Norton 650SS engine rebuild woes

Triton Thrasher said:
Ben knows his Nortons and posts some good stuff. When he posts tripe, it's so obvious that it's unlikely to mislead anyone. As for the judgemental stuff he posts about the owners and quoting out of context to score internet points- who cares? Don't complain about him and get him banned- he's useful and a good laugh.

Although he's probably going over the score in this thread, he has a point. Anyone who will destroy dozens of tools removing that slag sounds a bit obsessive to me. The "big ports and carbs" performance idea sounds so misguided that it makes you wonder about the owner's aptitude for old bike fixing. If you have a 650SS running properly as standard, it is about as fast as such a roadgoing british twin can practically and safely be: even if you know a power tuning trick that actually works, don't do it!
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What is this Pick on the Handicapped Day?

You and your friend beng have no idea of who I am or what I have done or are capable of (or most of the others on this forum for that matter), yet he feels it is his place to critique the work of others and insult people on every post in this forum and you support him. Most people come here to this forum to share ideas gain information and knowledge, ask for advice and guidance, enjoy the camaraderie they have with like minded others. When a person here asks for an opinion he/she expects advice encouragement or guidance, not to be ridiculed or insulted.

I asked a simple question if I should port the head while its in the machine shop, and all the advice I politely received was its probably too much,
your friend says
beng said:
The head will be better hogged out to 32mm?
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and your reply
Triton Thrasher said:
The "big ports and carbs" performance idea sounds so misguided that it makes you wonder about the owner's aptitude for old bike fixing. If you have a 650SS running properly as standard, it is about as fast as such a roadgoing british twin can practically and safely be: even if you know a power tuning trick that actually works, don't do it!
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You support him and contradict yourself, so I'm confused as to why I'm misguided for asking a question, and did I deserve to be insulted again.

A wise man once said there are no stupid questions just stupid answers?

I have been wrenching on anything that had an engine since I was 15, I put my self through collage as a licensed A & P mechanic and have worked on airplanes, helicopters, cars lawnmowers and even a motorcycle once.

I joined the U.S army to be a helicopter pilot and served proudly for 27 years. I had many varied jobs; I was a test pilot, I ran a fairly large maintenance facility, was a flight instructor at the Army Aviation School, and was an Aviation Accident Investigator. I have been formally trained in all these areas and even though I have some physical limitations, I can recall a little about, Aerodynamics, Structures, Metallurgy, and Aircraft Maintenance. I think I Know the difference between friction and Drag (all 3 types) how lift is created and effected in sub/trans and supersonic airflow, what makes a golfball fly and a brick for that matter, I know what a broken connecting rod looks like that resulted from poor maintenance practices why it broke and why people died because of it.

After 27 years in the U.S. ARMY and my last tour in Iraq, the VA has determined that my Disabilities are too great, and that I am no longer employable. I work when I am up to it and and do what ever it is I want or can, so it is my prerogative to spend as much time on any part I want to. If I all I can do is sit there with a rag and some Brasso and make tiny circles for 12 hours a day and only get a small part polished, so be it, I don't think it is deserving of further insults.
Triton Thrasher said:
Although he's probably going over the score in this thread, he has a point. Anyone who will destroy dozens of tools removing that slag sounds a bit obsessive to me.
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If I took the advice of people like you and beng, I would be sitting on the couch feeling sorry for myself, getting fat or getting drunk at the local VFW telling war stories and rotting the rest of my life away. But I'm not, I'm going to enjoy my motorcycles and the company of good people who know the difference between constructive criticism and insults and if you and your friend can't refrain from the insults please don't post on my threads.

My sincere apologies to all and thank you for your support and guidance, may we please get back to doing what we love and have fun!
 
Greg, some people take this stuff much too seriously, they think you and I are working on these old machines to make them competitive. I am not, and I am sure you are not either, to me it is a form of sculpture, a working rolling sculpture, if a part does not look good to me, I make it look the way I want. I can understand your determination to clean up castings and polish parts because that how YOU want it to look.

Jean
 
Jean, I feel the exact same way.

I saw this commando with old featherbed stile Roadholder gaiters, and norvil tank and fell in love.

To me it is a piece of art. To most it is an abomination.
Norton 650SS engine rebuild woes


I am going to build one like this someday.
 
I certainly hope the recent rash of ignorance and negativity on this forum doesn't discourage those of you who have been sharing your builds, ideas and thoughts on custom bikes. I enjoy all of them immensely. Though I think it is good to have others throw out their ideas as well, I do not think blatantly insulting and negative comments (beng) or their support (triton trasher) should be condoned or accepted. There is a decent and an indecent way to drive your point home.
 
Yes in an ideal world no-one would be as big a meanie as BenG is on forums. I've met old bike people who talk the way he writes and they're very insufferable.

But it's only small text on a screen from someone we'll never meet.

And credit where due- there is a school of thought that says mirror-polishing rods is the wrong thing to do for strength.
 
Ya ideal, but that type of behavior still shouldn't be accepted with open arms and in most cases is unnecessary. Defending it tells a lot about ones integrity. birds of a feather flock together sort of thing :wink:
 
Yeah I guess it counts among my many shortcomings- sometimes he's so nasty it makes me giggle.

Apparently, BenG sometimes calls himself Featherbred. This is the first time I heard from him: broken link removed
 
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So......if in fact this is the same person, he's lived with this condition for some time now. Pity.
 
"It is a source of never-ending amusement, watching people mistake what exists only in their heads, for what is outside them....."


C'mon....be honest. Your shrink told you that, right? Thought so. You really do need more work.
 
850cmndo said:
"It is a source of never-ending amusement, watching people mistake what exists only in their heads, for what is outside them....."
.
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I prefer old radio comedies myself, for amusement.
 
Update:

Push Rods polished.
Magneto Cleaned blasted bearings greased. The key on the points mounting plate is worn off so the points rotate I will need to find a new one.

I cleaned and polished the oil lines and breather tube, so I mounted it all up to the case to check fit befor the case goes to the have the cracked mounts fixed.
Norton 650SS engine rebuild woes


Norton 650SS engine rebuild woes


Norton 650SS engine rebuild woes


Anyone know why the M was over stamped on what appeared to be a SS?

Norton 650SS engine rebuild woes


Norton 650SS engine rebuild woes
 
Mag repair guys will remake the key on a rotating points plate.

On the other hand, unless you often remove and replace the plate, lack of a key doesn't matter very much: the taper will hold the plate.
 
Jeandr said:
You should start a polishing business 8)

Jean
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LOL

Jean, polishing is about all the business I get. There is not much money in it but I'm Still having fun, it pays for materials and beer so far but someday I'm hoping to have it pay the rent :D
 
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