Cuban Member's Norton Dominator

Hi All,

About a year ago I read a post from probably the forums only Cuban member outlining some issues he was having with his Dominator, and decided if I was ever back in Cuba I'd do something to try and help him out. In February my Dad and I took a guys trip, and were able to hook up with Yasser for a few hours one afternoon. I feel like I did him a bit of a disservice as he was probably expecting one of the experts on the forum, and instead got me so I'm hoping people in the know might be able to point him in the right direction. I have also sent an email to Yasser to let him know I was posting this so hopefully he can further explain the issue if I am misinterpreting it.

From what I can recall he is experiencing an oscillation that gets worse when he gets the bike up to speed (50MPH), and that is also noticeable when touching the rear brake (although he doesn't think it has anything to do with the brakes). I took a couple of videos as he thought it might be noticeable (sorry they are so short, I must have been thinking about cold beer by then). Yasser also indicated that the rear chain is not the proper one for the bike, but just one he is making do with which might explain some of the movement in the second video (I took him a new chain so it might be a step in the right direction).









Also, prior to heading to Cuba I contacted Ed "The Tomato Man" who seems to be Yasser's main contact outside Cuba helping him keep his bike on the road. Ed was kind enough to purchase and send me a rear hub and front sprocket, and I also purchased the bearing to go with the hub. Unfortunately, with other commitments, I was not able to take everything down this trip. These items might be the solution to his problems, if any forum members are going to Havana, and are interested in taking something for Yasser let me know and I'll send it your way. Yasser and his family are great people, and it would give you an opportunity to experience a more authentic side of Cuba that most tourists never see.

Thanks
Trevor

International co-operation !!
Great pics.

When chasing things like this, its always also worth stripping the springs off the rear shocks,
and checking how the damping feels, both on compression and extension.
If one, or both, has gone to lunch, then handling can feel awfull, without having anything obvious to point the finger at.
It may also be worth measuring the length of those shocks, and comparing to stock...
Hopethishelps.

could be a square tyre too , if its sat for some time .

Sometimes rthey come back round , sometimes they dont .

So checking tyre o. d. run out would be a start .

nice Bike , wideline dommie .

Both wheel rim and probably rear tyre appear from video to be running out of true.

Looks like the wheel has hit a Cuban road pothole too hard and dented the alloy rim.

I expect the rim could be straightened by someone with a press and a good eye, if removed from the hub.

Looks like the front wheel has aready been fixed in the local style, as has the carburettor.

Nice bike though. I guess there's no salt spread on Cuba's roads.

Thanks for the replies, I hope Yasser jumps in with his opinion of the wheel/rim being our to true. He insisted that I take his pride and joy (The Silver Prince) for a ride to see if I could experience what he is talking about. I got no where near 50mph just going up and down his street, and was a little nervous on a new bike with no helmet, shorts, and sandals…when I got back he said I kept starting out in second gear (old habits die hard, especially when under pressure).



Trevor

Can we ask how it is that this has a front disk brake.
How has this been done ?
The axle is quite secure in the forks - still Norton forks ??

Not sure what to make of that front tire ?
Looks rubberless - and treadless - and MX pattern...??