Norton 1927 16H Flat tanker a preservation restoration

Thanks Martin she will return to the Cat hopefully before I move

Been doing some thinking though I've decided before I ride her again to fit some Wired On Rim's from the safety side of things my front tyre has started to develop a split in the sidewall from all the endless curbs I had to bounce it up (always check over tyres before every ride)

So rather than spend on a beaded edge tyre again makes sense to get the safer wheel Rims on similar to the fix I did to my 68 Commando frame safety first

Can always hang the original rims up for prosperity.

Had a few quotes on the mag so far n it looks about 6 weeks for the mag n 12 weeks for the wheels problem being the wheels range from 700-1000 dependent on who I use and tyre choice. So that's out of the question for now funds wise.

So I've been having to regroup regarding my current Norton restos n try get them into a cost effective batting order.

My thoughts so far are as follows

The WD16H is the closest if I get her running and don't keep hunting for the period correct rack but I've got paperwork to sort which could take a few months n I've got to do the wiring.

The 650ss daily is off the road as the windings are going in the K2F an I've done that much millage in it I'd like to take the top end off n inspect stuff but we all know that usually leads to doing extra stuff.

Flat tanker is gonna need a mag rebuild + 1k on the wheels so that's out of the question even if I got them sent off now it'd be 6-12 weeks before she's back on the road. I'll probably try n scrape together n get the magneto done though.

That leads me onto the 68' Commando I could half the remaining build cost of her by pulling the oil pump from the 650ss which is a six start. That leaves me with a rotor/stator to get repaint and a spin on oil filter assy. The good news being its got new carbs all the engines been rebuilt by yours truly chassis is all done with the Norman White frame update so I'm hoping itl be the quickest bike to get on the road oh an I need to repaint it but that's easy enough now I've decided on a paint colour.

It feels weird from riding Nortons daily to for the first time in 12 years not having one in running condition it was inevitable it would happen eventually with riding them 365 days a year an with being a bit tight on funds till I've moved house n got back in work I've not been able to do all the preventative stuff I'd usually do like magnetos being a matter of course.

The good news is at least the Commando and the WD16H aren't a million miles of done.

Dying to ride the flat tanker again as I was having so much fun! The good thing is it gives me a chance to do some other bits on her like a decoke and see what condition the guides and bore is in

Absolutely beautiful.

Thanks mate

Started taking the timing chest apart today and getting ready to remove the mag next task is the gear on the end of the Cam.

Found one other thing wrong that will need dealing with the Best and Lloyd pump housing has had a shoddy repair when the previous owner fitted the tell tale so thatl need replacing just gotta decide on who to use for the Mag rebuild now once it's off I'm gonna get stuck in on taking the top end apart for a decoke and measure up

Turning into a propper build now

Found this lovely little bodge on the one part of the bike you don't wanna risk a bodge on! For anyone that doesn't know that's the oil pump main feed to the engine!!!

Anyone spot the problem

Tom, did you get my pm re the Commando oil pump?

Glen

I didn't Glen nothing came through lemme pm you my email

norton_rider said:

Turning into a propper build now

Found this lovely little bodge on the one part of the bike you don't wanna risk a bodge on! For anyone that doesn't know that's the oil pump main feed to the engine!!!

Anyone spot the problem

Click to expand...

Not exactly where I would use an o ring.

Indeed the worst bit is the aroldite the previous owner smashed the pump housing then did that they are made out of monkey metal not the best of fixes when new housings are available can see where the oil was starting to leak was under inches of dirt which was why I missed it something to add to the list

Hopefully tomorrow when two tools I'm waiting on arrive I can get the timing mag sprocket off and remove the timing cover an mag then its time to pull the cylinder decoke and inspect the top end

Hi everyone so had such a productive afternoon on the flat tanker

Got the magneto removed and ready to send off on Monday.

N pulled the engine cylinder to ready to decoke

Looks like she's still on her original Iron piston to.

All doesn't look to bad next step is to measure the bores up guessing getting hold of oversize pistons is tricky so hopefully it's ok.

I have been filming as I go along which I'll be uploading over the next week or so

Engine


Timing chest




Piston



Bore



Exhaust valve

Mag went off today in the post

Been starting the clean up polishing the engine up. Started on the cylinder tonight as well which is coming up great.

Hi everyone sorry I've been so quiet the shoulder injury kept me out of action alot longer than I intended got the mag back in place just need to sort a new magneto chain and a set of footrest's thinking wd ones will be the best option as they are identical length to the original bracket part but without the sideways upward curve in the middle of the bracket. I'll post some pics tomorrow

Latest update engine's back together just waiting on sorting a magneto chain out and a set of footrests and she's good to go so close!

Finally a bit of progress got the Magneto chain after quite a bit of working out and one wrong one!

Tomorrow's job is to sus out if the washer is from behind the nut that drives the oil pump that sits on the end of the cam or its the exhaust mount one. Unfortunately few bits got jumbled while I was making room to work on the Commando. It's a 1/2" x 1/8" 38 rollers on my gears that are fitted.

Hopefully have it timed up tomorrow then I can order some castrol r and I can give it a first start with the mag once I can move the Commando out of the way again exciting times!

Why Castrol R? Personally I prefer Morris C40 or C50 castor oils. Some I've spoken to says it keeps engine cleaner and don't clog the oilways. Have run the Manx with Morris oil for some years now.

If you’re gonna use R you’ll have to change it VERY regularly.

And you gotta remember it’s like treacle when cold, so careful and prolonged warming up is required before giving it the beans.

Previous owner was running Castrol R an yep i change the oil in it every couple of rides with the age of the bike and the unavailability of parts it always seems like good piece of mind For relative low cost. I'll check that out Mike as I'd like to keep it on Castor based oil so having other options for castor is handy.

What I tend to do as well is drop the 280ml (half an imperial pint according to the 1928 manual) Georges book also states 200ml so anyone reading do your own research that the engine needs in the cases measure that out then direct fill the crank cases so I know it's got that in it.

I'll check those out Mike. Will do Eddie up to now she's got 170 miles or so on her through last winter before the magneto went pop looking forward to getting her going next week when it warms up a notch today's job is to finish the timing on the magneto and sus that washer out, then I need to set the valve clearances for the new base gasket I made it's gonna be really exciting seeing her back together oh and paint the footrest bracket I got to.

You may have mentioned this earlier but...
The oil pump on this bike doesn't actually "pump". It meters fresh oil (there should only ever be fresh oil in the tank) into the timing chest at a rate that can be varied by the rider (drip-drip-drip), which then overflows into the crankcase.
The crankcase is normally "primed" with about 150-200ml of fresh oil. The overflow from the timing chest should be such that it makes up for oil consumed around the piston and, um, er, leaks.
A check with a dipstick through the filling hole at the front of the crankcase will tell you if you've got the oil flow right.
The oil from the crankcase should be drained and refilled at an "interval" that is dependent on engine condition and environment.
BTW, this type of engine doesn't have oil galleries and such so modern oils are a waste. A good single or multigrade mineral oil will look after it well.
Cheers

norton_rider said:

Previous owner was running Castrol R an yep i change the oil in it every couple of rides with the age of the bike and the unavailability of parts it always seems like good piece of mind For relative low cost. I'll check that out Mike as I'd like to keep it on Castor based oil so having other options for castor is handy.

What I tend to do as well is drop the 280ml (half an imperial pint according to the 1928 manual) Georges book also states 200ml so anyone reading do your own research that the engine needs in the cases measure that out then direct fill the crank cases so I know it's got that in it.

I'll check those out Mike. Will do Eddie up to now she's got 170 miles or so on her through last winter before the magneto went pop looking forward to getting her going next week when it warms up a notch today's job is to finish the timing on the magneto and sus that washer out, then I need to set the valve clearances for the new base gasket I made it's gonna be really exciting seeing her back together oh and paint the footrest bracket I got to.

Click to expand...

I accidentally drank some r40 at a party in shepton mallet Somerset many years ago
Sorry for thread derailment!

baz said:

I accidentally drank some r40 at a party in shepton mallet Somerset many years ago
Sorry for thread derailment!

Click to expand...

Did your farts have that distinctive R "smell"?

Thanks guys yep I'd covered that a few pages ago Rob, 200ml pre filled went and ran the bike the drip feed pump didn't replenish enough to maintain the prefil dropped 20ml so then ended up turning the pump up n job was a gooden

On re assembly today hit a few issues and I think I know what goosed the mag on the previous owner an caused me an 11 mile push lol.

With the mag shield off you can comfortably pivot the magneto plate to get the required chain slack on the mag chain with the previous owners setup when the mag shield is on with the mounting rod it's not got enough adjustment and it's pointing downwards towards the front wheel so thinking of trying a thinner nut and failing that taking some off the magneto plate as that looks totally out of place on the bike so must have been a later addition at some point and wondering if it's to thick.

Bit of a progress update on the flat tanker

Got the magneto finished and installed unfortunately I was having some issues with getting stable ignition timing again at first, first kick starts which was a revelation, after a few goes at setting the timing an a longer ride out where she was whipping along at 55 mph she developed a feeling of loss of advance a series of missfires an then 0 unfortunately it looks like the repair to the casting has failed so the magneto has gone off to be checked an to confirm my suspicions luckily was only a 5 mile or so push an down hill this time with lot's of news agents along the way!

Should have some riding footage coming over the next few days, one thing's for sure she's an absolutely terrific bike to ride an the sense of history is immense.