I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrades
- Thread starter Larso1
- Start date
- Status
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
Hey Zacykbilly, is that a car under the tarp that the bike in the foreground is towing?
Sorry man, I had to ask.
Your shop is too big! AND you still have to stow bikes on the mezzanine?
zackybilly1 said:
You can take life too serious...but not motorcycles.
Z
Hey Zacykbilly, is that a car under the tarp that the bike in the foreground is towing?
Sorry man, I had to ask.
Your shop is too big! AND you still have to stow bikes on the mezzanine?
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2010
- Messages
- 5,865
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
" I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrades " :shock:
Id rather eat worms than ride a Honda .
:x :lol: :lol: :lol: 
That can be provided for Sir : Can of Worms ?
A good place to start : http://leeroebuckracing.com/timeline/no ... ice-notes/ click on 1-26 & 26 - 46 .
& put on the kettle .
" I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrades " :shock:
Id rather eat worms than ride a Honda .
:x :lol: :lol: :lol: That can be provided for Sir : Can of Worms ?A good place to start : http://leeroebuckracing.com/timeline/no ... ice-notes/ click on 1-26 & 26 - 46 .
& put on the kettle .
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2010
- Messages
- 5,865
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
THIS technical-information-how-post-photos-t2357.html is up the TOP there ,
under ' pictures of your Norton Commando Motorcycles .'
Seems to be a Blind Spot .
THIS technical-information-how-post-photos-t2357.html is up the TOP there ,
under ' pictures of your Norton Commando Motorcycles .'
Seems to be a Blind Spot .
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2009
- Messages
- 2,188
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
Interesting read on the 'motorcycle manufacturer' - it doesn't even mention the disastrous engine breathing/scavenge issues. Perhaps they hadn't been discovered at the time of writing?
I doubt it :roll:
Interesting read on the 'motorcycle manufacturer' - it doesn't even mention the disastrous engine breathing/scavenge issues. Perhaps they hadn't been discovered at the time of writing?
I doubt it :roll:
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
zackybilly1,
You are my new Hero......Nice collection!! :shock:
I had a 2008 Honda CBR1000RR like your yellow bike and I'm now sorry that I sold it......but it was the only bike that I've owned that actually scared the crap out of me.
zackybilly1,
You are my new Hero......Nice collection!! :shock:
I had a 2008 Honda CBR1000RR like your yellow bike and I'm now sorry that I sold it......but it was the only bike that I've owned that actually scared the crap out of me.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2009
- Messages
- 63
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
OB,
I've been working 40 years to get my hobby to where it is now. I like just about all motorcycles setup for various forms of riding. Many I like, I wouldn't own but am glad they are out there.
The CBR, as you know, gets good mpg's if you can manage to stay out of the throttle, has brakes from hell, will easily pick the front tire up at 80 mph and new/off the showroom floor was $7200 out the door...a lot of bang for the buck. I wouldn't want to go cross-country on it but the power-plant is what intrigued me the most. That's a lot of horsepower out of such a tight package. It makes, roughly, 80 more horsepower than my '82 Katana (1000cc) and weighs +/- 275 lbs less. Another strange thing to me is when I compare my Norton ('73 850 Interstate) to the Katana...only 9 years difference in the age of the bikes.
Z
OldBalz said:
OB,
I've been working 40 years to get my hobby to where it is now. I like just about all motorcycles setup for various forms of riding. Many I like, I wouldn't own but am glad they are out there.
The CBR, as you know, gets good mpg's if you can manage to stay out of the throttle, has brakes from hell, will easily pick the front tire up at 80 mph and new/off the showroom floor was $7200 out the door...a lot of bang for the buck. I wouldn't want to go cross-country on it but the power-plant is what intrigued me the most. That's a lot of horsepower out of such a tight package. It makes, roughly, 80 more horsepower than my '82 Katana (1000cc) and weighs +/- 275 lbs less. Another strange thing to me is when I compare my Norton ('73 850 Interstate) to the Katana...only 9 years difference in the age of the bikes.
Z
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2012
- Messages
- 14,013
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
Matt, thanks for the article on 'motorcycle manufacturer', it was almost the story of my life in Australian defence manufacturing - I loved the article, got a good laugh. I particularly like the stuff about going up and down the chain of bullshit artists with a problem. I probably shouldn't get enjoyment from it - out of other peoples' misery ? One thing which was the basis of most of our problems in defence factories, was failure to recognize a prototype and test it to destruction. Then fix the problems, test it again, freeze the design then do basic configuration management. Most of us still have a 'jobbing' mentality. Our old defence factories have now mostly closed due to continual stuff-ups over many years. It cost us a bomb. I think the American mindset about production engineering is much better, we have a problem with our disingenuous culture - 'the system runs on bullshit'.
Matt, thanks for the article on 'motorcycle manufacturer', it was almost the story of my life in Australian defence manufacturing - I loved the article, got a good laugh. I particularly like the stuff about going up and down the chain of bullshit artists with a problem. I probably shouldn't get enjoyment from it - out of other peoples' misery ? One thing which was the basis of most of our problems in defence factories, was failure to recognize a prototype and test it to destruction. Then fix the problems, test it again, freeze the design then do basic configuration management. Most of us still have a 'jobbing' mentality. Our old defence factories have now mostly closed due to continual stuff-ups over many years. It cost us a bomb. I think the American mindset about production engineering is much better, we have a problem with our disingenuous culture - 'the system runs on bullshit'.
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
The CBR 1000 that I owned was, at the time, the most sophisticated, most powerful motorcycle that I'd ever ridden. Mine was Honda Red and was really fun to ride. It was very easy to ride around town and had a lot of torque, not Norton-type torque but it also had a 13,000 rpm redline. The acceleration was eye-poppingly fast and was addictive like a beautiful woman.
I have four grandchildren and I thought ihat if I was to ever see a fifth it would be in my best interest to sell it.....
zackybilly1 said:
The CBR 1000 that I owned was, at the time, the most sophisticated, most powerful motorcycle that I'd ever ridden. Mine was Honda Red and was really fun to ride. It was very easy to ride around town and had a lot of torque, not Norton-type torque but it also had a 13,000 rpm redline. The acceleration was eye-poppingly fast and was addictive like a beautiful woman.
I have four grandchildren and I thought ihat if I was to ever see a fifth it would be in my best interest to sell it.....
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2009
- Messages
- 63
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
Acotrel,
It is a basic jackshaft and the bike has two chains. The front chain off the primary is a 520 X-ring and the "final drive" chain is an 530 X-ring. I built the jackshaft housing eccentric to the bore. Therefore to tighten the front chain, I rotate the housing in two aluminum "pillar block" until I have the desired tension in the front chain and then, the rear chain adjust normally. To hold the rear fender close to the back tire, the rear fender moves fore & aft with the rear axle. I built the frame, front-end, jackshaft, mounting plates, etc. as I always wanted to try it...never again. Too much squeeze for too little juice. Its a novelty item and nothing more. It was a good way to burn up a lot of old Triumph parts that were "substandard" for a restorations (chromed rocker boxes, helicoiled parts, etc.) as well as, burning up many hours. It was just something I had to try. I call the bike "Home-Made Sin".
Fabbed up jig using stock Triumph frame.
I started fooling with this kind of stuff at an early age....
Between work, riding and motorcycle projects, sometimes I just push until I can't go any further.
Z
acotrel said:What is the crossover gear box in the Triumph bobber ? How do you stop it from twisting under power ?
Acotrel,
It is a basic jackshaft and the bike has two chains. The front chain off the primary is a 520 X-ring and the "final drive" chain is an 530 X-ring. I built the jackshaft housing eccentric to the bore. Therefore to tighten the front chain, I rotate the housing in two aluminum "pillar block" until I have the desired tension in the front chain and then, the rear chain adjust normally. To hold the rear fender close to the back tire, the rear fender moves fore & aft with the rear axle. I built the frame, front-end, jackshaft, mounting plates, etc. as I always wanted to try it...never again. Too much squeeze for too little juice. Its a novelty item and nothing more. It was a good way to burn up a lot of old Triumph parts that were "substandard" for a restorations (chromed rocker boxes, helicoiled parts, etc.) as well as, burning up many hours. It was just something I had to try. I call the bike "Home-Made Sin".
Fabbed up jig using stock Triumph frame.
I started fooling with this kind of stuff at an early age....
Between work, riding and motorcycle projects, sometimes I just push until I can't go any further.
Z
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2009
- Messages
- 63
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
Consentino Engineering bits (morphed CBR600RR cartridges).
That Red Line fork oil looks like it needs a lime wedge stuck in the top of it.
Z
dennisgb said:
Consentino Engineering bits (morphed CBR600RR cartridges).
That Red Line fork oil looks like it needs a lime wedge stuck in the top of it.
Z
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2004
- Messages
- 436
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
I forgot what we were talking about ? Oh yes. I have to revise my classifications after pondering Rockabilly's creations. We are restorers, racers, hot rodders, collectors, or rockabillies. No, let's put him in the experimental class, the let's try this class, the anyway I want it class. I give up! Better wait until he has upgraded his Norton to rockabilly spec.
I forgot what we were talking about ? Oh yes. I have to revise my classifications after pondering Rockabilly's creations. We are restorers, racers, hot rodders, collectors, or rockabillies. No, let's put him in the experimental class, the let's try this class, the anyway I want it class. I give up! Better wait until he has upgraded his Norton to rockabilly spec.
- Joined
- May 27, 2013
- Messages
- 1,112
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
These comments are very interesting to me. I started out on British bikes in the late 60's and bought a Commando new in 76'. Lot's of friends had Jap bikes and in those days we looked down on them (die hards I guess). I remember when the Kawasaki H1 "Widow Maker" came out and a buddy had one. Technically some facits of those bikes were interesting, but still Japanese. The big fours...alright they were something, but I was never sure what.
When I got back into bikes after 30+ years away the first bike I bought was a 1987 Honda Hurricane. The reason was I wanted the engine for another project (an off road vehicle). These bikes are plentiful and cheap. I paid $300 for the bike and the guy said it hadn't run in years. I got it running a couple hours after taking it off the trailer. Twisting the throttle and hearing it rev to 10K instantly told me it was likely not a good choice for my project so I found myself rebuilding it.
This gave me a different perspective and respect for where the technology had gone. 1987 a mere 12 years from when that Commando was built and a 600cc engine made 85 HP and in a few years this was pushed over 100HP. And the bikes are fun to ride and pretty versitile. The only real problem with it for me is my old body can't take the riding position. I have one that I plan to put risers on and play with the riding position to see if I can make it more of a touring bike...or at least a little more comfortable...yes it will look stupid but...who cares.
I love my Norton and it really is the bike that gets' my heart and mind, but the CBR's are something different. Not unlike my cruisers. They are heavy pigs with little horsepower and tons of torque but are still fun as hell.
zackybilly1 said:
These comments are very interesting to me. I started out on British bikes in the late 60's and bought a Commando new in 76'. Lot's of friends had Jap bikes and in those days we looked down on them (die hards I guess). I remember when the Kawasaki H1 "Widow Maker" came out and a buddy had one. Technically some facits of those bikes were interesting, but still Japanese. The big fours...alright they were something, but I was never sure what.
When I got back into bikes after 30+ years away the first bike I bought was a 1987 Honda Hurricane. The reason was I wanted the engine for another project (an off road vehicle). These bikes are plentiful and cheap. I paid $300 for the bike and the guy said it hadn't run in years. I got it running a couple hours after taking it off the trailer. Twisting the throttle and hearing it rev to 10K instantly told me it was likely not a good choice for my project so I found myself rebuilding it.
This gave me a different perspective and respect for where the technology had gone. 1987 a mere 12 years from when that Commando was built and a 600cc engine made 85 HP and in a few years this was pushed over 100HP. And the bikes are fun to ride and pretty versitile. The only real problem with it for me is my old body can't take the riding position. I have one that I plan to put risers on and play with the riding position to see if I can make it more of a touring bike...or at least a little more comfortable...yes it will look stupid but...who cares.
I love my Norton and it really is the bike that gets' my heart and mind, but the CBR's are something different. Not unlike my cruisers. They are heavy pigs with little horsepower and tons of torque but are still fun as hell.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2009
- Messages
- 63
Re: I just don't get the endless posts on performance upgrad
For me, its a little more to it than that. When I was a kid (pre-drivers license), I had wet dreams about Triumphs. I loved the way they looked and sounded. It didn't hurt that our local flat-track was dominated by Triumphs in the open class, either. Triumph engines were powering bikes competing in more styles of riding than anything (TT, flat-track, road racing, hill climbing, etc.) and doing well. Older Triumphs could be had that wouldn't break my bank. Nortons weren't too common in my neck of the woods and when I did see them, they were just passing through. I had a friend that had an old Atlas bobber but it was more of a conversation piece as I never saw it run (it did pop and sputter while trying to pull start it behind a pickup truck). So, I was a Triumph man.
Fast forward about 30 years...a friend called me and mentioned seeing a 50's BMW at "flea market" type of place thinking I might be interested in it. I rode over and the owner said it wasn't for sale.....but he had another bike he would sell. It was a '73 850 Commando Interstate....even better as I was always secretly Norton-curious. The bike was in rough shape but basically all there. If rims are rusted a little or a lot, the end result is the same. The engine wasn't stuck so I cleaned the tanks, carbs, changed fluids, plugs, checked valve clearances, stuck a battery in it and gave it a whirl. It cranked and ran fine. You could tell it was a little tired but not as tired as it looked. It was really ugly at this point but the only thing that kept it from being a rider at that moment was the rear cush drive rubbers were hard and crumbling (and the front brake was basically a solic lump). I rode it for about 30-40 miles in this condition just to evaluate things. Wow. In its cruddy shape, it still had a ride of its own.
I notice right away that the Norton with stock gearing had long legs compared to the Triumph. I liked what I saw and continued on with its recovery. I started at the bottom end and left no stone unturned. With a few minor upgrades, the Norton is a lot more "streetable" than any of my Triumphs. It has a more comfortable ride and doesn't buzz like the Triumph does at highway speeds. I initially ran-in the new rebuild using Amals but with the addition of some modern carbs (the best improvement on the whole bike), it became almost like a modern bike...in a good way. Easy cranking, steady idle, smooth transition and the Norton loves/needs the accelerator pump. I installed a Boyer but switched to a TriSpark which I like. On my Triumphs which I gave the same treatment as I did the Norton, they still feel like old bikes even though they are shiney as a new penny. You can't gear a Triumph tall enough to reproduce the feel of the Norton without it suffering on the low end. Triumphs like it in the buzzy range which is okay for spirited riding but for a relaxing, day-long ride, the Norton torque and temperment makes the difference. Personally, I really like the capacity of the Interstate tank.
The pic below is the first day on the road after the rebuild as a shake-down run. My buddy ('78 SuperGlide) and I rode 600 miles that day...in the rain most of the time. Neither the bike nor I had a single complaint.
The Norton gives me a Brit bike that I can enjoy owning as well as riding on lengthy rides. I'll never talk bad about Triumphs but it doesn't mean it has to be the only Brit bike in my life.
Z
dennisgb said:
For me, its a little more to it than that. When I was a kid (pre-drivers license), I had wet dreams about Triumphs. I loved the way they looked and sounded. It didn't hurt that our local flat-track was dominated by Triumphs in the open class, either. Triumph engines were powering bikes competing in more styles of riding than anything (TT, flat-track, road racing, hill climbing, etc.) and doing well. Older Triumphs could be had that wouldn't break my bank. Nortons weren't too common in my neck of the woods and when I did see them, they were just passing through. I had a friend that had an old Atlas bobber but it was more of a conversation piece as I never saw it run (it did pop and sputter while trying to pull start it behind a pickup truck). So, I was a Triumph man.
Fast forward about 30 years...a friend called me and mentioned seeing a 50's BMW at "flea market" type of place thinking I might be interested in it. I rode over and the owner said it wasn't for sale.....but he had another bike he would sell. It was a '73 850 Commando Interstate....even better as I was always secretly Norton-curious. The bike was in rough shape but basically all there. If rims are rusted a little or a lot, the end result is the same. The engine wasn't stuck so I cleaned the tanks, carbs, changed fluids, plugs, checked valve clearances, stuck a battery in it and gave it a whirl. It cranked and ran fine. You could tell it was a little tired but not as tired as it looked. It was really ugly at this point but the only thing that kept it from being a rider at that moment was the rear cush drive rubbers were hard and crumbling (and the front brake was basically a solic lump). I rode it for about 30-40 miles in this condition just to evaluate things. Wow. In its cruddy shape, it still had a ride of its own.
I notice right away that the Norton with stock gearing had long legs compared to the Triumph. I liked what I saw and continued on with its recovery. I started at the bottom end and left no stone unturned. With a few minor upgrades, the Norton is a lot more "streetable" than any of my Triumphs. It has a more comfortable ride and doesn't buzz like the Triumph does at highway speeds. I initially ran-in the new rebuild using Amals but with the addition of some modern carbs (the best improvement on the whole bike), it became almost like a modern bike...in a good way. Easy cranking, steady idle, smooth transition and the Norton loves/needs the accelerator pump. I installed a Boyer but switched to a TriSpark which I like. On my Triumphs which I gave the same treatment as I did the Norton, they still feel like old bikes even though they are shiney as a new penny. You can't gear a Triumph tall enough to reproduce the feel of the Norton without it suffering on the low end. Triumphs like it in the buzzy range which is okay for spirited riding but for a relaxing, day-long ride, the Norton torque and temperment makes the difference. Personally, I really like the capacity of the Interstate tank.
The pic below is the first day on the road after the rebuild as a shake-down run. My buddy ('78 SuperGlide) and I rode 600 miles that day...in the rain most of the time. Neither the bike nor I had a single complaint.
The Norton gives me a Brit bike that I can enjoy owning as well as riding on lengthy rides. I'll never talk bad about Triumphs but it doesn't mean it has to be the only Brit bike in my life.
Z
- Status