Norton 1927 16H Flat tanker a preservation restoration

Lmao good point!

The first test ride clip is live! On my 1927 Norton 16H had a few hiccups on the run which have since been sorted and I've just returned from another 22 Mile ride where she ran great although it was very wet out!
So takes the total to 44 miles this week.


Since this video, I experimented with spark plugs today, did the timing, fitted a new float needle and increased the oil pump which is now keeping up with its usage only needed 1 extra notch. Sorted the clutch cable that was fouling and the carb top that had loosened its self off.


Going to try some more plugs next as the one today was a bit to cold.


Part 2 and 3 are coming soon showing me working on the bike and today's test ride which was very wet!


Hope you all enjoy.

A few pictures from today

Today's job after some sleep with it being midnight is to investigate is what looks to be the missing pilot jet needle, needle insert, needle spring and needle catch as it looks like mine has some sort of either later type pilot needle or a bolt in it I'm gonna check that out in the morning only just noticed it while looking at the Amac book. That could be a tricky set of items to get but I'll try the supplier I got the float needle and clip from just incase.

I'm also running a 41 Amac main jet + the amal air filter.

Looking at the M80 today it was overly rich getting caught behind slower moving traffic didn't help either I think the c3 seemed to run a bit cleaner although I did get caught in some traffic it was to wet to do plug chops as most of the roads were soaking. Hopefully it'l be a bit dryer tomorrow and I can do some experimenting.

Got her to starting within 1-3 kicks now which is good considering my kicks are quite limp to with a neck injury I'm recovering from so pretty happy with that.

It's super enjoyable learning to work on her n the handling was absolutely superb at 55psi.

Had a word with the Green Spark Plug company and they said in the old book they had that the KLG HS3 (original fitment) equivalent was a Lodge C3. So going to give that another whirl / try get hold of a few spares also going to get the NGK Equivalent they recommended which was an AB6 as a get home plug.

Like the vid, it seems quite spritely for something that is 30 years older than I am. Are the lights still carbide, do they work?

Hi Storm yep lights are still Carbide I was only riding about at half throttle in 2nd n 1st open it up a bit more in the next one.

Going to try the lights in the next few weeks.

Nice, can you get your dad to get some video of you from his bike/car?

Hopefully will at some point when he's riding again bit to cold for him at the moment

Brilliant video!

That really does look like some awesome back lane fun.

As Ralph said, it is surprisingly spritely.

Please just remember it’s also got 1927 brakes… designed for 1927 road surfaces and traffic conditions…!

Indeed Eddie surprisingly the brakes are actually really good The front could be better so gonna look at options for the shoes, the rear is really good. Got the 2nd video uploading so that should be live tonight

Exciting times really exciting times here's the 2nd longer test ride. Taking the total to 44 miles this week. Was actually crazy weather at a few points while I was testing in hail stone but it dried up enough to film which was good!


I got to the bottom of the starting issue on the 16H which was down to a few factors one the float needle was severely worn and the wrong length causing all sorts of havoc a new correct Amac float needle really sorted it out.


The carb top had loosened off so was holding the slides to open that was a really easy fix.


Since the first clip I've been trying a few different plugs out and doing some research, I also checked the timing on her which is bang on I'm very impressed with the handling since I upped the PSI to 55 from 50 which took all the vagueness out of it which is awesome.


Upped the best and Lloyd oil pump setting so it's now replenishing the the amount of oil that its using.


I was still having an issue with over rich running in this clip (was trying an m80 out) I'm pretty sure I've got an idea what's causing it as I think I've spotted something else wrong on the carb and I'll be bringing that in the next clip along with the other work that I've been doing on her hope you all enjoy the ride ^-^ I've been trying to do longer clips rather than the previous 1-2 min clips.

Been doing a load of research on it today with regard to wheel rims as she is currently fitted with beaded edge

Ensign 26 x 3 beaded edge current fit is 699mm
Ensign 3.00 x 20 Wired on is 670mm
Ensign 3.00 x 21 Wired on is 715mm

So thinking the WM1 21" rim could be the way to go.

Was having a look as well on Vintage Norton and seen a few bikes dispatched in 27' with Wired on Rim's and the 1926 IOM TT bikes were fitted with 21 x 3 Wired on which was interesting so providing I can find some more reference pics of the original wired on rim profile we shall be cooking on gas all being well.

Little bit of progress today

The Garmin came to use as a speedo until I can afford something period which at least means I can go out without dad in tow with the headsets on in his car doing his best stig impression haha!

Starting to do some research on sourcing the original grips or getting some made. Part number 2383 in the Norton 1927 Parts book sports rubber grip long.

The rh still is solid although worn out but the lh one is falling apart.



Just waiting on a new pilot needle adjusting screw setup for the Amac arriving and then I'll give her another test ride to check out some new plugs I've got.

Next thing is to get a side valve spring tool ready for the decoke

Has anyone ever come across these valve covers, can see the collets on the underside.

Just had an absolutely brilliant if very wet ride on the 1927 Norton 16H takes the setup miles in the past week or so to 70 which isn't to bad considering I'm still working on setup she's starting first or 2nd kick now as well which is great

Was trying a few different plugs, m80 on the left, Lodge C3 in the middle and a NGK AB-6 on the right which was a propper plug chop at full throttle. Considering going down one on the main jet as I'm running an Amac 41 with the air filter and am only a half turn out on the pilot screw.

Next task is a decoke an I might split the cases while I'm at it will assess that once the cylinder is off.

I've been making a bit of an effort latley to take my GoPro out on a few runs I repeated the same test route again so I could triple check the pump setting which is now ace she's starting alot better to seems to be the Lodge C3 suits it well going to try some nkg ab7's next as I thought the 6 was a bit to hot when at speed after checking a few plug chops, hoping to get my hands on some Lodge H1's at some point as originally would have been a KLG HS3.

Bit more progress today

My new replacment grips arrived from Jeff Hunter. A set of Period John Bull Grips.

Removed the originals carefully as one is pretty intact ready for me looking into getting them replicated.
All set for tomorrow's ride.

Had a great ride out today was very very wet and greasy headed over to a little village called Prestbury in Cheshire.

Settling in now to which plugs she likes I'd say the original Norton grips are more comfortable looking forward to getting the copied they have an interesting design on the inside of the original Norton Grip.

All in all a good ride footage to come over the next few days.

Yay! Video is up from yesterday's splash about on the 1927 Norton 16H Flat tanker. I'm trying a slightly different format trying to show some of the tweaks I'm making while setting the bike up or the odd issue I had one of which was self caused lol over pumping the oil on a hill lol the riding is towards the end of the clip lemme know what you think or what else you would like to see. Had a spin out to the village of Prestbury in Cheshire over 120 miles on her now an shes starting to settle down going to be doing a Decoke this week so next video will be a workshop one.

Unfortunately had a bit of a disaster yesterday went to the cat got half way up n loads of misfires then no spark so ended up coasting back down that was interesting!

Anyways got to the bottom sent dad for some bits from home, new pickup, new leads n plugs no such look still no spark so after relenting and calling the breakdown my insurance one would have been hours then I tried one of the main bike recovery ones 155 quid for 9.5 miles but no one available drat haha!

The long push commenced up hill and down dale the nightmare was all the hills n some of the pavements are lethal.

Just about the width of the tyres an the councils answer where they had gone let's plant daffodils in the potholes lol

Made it home in the end after 6 hours of pushing n the route was 9.5 miles went the wrong way for a little bit so probably closer to 10.5

The worst bit was just as I got onto our road my legs went n I slipped n over we went! One bent Rh footrest later we got home luckily that took the brunt of it n the bars hanged off the curb.

Just looking into who to use to rebuild the mag at the moment and whether it's worth getting one of the easy caps.

Alls well that ends well we shall return to the cat and fiddle!

norton_rider said:

Unfortunately had a bit of a disaster yesterday went to the cat got half way up n loads of misfires then no spark so ended up coasting back down that was interesting!

Anyways got to the bottom sent dad for some bits from home, new pickup, new leads n plugs no such look still no spark so after relenting and calling the breakdown my insurance one would have been hours then I tried one of the main bike recovery ones 155 quid for 9.5 miles but no one available drat haha!

The long push commenced up hill and down dale the nightmare was all the hills n some of the pavements are lethal.

Just about the width of the tyres an the councils answer where they had gone let's plant daffodils in the potholes lol

Made it home in the end after 6 hours of pushing n the route was 9.5 miles went the wrong way for a little bit so probably closer to 10.5

The worst bit was just as I got onto our road my legs went n I slipped n over we went! One bent Rh footrest later we got home luckily that took the brunt of it n the bars hanged off the curb.

Just looking into who to use to rebuild the mag at the moment and whether it's worth getting one of the easy caps.

Alls well that ends well we shall return to the cat and fiddle!

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Good Morning Tom sorry to read that.
I loved your rain video. Dave Lindsley is very good for vintage magneto.

Best of luck and have a good day
Martin