'62 ES2 - Testing photo upload from Flickr

Thats awesome!

Dave
On reviewing what I have posted I realise a point of clarification is needed regarding engine breathing.
A couple of photos show a breather fitting in the rocker box. I did not use this so plugged the existing hole.
I didn't want air rushing up the pushrod tubes and oil drain gallery which I felt would interfere with their oil drain function.
The last photo in my previous post shows the two breather hoses with reed valves (Ken McIntosh - NZ). The rear one used to have a pipe dripping oil on the drive chain.
The front one is new - I figured I wanted you tap into an area of still air (difficult on a crankcase) as Bernoulli's law predicts lower static pressure when the air has velocity.
The photo below shows an unused chamber above and in front of the crankshaft (upper RH in photo). I drilled a 3/8" hole from the inside into this chamber in the RH casting.
Then drilled and tapped a BSPT fitting on the outside on the LH casting (can be seen in photo). Seems to work well.
Also plugged the timed breather hole in the LH crankshaft (outside main bearings) to prevent oil getting into the primary case



Cheers
rob

Very nice stuff!

It's a whole new look that I've not seen, appears to be a thumper top end on a Commando bottom.

Thanks, rob. But as the kids say, "TMI" I was interested in what you did to accommodate the Commando primary cases. That was intricate, fascinating, and way beyond my capabilities. Looks like I will stick with the oil bath!

Regards,
Dave

rob,
I don't want to hijack your thread, but here are a few photos of my 1960 wideline Model 50:







Dave

Paul - no, the engine is all thumper (design goes back the the early thirties) - just has the commando primary grafted on.

Dave sorry about the amount of info. I was trying to cover all the points that affect fitting the newer primary.
Nice Model 50. I don't think they ever had widelines but yours looks very original. The slimmer front guard lightens the look a bit.
A few of things worth knowing (that you may already know):
1. VW pushrod o-rings are slightly thicker in section an, I think, have a better compound and work very well on ES2/Model 50s.
2. Pazon ignition instead of the old points makes starting easier and more reliable. Fits very well and doesn't look out of place
3. A fair bit more zoom can be had simply by enlarging the inlet port and fitting a bigger carb. Model 50's really were quite asthmatic
4, playing around with cam timing can also give more zip. They have the advantage over the Dommie/Commando in that they have separate inlet and exhaust cams Even one tooth advance on the inlet makes a difference!

Cheers
Rob

Thanks, Rob. I did not know all that. You learn something new every day. I still run the stock points. It is a first kick starter. I have upgraded the electrics to 12V with a Podtronics rectifier. I am running a larger ES2 carb. Prior to 1960 the Model 50 and the ES2 were in the Wideline Featherbeds. When Norton switched to the Slimline frame in 1960 for the twins, they continued to use the leftover Wideline frames for the singles until they ran out. Therefore, some of the 1960 singles are wideline, and some are slimline. I do not know the proportions of each.

I was joking about the TMI. I am an engineer. There is no such thing. I am astounded by the sheer volume and quality of the photos you took documenting the procedure. You did convince me that it is way beyond my capabilities and that I need a trained professional to do something like that for me. As they say on the telly, "Kids, don't try this at home!"

Drool drool drool!!! I really have to get off my ass, clean up and sell my two MKIII's and buy one of two bikes I have always wanted, an old Norton 500 single or a featherbed twin. Preferably a 650ss but maybe a Atlas if I can tame the vibes or live with them. Your bike is just absolutely beautiful.

Thanks gtsun - see my reply to you in my 650 thread