1950 NORTON "BIG 4" going for Land SPeed Record ?

Hello Casey, we met this year at BMST.
As far as fuel and octane go... you won't need any fancy gas.
These low compression engines actually like running low octane fuels.

I ran my bike in the fuel class and just used 87 octane ethanol free gas from my local co-op.
My 9.2 compression ratio didn't need the expensive race fuel, and I didn't have to bother with buying the event supplied race gas from the fuel truck.

I would seriously suggest that you don't do anything to that engine that could make it even more fragile.
Build it as durable and dependable as possible so that you can spend your time making passes down the track instead of working on your bike in the pits (it's much more fun that way).

"To finish first... first you must finish."
 
Last edited:
You mustve seen this . http://www.vintagenorton.com/2016/06/tuning-wd16h-norton.html

Then theres the story of the Kiwi at the C M C R C first year stock ish , got ten mph per year . UNTILL the tenth year it disintegrated with no components left useable . You might say it protested .

If you are going to tweak it up , std Norton thingamehows would apply to the bottom end etc .
The Kiwi 8.000 RPM 500T was all custom however , there may be a limit to the rpm theyll stand .

A thought crossed my mind , F Head , I.o.E , The J A P UCZ both valves are identical . So a dual exhaust with ovehead inlet is possable if not entirely reasonable .
Youd have to say the valves are a bit masked in the sidey ,


Next thing he'll be putting an alloy head on it .
Kinda thing you could make in your back yard .
 
Last edited:
Don O'Donovan (top photo), who worked for Norton until the mid-1920's, tuning their BS (Brooklands Special - an example of which he is astride) and BRS (Brooklands Road Special) 500cc models.

1950 NORTON "BIG 4" going for Land SPeed Record ?


June 14, 1915, this photo was snapped after taking the flying-start kilometer record at 82.85mph. This is a single-speed, direct belt drive machine, with no clutch and almost no suspension .
 
Hello all! Hope everything has been great for you. I know I have not posted on this project for some time now but if this is new to you, I am getting this 1950 Norton Big 4 ready to ride at Bonneville this year.

I had to step away from this Big 4 project for a bit. To be honest, once I dug into the Norton I found that it needed way too much work than what I had time for. As far as Bonneville, last year was cancelled due to rain and floods. This year (2023) looks like it is good to go so far.

As far as this 1950 Big 4 goes, I told myself that I will be riding it down the salt this year and I'm making it happen!!!!
If you remember from previous posts/videos, this engine was stuck and stuck hard. After soaking the engine with every available chemical, I still had zero luck. I finally made a "press" to free the pistion.
The press consisted of a 1/2' plate that bolted across the open cylinder and had a threaded hole centered over the piston. On the piston was a section of exhaust pipe that was the same diameter of the piston. That exhaust tubing then had a plate welded across it. A bolt went through the top threaded hole and pressed down on the plate pressing on the piston. (hope this all make sense). IT WORKED PERFECTLY! Then piston instantly can loose. The piston and cylinder were still very useable with really zero damage.
Here is the latest video on the progress. As always, if you have any constructive input, please send it my way. This is my first British bike I have ever worked on.

 
Glad you're back at it, and thanks for taking the time to record and edit and post the video here. Cj
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top