Recommend Cylinder Boring Service in the US.

marshg246

marshg246

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I have one set of cylinders out to be bored - promised turn aorund 2-4 weeks. So far I'm in 6 weeks with no idea when they will be done. I have another set I need bored - not using them.

They were one of five recommended to me when I asked around:
1) Them, in Seattle cost a LOT to ship.
2) One 5 miles away - their machine is not working properly and don't plan to fix it - wanted me to tell them who to use!
3) One 35 miles away - never heard of Norton and only "tries" to do motorcycle cylinders if they have nothing better to do.
4) One in Wisconsin - moving his shop and not taking work until Winter or maybe Spring
5) One in California - never answered the phone or replied to emails.

Also, cNw, Matt has too much work and not taking more this year.
Comstock, hasn't had time for the two crankshafts I sent long ago so there's no point in asking.

Does anyone have a reliable, decently priced, boring shop willing to do Norton cylinders in a timely manner in the US?
 
Big D cycle in Dallas did both a Norton and a Trident. That was a few years back but had couple of day turn around.
 
marshg246 said:
I have one set of cylinders out to be bored - promised turn aorund 2-4 weeks. So far I'm in 6 weeks with no idea when they will be done. I have another set I need bored - not using them.

They were one of five recommended to me when I asked around:
1) Them, in Seattle cost a LOT to ship.
2) One 5 miles away - their machine is not working properly and don't plan to fix it - wanted me to tell them who to use!
3) One 35 miles away - never heard of Norton and only "tries" to do motorcycle cylinders if they have nothing better to do.
4) One in Wisconsin - moving his shop and not taking work until Winter or maybe Spring
5) One in California - never answered the phone or replied to emails.

Also, cNw, Matt has too much work and not taking more this year.
Comstock, hasn't had time for the two crankshafts I sent long ago so there's no point in asking.

Does anyone have a reliable, decently priced, boring shop willing to do Norton cylinders in a timely manner in the US?
Click to expand...
For cylinders I've used Racers Machine in Escondido, CA. For cranks I like Marine Crankshaft in Santa Ana, CA.

Racers will want your pistons and then will bore for the clearance you want. They also install sleeves. Marine do a great job and really pack well. Unlike Mile High Crankshaft who seem a bit careless with handling and prone to damage.

And if you want welding and history, then the real life, in person, Rob North (yes, the actual Rob North, 80's now, not the company who sells frames using his name) still provides metal artistry in National City , nr San Diego.
 
Engine Dynamics in Petaluma, California has great turnaround time, does great work, follows sizing needs, and provides good feedback. Very easy to work with and no games where you parts sit in their shop for months/years. Been working with them for more than 10 years.
 
I think the issue is most shops are so busy they don't have time or interest to deal with phones etc.
This may be the shop that didnt return your calls.
Believeable as they are always busy.

Q and E – Engine & Machine Shop / Q&E

Complete engine reconditioning facility. Authorized Wiseco piston distributor. Located in Anaheim, California
qande.com

PM sent..
 
I use E&V Engineering in Howard City Michigan; they've always done a great job and were timely.
 
MichaelB said:
I think the issue is most shops are so busy they don't have time or interest to deal with phones etc.
This may be the shop that didnt return your calls.
Believeable as they are always busy.

Q and E – Engine & Machine Shop / Q&E

Complete engine reconditioning facility. Authorized Wiseco piston distributor. Located in Anaheim, California
qande.com

PM sent..
Click to expand...
+1 on Q&E That is a good shop, bona fide and reasonable price. They did my N15CS, bored .040, and milled the spigots off because I had a much better cylinder head from a later non-spigot model to use. All good now. I found some .040 over NOS pistons and they fitted them. It took months but was during Covid. They were swamped. They know Nortons. Also down the street is Marine Crankshaft in Santa Ana, really good work done on mine.
 
Update, at 7 weeks to the date that the cylinders arrived in Seattle, I got a call that they were starting on them. They said 2-4 weeks when I sent them.
 
Motown1 said:
Richter Machine shop located at Baxter Cycle in Marne Iowa.
Click to expand...
I've been writing (where possible) those recommended and calling the rest. Richter is the first to write back - that's good. This is probably OK: "The pricing needs to be changed on my website. I charge 200 for that service now. I apologize for that. turnaround time would be four weeks. I am a solo shop and have a lot of work but try and keep smaller jobs a priority."

According to his web site, he blasts, bores, hones to size, and paints for $160 plus shipping back. I'm OK with two hundred but not excited about four weeks. If it were a bike I was building to sell or keep, I would not care but for a customer's bike I need better.

BTW, I've been quoted as low as $80/hole for bore and hone and as high as $215 for a twin for bore and hone. Those are without blasting and painting, so his price is good - it generally takes a whole can to paint a set of Norton cylinders.
 
marshg246 said:
I've been writing (where possible) those recommended and calling the rest. Richter is the first to write back - that's good. This is probably OK: "The pricing needs to be changed on my website. I charge 200 for that service now. I apologize for that. turnaround time would be four weeks. I am a solo shop and have a lot of work but try and keep smaller jobs a priority."

According to his web site, he blasts, bores, hones to size, and paints for $160 plus shipping back. I'm OK with two hundred but not excited about four weeks. If it were a bike I was building to sell or keep, I would not care but for a customer's bike I need better.

BTW, I've been quoted as low as $80/hole for bore and hone and as high as $215 for a twin for bore and hone. Those are without blasting and painting, so his price is good - it generally takes a whole can to paint a set of Norton cylinders.
Click to expand...
AJ does great work and is really busy. Look no further than his instagram to see some of the quality work he does plus he is a really nice guy and helps out where he can

You’d be lucky to get that kind of price in California.
 
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