- Joined
- Sep 15, 2020
- Messages
- 454
After restoring 3 big UJMs ('79 GS1000E, '82 Mr Turbo GS1100E, '73 Honda CB750K) I have turned my attention to the '66 N15CS. My son has been watching Allen Millyard and enjoys watching him, as do I. I know there are non-fans of his but I don't care, he has gotten my boy to get in the garage with me and really work. Oh I also promised him he can have the Norton as his own if he listens to his subordinate engineer (me). Last night we worked 4 hours and forgot about dinner.
The bike, oddly enough (heh), seems to have been misted quite thoroughly with oil, so no dramas with rusted fasteners. I think this design feature is best perfected by the British. I have pullers and pry bars and a torch etc, so I got the stubborn bits off, the sprocket followed by the cam chain bolt, then the stator and clutch pressure plate in descending order of difficulty not removal. Engine on furniture dolly and son sitting on it to steady as I use a couple 3 foot pry bars... magic times. One thing left, pinion gear, nut is off but how to pull I'm not sure yet, I'm sure a special tool or home brew way.
As I disassembled I think I found out the reason for the spare set of '70 Commando cases that came in the pile - a split in the case at a barrel stud. It's not the serial #'s side which is good (plus the other side of my Commando case is cracked quite well and not usable). A one minute look tells me to see if it's possible and a good option to use the Commando. Someone will school me here possibly. The intermediate sprocket shaft is shorter and the magneto mount is different. At this point I have no idea what a Commando ran in '70 for ignition so I'll check things out and also if a repair and upgrade is a better choice. Opinions welcome, sorta - go easy on me!
Not a mechanic but have opened quite a few engines (and made them run again even!) overall I'm very happy with its condition. It's not buggered and all the correct hardware is there, with possible exception of 3 hex bolts on the clutch housing which mated up suspiciously well to my SAE 3/16 wrench. We have lots to learn but in the end plan a 'runner' with some stuff grafted on as I see fit like a front end from one of my 70's Suzuki GSs spares. I simply can't afford Norton stuff's prices right now.
The bike, oddly enough (heh), seems to have been misted quite thoroughly with oil, so no dramas with rusted fasteners. I think this design feature is best perfected by the British. I have pullers and pry bars and a torch etc, so I got the stubborn bits off, the sprocket followed by the cam chain bolt, then the stator and clutch pressure plate in descending order of difficulty not removal. Engine on furniture dolly and son sitting on it to steady as I use a couple 3 foot pry bars... magic times. One thing left, pinion gear, nut is off but how to pull I'm not sure yet, I'm sure a special tool or home brew way.
As I disassembled I think I found out the reason for the spare set of '70 Commando cases that came in the pile - a split in the case at a barrel stud. It's not the serial #'s side which is good (plus the other side of my Commando case is cracked quite well and not usable). A one minute look tells me to see if it's possible and a good option to use the Commando. Someone will school me here possibly. The intermediate sprocket shaft is shorter and the magneto mount is different. At this point I have no idea what a Commando ran in '70 for ignition so I'll check things out and also if a repair and upgrade is a better choice. Opinions welcome, sorta - go easy on me!
Not a mechanic but have opened quite a few engines (and made them run again even!) overall I'm very happy with its condition. It's not buggered and all the correct hardware is there, with possible exception of 3 hex bolts on the clutch housing which mated up suspiciously well to my SAE 3/16 wrench. We have lots to learn but in the end plan a 'runner' with some stuff grafted on as I see fit like a front end from one of my 70's Suzuki GSs spares. I simply can't afford Norton stuff's prices right now.
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