bottle to take Paddock Bend at say, 85 mph (give or take). That bend is approached blind with a downhill swoop and an adverse chamber.
A lot of riders simply haven't got the bottle.
P.S. anybody know what the fastest lap time of a Manx compared with a 961?

Bernhard · Nov 1, 2020

Voodooo said:
March 3? 3D?
what do you mean?

it’s for sale. Original paint etc.

I'll rephrase my post,
It's a Mach lll
It's not as far as I can see a Mach lll D
The D stands for Desomodronic .
(From what I can see on the side covers)

You say it's for sale, the only for sale information on this bike with twin fuel filler caps, I can see dates back to 2016.
So , do tell, where is it for sale?

Voodooo · Nov 1, 2020

Bernhard said:
I'll rephrase my post,
It's a Mach lll
It's not as far as I can see a Mach lll D
The D stands for Desomodronic .
(From what I can see on the side covers)

You say it's for sale, the only for sale information on this bike with twin fuel filler caps, I can see dates back to 2016.
So , do tell, where is it for sale?

It is a desmo.
ifs for sale here in the states by private seller. I’ve been trying to deal with the owner for a year and he’s yet to budge.

Bernhard · Nov 1, 2020

Not suprised he will not budge , it looks to be a keeper.
BTY Desmo usually have either the letter D on the end or Desmo on it, unless the factory run out of transfers.

Fast Eddie · Nov 1, 2020

Voodooo said:
How would a 62 Manx perform against a 961 Dominator on the same race track today if raced side by side.
I know the weight and power differences, also the suspension and brakes. The Manx is about 100 pounds lighter and 30 or so less hp, it would be interesting to see the track speed and time difference between the two bikes on the same track, same day, same rider.

Do you mean an original ‘62 Manx or a modern ‘62 spec Manx?

A modern Manx would lap faster. No contest IMHO.

A good spec modern Manx is around 260lbs IIRC and 60bhp.

That is lighter (probably closer to 250 actually), and less than 15bhp down ...

The 961 has more grunt for sure, but a good rider would simply adapt accordingly making the Manx the winner.

Voodooo · Nov 1, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
Do you mean an original ‘62 Manx or a modern ‘62 spec Manx?

A modern Manx would lap faster. No contest IMHO.

A good spec modern Manx is around 260lbs IIRC and 60bhp.

That is lighter (probably closer to 250 actually), and less than 15bhp down ...

The 961 has more grunt for sure, but a good rider would simply adapt accordingly making the Manx the winner.

I was meaning a original 1962 Manx. If the same pro rider on the same track. Same day. On each bike. I need to weight my commando and compare it to my dominator and see what the weight difference is. I’m sure it’s not a whole lot different.
it would be nearly impossible to ditch 80+ pounds from a 961

I’m bored

jan nelder

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