Does it need shimming, sometime I think most over think things with shimming end float/ play, I have rebuilt/assembled a few Norton motors including my own 2x and I have never checked the end float on the crank, new bearings and slap them together, the 3 motors I put together for mates and 2 motors for friends of friends (paid rebuilds) and all motors are still running without problems (well 2 were sold on but still going) all the rebuilds the owners got machine work and parts that was needed all I did was to pull them down and put back together when everything that was needed to be done.
Seems the factory didn't worry about end play, motor, gearbox, primary all seems to have built in end float/play of sorts, but once everything is button up tight, rotating parts with a bit of end float/play seem to find their sweet spot when running.
Well this is my thinking, and it has worked for me in the 47+ years of owning my Norton and helping mates as well a few paid rebuilds without shimming over the years, but I only done rebuilds/assemble for others in the last 20 years.
I am retired now and only work on my own Norton when needed, no more paid or mates jobs just too time-consuming waiting for owners to get things done or waiting for them to get the parts needed.
Ashley
