From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

So team Norton 650ss recommission it’s going good!

Few hiccups this week on two fronts but both sortable as I caught it just in time,

Problem one Alternator/Stator and Rotor,

So the other night I heard a loud bang 3 times as I pulled onto our road, in fast succession I quickly stopped the engine and got her stopped as fast as I could.

Did an oil change when I got back all clean and no metal,

so today I took the Alternator/Stator off and had my suspicions confirmed I think what’s happened in the inner Rotor has failed/drifted apart smashed into the alternator/stator which was the bang and knocked it off centre, fast reactions stopped it just in time as when these go they are spectacular, from what I’ve read up,

Checking the part number on the rotor it’s one of the ones that can drift apart as the magnets can come out of the body, I’m thinking that’s happened it’s knocked it in an then at the same time knocked the alternator/stator off centre, as only three were marked up, bolts were tight when I checked it out,

The alternator/stator is dated 11/66’ so both the original owner and myself got our use out of it!

I took the alternator/stator off and took her for a ride today in the heat to see if I got any noise from the mains an those all seem ok, thankfully an the run out is ok,

So the plan now is maybe to park her till after the move then get a new alternator/stator when I decide what to get, as my boot buckle on my alpinestarsadventure boots also broke gutter!

Next up was fixing the fueling and timing I did some work on re centering the cam ring on the magneto an now the timing is within a degree of each other to each cylinder, which I’ll take on a normal k2f magneto, the later 650ss didn’t get the k2fc,

I corrected Amal’s idea of ok fuel level with shims and went from fouling plugs in town to much much better running brilliant still a work in progress adjusting the in town running,

I also wanna get a new pickup for the lh cylinder,

Massive massive improvement today and a very lucky escape with the rotor /stator assy, the other day,

Great news is no damage done so when funds allow it’s an easy fix

An the video for those that enjoy them

Today I wanna research new stator/rotors with a view to fitting the Tri Spark conversion further down the line,

Small 3:50 min video this time round as the camera slipped,
Norton 650SS Classic British Motorcycle - problems and planned solutions


Short format
Norton 650ss classic British motorcycle problems / solutions

Hi team been a while since I’ve been able to do an update at the moment I’m just trying to sort some lever abutments to make my clutch an brake cables up

Good day in the world of Norton WD16H after a year of absolute disaster with my dads extra incredibly risky multiple surgeries for his prostate cancer on his mouth that’s happening over the next few weeks,

Was nice today to have a brilliant day to the museum an then on to collect these bits so happy Had to stretch the funds a bit with having sold the commando to help with the house downsize an bills so dad isn’t stressed but I so wanna get the WD16H done and ready to ride regular, so decided to treat myself a little.

In a way letting the commando go a month back, is letting me focus on what’s become my true passion in life war and pre war Nortons an that era of bikes an riding them, also got to see some truly epic bikes as well.

With the shoulder showing signs of problems again an the struggle with the 650ss, these single cylinder Nortons an British bikes are the lifeblood of my riding going forward.



i know I’ve said it before but I’m so appreciative of everyone that’s helped me along the way never stop learning and I can’t wait to ride her.

What’s the treasure then?

A new exhaust system and rear mudguard section ?

Yep nos exhaust for the WD16H wild what can turn up sometimes, never thought I’d get one, all the pattern ones are completly wrong bend and the silencers are nothing like have a clip bracket not the welded on one like on this

A the bonus is the late rear mudguard section which will stop my rear stand smashing into the early type which hopefully one day I can get a bef/ early WD16H to mount the one I’m taking off onto.

savingclassicmotorcycles said:

Yep nos exhaust for the WD16H wild what can turn up sometimes, never thought I’d get one, all the pattern ones are completly wrong bend and the silencers are nothing like have a clip bracket not the welded on one like on this

A the bonus is the late rear mudguard section which will stop my rear stand smashing into the early type which hopefully one day I can get a bef/ early WD16H to mount the one I’m taking off onto.

Click to expand...

NOS exhaust after all these years… that’s crazy !!

Great find. Looking forward to the video once fitted …

Thanks mate yep I’m still pinching myself it’s amazing how different they are inside as well

Few reference pics for anyone that wants any

Well everyone it’s certainly been a journey over these last years living and breathing classic British Norton twins but sometimes in life things have to change,

I never imagined when I bought my 650SS 14 years ago from John who had bought her new in 1968 from EW Burnett and Sons (got the original bill of sale with postage stamp) and she was late registered in 68’ one of the last 100 before the change from mag and monoblocs all those years ago it’s lead me on the journey I’ve been,




I’ve had some amazing rides over the years and made some brilliant memories,



Unfortunately it looks like this was my last ride on the Norton 650SS





So like all things in life it looks like my journey with the Norton 650SS has reached her conclusion an itl be time to find her a new home, with the shoulder issues it’s becoming incredibly hard for me to kickstart and ride her, so I’ve decided for my classic riding to focus just on the WD16H as I can kickstart the 1927 Norton 16H ok, but I don’t want to put to much miles on the 1927 which would be easy to do,

An modern bike wise unfortunately I don’t have one currently after selling my BMW 1150GSA so I’m thinking I’ll get a Royal Enfield 450 Himalayan after the move,

In some ways I think when I parted with the Commando I probably broke my duck so to speak regards not wanting to move on from the British twins as I was still trying my best to kickstart them but it’s time I think,

So I just wanted to say a thank you to everyone that’s helped and given advice with the journey on my Norton 650SS ownership an hopefully over the next month I can find her a new home an her 3rd owner after John the original owner an myself,

I’ll stick a proper add up in the section for that later in the week,

So from now on the main focus will be finishing the Norton WD16H to ride and pay my respects at Normandy once I track down the last missing pieces for her,

That will be a sad day. Think carefully before you commit.

Thanks mate yep it is but I’m pretty content with it, it’s been coming for the past 4 years with the nerve injury, as that’s never gonna improve an I give it my best to daily ride her again after selling the commando but it’s not to be,

If I’m not kickstarting a twin it’s ok an doesn’t affect other stuff in my life, kickstart and days after are a problem,

I know by going to a modern bike an just the two 16H singles I can continue to ride an go do some travel an then got the WD16H for a ride to Normandy to show my respects when she’s finished and the 1927 as well for the

Hopefully can find her a good home like the commando,

I guess as well a lot of my focus has shifted to caring for my dad he’s got stage 3b/4 advanced prostate cancer an I just wanna maximise the time we both spend together and the travel we do on modern bikes so unfortunately that means the 650ss going,

Never thought I’d ever say that tbh especially after such long ownership but sometimes in life a chapter has to close for another to begin, so pretty content with it travel with my dad on motorcycles next year after his next surgeries I think is a worthy reason an try maximise experiences,

savingclassicmotorcycles said:

Thanks mate yep it is but I’m pretty content with it, it’s been coming for the past 4 years with the nerve injury, as that’s never gonna improve an I give it my best to daily ride her again after selling the commando but it’s not to be,

If I’m not kickstarting a twin it’s ok an doesn’t affect other stuff in my life, kickstart and days after are a problem,

I know by going to a modern bike an just the two 16H singles I can continue to ride an go do some travel an then got the WD16H for a ride to Normandy to show my respects when she’s finished and the 1927 as well for the

Hopefully can find her a good home like the commando,

I guess as well a lot of my focus has shifted to caring for my dad he’s got stage 3b/4 advanced prostate cancer an I just wanna maximise the time we both spend together and the travel we do on modern bikes so unfortunately that means the 650ss going,

Never thought I’d ever say that tbh especially after such long ownership but sometimes in life a chapter has to close for another to begin, so pretty content with it travel with my dad on motorcycles next year after his next surgeries I think is a worthy reason an try maximise experiences,

Click to expand...

Sounds like my advice was superfluous… you have obviously already thought very carefully about this !

Sometimes it’s just time.

Onwards and upwards !

As always my friend I always appreciate your advice and from you all on here,

An yep I think so, something happened this week that’s hammered home how precious time is so chase those dreams everyone.

Your story will continue, just on another Norton. Best of Luck with everything

Thanks Speirmoor really appreciated