I Found A Project Norton

Big_Jim59 · Nov 28, 2023

I like to pass on opportunity, when I find it, to anyone here. It is 166 miles from me so I think I will pass on this one.

I was looking at another bike that the owner had posted on Facebook Marketplace. In the corner of the photo was an Interstate tank and I inquired about it. He said that he had the rest of the bike but it had been sitting outside for years. Take a look. He did say that he would cut back the brush a bit so we could see what's under there.

On the plus side, it does have the correct Interstate pipes and mufflers. On the down side I do have another picture of the tank but it looks like it's fiberglass just by the dull finish. It has been sitting under pine needles which are acidic and not much help in preservation. Someone really hated this bike.

ashman · Nov 28, 2023

What a shame to be treated like that, but anything can be brought back to life if you have the time and money to do so, it probably was thrashed with only low miles on the clock, something failed and left to rot away, probably from someone who has never owned an old British bike and rode/thrashed it like a JAP bike, how many have ended this way.

baz · Nov 28, 2023

Big_Jim59 said:
I like to pass on opportunity, when I find it, to anyone here. It is 166 miles from me so I think I will pass on this one.

I was looking at another bike that the owner had posted on Facebook Marketplace. In the corner of the photo was an Interstate tank and I inquired about it. He said that he had the rest of the bike but it had been sitting outside for years. Take a look. He did say that he would cut back the brush a bit so we could see what's under there.

On the plus side, it does have the correct Interstate pipes and mufflers. On the down side I do have another picture of the tank but it looks like it's fiberglass just by the dull finish. It has been sitting under pine needles which are acidic and not much help in preservation. Someone really hated this bike.

That's a groovy looking clock console!!

Big_Jim59 · Nov 28, 2023

I am interested to see what it looks like with the brush cleared.

Big_Jim59 · Nov 28, 2023

baz said:
That's a groovy looking clock console!!

At first I thought it looked like a John Player Replica dash board but I was wrong. The holes are in the wrong place. It think it is off a Moto Guzzi Convert.

Torontonian · Nov 28, 2023

Get out the Machete !

jan nelder · Nov 29, 2023

Torontonian said:
Get out the Machete !

a Norton Machete has a certain ring to it! Good for carving through the traffic.....

kommando · Nov 29, 2023

Looks more like 'Lost a Norton Project' than found it

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robs ss · Nov 29, 2023

Very sad - irredeemable?
I can only imagine what the insides of the engine and gearbox are like.

daveforty · Nov 29, 2023

robs ss said:
Very sad - irredeemable?
I can only imagine what the insides of the engine and gearbox are like.

Only one way to find out... and if its cheap enough, then maybe worth a punt? In the UK, such a wreck could fetch a couple of thousand £s.

grandpaul · Nov 29, 2023

That'll buff out...

marshg246 · Nov 29, 2023

You might be surprised. The bike pictured outside was there since 1973. It was wrecked and parts were taken from it to put the complete bike on the road. I was told that the complete bike was in a weird wreck - the cylinder head, cylinders, tank and oil tank took a direct hit from a car bumper. Fortunately, it was a low-speed hit while the bike was parked on the center stand and it slid to the side so those were all the damaged parts.

I bought them together and cleaned up/restored what I could of the outside bike parts. I ended up with good crankcases, mostly a good gearbox but especially the case. Those let me turn the complete bike back to matching numbers. The timing chest parts except the chain were all good and the oil pump was the best used one I ever bought. The rear fender was in better shape than the one stored inside - shocking for a chrome fender.

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motorson · Nov 29, 2023

Does anyone know where it is?

Big_Jim59 · Nov 29, 2023

motorson said:
Does anyone know where it is?

It's in Marshall Texas. This is the Moto Guzzi ad posted by the guy that has it. Note the Interstate Tank in the image.

Facebook Marketplace Moto Guzzi Ad

Stephen Hill · Nov 29, 2023

The console can't be off a Moto Guzzi. It has Norton cast into it.
Must be some rare aftermarket Norton part.
Might be worth more than the whole bike!!!!

73NortonRider · Nov 29, 2023

Stephen Hill said:
The console can't be off a Moto Guzzi. It has Norton cast into it.
Must be some rare aftermarket Norton part.
Might be worth more than the whole bike!!!!

The "Norton" is not cast its just a peeling sticker

mean gene · Nov 29, 2023

As Greg would say "Nice and crusty"

74ok · Nov 29, 2023

robs ss said:
Very sad - irredeemable?
I can only imagine what the insides of the engine and gearbox are like.

unapproachable

Big_Jim59 · Nov 29, 2023

If it was not so far away I would be tempted to drive out and just look it over. My guess is the pistons are stuck and the cylinders are rusty beyond salvation. The cases and bottom end might be OK. (Unless blown up.) The transmission might not too bad since it is lying on its right side and should be protected somewhat from water egress. Everything else just makes me tired to think about and all I see is dollar signs when I think about it's condition.

Torontonian · Nov 29, 2023

Big_Jim59 said:
If it was not so far away I would be tempted to drive out and just look it over. My guess is the pistons are stuck and the cylinders are rusty beyond salvation. The cases and bottom end might be OK. (Unless blown up.) The transmission might not too bad since it is lying on its right side and should be protected somewhat from water egress. Everything else just makes me tired to think about and all I see is dollar signs when I think about it's condition.

Machete . Trailer . Ownership long gone . 2 or 3 person job to extricate . Sounds like fun to me .

I Found A Project Norton

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