lrutt said:
My 73 is all original. Exhaust (fluted and too quiet), points, amal but with premier anodized slide, clutch etc. No modifications other than the carby slide. Everytime I ride the bike I am so impressed how well it works for being 43 years old and original. It's an amazing machine. I like to keep bikes original as it better relays the experience of riding a bike from that era. My Honda Dream is scary for pathetic brakes and power, my 750 Honda even at 40 years old is just so ..... appliance like. It just works. The Guzzi, Norton, Trimphs, all communicate back to me what riding was like back then and all those bikes are amazingly competent when set up properly. I can make the Norton 'better' possibly (although I've seen many that have been 'improved' and didn't start as well as mine) but if I really want a more modern riding experience I'll ride my Ducati Monster. IMO there is absolutely nothing wrong with a stock Norton, they work extremely well.
There's really nothing wrong with points on a motorcycle since very few people run high mileage per year. Even if you do it's not much of an issue as ignition points were one thing that Lucas excelled at. I have Norton Commando dual points ignition fitted to my Vincent Rapide. Apparently this was a bit of a Vincent hop-up in the 70s. One set of points lasted 40,000 miles and would have gone even further with a bit of filing.
I fitted new Japanese replacement points instead and those only made it 300 miles before wearing out!
Back to NOS Lucas points and the ignition is something I maybe look at every other year, if that.
With points you get a very hot spark at kick over due to the dwell time, so the easy starting is typical. This bike is a half kick starter.
You can also easily purchase and carry a complete new ignition for touring. And most of us old guys know how to fit any of the components roadside, should that ever be needed.
In 55,000 miles,I haven't had any problems from the points ignition, save the one self-induced Japanese points problem.
