Fresh Meat

Greetings, all. I'm new to this forum but recognize many familiar names here. I have been a Triumph guy for 30+ years and as of a year or two ago, have become a Norton/Triumph guy. I picked up a '73 Interstate a couple of years ago as a project bike and immediately got side-tracked with my business. Things have settled down and I'm back on it. I pestered a few people on another Brit forum for direction when I got the bike and have finally followed through on much of their advice. The build has gone fairly smooth and I'm, roughly, 90% complete (waiting on rims, spokes and headlight bucket)but I feel confident there will be details I will need more advice on.

I own/ride many different marques and have logged at least 25k miles this year with, admittedly, the bigger percentage on more modern bikes. I'm not a commuter as I live directly behind my business and therefore, 98% of the miles have been on dedicated trips primarily to the mountain roads (my favorite riding) of Arkansas, Tennesee, North Carolina and north Georgia. I'm building the Interstate for this type of long-distance riding with spirited riding once I've reached my destination. It's going to be basic trim with some typical and not so typical upgrades.

Hope I can carry my weight around here.

Z

Hi Zack,

Welcome to the forum! Lots of Commando expertise here, so you've come to the right place. Glad to hear you're back on with your Norton project again.

Debby

Welcome!

The name sounds familiar...

Welcome!

Hi Zack, Good to hear your back on project. Are you going to run sleeved Amals or a Mic. Points ,Boyer, Trispark? H-4 headlight, Front end kit? Alum rims,rear sets?and on and on. Give up the spec. sheet man.

Welcome. Did you get the brace I sent yet? I havn't tracked it lately but it should have gotten to you by now.

Thanks, Debby & NWM.

GrandPaul,

I've been known to hang around the Sharp/Joyce crew in the pits and therefore, you know Malcolm isn't far away. Understand you're running PHW. I'm digging out surplus motors trying to get something together for next year. I will be a Triumph as I'm over-run with pieces/parts...just don't know if I'm going long or short rod, yet. If I can run a couple of races per year, I'd be smiling from ear to ear even if I get my a$$ handed to me every time.

Norbsa,

Here is where I am at:

Aluminum shouldered rims w/SS spokes 19F & 18R/Avons....waiting on parts from Buchanan...shipping out on the 9th/machined hubs
Strut-less front fender/Brembo front/Drum rear/McMaster Carr swingarm shaft lock(1-1/8 split collars tapped 1/4-28)
Hyde Fork Brace...in transit from Coco of this forum (may use it as a pattern to build more)/Moly Seals
Consentino cartridge kit w/ 2 different sets of springs....expect end of next week (2week delivery = 6 weeks)/Hagons rear (for now...still looking)
Boyer MIII/DO coil/Sparx 3 phase/sealed battery/home-made harness
NOS Cylinders/Black Diamond/guides/seats/mushroom/exh inserts/sparkplug inserts/stud inserts/decked/Old Britts head steady
Superblend/Ball/RMA Tensioner/Reworked oil pump/XS650 Reed Valve/stock cam, tappets & pushrods
Old Britts Belt Drive/Comeau CRS/Barnetts/Layshaft Roller/Double Pull/520 X-ring/21t .
Interstate Tank/Cafe seat/UK handlebars/Nepolean BE/Autometer clocks/waiting on 7" headlight bucket to complete wiring.
Amals/Stock Air Box...definitely to run-in with....may upgrade after 1-2K miles if needed
750 pipes w/ Peashooters
Fresh bearings/bushings, pawls, springs, seals, chains throughout.
Powdercoated by yours truly (lamp)

So far... I'll see if I can post a pic of the progress although it looks like a double-amputee due to the lack of wheels.

Z

Coco,

I was typing while you were posting. No, I haven't recieved it yet but thats just a long, slow trip. It left Canada a few days ago, so, I figure another 2 weeks with the USPS.

I'll PM you when I get it.

Thanks,

Z

Z,

Sounds like it's getting all the right stuff!
Intrigued about the Autometer clocks. How do you plan to mount them? I understand they worn't fit in the stock cups. Custom mounts? Details, please!

If you do decide to make up some fork braces similar to the Hyde, keep us informed. I'd be interested. I would bet you could come up with a similar but better design. Something more like the Superbrace or Telefix. Much simpler.

Welcome aboard.

Hope you don't find the color scheme too offensive.

Timing Side



Drive Side - Will run open primary until I see how the belt tracks.





Autometers with mount...just stuck up there for now (and reversed).





Although not Norton, another British project in the works. Homemade out of non-restoration (sub-standard) parts or any other junk I could find laying around that looked like it would fit.






Ron L - I'm not familiar with the Superbrace or Telefix but would be willing to look at them. I felt like the Hyde design has potential due to adjustable considering how few forks are really true.

To test my suspension, I'm going to ride the Norton down the stairs.

Z

zackybilly1 said:

Hope you don't find the color scheme too offensive.

To test my suspension, I'm going to ride the Norton down the stairs.

Z

Click to expand...

I think the color scheme looks great :!:

I was wondering how you were going to get the bike down. Looking forward to the youtube video on that. :wink:

Debby

I like it too. The Triumph is also cute.

zackybilly1 said:

To test my suspension, I'm going to ride the Norton down the stairs.

Z

Click to expand...

I'm guessing from the size of the shop there's a forklift hiding somewhere.

Or do it Dougie-style

zackybilly1 said:

Coco,

I was typing while you were posting. No, I haven't recieved it yet but thats just a long, slow trip. It left Canada a few days ago, so, I figure another 2 weeks with the USPS.

I'll PM you when I get it.

Thanks,

Z

Click to expand...

It should be any day now.

Debby,

What folks that have seen it seem to like it but most don't know the difference between a Norton or a Bultaco. I really like the traditional black with gold trim but wanted it to appear bigger than life. The red and silver seemed to brighten it up. It seemed like a good idea in the beginning but then I started second guessing it midway through. Figured if I got it together and didn't like it, I could strip it down and change it. Its starting to grow on me with silver bits covering more of the red.

That slab of iron in the top right-hand corner is my bike elevator.... with the help of a fork lift.



Stick it through the swinging gates (above the broom) and load 'em up. That box under the Norton is where I, now, live.




Cookie "The Triumph is also cute."....guess that means the Norton is cute too. That's what I've always wanted....a cute motorcycle.

Z

A friend just did his Goldwing engine in red, it didn't sound good to me at first but when I saw it I really liked it.
Sometimes it can make a very interesting combination to use colors like that.
I hope you are not terribly offended that I complimented your bike with the word cute.

zackybilly1 said:

Debby,

What folks that have seen it seem to like it but most don't know the difference between a Norton or a Bultaco.

Click to expand...

A Bultaco would have a silver frame and red bodywork. Other than that I can't tell the difference either.

Cookie, I thought it was humorous and still do. I don't think I'm going to really be able to form an opinion about the color scheme until I see it parked in front of a gas pump.

Swoosh, I guess if it had been a Combat I could pass it off as a Combat Super Rat (as in Hodaka colors). It's nice to get a nod from folks that know Nortons.

Prior to getting the Interstate, I'd never sat on a Norton although I lusted after them in my youth. This one was in foul shape (dormant for 12 years). The PO had brazed some peashooter on it without taking the pipes off the bike (brazed on the outside only). Once I bought it and with a little work, I got it running and rode it +/- 500 miles in effort to determine what needed attention. Even in its grubby condition with worn brakes, rust and that butt ugly stock seat, I learned to like it in short order. Good grunt on the bottom end with long legs thru the gears. The old iso rubbers were hard as rocks but it still had a smoothness in the bars, pegs & saddle that the Triumphs don't. It didn't take long to determine its very capable of long-distance touring and hopefully, soon will be. While making my shake down runs, I noticed what appeared to be foam rubber crumbs on the rear rim and hub. I thought the old meatloaf seat was falling apart but it turned out to be the buffers/cush drive in the hub grinding to pieces (hard as rocks, as well). That was the cue to tear it down but otherwise I probably would have continued to play on it for a few more months. Although I have others to choose from, I'm more excited about this one than I've been about any in a long time...you know ...that kinda like just before Christmas when you were a kid. I've missed riding it.

Thanks for your comments.

Z

you may be fresh meat to this forum but are clearly an accomplished bike technician. I like the project and overall color scheme. The mutt triumph looks good too.

and I am completely envious of your 'little' shop. I have a basement and a new shed to keep the 71 (former) basketcase in..... I'm already thinking of an annex (please don't tell spouse) to hold the next project (68 BSA lightning) ......... SHE thinks it's for the mower and garden tools, so I will put a rack for a shovel in it so all will be good

welcome to (I think) the best bike forum around

Karl

zackybilly1 said:

That box under the Norton is where I, now, live.


Z

Click to expand...

Careful, the oil in the salad may be a leak from your Norton (they have been known to do this on occasion) :mrgreen:

Nice color scheme, the whole bike looks real good

Jean