New '75 Project Bike (2011)

I found a '75 a while ago on Craig's List for what I thought was a decent price. I haven't had the time or inclination to dig into it until now. Since the build threads are so much fun, I thought I'd try my hand at one. That said, this is going to go slow - so don't get all excited. Not sure what direction to take it and whether to spend a lot time and $$ making it special, or just getting it back together as a pretty stock unit. Most of the bits seem to be there (save for some electrical items, but nothing big that I can see.)

I'll try to keep this updated as I go.

Now for pics - As I received it, in the back of my truck


Several months later, I finally started to organize by Group number (as in the parts book).


The Frame - rattle can painted by PO, so at least its clean...


The Wheels - look decent. The rubber on the rear looks almost new. Is there a date code on tires?


The Engine - PO replaced the head gasket and claims valves looked good. New Oil line too! I plan on pulling it all apart to check everything. Draining the sump yielded nice dirty oil, but I didn't find any metal bits or anything else yucky.


I also got some extra parts which I'll probably sell off to make some $$ for the project.


-- David

Nice starting point, will be checking out your build thread with great interest ! Cj

napanorton said:

Is there a date code on tires?

Click to expand...

Yes.
Look for string of letters and numbers beginning with 'DOT' and read off the last group which is the date code.

A three digit number would indicate the tyre was manufactured before the year 2000. The first two digits give the week of manufacture and the third digit is the year; so '336' for instance, would be week 33, 1996 (if there is a small triangular symbol after the 6, if not, then it could be 1986).

A tyre manufactured from 2000 onward has four digits, so '3306' would be week 33, 2006.

Nice project.Is it an EStart?
Those wire shelves are great arent they? i must get wheels for mine

L.A.B. said:

napanorton said:

Is there a date code on tires?

Click to expand...

Yes.
Look for string of letters and numbers beginning with 'DOT' and read off the last group which is the date code.

A three digit number would indicate the tyre was manufactured before the year 2000. The first two digits give the week of manufacture and the third digit is the year; so '336' for instance, would be week 33, 1996 (if there is a small triangular symbol after the 6, if not, then it could be 1986).

A tyre manufactured from 2000 onward has four digits, so '3306' would be week 33, 2006.

Click to expand...

Mine said "Made in the Republic of Ireland" so I didn't bother with a date code...

That is going to make an excellent "before" photo...

Speirmoor - Yes it is. Even came with a newly rebuilt 4 brush starter from Rabers. I may not put it back in. I'm hoping for a cleaner look and a bit less weight. The wheels are key.

Yeah, that starter motor and the reduction gears can weigh at least 40 lbs or so . Heavy = slower.

Back to the tires. Well upon closer inspection - they're shot. Oh well. I had planned on new rubber anyway. So the date question is still interesting. Here's what I found:



If I get this right - the first tire was made in Week 35 of 1985 due to the 355 stamp, no triangle. The other was the 44th week of 1987 due to the 447 stamp, no triangle. Is that about right? That would only make these around 25 years old....

-- David

I'm going to keep the starter and associated drive train stuff for my other estart. I figure I'll need some of that stuff sooner than later.

napanorton said:

Back to the tires. Well upon closer inspection - they're shot. Oh well. I had planned on new rubber anyway. So the date question is still interesting. Here's what I found:

If I get this right - the first tire was made in Week 35 of 1985 due to the 355 stamp, no triangle. The other was the 44th week of 1987 due to the 447 stamp, no triangle. Is that about right? That would only make these around 25 years old....

-- David

Click to expand...

Do they have a "Made in" stamp?

napanorton said:

Back to the tires. Well upon closer inspection - they're shot. Oh well. I had planned on new rubber anyway. So the date question is still interesting. Here's what I found:

If I get this right - the first tire was made in Week 35 of 1985 due to the 355 stamp, no triangle. The other was the 44th week of 1987 due to the 447 stamp, no triangle. Is that about right? That would only make these around 25 years old....

-- David

Click to expand...

hobot will be salivating at that rubber! :lol:

"Peel" it off , send it to Steve for a fresh new burnout video.

I was thinking about Hobot. If it didn't cost so much (like more than $5), I'd send 'em to him. Swoosh - one was made in Great Britain and the other was USA.

C.O.D. my man ,to the man. Worth every video.

napanorton said:

Back to the tires. Well upon closer inspection - they're shot. Oh well. I had planned on new rubber anyway. So the date question is still interesting. Here's what I found:

If I get this right - the first tire was made in Week 35 of 1985 due to the 355 stamp, no triangle. The other was the 44th week of 1987 due to the 447 stamp, no triangle. Is that about right? That would only make these around 25 years old....

Click to expand...

They are certainly old, as the date is usually found at the end of the 'DOT' information and I think it's been displayed that way for probably 20 years or so.

Since I left the city life I've more time than sense so it makes cents to me to pay to ship old cracked tires with decent meat left on em to me. What ya don't realize is factory C'do are too dam dangerous to me to press tire traction on pavement turns so all that's left to get my adrenalin hits that aren't life risking is off road and parking lot play. So a win/win to send your trash tires to me as add$ free money to spend on more Norton parts and processing and prevents 'wasting' the carbon expended in tire production. Love the PU full of future joys. The book shelf full was a sight to behold too and a head smacker to me storing piles on floor level. Glad to see a Fastback in the background as implies we'll read about how these old parts goes together well rather than being stuck on what to do next. Just stick a label on the best tire and I'll send back cash or MO. PM me please.

Yes to helping Steve ,providing us all with visual burnouts material/entertainment. Can smell the rubber burnin'.

I just realized I never finished this thread. Most of the story is here - https://www.doovsprojects.com/projects/category/1975-norton-rebuild. Here's a pic of the finished project. It turned out pretty much like I wanted it to, I think it looks good, runs great and is fun. My last lingering problem is the stupid MKIII shift setup - I've been fighting with the bike about the best way to find neutral. Apparently this bike thinks neutral is for folks who are afraid to go fast - and therefore is reluctant to allow selecting it. I, on other hand, prefer the ability to stop occasionally for things like trains, cows, stupid people, etc. We are in counseling over this and I hope to be able to reach an amicable solution soon.

the first thing would check is for ANY clutch drag. the kicker should have only return spring resistance with the clutch lever pulled. mine will go free at about half lever travel.