Production heads ready

Well, guys, after 18 months of gestation, I received my first three production heads on Friday. I didn't know they were coming so early so the photo is crap and doesn't do the thing justice. This particular head is going on my '73 850 Roadster this week. I should be riding it next weekend.
The heads are absolutely beautiful. A piece of functional art. Specs are as follows;

6061 T6 aluminium
All standard Norton parts will fit right on.
Externally identical to a standard Norton head, except the finish quality, which is exceptional.
Ports designed by James Comstock.
Phosphor bronze valve guides
Seats suitable for unleaded (of course)
850 heads available now, 750 heads in next batch of ten
Lighter than standard head
Stronger than standard head
CNC machined, including combustion chambers for identical volumes.
Satin blasted external finish
More meat around exhaust ports
Half inch valve guides on both 850 and 750 heads. The larger factory 5/8 ths guides on the 850 being unneccesarily large.
Valve seals included



See Mick Hemmings in the UK, Matt at Colorado Norton Works in the US and Ben at British Imports in Perth, Western Australia on (08 9375 9755).
The rest of the world can contact any of these three gentlemen, as they will be the only distributors. Dealers, contact these gents for pricing.
Any questions, ask away.........

Brilliant!

Oh, and all heads are pressure tested before despatch.

Thanks Paul, my pleasure.

why would you take a step backwards with the valve guides,has the amount the head will shrink changed in the last 40 years? or does someone know more than the poms did back then,nice looking product though may have to purchase one soon

splatt said:

why would you take a step backwards with the valve guides,has the amount the head will shrink changed in the last 40 years? or does someone know more than the poms did back then,nice looking product though may have to purchase one soon

Click to expand...

My guess would be the modern materials and more accurate castings would negate the valve guide issue.

[quote="ludwig
If the poms knew it so well 'back then' why are they all out of buisiness ??
totaly incompetent management

I don't think the strength of the alloy will be an issue. I think I am way ahead of the old game.
Regarding the downsizing of the valve guides, ask anyone who knows Nortons well and they'll tell you that going to the 5/8 " diameter guides was a waste of time.

splatt said:

why would you take a step backwards with the valve guides,has the amount the head will shrink changed in the last 40 years? or does someone know more than the poms did back then,nice looking product though may have to purchase one soon

Click to expand...

You're right about the poms knowing stuff back then. I don't think Harrop Engineering, who have done all the work for me, have the correct stick to get the preload on the milling machine just right..............................

ludwig said:

I also believe that the alloy used for the 850 is worse than the early 750 heads

Click to expand...

its like the alloy in the 850 head was cast at to low a temperature, probably also the cause of poreous heads. Nearly all manufactures use at least 14mm od guides with an 8mm stem I wonder why? although 8mm stems are dying rapidly in petrol engines.

I believe that the Norton Rally is to be in Colorado in a few weeks? If you want to see one of these heads in the flesh, Matt at CNW will have a couple to view.
In fact, I'll make sure he does.

Nice! Can't wait.

Well, guys, I'm flying out to Melbourne tomorrow and I'm spending a couple of days at Harrop Engineering. There are six heads having valve seats fitted and cut as we speak and they are casting another ten heads this week as well. The six heads are sold to the UK and USA. I'm taking my camera this time and I'll have some good pictures which I will post when I get home next Wednesday. The next ten will be ready within about four weeks, so, hopefully, supply will not be a problem after this time. The production heads have turned out so well that I have given the thumbs up to complete the first batch of fifty. I have a man waiting for the first 750 head. He lives in Melbourne and rides his '72 Combat to and from work every day and has 195,000 miles on it!

Amazing.

Fullauto
very nice work, I will be running something on your new heads in our next NOCNZ newsletter to let people know whats up, if you want to send a pic or two i could include them - don't think i can copy off the forum?

The casting around the intake rocker spindles has always bothered me. I have a head that sits on the self because the inboard boss is stretched and it's too small to bush. Did you make any changes there? Stunning, beautiful!

ntst8 said:

Fullauto
very nice work, I will be running something on your new heads in our next NOCNZ newsletter to let people know whats up, if you want to send a pic or two i could include them - don't think i can copy off the forum?

Click to expand...

Sure you can. Just right-click and then click "save picture as..."

grandpaul said:

Sure you can. Just right-click and then click "save picture as..."

Click to expand...

Just shows i'm nearly as good with the comp as i am at wrenching.
In my defence i use an Apple at home, no right click and the edit stuff didn't seem to work. As my school reports used to say - i must try harder.

On a mac hold control and click mouse to copy pics

Thanks Pelican, i'm the one who bought the Mac but i always find it a struggle.
And now back to Nortons ...

It's hard to switch because it's so different, but sooooo much more simple

Hey Fullauto, Congrats mate on them heads! Pure Norton Porn to say the least!!
Regards FOXY