Namibian Norton Restoration: and so it begins

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namibchris

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Well,

After a really long time I now have all the parts (FFS I hope so) in one place, powder coat is done, so assembly starts in earnest on Monday with the tins going to paint and the frame components going together. As you can see from the first image the bike while all there was rough, hell it shit the bed on the trailer ride home. Hopefully there will be no more oil spew like this again. I can hope can't I? The plan is for a end of October completion. Just learned this morning that I also have to get a bike license to drive it. Depressing really, I failed my drivers test here 3 times before I got lucky, the signs are a bastard and there is a bunch of them.

Namibian Norton Restoration: and so it begins



And here is the pile of parts.....

Namibian Norton Restoration: and so it begins


I am secretly hoping for the most improved prize.....

Stand by.
C
 
Seems like you're off to a good start with all those boxes of parts, will be looking out for your posts to follow along, good luck with the road signs. Cj
 
This one should be fun to watch. And if not, go Fuchs yourself. Ha ha ha!

I do like those fastbacks.. Good luck with the licensing. Better get to it!

-Jordan
 
Wise to strap down on flat tires so they don't go down and relax the tie downs.
Next time I trailer mine they will be clamped down by wheel only with straps over bike just to back up in case. Road hits compress suspension and blow fork seals and pump out fluid. This caught me out last month to find I'd no front brake but cleaned and sanded up to fine function again.

Should only take about 20 yr use to get you money and effort back, but will feel like its worth it soon as you get it run in and ready to use as intended.
 
Finished by end of October. Oh, Boy. You realize that you are going to put everything together at least 3 times, first time for fitment, second for real (you think) and third when you realize what you did wrong, and maybe even the 4th time when you have to take it apart because you didn't have something else done that was required. But I'm hoping for the best for you.

Do it right.

Dave
69S
 
DogT said:
Finished by end of October. Oh, Boy. You realize that you are going to put everything together at least 3 times, first time for fitment, second for real (you think) and third when you realize what you did wrong, and maybe even the 4th time when you have to take it apart because you didn't have something else done that was required. But I'm hoping for the best for you.

Do it right.

Dave
69S
Click to expand...

Mine has taken me over a year for a full teardown and rebuild (other than the motor). If you get yours done by October, I will be very impressed. At least you have plenty of parts lined up and ready to go. Hopefully you get it done quickly!

-Jordan
 
DogT said:
Finished by end of October. Oh, Boy. You realize that you are going to put everything together at least 3 times, first time for fitment, second for real (you think) and third when you realize what you did wrong, and maybe even the 4th time when you have to take it apart because you didn't have something else done that was required. But I'm hoping for the best for you.

Do it right.

Dave
69S
Click to expand...

I second Dave's call on this.
Don't rush anything or you may wish wish you hadn't later when you are having trouble or the results aren't satisfying enough.
When a well fettled Commando sits in a public spot you can sit back and watch men, never women with mine, stop and admire.
That along with the great ride is satisfying.

Bob
 
The second picture looks like the day after the best Christmas ever :D
If you didn't mask off the frame before powdercoating then you might want to think about removing it in certain areas behind fasteners and the iso's, especially the iso's. The parts will shuffle and wear the PC, then become loose. Take lot's of pictures, you can't overdo the pictures here.

http://www.oldbritts.com/powder_coating.html
 
Thanks for the replies, nice to know Nortonians are watching, End of October is easy unless I forgot to order something critical (for Fuchs sake I hope not.) Nothing will be rushed, it should all be in place. Tomorrow morning I've got my guys cleaning the engine and gear box getting ready for polish and paint. Frame parts are going to Central Garage to my buddy Carsten who will fit the Isolatics. Carsten will also tear down the forks so I can polish the bottoms. Then we reassemble the forks with the complete rebuild kits I've got. Wheel hubs get polished as well and then sent with the new spokes and powder coated rims to Windhoek for reassembly and balancing. As I said the tins all go to paint in the morning as well. I expect to have this part of the list done and dusted by the middle of next week.

Pictures to follow.....

Chris "the Optimist"
Omaruru
 
KSUWildcatFan said:
This one should be fun to watch. And if not, go Fuchs yourself. Ha ha ha!

I do like those fastbacks.. Good luck with the licensing. Better get to it!

-Jordan
Click to expand...


Sadly for you Jordan this will no longer be a fastback. Those parts are going on a shelf for the day deep into the future when I sell it....
 
"Looks like fun"

That's a great "before" photo, you'll need to wear the same clothes and strike the same pose when you take your "after" photo!
 
namibchris said:
KSUWildcatFan said:
This one should be fun to watch. And if not, go Fuchs yourself. Ha ha ha!

I do like those fastbacks.. Good luck with the licensing. Better get to it!

-Jordan
Click to expand...


Sadly for you Jordan this will no longer be a fastback. Those parts are going on a shelf for the day deep into the future when I sell it....
Click to expand...

Hey, it's your bike to do with as you please! I took liberties to do whatever the fuchs I wanted with my '73 850 and I like how it's turned out. I think it would have been pretty boring if I had left looking it as it was the day I picked it up, regardless of how "original" it was!

That said, I do hope to someday pick up a fastback, or possibly to go with a fastback tail on my '73. I'm already running the headlight ears! :D

-Jordan
 
swooshdave said:
Is it done yet?


:mrgreen:
Click to expand...


Hey Swoosh your'e a fuching phunny guy... No its not done yet, but I just delivered the tins to paint, the major frame components to my buddy Carsten and the forks for tear down. So I am on schedule.

C
 
Hi Chriss
great to see a project thats going to be finished soon . If you are in JHB drop by and have BEER how are you doing for parts? do you know Mike Lang? and the biggest question do you know where to get 19' rear tyers Im still looking LOL Keep up the great work ColinC :D
 
ColinC said:
Hi Chriss
great to see a project thats going to be finished soon . If you are in JHB drop by and have BEER how are you doing for parts? do you know Mike Lang? and the biggest question do you know where to get 19' rear tyers Im still looking LOL Keep up the great work ColinC :D
Click to expand...


Don't think my butt would handle Omaruru to JHB on the 750......


Didn't realize that the tires would be an issue as I need two...... Shit I don't want them to come on a plane that will be bloody expensive.


Ahhhhh this bike is a slippery slope indeed.....
 
namibchris said:
Ahhhhh this bike is a slippery slope indeed.....
Click to expand...

Hahahahaha!!!

Welcome to the realization I reached about halfway through my rebuild. From that point on I had to keep telling myself it was worth it to not cut corners, buy new when what I had couldn't just be cleaned up, and for Fuchs sake, to use as many stainless bits as I could.

It all works out in the end.

-Jordan
 
Hey, Chris, any chance I accidentally included my Production Racer head steady in with your stuff? I can't find it anywhere and thought MAYBE...
 
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