Any love for the Norton 16H ?

speirmoor

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The more I see them the more I like them. Does anyone here have one? It seems they were never imported in to the USA in any significant numbers but have been brought in by enthusiasts. Canada may have gotten a few as the were used in the military by some of the Commonwealth nations.
 
Something like this?
Definitely a case of making haste at leisurely rate, they slow down at the sight of a hill.
A hoot to ride though, just not on a busy road.
 

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  • Any love for the Norton 16H ?
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Yep thats the one. Yours is a beauty. One one YouTube video i saw a guy depressing a brass plunger on the rightside crankcase. Whats that about?
 
Thats the oil tell tale, sprung loaded pin which pops up when the engine is running, shows there is oil pressure.
Supposed to pop down again due to the spring once the engine stops but often needs a little help.
 
Thats cool. Pity they didn't retain that technology on to the 70's
 
The 16H cam wheels make an ES2 fly.... anyone stuck for 16h spares could try Russels on Falcon Road in London
 
If memory serves correctly, I think the 16H was specifically designed for military dispatch riders and only made it into the consumer market after the war. The market was flooded with sales of the dispatch rider's bikes at much lower prices that new factory bikes, so the 16H wasn't a big seller when new on the consumer market.

One of my colleagues at work had one one of the military ones in the late 1950s and let me ride a few times. My 150 Vespa was quicker!
 
frankdamp said:
If memory serves correctly, I think the 16H was specifically designed for military dispatch riders and only made it into the consumer market after the war.


The 16H was a civilian model introduced in 1921.

http://www.nortonownersclub.org/models/ ... side-valve
Over 100,000 of the WD version of the 16H were manufactured before and during the 2nd. World War. The chosen design was based on the 1937 civilian 16H with open valve gear, the higher clearance trials frame, a crankcase shield, buffer stops on the forks and lower overall gearing.
 
They are rare in the USA. I guess they were never imported in any great numbers here. Some suggest Canada may have gotten some in to their military? I've yet to see one in the flesh.
 
oldmikew said:
The 16H cam wheels make an ES2 fly.... anyone stuck for 16h spares could try Russels on Falcon Road in London

OK, do you need to machine the valve cut out in the piston deeper :?:
 
Seeing its the same chassis / running gear as the Grand Prix suckers pre war , if itd fly thatd be good .

Apparently there were a few tweaked ones about that wernt slugs .
 
Matt Spencer said:
Seeing its the same chassis / running gear as the Grand Prix suckers pre war , if itd fly thatd be good . Apparently there were a few tweaked ones about that wernt slugs .
The OHC and ES2's had the cradle frame (frame tubes wrap under the crankcases) whereas the sidevalve and model 18's had the diamond frame (frame bolts front and back to the crankcases).
But the sidevalve can be made to go, there is a good article by Paul Greet on the VintageNorton website outlining mods he has done to good effect - for a usable road bike.
 
Bernhard said:
oldmikew said:
The 16H cam wheels make an ES2 fly.... anyone stuck for 16h spares could try Russels on Falcon Road in London

OK, do you need to machine the valve cut out in the piston deeper :?:


i thought the standard ES2 piston was flat topped... so would have thought not... its the duration or dwell whivh gives longer valve openings ... no harm in getting the plasticine out to see how close the inlet valve is on full lift..
 
I've seen a few in the USA from sales ads and FB posts.
This is the only one I know that's currently for sale
 
Recall in Motorcycle Sport ( Only level headed pommy mag ever )
Someone wrote , they were ripping round the bend going great guns on their latest U J B
Thinking rather highly of their competance and prowress , when . . .

A 16 H with a nobbly on the rear , came past , on the outside , with one hand on the bars .
 
Had a WD16H a couple of years. Sold it last year at a Norton meet to a guy who fell in love with it. He rode it 1500 miles in 3 months without problems.
The 16H is easy starting, usually first kick, the most appreciated thing for a dispatch rider. It is one of the best bikes I've ridden on gravel roads with lots of potholes.
Main negative thing is the front brake which is less effective than engine brake. The cruising speed of 45Mph is not my cup of tea.
 
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