Ash is in hospital

ashman · Mar 21, 2026

nortonmargie said:
Most excellent - working on your trains will keep you sane. I think your Norton could use some polishing as well.

My Norton is a rider not a show pony it gets a good clean and polish once a year on the day I brought it new and picked it up 21st of June 1976 from Queensland/Brisbane main dealership of Harley, Triumph, Norton and BMW, Morgan and Wachers was formed in 1912 and was owned by the same family company till the late as round of 1999 when they sold out as they lost the Harley dealership before that and they went down hill.

My Norton was the last kick start 74 850 Roadster black with gold pinstripes in Brisbane at the time, but as everyone knows I converted it to the 1957 Wideline Featherbed back in 1980 and took me till 1982 to put it on the road, built by my hands and was the first bike I ever built, so coming up to 50 years in my hands, was an everyday rider till 2013 and is now semi retired just like me but is still ridden regularly till my accident last December, it's showing its age but it's still a one kick starter as it has been most of its life, well more so since I put the Joe Hunt on it lol.

Clean and polish, no I like it just the way it is, it don't leak oil and has never leaked oil, has been so reliable to me and with the lightness of my build, great handling and heaps of torque with the stock 19 tooth front sprocket and mild cam and head work it suite my need up in the tight twisties up in the ranges where its ridden hard and blows out a lot of modern bikes with a owner who does know how to ride it.

Not sure how I go now with my lower kicking leg is gone but I have no intension of changing the way I built it, has had a lot of upgrades over the 44+ years I built it, but it has never let me down, well 2 failed EIs and 2 broken chains, not bad for 50 years of hard riding.

Ash

Fast Eddie · Mar 23, 2026

Ash, when you fit a cNw e start a load of weight is saved by junking the stock primary chain set up. The net result being about a 10lbs increase IIRC.

When you factor in the weight of your missing leg, you’ll be about even !!

And the cost ? Put it on the list of things that need to be addressed by the insurance company …

ashman · Mar 23, 2026

Well today I have a meet and chat at the peg leg makers (Prosthetics) here they told me they be making me 2 legs, sort of a spare lol, I be still doing all my rehab at the amputee rehab at the hospital and they be making the mould as well my training leg, but work with the prosthetics company things will get done a lot quicker and the other 3rd party insurance will be paying the bills, they know I am keen to walk again and being in the right mind of my situation also plays a major part in the process.
They also work with the amputee rehab and they be coming up to the hospital on my next visit to talk to my rehab people who they already know well to plan all my training and leg work, I am so excited to get a start so in the next 2 weeks things will be moving along at a fast place, my stump shape will also change in the next 12 months and be changing moulds to suite as my stump changes, this will be on going for the rest of my walking life so it's a long term partnership with all parties.
I told them I have accepted my situation, also told them about my old Norton and still keen to ride it but Debra is ban from the bikes, they know I want to get back on with a normal life as soon as I can and they are looking forward to working with me to get to my goals and keen to get started with me and the rehab team.

Fast Eddie said:
Ash, when you fit a cNw e start a load of weight is saved by junking the stock primary chain set up. The net result being about a 10lbs increase IIRC.

When you factor in the weight of your missing leg, you’ll be about even !!

And the cost ? Put it on the list of things that need to be addressed by the insurance company …

Nigel am still not keen in putting a ES on my Norton or having a big battery to power it, where would I even put a battery, also I am a tight arse and still think paying over $7k+ for a complete set up of ES, battery and wiring, I have also ran belt drive on my Norton but after 3 years running with it I started to have lots of troubles with it, never had problems running a chain, they have a bit more give than a belt.
Beside $7k+ would be spent on my train layout if I had it and you never know I might be able to kick start the Norton with my new leg, you just never know and they said anything is possible with these modern legs.
Beside with all the troubles in the middle east we all might not be riding our bikes soon and the cost for a ltr of fuel is sky high at the moment, I might be best to keep rolling in my chair lol.

Anyway I have more other important things to worry about before I even think about jumping on the Norton, my new leg and walking again is on my top list of things to do.

Ash

robs ss · Mar 23, 2026

Talking about peg-legs, I was dismayed recently to learn the Seaman Stanes, Master Bates and Roger the Cabin Boy were actually not characters on Captain Pugwash.
Spoilt my day that did - I was sure they were real! They should have been characters!
Bugger!

robs ss · Mar 23, 2026

...on that line of thought Ash - do you remember that Kids show from the early eighties - Shirl's Neighbourhood.
Shirly Strachan, lead singer of Skyhooks (& bloke) was the presenter with his faithful sidekick puppet, Claud the Crow.

Once Claude asked Shirl, "Shirl. what's the difference between light and hard?" with his high pitched, scratchy bird voice.

Shirl responded " I don't know Claud, what is the difference between light and hard?"

Claud, "You can go to sleep with a light on!"

Ahh - those were the days when no one worried about offending people! I miss that.
Cheers Ash!

Fast Eddie · Mar 23, 2026

I know you don’t ’want’ an e start Ash. But there’s nowt wrong with thinking about plan Bs.
With a bit of fabrication work, battery could go here…

BERT · Mar 23, 2026

ashman said:
Well today I have a meet and chat at the peg leg makers (Prosthetics) here they told me they be making me 2 legs, sort of a spare lol, I be still doing all my rehab at the amputee rehab at the hospital and they be making the mould as well my training leg, but work with the prosthetics company things will get done a lot quicker and the other 3rd party insurance will be paying the bills, they know I am keen to walk again and being in the right mind of my situation also plays a major part in the process.
They also work with the amputee rehab and they be coming up to the hospital on my next visit to talk to my rehab people who they already know well to plan all my training and leg work, I am so excited to get a start so in the next 2 weeks things will be moving along at a fast place, my stump shape will also change in the next 12 months and be changing moulds to suite as my stump changes, this will be on going for the rest of my walking life so it's a long term partnership with all parties.
I told them I have accepted my situation, also told them about my old Norton and still keen to ride it but Debra is ban from the bikes, they know I want to get back on with a normal life as soon as I can and they are looking forward to working with me to get to my goals and keen to get started with me and the rehab team.

Nigel am still not keen in putting a ES on my Norton or having a big battery to power it, where would I even put a battery, also I am a tight arse and still think paying over $7k+ for a complete set up of ES, battery and wiring, I have also ran belt drive on my Norton but after 3 years running with it I started to have lots of troubles with it, never had problems running a chain, they have a bit more give than a belt.
Beside $7k+ would be spent on my train layout if I had it and you never know I might be able to kick start the Norton with my new leg, you just never know and they said anything is possible with these modern legs.
Beside with all the troubles in the middle east we all might not be riding our bikes soon and the cost for a ltr of fuel is sky high at the moment, I might be best to keep rolling in my chair lol.

Anyway I have more other important things to worry about before I even think about jumping on the Norton, my new leg and walking again is on my top list of things to do.

Ash

Ash, 3 legs are better than 2 when you get into the beers

ashman · Mar 23, 2026

Fast Eddie said:
I know you don’t ’want’ an e start Ash. But there’s nowt wrong with thinking about plan Bs.
With a bit of fabrication work, battery could go here…
View attachment 124220

Nigel I am still a tight arse when spending that sort of money on my Norton, but I will wait to see what the future holds for me and my peg leg, and the big pay out is still way down the road, if I had the money for the Norton some of Jim's goodies be on the list before a ES kit, but as I always have said I like what I have done and the way my Norton is now, its been a good bike too me, I just like to leave it the way it is set up now.

Ash

NORTSTER1974 · Mar 24, 2026

Ashman, like FE says get the insurance company to pay for the loss of your quality of life. Get them to pay for the E start.

ashman · Mar 24, 2026

NORTSTER1974 said:
Ashman, like FE says get the insurance company to pay for the loss of your quality of life. Get them to pay for the E start.

Its not that I wouldn't make them pay for one I don't want one on my bike if I can help it as I like it the way I built it, when I brought my Norton new I could have bought the MK111 Commando new but I liked the last black kickstart Commando sitting at the rear of the showroom at the time and it was cheaper as well, I learned the knack of kicking at a very early age I was 17 years old at the time, skinny as all fu ck with chicken legs, well I still have one chicken leg lol and as I keep saying I want to keep my Norton the way I built it, but I still have other more important things to worry about at the moment to even think about my riding on my Norton.

Ash

ashman · Mar 24, 2026

Getting them to pay for a new car is on the high list at the moment.

Flatspot · Mar 27, 2026

I think you should convert your train to steam and save electricity

ashman · Apr 1, 2026

I walked today on 2 legs, well one leg and one steel cone shaped leg, first time since the accident, fu ck it felt good, still waiting for my real leg, the prosthetics maker has put in a quote to the CTP insurer and now just waiting for the go ahead for my training leg as well my new leg to be paid for and built, so close now but still will take time, but it felt so good just taking those few steps, well 16 metres by 2x in between bars, the trainer was so impressed for a first time run, well walk, I am so keen to walk again.

Ash

grandpaul · Apr 1, 2026

ashman said:
I walked today on 2 legs, well one leg and one steel cone shaped leg, first time since the accident, fu ck it felt good, still waiting for my real leg, the prosthetics maker has put in a quote to the CTP insurer and now just waiting for the go ahead for my training leg as well my new leg to be paid for and built, so close now but still will take time, but it felt so good just taking those few steps, well 16 metres by 2x in between bars, the trainer was so impressed for a first time run, well walk, I am so keen to walk again.

Ash

One STEP at a time (literally)

Good on ya!

concours · Apr 1, 2026

ashman said:
I walked today on 2 legs, well one leg and one steel cone shaped leg, first time since the accident, fu ck it felt good, still waiting for my real leg, the prosthetics maker has put in a quote to the CTP insurer and now just waiting for the go ahead for my training leg as well my new leg to be paid for and built, so close now but still will take time, but it felt so good just taking those few steps, well 16 metres by 2x in between bars, the trainer was so impressed for a first time run, well walk, I am so keen to walk again.

Ash

Happy to hear this!

lcrken · Apr 1, 2026

Fast Eddie said:
I know you don’t ’want’ an e start Ash. But there’s nowt wrong with thinking about plan Bs.
With a bit of fabrication work, battery could go here…
View attachment 124220

I expect we're all hoping Ash will find a way to still kick start his bike, but if not, and he decides to go with the e-start conversion, another choice for mounting a larger battery is to hang it from brackets attached to the front engine mount. That's what I did when I needed a larger battery on my featherbed/Commando for landspeed racing. It didn't have an on-board e-start, but also didn't have a charging system, and I needed enough battery capacity to run the nitrous system and the fuel-air data logging system for several runs without re-charging. I fitted a large Shorai battery, probably larger than I needed. I'm guessing that Ash would not like the change to his bike's appearance. I didn't particularly like seeing a big lump hanging out there either, but it worked well for me, and it was a race bike, not a show queen. Just a little food for thaught.

Ken

NORTSTER1974 · Apr 1, 2026

lcrken said:
I expect we're all hoping Ash will find a way to still kick start his bike, but if not, and he decides to go with the e-start conversion, another choice for mounting a larger battery is to hang it from brackets attached to the front engine mount. That's what I did when I needed a larger battery on my featherbed/Commando for landspeed racing. It didn't have an on-board e-start, but also didn't have a charging system, and I needed enough battery capacity to run the nitrous system and the fuel-air data logging system for several runs without re-charging. I fitted a large Shorai battery, probably larger than I needed. I'm guessing that Ash would not like the change to his bike's appearance. I didn't particularly like seeing a big lump hanging out there either, but it worked well for me, and it was a race bike, not a show queen. Just a little food for thaught.

View attachment 124315

View attachment 124316

Ken

It doesn't look too much different than a tool bag on a Harley

ashman · Apr 1, 2026

Hey Ken, I am not very keen in changing my Commando/Featherbed set up as it works so well but I do have to come back to earth if I want to ride my beloved Norton again, just the cost to set my bike up for a ES and the power it needs to use it, yes I be getting a compensation pay out down the road but the cost for a ES kit and battery/charging system and the work involved is beyond what I think they are worth, I like to keep thing simple and that is how my Norton is set up and with the Joe Hunt my wiring is very simple, you be surprised in how simple my wiring is.

I would have to make a lot of changes to my Norton just to install a battery big enough for the ES without a full change to my Norton, something I am not too keen about as it's set up just right the way I like it, till I get my new peg leg I have no idea if I will be able to kick my Norton to life with it so at the moment I will keep an open mind in how things will pan out as it's a bit to early yet to even think about any changes, learning to walk again will and is my highest thoughts at the moment and getting a new car is top of the list, but the other insurance party is throwing a spanner in the works at the moment in paying for a car and getting trained to be able to drive again, it all to do with insurance and what mods are needed as well my new peg leg as it's all in their hands now in paying for my new leg, cost to them for maintenance around my house as getting approval all takes time, but they have taken responsibility for their clients mistake that has changed our lives forever.

Just wish it never happened but it has, I just want to get back to a near normal life again, its not easy for both of us but we plan to take full control of our lives as soon as possible instead of others controlling us in what we need.

Ash

grandpaul · Apr 2, 2026

I should think that the accident having been on a MOTORCYCLE, they should not have a problem assisting in your RETURN to motorcycle riding, especially since you still have a viable bike.

At any rate, I am sure every member here would appreciate knowing at some point down the road, that you make a COMMAND(o)ing (pun intended) return to riding on your own.

ashman · Apr 2, 2026

To all I will never give up riding my beloved Norton coming up to 50 years of owning it from new in June this year, but it has gone through a big change in its early years with me converting it to the Featherbed frame in 1980, Featherbeds and Commandos are in my blood, the great handling of a Featherbed frame and the torque of a hot 850 Commando motor built for the Featherbed frame, might not be as smooth as a Commando but is pretty close with the crank balancing and other work done to my motor, I can see back with my mirror without it vibrating but my last ride my bar end mirror broke off from the mount the mount screw came lose and it whizzed past my mates head who was following me.

I also want to thank Paul (grandpaul) for the kind offer he has given me as well his friends, I am so over whelmed by his offer of getting back on the road with my Norton and with my new leg I be able to change gears the way it is set up and I am already looking where I be able to mount a good battery.

Many thanks to all my friends here, the biker life is a great life and I have been living the dream now for over 52 years and 50 years with my Norton, I have met and become friends with so many who share the same dream, well not so much a dream but a life style as my dreams come true with the good as well the bad but I never give up this road I have taken, friendships, mateships is the Aussie way and helping others in need has always been my way of life but now Debra and myself have been on the other end of needing help, so much support from everyone and from a lot of people we have never met in person, make our recovery so much better as well quicker as well, so much good in people and a big thank you from Debra and myself.

Ashley and Debra

Ash is in hospital

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