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

savingclassicmotorcycles

savingclassicmotorcycles

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Feb 6, 2011
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Hi team I hope we are all well a long time no speak a few will probably remember me I used to post about a few of my Nortons n mainly my 650ss, It's been a few tricky years, back just before covid we lost our family company (not bike related) after dad an I worked 70+ hour weeks which we often did trying to save it, it wasn't meant to be though, n last year I had a bit of a setback with my mental health which a few may remember me talking about doing really good after that now.

I think it's always important to talk about both the good an the bad as pics of just bikes can give the wrong impressions sometimes as to what goes into it to keep them etc :) it's a passion that's for sure!

Unfortunately at the start of this year my dad was diagnosed with stage 3+ Advanced Prostate cancer just as we were about to move to Scotland so a quick about turn as he had a near miss after a complication with his biopsy, hes now on the verge of having an opp so he can pass again then it's radiotherapy at the Christie. So all fingers crossed

The plan now is to move to Devon nearish Honiton after his radiotherapy as we have to downsize our house which will put us near to Exeter Hospital.

So that's the background as they say dad also rides bikes an when he got diagnosed I sold a collectable Japanese bike I had to get him a Yamaha Tenere 700 as he was bikeless for a year or two for when he's well enough to ride, he's often found down the workshop staring at or cleaning her :)

With that all out of the way let's start the thread so those that remember my main bike has been my 1967 Norton 650 SS at 22 which I purchased from the original owner John who had owned her since new!

I finished the resto he'd done excellent work on an used her occasionally n then when we lost our company I rode her for 4 years n 4 winters until a none bike related nerve injury put paid to me kickstarting the big british twins.

The inspiration for my Norton's came from my dad's eldest brother with his Gus Kuhn 1968 Norton Commando which was one of the first in the country which he raced with some success :)
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Before it was time for me to own n ride Norton's I cut my teeth on Yamaha Two strokes, from the RD250LC I used to do 2k miles a week on, A RZV500R, 2 other 350lc's an a rd250c an another rd250lc, My first motorcycle infact was a RD350LC which my dad an I still have that we got together when I was a kid, Actually is the last an elsie we now have, that I'm gonna put together as soon as we are in Devon for us to ride.

The RZV500R I had for a short while.
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

The 250lc I used to do 2k miles a week on unfurtunatley it looks like shes been written off since I sold her, I sold her at the time to raise some funds after we lost our company. Truly loved that bike.]From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Which leads us onto a 22 year old me meeting John the previous owner of my Norton 650SS which would start my own Journey onto a path of norton passion which would lead right back to the earliest day's of Norton who knew what the 650ss would lead to at that moment :)
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
On the Iconic cat an fiddle putting the miles in on the 650ss pic snapped by Alex at BikerpIcs when I was out an about
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Down at my friends Ivan's for an Mot remember those things!
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

out on a wintery ride in the next three pictures it started a tradition of being out on xmas day on the bikes
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Bit of fettling when I was learning my way round the new Amal Monoblocs I fitted
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

A sunny day out in Monyash dad was on the GSXR-750 which he no longer has, some other tasty british iron out that day!
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Christmas on the cat and fiddle not many out that day!
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
 
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

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

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

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

This was during the worst of the nerve injury bit of a push from dad behind the 650ss to get her going down hill as that was the moment I couldn't kickstart any more utterly gutted
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

A Year on I was able to get out on the 650SS Again for a Christmas day ride 2023 in this pic I managed a few other rides that year inbetween! Every ride truly cherished thats for sure!
-4 on the cat an fiddle an a passer by kindly took the pic for me as he saw me struggling in the wild winds! Hopefully should have the video from this one back online over the next few weeks
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 that's it for the 650SS when I start riding her again I've got new fuel lines an shoes to go on an she's still not dropped a spec of oil on the garage floor can't beat that!

Now onto the 1968 Commando :)

Hope you are all enjoying so far,

Tj
 
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The 650SS lead onto what turned out to not be one of the geatest buying choices I ever made lol but a great learning curve I found a 1968 Norton Commando via no 'fully restored'

She turned out unforgettably to have alot of glass media left in her during the rebuild that lead to a rocky first ride on the 1968 Commando she got me home though with a lot of smoke an struggling!

It turned out she's one of the first 100 Commando's

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

At this point I decided to deal with the frame the legend Norman White providing assistance in bringing it up to spec and jigging it for me :)
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

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

I stripped an rebuilt the crank finding the wrong bolts in the crank halves so was a good job I'd took her down to the cases
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

The engine coming back together naturally in the bedroom! New AN Pistons n Shells.
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

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

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

I also found all the guides had been broken looked like someone had tried to get them out with grips an failed a quick call to seager engineering an they did an amazing job
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

The Commando engine all back together ready to refit in the frame
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
 
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Engine back in
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Test fitting a Indian tank I'd bought years ago (actually just painted that the other day more on that in future posts) Eventually I wanna get a new one made with the correct shape an size roundels
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Around this time I found my Stator was goosed at the cable an kindly another Norton owner helped me out with one that he had spare :) was super greatful for that'
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

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

A new oil pump fitted :) From A/N
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

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

This was xmas 2022 when I picked up some levers from Gaz n Les which fitted a treat. With the original tank on for a picture, I've got the Indian made one an my tail unit in a rather fetching Brooklands Green ready to colour sand painted this week in May 2024.
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
 
Onto the next Norton my 1944 WW2 Norton RAF WD16H let me introduce you to RAF167554 now I have to say a huge thanks to everyone in the WD n Norton community that helped on this I found myself a few weeks at an Auction House down south stood infront of a a WD Norton in Civi colour's knowing she was a RAF Norton from the frame numbers but knowing the records were lost I thought I'd never be able to find the original census number(the one on the side of the tank) which is a unique reg number to each Wartime video as the RAF records were thought destroyed.

I'd always wanted a WW2 Norton to pay my respects to everyone that served an my dads dad who was a Gunner in the RAOC an saw action in Tobruk an El-Alamein.

My dads mentor when he was younger Cliff who used to call him son was also a dambuster.

On the day of the auction me screaming yes jumping up an down in the hall on the phone I'd managed to win her with 20 quid to spare!

So many hours of research later...
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
Finding the original SCC2 Service Brown under all the layers of paint! I actually ended up painting the tank twice as I screwed up a few times! Lot's of learning.
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967


Around this time while we were all going stir crazy the WD16h kept me going through 2020 constant research lead to me finding a RAF Researcher who specialised in 4x4 Landies via the IWM that had some RAF Keycards an Records for bikes that had survived!! an I was left speechless and emotional when he said in the handful of keycard records he had for bikes including mine! so let me introduce you to RAF 167554 sporting her unique number for the first time since the war, using pictures kindly supplied via other enthusiasts who had pictures within 100 numbers either side of mine we were able to replicate the original layout of the roundels along with detailed size guides, an most importantly the font! Which I hand painted on.

Amazinly he also had a friends RAF Enfield number so he was able to paint the correct one on as well :)
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

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

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


The current job is sorting the oil tank lines out! As when I touched it the return line was bust! lucky find :) All the cylinder still has honing marks in which is ace to see :) checked the pump out.
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
 
The next step was starting to recreate the wiring loom with the rubber covered wiring and colour tabs.
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

The next find was an interesting one! A ammeter that had SCC2 brown on it under the black paint which was a super close match for the paint I'd used on her :) Success!

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

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

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

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


An that's us up to date with the WD16h! I'm currently just making some control cables after 2 different sets on the market didn't fit so I've sourced all the individual bit's to make some :)

The last thing Ive gotta get for her is the Later Type Rear Pannier Frame Carrier rack :) got a set of pannier frames just not the rack which is tricky.

For those that enjoy videos here's an hour long one bringing the restoration up to present day



(ps post 5 went into moderation so this one wont make sense till that's posted)
 
Now onto the final bike to bring us up to date with my adventures over so many years the 1927 Norton 16H found in the depths of Cornwall with running issues,

An all records matching bike she even had the original Norton grips (which I've removed for safe keeping) Along with the option bars which were on the build spec for her, the story goes during the war she was hidden in a loft so she wouldn't be turned to metal for the war effort.

I'm actually the 4th owner since 1927!

With so much original paperwork n the original logbook which was a wealth of information inc the original magazine subscription letter that came with them new manuals, parts books etc as well, it's all amazing to look through she originally would have had a sidecar!

I remember reading an article on George Cohen when I was younger an being in awe of the flat tankers little did I know I'd end up with one that had been through his hands got a few pics of him with the bike when the previous owner bought her from him.

The first ride out was interesting to say the least with a Hand shift and throttle lever! (this pic was is slightly outta sync as this one was last year) the sweet sweet smell of castrol R
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

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

A few splashes around in the wet :)

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

they sure knew how to design a motorcycle back then

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

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

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

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

Another wet spash about on the 16H in the depths of a february winter at this point I was still having the odd starting issue but with a total of 167 miles I'd ridden on her i thought it time to try the cat!
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

An drat! 12 miles of pushing I got her home lol
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
 
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while the magneto was away I decided to strip the top end n check stuff out :) all present n correct orignal rod as well :)
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

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

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

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

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

That brings us up to date with the 1927 Norton 16H :)

The ML magneto came back fitted it n she was flying then she did the same trick on me luckily this time I was only 4 miles from home another good bit of exercise home! a conundrum indeed my mag builder was legendary! N got right to the bottom of it at first couldn't find anything wrong but with me giving him an accurate description of what happened after she stranded me an many hours on a test machine the missing started only after 5 hours of running then she wouldn't run, turns out part of the block on the points had a part made out of the wrong metal an was causing an issue!

I've now got the magneto back n ready to fit over the next week or so.

It's been amazing experiencing Nortons from the golden age an it' really hammers home what's missing in the current range for me. Especially researching lots of early Norton literature an even in the brochures them describing the Norton's range with everything from the expert an low production of the OHV bikes to the BIg4 the chosen mount of Pa Norton with a chair an 16H sidevalve's which were the premier sports bike in the early 20's n kept in the range as sport touring bikes in the late 20's like mine amazing bikes that's for sure!


in the back end of last year I ended up on a 1150GSA which was a long time dream after watching long way round as a kid unfortunately she's now gotta go due to downsizing the house.
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967


An here's the T7 I got for dad to inspire him to keep on keepin on through all his treatment I've been riding this quite a bit an the CP2 700 engine is a total peach! I'ts something Norton should be studying for me along with a sensible cost single but that's me!
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967


some posts might be missing at the mo if the story doesn't make sense when you are looking as it's flagged a few for moderator approval, just popped Jerry a message :)
 
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savingclassicmotorcycles said:
Hi team I hope we are all well a long time no speak a few will probably remember me I used to post about a few of my Nortons n mainly my 650ss, It's been a few tricky years, back just before covid we lost our family company (not bike related) after dad an I worked 70+ hour weeks which we often did trying to save it, it wasn't meant to be though, n last year I had a bit of a setback with my mental health which a few may remember me talking about doing really good after that now.

I think it's always important to talk about both the good an the bad as pics of just bikes can give the wrong impressions sometimes as to what goes into it to keep them etc :) it's a passion that's for sure!

Unfortunately at the start of this year my dad was diagnosed with stage 3+ Advanced Prostate cancer just as we were about to move to Scotland so a quick about turn as he had a near miss after a complication with his biopsy, hes now on the verge of having an opp so he can pass again then it's radiotherapy at the Christie. So all fingers crossed

The plan now is to move to Devon nearish Honiton after his radiotherapy as we have to downsize our house which will put us near to Exeter Hospital.

So that's the background as they say dad also rides bikes an when he got diagnosed I sold a collectable Japanese bike I had to get him a Yamaha Tenere 700 as he was bikeless for a year or two for when he's well enough to ride, he's often found down the workshop staring at or cleaning her :)

With that all out of the way let's start the thread so those that remember my main bike has been my 1967 Norton 650 SS at 22 which I purchased from the original owner John who had owned her since new!

I finished the resto he'd done excellent work on an used her occasionally n then when we lost our company I rode her for 4 years n 4 winters until a none bike related nerve injury put paid to me kickstarting the big british twins.

The inspiration for my Norton's came from my dad's eldest brother with his Gus Kuhn 1968 Norton Commando which was one of the first in the country which he raced with some success :)
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Before it was time for me to own n ride Norton's I cut my teeth on Yamaha Two strokes, from the RD250LC I used to do 2k miles a week on, A RZV500R, 2 other 350lc's an a rd250c an another rd250lc, My first motorcycle infact was a RD350LC which my dad an I still have that we got together when I was a kid, Actually is the last an elsie we now have, that I'm gonna put together as soon as we are in Devon for us to ride.

The RZV500R I had for a short while.
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

The 250lc I used to do 2k miles a week on unfurtunatley it looks like shes been written off since I sold her, I sold her at the time to raise some funds after we lost our company. Truly loved that bike.]From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Which leads us onto a 22 year old me meeting John the previous owner of my Norton 650SS which would start my own Journey onto a path of norton passion which would lead right back to the earliest day's of Norton who knew what the 650ss would lead to at that moment :)
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
On the Iconic cat an fiddle putting the miles in on the 650ss pic snapped by Alex at BikerpIcs when I was out an about
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Down at my friends Ivan's for an Mot remember those things!
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

out on a wintery ride in the next three pictures it started a tradition of being out on xmas day on the bikes
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Bit of fettling when I was learning my way round the new Amal Monoblocs I fitted
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

A sunny day out in Monyash dad was on the GSXR-750 which he no longer has, some other tasty british iron out that day!
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967

Christmas on the cat and fiddle not many out that day!
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
Click to expand...
Great to hear from you
Very sorry to hear about your dad
Best wishes to him
 
Hi Everyone hope we are all well, finally starting to get round to uploading some of the restoration footage again,

So without further ado here's the first video on the 1968 Norton Commando restoration filmed over 3 year or so from riding n breakdowns to rebuilding her, unfortunately some of the audio is out of sync with it being old footage n re processed a few times still though hope you all enjoy ^_^ next few clips on the 650SS will have the updated audio with the better mic,

Been an amazing experience with the commando to learn an it's been really fun looking back at it quite alot of videos to come over the next few days

 
Hi everyone hope we are all well ^_^ finally starting to catch up on uploading videos that I’ve filmed over the past few years burning the midnight oil an it’s 3am over here in the Uk.

It’s time for a bit of a look back to when I was riding my 1967 Norton 650SS as a daily, I’ve got two videos for your hopeful enjoyment

First up is an introduction an it features the roar of my 650SS on the cam at revs certainly puts the hairs up on the back of my neck as well as an introduction to the 650SS.

Part two is much more in depth and covers my ownership of the 650SS buying her from the original owner John how I finished the resto, an set her up along with some general thoughts on running a Norton 650SS as a daily rider.

One things for sure I’m sure missing riding her since the nerve injury, I had to take the commando video down as I’d uploaded it at the wrong resolution oops! That’s currently uploading anyway I hope you all enjoy the videos some thoughts and the learning an mistakes along the way :)

I hope it inspires some who are maybe on the fence about classic motorcycle ownership to give it a whirl such a wonderful community we have super hoping I get to ride the big twins in the next few months again!

Norton Dominator 650 SS 1967 Classic British Motorcycle why I love her part 1


Norton Dominator 650 SS 1967 Classic British Motorcycle Review Why its my daily rider part 2
 
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Fixed the Commando video :) 40 mins or so including riding making mistakes trying to sus what was wrong on her an rebuilding her learning every step of the way :)

Norton Commando 1968 Restoration of a Classic Motorcycle
 
Bit of progress today :) got round to colour sanding and hand polishing the tail unit.


For ease of use ended up using Halfords Rover Brooklands Green didnt come out to bad tbh for a temporary paint job, I’ll get some pics in the sun at some point as well as it looks totally different when the sun hits it :)


From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
 
Norton flat tanker lives again! The first rides on my 1927 Norton 16H

Hi team I hope we are all well in todays video I’ll be introducing my 1927 Norton 16H flat tanker from the golden age of the original Norton Motorcycles back when Norton had iconic overhead and sidevalve motorcycles in the single cylinder category.

The Norton 16H in 1927 was one of the premier sports touring motorcycles of the late 1920s earlier in the 20’s of Norton Motorcycles the 16H side valve was the premium sports performance single taking records both in Reliability Trials and at Brooklands along with Isle of Man TT Races. With the development of the OHV Race bikes like the model 25 the 16H remained in the Norton Range for sports touring duties as a fast sports tourer.

The Norton range in the 1920s created by Pa Norton who’s favoured mount was another side valve the iconic Big4 single cylinder was for me one of the pinnacle approaches of a motorcycle range built for the expert and the everyday rider while still being affordable.

Often people would buy a motorcycle to go to work on, race and take the family out in a sidecar. While being the truly unapproachable Norton racing wise with motorcycles in the range for everyone something I hope the modern incarnation of TVS Norton return to in the future and realise that’s the way forward although I doubt it.

With the highly successful OHV bikes kept in low numbers.

I hope you enjoy the videos from my first experiences with a flat tank Norton filmed over 167 miles of riding in this clip in February 2 years ago, watching them back with hindsight as to a fault that’s developing in the filming is funny 🙂 find out more about that in the next video launching tomorrow.

My 16h is all records matching and runs an Amac carb, with the original bars and grips the bars being an optional spec on the factory build sheet.

I’ve since removed the original grips to protect them.

Vintage Motorcycle Barn Find 97 year old Norton 16H flat tanker lives again!
 
1927 Norton Vintage Motorcycle Breakdown and Diagnosis on my 16h flat tank motorcycle.

Hi team welcome to part 2 of my vintage motorcycle Norton 16H series in todays video you will see her being ridden on the cat and fiddle after developing a fault on the start of the approach, along with the diagnosis on the motorcycle stripping the engine and having the part repaired, then a 2nd breakdown! On something that even stumped one of the best parts rebuilders in the business temporarily until the legend sussed it.

I hope you all enjoy the video which brings us up to date with the flat tank Norton.

If you haven’t seen the first video I’d suggest watching it before this one :)

Being severely dyslexic I’ve been really enjoying doing the videos over the past week :)

norton 16h 1927 flat tank vintage motorcycle - breakdown and diagnosis

 
It’s 1 am and I’m feeling inspired about Classic British Motorcycles :3 I can’t shake the feeling the thoughts the sheer excitement every moment every re discovery every tear of happiness of joy. Every look at an old photo or a video or an inspiring picture of post by every single one of you 🙂

British motorcycles to be exact Nortons have been a huge no the biggest part of my life for well most of my life! The last 3 years were tough the hardest tbh it’s those moments when you figure out who’s along for the ride with your best interests at heart who is really there for you. It’s wild to think in the next few months I’ll be calling a new part of the country home that my Nortons the rolling roads of Devon helping my dad through his stage 3 prostate cancer and I’ll be doing the move for us and I will be discovering new roads new horizons to explore making new friends and meeting up with old friends.

I’m dreaming thinking wondering again about trips or possibilities not on modern stuff but with my passion with Nortons from the golden age of motorcycles once my temporary modern bike has sold I’ll be back to riding the Nortons as my main motorcycles again the 650SS back to daily duties after 4 years of daily riding ( I don’t have a car) an then the break with the none bike related nerve injury I’ve missed her, with the 68’ Commando nearly done the 1927 16H just waiting on oil and the WD16H super close to its exciting times 🙂

I’m really hoping my nerve is now up to consistent kickstarting of the big British twins again kickstarting a friends Dommie 99’ at the weekend helping him get her running was encouraging being inspired by others journeys is always so amazing, working on the 1968 Norton Commando again is just ah bliss the best thing for my mental health, thinking about what I need to buy next to finish her, researching aspects about the original 1968 tank badges doing deep research and loving every moment.

I guess it’s safe to say I’m back with my passion back doing what I love and I’m so happy to be experiencing that again 😊 I’ve got a plan for a build for a Commando if I start having issues kickstarting again anything to keep riding on British motorcycles and I’m also dreaming and researching other British Classic bikes ideas forming changing like water flowing over rocks isn’t that the wonderful thing about our hobby our passion every moment every new possibility an opportunity to make friends to learn from others you never stop learning and I never want to.

That feeling of discovery is so special the feeling that at any moment our classic motorcycles can teach us something new or other enthusiasts the same it’s amazing really I think.

Here’s to the dreamers never stop life is full of inspiration through both memories and dreams for the future 🙂 thank you to all that have inspired me so far.

From 22 to mid 30s Norton Passion and Restoration Norton 1927 16H Flat Tanker, Norton RAF 1944 WD16H, Norton Commando 1968, Norton 650ss 1967
 
Hi team wow 12 years of my life with the Norton 650SS it’s wild to think that I’ve condensed 12 years into one hour from learning how to ride the Norton 650SS with her right hand shift learning how to fix issues like fixing the clutch, rocker spindles, changing from the Concentrics to the correct Monoblocs, all the riding adventures from wild winter rides on Christmas Days and lots of rides up to the cat and fiddle and the Peak District.

It’s been really interesting watching this one growing as my life developed with the Norton 650SS a motorcycle that’s been a huge part of my life.

Then the struggles with a none bike related nerve injury an the impact on my kickstarting which lead to me having to have a year off riding which now brings us up to date there’s some fun and learning experience along the way :)

Hope you all enjoy this one there’s two more recent ones on the channel part one and two of why 650SS where I talk about the ownership experience on her.

She’s been an amazing learning experience and I’m sure she will teach me more in the years to come.

The Journey of a Norton Rider 12 years of Norton Motorcycles iconic 650SS classic motorcycle
 
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