1971 Interstate Fastback restoration

motoalchemist · May 10, 2011

Yes.. I do look a bit Ape-ish on the Norton. Ive notice myself how big they look on the workstand...but then on the road looking at my reflection in a store window , the Nortons are a smaller bike.

motoalchemist · May 10, 2011

BTW...I ordered 2 new tires today Avon AM26 (100/90-19 front and rear) for the Norton today. these are suppose to be the replacements for the AM19 and 18...And Ive been told they are better tire. cool!

motoalchemist · May 16, 2011

Picture of the Norton last weekend with my Buddies Panta in background.

If you ever have a chance to ride one of these little Ducatis, go for it. loads of fun.

motoalchemist · Dec 20, 2011

A little off subjet, but just needed to make mention. A local hero to motorcyclist here in the San fran bay area passed away last month and i missed the memorial ride. But today I rode to his roadside memorial to pay my respects.

Godspeed JOMO (Joe Montoya), I hope they have motorcycles where you are now

motoalchemist · Feb 17, 2012

Hello, just finally got my rearsets set-up, they look great, cant wait to ride with them

motoalchemist · Mar 11, 2012

thought I would post updated pics of the fastback , some changes i did this past month

-norman hyde "M" bars
-magura master cylinder
-home made stainless brakeline
-rear sets
-new base gasket (it was leaking)
-and new seat cover and padding, although i think the seat is a little bit too puffy, ill get it trimmed in a few weeks
its actually very comfy

splatt · Mar 11, 2012

Your bikes looking good,being a110kg 6'2 gorilla my self I can vouch for you that that riding position is very comfortable,although my foot pegs are not that far back, more in line with the swing arm. One thing I highly recommend is a stepped seat of some kind, you will be surprised how much effort you put into holding on with your thighs.
I have run the road riders front and rear for 2 + years now,exellent stability,850, but I reckon the steering was slow, changed back to a 325 19 this weekend and yes the steering was definitly slow, tram lines abit easier now unfortunatly

motoalchemist · Mar 16, 2012

Thanks, Yes I have contemplated having a small and low "bum" stop on the seat, since there will never be a passenger on this bike.
Right now I am frantically getting the bike prepped for the clubman show here next weekend here in California, this will be the first time I show the Norton ("B" class as a daily driver). So i am polishing bits i would normally never worry about. Also i started the front wheel rebuild, My rear wheel already has the nice and pretty Buchanan stainless spokes. Ive got the fronts and need to get them put in for the show so my wheels match.
Overall, like you said, being 6-2 this riding position seems to be agreeing with me much better.

motoalchemist · Mar 16, 2012

BTW, everybody, i know those mirrors are an abomination, (see the latest pis) they were in my spares box , i took them off a sporster last year. they are not the mirrors i will be useing, just threw them on to make bike road leagal.

motoalchemist · Apr 3, 2012

I went to the clubman show in San Jose, CA this last weekend. Was a bigger crowd than I remember for awhile. I had entered my Norton in the open class, simply because my friend mentioned I should,so we could drive together. was not even expecting any sort of recognition for my bike, expecially after seeing the other bikes at the show. the short of it, at the end of the day, I had been recognized as a best in show in my particular class. When i heard my name thought for sure there was somebody else with my name at the show with the same bike.....but no it was me, Imstill geeking out about it.

Thanks to this forum for alot of the info needed to get bike in this condition.

And even with that hidiously overstuffed seat.
I unfortunatly did not know the guy handing out the awards, apparently he was a dirt track champ back in the 60s or 70s. Nice guy, likes his toothpicks

swooshdave · Apr 3, 2012

motoalchemist said:
I unfortunatly did not know the guy handing out the awards, apparently he was a dirt track champ back in the 60s or 70s. Nice guy, likes his toothpicks

He's probably still picking dirt out of his teeth.

Nice job on the award!

pete.v · Apr 3, 2012

Fantastic! You give all of us non conventionalists hope. Expect the unexpected!

It's nice to see you without that dog laying all over ya.

motoalchemist · Apr 3, 2012

pvisseriii said:
Fantastic! You give all of us non conventionalists hope. Expect the unexpected!

It's nice to see you without that dog laying all over ya.

Yeah, maybe its time for a new profile pic...But that is a good dog

motoalchemist · Aug 8, 2012

Hello, been awhile since i posted. Norton has been getting ridden on a regular basis, its running great.

I have been running the NGK BP7ES plugs in the norton. I put some BP6ES plugs in for a few days because its allI had at the time. when I got new 7ES plugs I compaired the 6s to the 7s. I belive Norton calls out for BP7ES plugs, but look at the pic below. Look how nice the 6ES looks compared to the 7....is this right? lots of soot on the 7. bike ran just fine on both plug

Matt Spencer · Aug 8, 2012

Numbers are opposite to chumpion , low no cool , high no hot . Just dont hold it on redline down through new mexico with the warmer plus in .

motoalchemist · Dec 30, 2012

For all you snow bound and longing for spring. I provide you with 30 seconds of Zen.

Its nice being here in the bay area of san fran,

motoalchemist · Dec 30, 2012

the previous post is a video I made today after my excitement of finally finding the intermittent electrical failure of my electrical system. It was right where the yellow stripe wire meets the fiberglass baseplate of the ignition pickups....A bit of solder and shes running great........

Here i am preparing to resolder

motoalchemist · Dec 30, 2012

Oh and one more thing, We can add another Norton Commando back on the road. A friend of mine down the road got his Command finished this weekend......almost 6 years on this one, the color is really pretty, his wife picked out

splatt · Dec 31, 2012

It was recomended to me to glue a piece of foam to the plate under the wires to help support them, the wires on mine crumbled inside and made it miss on corners

motoalchemist · Dec 31, 2012

splatt said:
It was recomended to me to glue a piece of foam to the plate under the wires to help support them, the wires on mine crumbled inside and made it miss on corners

Interesting simplest effective, I'll do it.