Regular Riders?

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BillT

BillT

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I was wondering how many here have been riding their Norton on a regular basis.
Mine was a basket case in January when I got it, and got it to a pretty well-sorted runner by the end of September. I find I've been taking it out two or three times a week since, and have put a little over 2500 miles on it.
I don't know if I would ride solo to Daytona (about 600 miles round trip) or Ft. Myers (about 300 r/t), but I find myself taking out the Norton as often as I take out the Triumph. Both are very enjoyable rides, but for different reasons.

I guess I want to know if there are any issues that may pop up with regular riding. We're finally getting into the ideal riding season down here in SoFla
 
If the bike is happy - ride it! These machines are made to chug along for hours - I regularly take mine out for 4-6 hour rides. Keep everything adjusted, lubed and enjoy!
 
I ride mine when it's running right. After I figure out the problem with the electrical I will ride it more. As of now my shovelhead is still under construction so the Norty is my only running machine. I might ride it in the summer during the Poncho run in Texas with my uncle. That ride is 1000 miles in 4 days. I won't be afraid to take it if all the bugs are out.
 
Till the weather turned, I was riding every chance I got. More often than not, it's dog reliable.

It does seem to break things or rattle them loose on a regular basis though. Coil was hanging by one bolt pulling home from the office one day - and they were nylocks with split washers. Now loc-tited as well. Bullet connector for the ignition pulled out another. Nicely fabbed exhaust bracket cracked straight through on the dyno (made a new one that's twice as thick and one-third wider - we'll see how long that lasts).

Teething pains, that's all. Not a whisper of trouble with the major mechanical systems. Should be able to rack serious miles next spring - and plan to.
 
Just be sure to loctite all the nuts and bolts and ride, I know how you feel about taking it on long rides as I was the same way. But now she has made me feel much better about going for long rides. Me and the old lady go on long rides quite often and the bike just purrs and purrs. I can be on the freeway at 70 and then get off and stop and the bike just idles perfect. just look it over carefully and go!!!! Ride safe, Chuck. :D :D
 
My 75 MarkIII Interstate is the ONLY classic BritBike in my collection that I'd trust to take me cross country with no issues.

...unless I remove the number plates and install lights on my '69 Bonnie AHRMA race bike. But, I'd be a lot less comfy after about a half hour on the road!
 
Hi Bill. I do not get to ride my 1970 Fastback enough because of the white stuff that falls from the sky this time of year in Colorado.

As a Floridian, i am jealous until I ride the mountains in Summer/Fall.

Go over all bolts and fasteners at least once a month. The stock engine to frame bolts are poor and should be replaced with quality steel. A Norton is really shaking itself apart all of the time. If you keep an eye on all fasteners you should be fine.

I am hoping to bring my bike with me this time to Speedweek. Maybe we will meet at Nortona 2009?
Good riding
Mike
 
Nortona 2009?

I'm intrigued :)

Past 800 miles have been event-free, and its a pleasure to start now that I've replaced the 'starter' (had a 'racing spares' lever on it, but the pedal sloped down past horizontal on it, making starts difficult unless standing next to the bike. Now I have a new Mk III lever - $175 for the assembly- ouch!)

Bike has had issues that seem fairly common - cracking 850-style exhaust pipes, crank oil seal leaking into primary, tach drive oil leak, oil leaks in general, bad boyer box, loose connection at distributor pickup, swing arm bushes, gasahol attacking the tank, clutch cable pulling through its end plug, etc. I think my Triumph was getting a little jealous of the attention the Norton was getting, and its stator went, taking the regulator/rectifier with it. While waiting for parts, Speedy had to stay in the garage while the Norton got ALL the saddle time.

I did have a scare a couple of weeks ago, though. I started the bike and put it out at the end of the drive on its side stand to warm up while I put on my gear. It sat like that for maybe five minutes. As I went out to the bike to start my ride, I noticed blue smoke coming out of the left pipe. I thought, "what now, stuck ring? suddenly worn valve guide?" It was then that I realized the bike was at such an angle that the oil was pooling around the left exhaust valve, and dripping down the valve stem. Sure enough, after ten minutes of riding, no more sign of smoke!
 
I can't help but reply on this subject. My 71 norton has had more of my time than my family gets, but not all has been riding. I have spent many hours sitting beside this bike with wrenches in hand. After riding this bike one trip I sold my bmw k75s. I would rather sit and work on these old nortons than ride a boring bike. Ride them till they die then put them back together. Always with a smile.
 
I'm sure many of you have seen the old Triumph T-shirt with the motto:

Ride, Wrench, Repeat


True, true.
 
The shirt sounds like fun!
I used a Norton for my only transport many years ago, it was what I could afford and treated me well. The early Commando was a great bike for the SF area, it was cool here so overheating was not an issue, and the fine handling was great for dodging taxis. An occasional ride up the coast to Marin or down to Alice's Resturant in Woodside was very rewarding.
I have yet to get my current bike in what I consider good riding condition, but I think it will be relegated to the fun ride part of my stable.
 
Don`t be afraid to ride properly set up norton anywhere!

I have rode from Toronto to Tennesse in one day putting over 800 miles in a little over 12 hours. The next day I rode it to Indiantown, Fla.(another 500 miles or so).

When I left Toronto it was working well, when I got to Florida it was working very well.
 
Regular Riders?


loaded up to head out for 10 days on the road
 
That Triumph T-shirt is an old faithful from a place called 'Lowbrow Customs'

Front is a skull with crossed wrenches, rear is the Triumph logo super-imposed over the patent plate, with 'Ride, Wrench, Repeat' underneath.

Somebody should make one for Norton (and BSA, Vincent, Matchless, etc.)

http://lowbrowcustoms.com/index.asp
 
mcns said:
Don`t be afraid to ride properly set up norton anywhere!

I have rode from Toronto to Tennesse in one day putting over 800 miles in a little over 12 hours. The next day I rode it to Indiantown, Fla.(another 500 miles or so).

When I left Toronto it was working well, when I got to Florida it was working very well.
Click to expand...

Did you ride the Tail of the Dragon?

Jean
 
I`m not familiar with that road, I took 75 interstate all the way once I got south of the border (it was november and a little chilly).
 
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