Im Sure this has come up before

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nortoneer850

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Hey all!

Just wanted to post a broad question to everyone here. When taking your norton on a road trip what have you learned? Packed that you liked? Disliked? Tools that came in handy of never used? Creature comforts that you needed or found a new way to substitute for? And what bolts do you locktite?

I'm going on a long trip with some friends in the near future and we will be roughing it. Just thought people could benefit from some roadtrippin knowledge.
 
nortoneer850 said:
Hey all!

Just wanted to post a broad question to everyone here. When taking your norton on a road trip what have you learned? Packed that you liked? Disliked? Tools that came in handy of never used? Creature comforts that you needed or found a new way to substitute for? And what bolts do you locktite?

I'm going on a long trip with some friends in the near future and we will be roughing it. Just thought people could benefit from some roadtrippin knowledge.
Click to expand...


I bring a mini tool kit with the socket for a spark plug but instead of a ratchet I bring a small adjustable spanner. Couple plugs, little tape, small thing of tie wire. I am sure theres a bunch of other stuff people bring and probably more that I bring but this is just off the top of my head.
 
Something to wipe up the mess just riding a ways or before or after fiddling. Small test light, screw driver that can reach All the carb screws and maybe a carb screw too. Needle nose with cutter is more useful than regular piliers. Band aids.
Bent wrench to check on rear head bolt and 1/4W socket and end wrenches to nip up the barrel nuts. A few crimp terminals with that length of wire. Something to open the primary inspection caps. A common let down on trip is alternator wire comes loose so battery goes flat. Wrench to deal with axle for flats or chain adj. Cable end repair. Credit cards.
 
Visa or Mastercard and a billfold stuffed with cash and a phone card and a list of Norton owners on the way-route. Lucky rabbit's foot to top up the insurance policy.
 
as far as tools and stuff, hobot's post is right on. it's different today than it was when we all used to go everywhere on our Nortons, as credit cards and cell phones are the norm, and there is a good network out there. pack it up and have some fun, try to keep the weight down low, not too high on the ass end, as the front end will get too light
 
cable ties have superceded fencing wire, 3/4 socket in case of clutch retaining nut coming loose, ajustable / shifting spanner good if you can find a short one with a wide mouth, spare gear change pawl spring, airhawk seats are good over a long distance, roll of duct tape comes in handy too.
 
Oh uhg, I'd forgot about the lighter front end with a big cargo load, not a worry in the world but two or 3 issues I ran into on that... one, big load can cause a weird flat tire like wobble on initial clutch let out, like easing into traffic or in parking lots, two, can wheelie unintended leaving lights with much gusto, three it puts a pounding on the dumb-assxle which can break. So add a couple 2-3 inch hose clamps that can be used single-ly or combined and some bailing wire to hold up hot things like muffler or header or coils if they crack off as has happened to me. Carry vendor phone numbers to have stuff send to ya just in case. The cell phone ain't that much use far away from home as about everyone will lend ya their to call a place to stay if serious show stopper then just use motel or new friends putting ya up til recovered. A Big tank bag helps to lay on top of after hours on the road and many more to go. Luggage/bed roll on front of the sissy bar that ya can lean back on after hours on the road and many more to go. Ya do have a sissy bar for luggage lashing don't ya, if not then much harder to stabilze cargo. Really though all's ya should need is lots of cash and a pistol and just buy what ya need as occasion arises.

i used to pack in the big city but went most a decade in rural area w/o it until Wes my buddy related his tale of laying on pick nic table when a couple camped close by w/o seeing him and the fella got stinking drunk in a rage and stumping around after slapping his woman who kicked him out of the tent. Said he could rest easier if case discovered so close but never was. One luck out tale with me was 100 mile away from home charger wire came loose till stalled, so had to spend quality fettering time tracking the issue squatting and kicking then running to start to spend 7+ more hours to camp site, where upon I discovered my boot holster was empty!!! Two days later on return I pulled in that church driveway to see lot full of folks but saw the pistol in the gravel driven on but not really damaged. If ya camp around other bikers you will likely be protected w/o knowing it as a great many are packing for ya and I'm glad of it. Just think of how different the news would be it theaters were full of armed sane people.
 
too many naps on picnic tables to remember "fondly". tank bags are good but didn't want to tell all the secrets, as it gets overwhelming. let the guy figure it out himself. Nebraska 1978 80 mph trying to out run a storm, got the cross wind with too much high weight on the sissy bar. changed underwear when i stopped in the corn field.
 
nortoneer850 said:
Just wanted to post a broad question to everyone here. When taking your norton on a road trip what have you learned?.
Click to expand...


I learned to do intensive maintenance before departure. Last 3 trips (more than 2000klms each). Never touched a spanner or added oil. I do carry a tool that fits both axles and the exhaust nut as well as a spare plug.
 
I almost allways have a multi screwdriver, adjustable medium cresent, spare bulbs & fuses in my tank bag but broken clutch cables have gotten me twice so I want to start carrying a spare clutch & throttle cable. Some even run them on the bike next to the ones being used.
 
Back in the day...

These came with a new Norton back in 1975; quite a few dealers worldwide!
Is there an informal list now?

If anyone wants a particular country/state list copied let me know.

Im Sure this has come up before


Im Sure this has come up before
 
A famous journalist once said that before he rides his Norton he brings:
1. a cell phone
2. lunch
3. a good book

You can raise the odds of roadside issues by also bringing:
1. spare plugs with wrench
2. any fuses required
3. electrical tape
4. a screw driver with both phillips and slot heads
5. a small crescent wrench
6. a "good" credit card
7. AAA coverage for a tow home, never to any garbage!
 
A good thing to do is to run a spare clutch cable alongside the the one on the bike, taped or zip-tied in place. If you break the cable, a few minutes will have you up and running again. A spare throttle cable in the tool kit wouldn't hurt, either. Plugs, wires, bulbs, tires, tubes and oil can all be picked up on the road.

I had a clutch cable break on my commando after a long day riding, and managed to make the last few miles home sans clutch. I now carry a spare when traveling.

I had the top throttle cable break on my Ranger in Daytona, and had to ride back to the hotel in Flagler Beach, about 35 miles away. I pulled the sleeve off the top section of cable, wrapped the cable end around my small screwdriver (kept in my pocket to adjust carbs) and rode the bike back to the hotel by gripping the screwdriver against the twist grip, and twisting the grip to pull on the cable - crude but effective.
 
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