Quick Hello from a Norton Newbie

rvich said:

You might put a new topic up that says something like "Ontario area Norton Enthusiasts Needed For Help!"

If I were nearby I would be glad to load it in my truck for the prices of gas and the pleasure of knowing it was going to be restored.

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PM sent from a local forum user with a trailer hitch

KzJonny said:

I have no garage/shed or really any kind of outdoor shelter at my house, and everything is covered in 2 feet of snow. Bringing it back in a truck would be nice, but then it would end up sitting in the middle of a snow covered driveway for months. As it stands, I leave for New Zealand for a job in a little less than a month, so in my absence, the old girl will at least have a dry place to stay until a more permanent arrangement can be made!

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Put it in your living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and work on it where it is warm!



When I was at university, I had an 2nd floor apartment with a good friend of mine. We used his 400 Four as a plant stand for a huge fern (since he was too broke to fix it) and later we had a loft space where I would ride my C'do up the freight elevator and into the loft to work on it. The guy next door had a BSA and after I ran it down the hall the first time, he started bringing his BSA in as well.

Where in NZ? Plenty of Nortonaphiles down here.

I tend to look at working on Japanese bikes as a maintenance activity. I don't own a standard commando, however if I did, working on it would be a labour of love. It is almost back in the realm of W.O. Bentley's marvelous creations. Once you recognize it for what it is, the world will be different for you.

Do like Gortnipper and take her inside! My wife actually likes me bringing the bike inside to work on, as it keeps me within her reach. That, and she likes to help out. Man, am I blessed!

As others have already alluded to, and some things I learned on mine:
Focus on brakes and tires. Avon AM26 RoadRiders are working well. You can read what some have done as far as running with stock-size and re-laced rims here boranni-rims-t17187-30.html
Lighting; specifically, the headlamp. The stock bulb is 45/40W, which is pretty weak. Granted, you may not anticipate a lot of night-time riding, but it sure helps hedge your bets when you get stuck out late in the evening. Keep in mind that the stock stator only supplies 100 watts, so consider upping to a 200 watt drop-in unit http://www.ebay.com/itm/360546224026?ss ... 1423.l2649

Even though most of the regular blokes on this site are getting rather bored with me waving my own flag, here's a link to the recovery trip I took with mine. she-back-t16865.html

Have fun, and post lots of pictures! We like pictures...
Nathan

ALlright,

So perhaps this will cause a collective sigh of relief, but the mission to go and get the Norton was a partial success. That is, the bike is still in up where it was, in a garage and safe for the moment. However, on the plus side, I did come back with the plastic bins full of parts, tools and manual for the bike. I can't begin to describe the amount and range of general stuff that was sitting in that garage, but it really would have been a hobbyists paradise. I will take some photos of the whole place when go back, but suffice it to say, before things were sold off, there were 3 Austin Minis, a Miata, 2 motorcycles, a partially assembled plane, a riding lawnmower, and space for a functional woodshop, with plenty of room to walk around everything and open work space. It was a bit of a sad reminder to me that we don't know when we're gonna go, and to enjoy the family, friends and toys we have while there is time.

On a somewhat happier note, I got at least a few photos of Eadie, as the Norton will henceforth be known. She is in pretty rough shape, but at least mostly complete, as far as I can tell from a rather quick assesment, and given how little I know about these bikes. (Tho I am doing my research as time goes on!)









Obvious omissions so far as the silencers, and seat. I have at least found the tank and side panels in the boxes full of bits, and some other goodies. Including a complete gasket set, NOS chain, clutch puller and 3 manuals. No sign of a seat so far, but that may yet turn up as more of the places where my Uncle was storing random bits are searched through. If not, then I guess I will have to fab something up on my own. I am sure there will be a long list of parts that need replacement over time, but that will all come to light over time. For what it is worth, the bike only has 16K miles on it. So, I am hopeful that as long as the pistons aren't seized in the block, that major engine overhaul may not be necessary.

I can't say for sure which model it even is, as I've not gone through the boxes to confirm what all is there, but it seems to be a Roadster. I know he handle bars are not original, so I don't really think it is a Hi-rider, but that may be the case. In any event, it will probably be rebuilt as a Roadster if all the parts aren't there. I can't say I am keen on the appearance of the Hi-Rider configuration. Last photo; the luggage rack was clearly an addition as well, probably to hold a few things for the long trip my Uncle took down to New Mexico all those years ago.



More to come as I sift through all the bits I've found, and figure out where to start on organizing this giant mess.

Jon

I'll start by quickly saying 'Thanks!' again to everyone for the encouragement and suggesting. Rest assured I am reading everything, and taking it in. I am somewhat limited by space, and rather severely by funding, but i will do what I can to balance between the best options, and those that are within my reach.

grandpaul said:

If you are into a DOHC 650 four, you'll have no trouble with the Commando. A half-handful of special tools, a few home-made tools, a basic set of Whitworth wrenches and sockets, and you'll be good to go.

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I tend to agree with you on this one. The KZ650 in particular can be a difficult bike to work on in a few regards, ie: valve adjusting shims are located under the cover buckets, requiring head/valve removal to adjust valve lash. I won't go on about Kawi's here, doesn't see like the place, but they are my first love in motorcycles, and I've learned rather a lot from tinkering on them over the past few years. My 440 was also a parallel twin design, so there are some similarities with the Norton design.

staticmoves said:

Hey John...

I am just up the road in Barrie. PM me or call if you need to bounce some questions off someone over the phone.
for any specialty work you may not want to take on your self, you are fortunate enough to have Rick Harrett of Highway Cycle, just up the road in stoney creek. ( he knows his brit iron ) cheer........... 8)

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I will PM, and you might expect a call from me at some point yes. It's always nice to have people in the general area who are also enthusiasts and might have insight into problems which I can't get my head around. Eadie is in fact just right around your neighbourhood, in Orillia for the moment. The drive to go get her was nice, but I had forgotten what it was like being in the snow belt! Had to shovel a 4 foot berm to gain access to the garage door in front of her! Great advice on the cycle place in Stony Creek. That is a very short drive for me.

gortnipper said:

Put it in your living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and work on it where it is warm!

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I will probably do something very much like that. I don't think the flatmates would appreciate it being in the living/dining room very much, as I already use up most of the free space in the house with my hobbies and junk. I do have a semi-heated basement with a walk through, on which I built a ramp to get Lila (the KZ) in a year or so ago. I now just have extra incentive to get her finished and back together, to make room for Eadie. For the moment, I think it best to keep the place where the two are being work on separate. The last thing I need is begin confusing which bag of nuts and bolts are for which bike! However, working in the basement during the summer is a treat, since it is the coolest part of the house! Oh, I almost forgot; I will be working in Marlborough for a few months, and living with friends. Every time I go to NZ I think about buying a bike while I am there, but I have a hard time justifying the costs, and figuring out what to do with it when I leave. I may yet do it if I can find something small and cheap to scoot around on while I am there!

Phew. I will continue to post as I mentioned, but I can't spend all my time reading and doing research! I would, but then I would never get on to actual wrenching...

Cheers all!

Sorry to hear about your uncle - the bike is a great project and a great way to honour is memory.
That alloy is a mess but nothing you can't clean up :shock: , you'll love the grunty low end power of a Norton compared to inline 4s. Drop me a line if you need a hand (I'm in Toronto) - you are in good hands in this forum! and plus-one on the Rick Harret recommendation.

Come out to the CVMG rally in Paris, father's day weekend. Rick will be there, Walridge has lots of parts on sale....

Phil

Appreciating the conscious pressure to get projects done int tight conditions to make more life memories while we can. That sure looks to me like a HiRyder modified for real life. Will be a good bit lighter after the Al corrosion layers removed in finer and finer layers till shiny again, for a time. Don't kid your self about engine state, likely at least one bore needs its rusted bore redone, so figure on new pistons, as old ones likely the taboo comma oil slotted kind. I mostly have to work on mine after mid night- as days taken up with ordinary life and studies & forums through the night, so steal the wee hours to get some progress ahead. There's so much detailing I often thought I'd never get done and wondered how such complex things ever do.

I am another Norton enthusiast in Ontario [1968 fastback commando] and I agree with the above post about going to Paris [fathers Day weekend] I usually go Friday night and camp overnight and come home Sat afternoon it doesn't take long to walk around but you never know what you will find there ,
Best to make a list of things you want before you go also if you are buying from Walridge motors they will bring the parts to Paris if you let them know ahead saves you the shipping charges
I am up on Lake Huron near Kincardine good luck with the restoration
e mail walridge and get them to send you a catalogue before they run out again........sales@walridge.com
website is www.walridge.com
feel free to pm me

Sean

I think you should only remove what you have to remove to get the bike in the wagon. Drain oils in engine, oil tank, primary case and g/box first then lay the bike on a strong plastic sheet. Definitely remove the petrol tank and drain that or you will get high on the trip home. If you have to, remove the wheels, then guards and tail light and handlebars. Then consider the forks as mentioned. Removing the engine will only lighten the frame and cause you a headache trying to figure out what to do..

hobot said:

Don't kid your self about engine state, likely at least one bore needs its rusted bore redone, so figure on new pistons, as old ones likely the taboo comma oil slotted kind.

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I will try not to, and i reckon I am in for at least a top end rebuild. At best, it will need a honing, new valves, seats and probably guides and seals. At worst..... well, lets just not think about worst cases just yet. Thankfully, among other things I found going through the parts pile were a set of +0.010 pistons w/rings, new valves, and a complete gasket set. So... that should help. (Do you need an oversize gasket for that as well, or could a shop probably just shave the copper gasket to make it the correct fit? Also, I am completely unfamiliar with the taboo pistons of which you speak. Were these the ones with the tendanncy to shear at the skirt, and sprinkle shrapnel throughout the engine? I read something about those, but thought they were a problem on Combat/high compression engines. Please educate me!

In other news, attempt #2 to actually bring the old girl home will be this weekend. There was nowhere locally for me to get a hitch installed on time, and a friend of mine with a van offered up his time for gas and beer. (beer after the drive :wink: ) So, hopefully I can get her back shortly. It will still be some time before I can do much more than take a few photos, and perhaps sit back with a beer and contemplate where to begin. From looking at some of the parts (Ie, fibreglass tank and side panels, which are quite triangular and the handlebars) I think the assessment that this was a HiRider is very probably correct. Having stated before I am not a fan of chops, I am going to have to kind of go back on that and clarify that I am not a fan of chopper style bikes, so I don't think she will get rebuilt in that fashion. Since there is no seat, and many of the trim bits will have to be replaced or refurnished anyway, she will probably come back to life as a more 'standard' model, or maybe just as a stripped, cafe racer style to start. I've begun to look at replacement costs for some of the basic parts, and holy hannah!! Norton bits are pretty spendy. My Uncle was fairly weathy, and probably could just buy what he wanted to make this thing whole again. I however, am not, and having been laid off since the new year isn't helping. So I will likely try to recover as much as I can from the current bike, buy what I have to, and shoestring the rest. Kind of lends itself well to a cafe project, as I could build a new seat, get some cheapo Indian made body parts, and go from there. I am sure I will offend some purists going that route, but I promise not to cut off/chop up anything on the bike to make that happen. It is just the only way I can imagine being even being able to ever get this thing back to rideable condition.

On another plus side, I also seem to have been left with a full flow exterior oil filter kit, as well as a fork boot and Norton Lockhart front hydraulic caliper kit which were never installed. From what I've read these are smart upgrades? At least, the oil filter seems like a no brainer to me, but as always, I am happy to hear varied opinions. I've never ridden anything with drum brakes from and rear.... Are they enough to stop the bike effectively? I have my doubts, but if so, maybe the disc isn't really required.

I don't mean to get too far ahead of myself here. I expect this project to take a couple of years, so this is still in the realm of background research, but I've been doing my reading and am getting more intrigued with the idea of these bikes as time passes.

Cheers,
Jon

Well like your late uncle Jon, both know its a life time keeper project that will become one of the family to feed, yet may pay back its up keep more than some of the family. Collect rags and solvents and brushes, as first place to start is the handling foreplay teasing on what's to come, eventually. MIght be pretty cheap to get road worthy with the items on hand. IF well kept inside I'd just clean up, spiff up and see what happens. Otherwise there are no real short cuts on a fully fettering Cdo mechanical to electrical but take down to crank [don't bother to part crank as sludge traps only get just so much then self clear further] Start checking crank trueness and bearing conditon then work out from there, over some time and time again worship rituals. I get into neat flash backs and trace states just tooling along so maybe you might get a flash of being you uncle grinning in the wind on a noisy flying carpet.

It took me 5 years and more money in grand, so don't worry about it if you've got the time. Do it the best you can.

Dave

Enjoy as you go , I'm 10 years in and still fixing and riding and lots of fun
Craig

Well,

The old girl is home. Reasonably safe and sound covered up on my roofed porch for the time being. The priority for the moment remains getting the Kawi finished, to make room and free up time to begin on the Norton. I wanted to leave a last quick update for the moment, to say thanks to everyone who has chimed in had some advice. In NZ for the time being, and won't have a chance to do anything with the bikes for a while yet, but looking forward to getting back and having riding season on.

Once I get my head around the most reasonable place to start, I will do just that. In the meantime, safe riding all.

Cheers,
Jon