1951 Plunger ES2 Norton

B

Baldrick

Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
82
Howdy All,
I am new to this forum but not new to Nortons.
I have spent the last 4 years rebuilding and upgrading my 73 850 mk1 Commando and I have "finished" and looking for a new project to invest time and money on.
My wife is a keen pillion and is currently learning to ride on a 72 CB125 Honda and I would like to share the ES2 with her.

I have known about the 51 ES2 Norton for some years.It is parked under a blanket next to two immaculate Norton Manx bikes.
I have gathered the courage to ask if the ES2 is for sale and the owner is giving it concideration over the weekend.
He doesn't need the bike or the money and has seen the great job I have done on my Commando.

Questions;
The bike was ridden into the loft and has been sitting there under a blanket for over 20 years without use.
Seems to have plenty of compression and looks to be complete.

Can I ask what I should do with the engine?

Sould it be pulled down?

What other things should I look for on this 51 era bike?

Any tips will be greatly apprciated.

cheers

Balrick
 
A lot depends on how it was ridden & maintained, and for how long, BEFORE it was put away.

If it was a typical ride with typical maintenance (or lack of), for many years and miles; and you have the time, money & energy, you ought to tear it down and build it back up so that you'll essentially have a new bike to start with.

If it was ridden well and maintained meticulously, you can probably just "freshen it up" and ride away.

Personally, i might just dump & fill the oil, same with the gas, clean the carb, and attempt to ride it. If it doesn't make any odd noises, just keep on riding it.

I don't know whether to assume that since the owner has two Manx Nortons, he cared for the bike well...
 
I'd prolly change the oil and fuel like GP said. See what it does...
I've seen toooo many Bonnies get rebuilt by the new owner just because. Seems they're getting worn out from being dissassembled and put back together so many times.
If it needs it, great, but if it dosen't, why?
 
You will have to change the rubber and clean all electricals. I'd pop off the side cover to see if the oil had turned into sludge, if it has I'd go further into the engine. I've seen a couple of engines with solid black goop in there.
 
Hey Guys,
I understand 20 or so years ago the bike was ridden into the loft as a trade and the cover was thrown over the "nothing special greasy 2"!

If the bike was looked after like the Manx bikes or his immaculate Dommie it would be worth moon beams.

I will wait for his decision and if it goes my way I will race down with the bike trailer and a fist ful of cash!

Cheers
 
Balders,

Sounds like a good find, just check what they have in the way of records, if you don't have the original number plate or other info showing it has been on the road then life can be a pain when you try to register it.
I agree with Cookie and others, if the oil hasn't turned to sludge then i would put fresh oil in (Penrite available from Repco do some good simple oils for old machines), clean out the carb, you will probably need to degunge the petrol taps, fresh fuel and give it a kick. Starting technique is quite different from a Commando, our Prez has a '48 ES2 in his stable so if you are at Puke or Matauri Bay you could tackle him or Lex on details.
Other than that the bikes themselves are fairly simple and an ES2 should have enough grunt one up to keep up with modern traffic. Not sure whether a plunger would be that great two up??
Hope to catch up with you oop North.
 
Hey Iain,

I want to take the pillion seat off it.

Di has already seen it....she just doesn't know I have made an offer!

i have seen the originalownership papers and it was first registered in May 52 but i think it is a 51.

So excited I forgot to get the engine number?

I have got lots of photo's on my Blackberry and will try to put one on.

I spoek to the Pres and he gave me a price guide.

Look forward to seeing you at Mautauri Bay.

Glad to read you have put the Duc rego on hold and look forward to hearing those Viking pipes on ya Commando.

cheers
 
pbmw said:
I just tell her "No Honey, I've had that bike for years."
Click to expand...

Doesn't work.

Even in garages full of every different kind of bike, old & new, every color, etc. (50+ bikes), Sally can spot a new addition the instant she walks in!

(that explains the black eye)
 
That would be the same as my wife, she doesn't care much about them but she would spot a new one in seconds.
 
Cookie said:
That would be the same as my wife, she doesn't care much about them but she would spot a new one in seconds.
Click to expand...

I was doing good with the Bultacos, all red, silver and black... all looked the same. Now the Norton sticks out like a sore thumb.
 
I am lucky that my wife is into motorbikes and I am sure she will welcome one more Norton into the shed.
She might just take a little longer to accept that the new car is still a few years away!

cheers
 
I went to go pick up a bike last year, and when I got there the seller asked if I wanted this little minibike for free.
So I got them home and asked the wife ...
If I went to fetch a bike home and actually came home with two, do I get extra points for one of them being free?
She rep[lied with...
Well, at least it wasn't three...Was it?
 
Yippee!

i have been back to the owner and he has agreed to sell it to me!

He will get it down from the attic and put it through his workshop to get it sorted and going and check it hasn't got any death rattles and then tell me how much he wants for it?

I had made the original offer "as is where is" and appreciate the offer to make it a runner.... I just hope the price doesn't run away!

I should know in a week or two.

cheers
 
I went down to the workshop today and the Greasy 2 has been taken out of the loft after 20 years and cleaned down.
New oil and a tickle to the points then a carb clean...
bingo it fired up and ran like a sewing machine!
The bike is a serious runner and I think all I will need to do is get it re registered and slap on a new set of tyres.
I get to ride it later this week and will be told what the "going" price is?

I am sure it will be more than the "as is were is" offer I first made.

Cheers
 
Give her a few oil changes to clean her out a bit. I quite envy you, I have a secret lust for an easy 2.
 
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