htown16 wrote:Front wheel cleaned, inside rim painted, new sealed bearings, disc skimmed. Forks dismantled and cleaned, new seals, allen head drain plugs, new gaiters, new fork tubes.

There was a discussion or two on whether to skim (turn) or grind the Norton disk. I assume when you say skimmed you mean on a lathe?

Yes, skimmed on a lathe. The shop that did it only does work on motorcycles and outboard marine stuff. He is very sensitive to only removing enough material to true the surface. I'm not sure I would trust an auto brake shop to do this.

Well I'm finally back working on this bike. Been through the process of retiring, moving and fixing up a work space in my garage. Here's the powder-coated frame with new steering head bearings installed. Ready to start bolting parts on. I am going to start a separate thread "Mitch's 72 engine rebuild" for that part.

Not sure why my earlier pictures dropped will try to reinsert them when I am feeling more ambitious.

Sounds like there's been lots of changes in your life recently Mitch.
All the best in retirement.
Looks like you got a nice clean workspace, no excuse now.
AC.
PS.. If you delete photos from "Photobucket" they will vanish from here as well.

Just rearranged them in different albums, but apparently that was enough to do it.

Just rearranged them in different albums, but apparently that was enough to do it.

Yep, you now need to update their address in the original post.

Have assembled the front forks. Just had to put the newly painted tank and new seat on to see what it looks like. Have some company coming over this weekend and I am tired of pointing at a pile of parts and saying "someday this is going to be a motorcycle." At least it looks like I am making some progress.

Couldn't resist posting this

It's a 1970 BSA Thunderbolt, I bought last January. I have been giving it a complete going over on and off over the last 12 months, complete service, MAP clutch plates and oil filter, new front rim and spokes, new tires and tubes, new speedo drive and cables and replaced all the rubber bits, rebuilt carb, tuned up ect. Tuesday I got it licensed, vintage 1970 plate via Unclvinny. Today I took it for a first ride, Beautiful day here, sunny and in the 70's, great ride. Forcast for the first of next week is much colder. Back to work on the Norton!

Well back on the Norton front. I had started a separate thread on the engine rebuild but have decided to consolidate everything here. Here are the pictures of the engine strip down:
Prestrip

Head off

Cylinders off

Pistons

Lifters look okay

Cases apart, cam looks usuable

Crank looks in decent shape

Standard size rod bearings, will get a new set

Superblend main bearings look in excellent condition

Strip down complete, not much sludge in the trap.

Dreaded cam washer with stress fractures

All in all the top end had some issues, but the bottom end looked pretty sound. In hindsight I probably could have not split the cases but now I know what is going to in there.

More progress shots
Head stripped and cleaned, new valve guides installed.

Exhaust threads have previously been repaired. Drive side looks good.

Timing side has a little bit of thread missing but I think it will be usable.

I also noticed that at some time one of the plug holes has been welded up and retreaded. Unfortunately they didn't countersink it correctly.

The plug is not located correctly as the tip should be almost flush with the combustion chamber.

The cylinders have been cleaned up and painted. I thought all Combat and later bikes had black cylinders but these had little bits of silver paint on them. I prefer the silver anyway.

I dropped the head and cylinders off at my machinist a couple of days ago. I'm using Motoreco here in Houston. James there comes higly recommended by other Brit Bikers in the area.
Head will have the guides reamed, seats recut, a lite skim cut to true up and the spark plug hole countersunk and an insert installed.
James thought the cylinders will probably clean up with hone, they are +20 thou already. Planning on using a 280 grit stone. I'm using Hastings cast iron rings and that is their recommendation.
While I'm waiting on the parts, I need to start putting the bottom end back together.

Looking good, I too prefer the silver cylinders. My 850 was black, but I went with silver, looks better that way.

If those piston oiling slots are connected by long thin slots half way around the circumference near the lower ring land, REPLACE THEM!!!

grandpaul wrote:If those piston oiling slots are connected by long thin slots half way around the circumference near the lower ring land, REPLACE THEM!!!

Remove the rings and post picture of pistons.

htown16 wrote:The cylinders have been cleaned up and painted. I thought all Combat and later bikes had black cylinders but these had little bits of silver paint on them. I prefer the silver anyway.

Standard tune '72 models would have had silver barrels, so did most '73 750/850 models as the factory attempted to distance itself from the black barrel "Combat" fiasco.

http://www.etmoteur.fr/norton_catalogue_commando.htm


http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... LineUp.pdf