Intro and basket case project

Hello all,

Just wanted to introduce myself and my newish project. My name is Charles and I have been into bikes, mostly Japanese, for the better part of 30 years. This is my first British bike, let alone a Norton. I happened to pick up a '55 model 88 frame and bits with a '58 engine basket case for essentially free. It was a race bike back it the 60's. The motor is mostly assembled but the aluminum head is loose. I haven't opened up the motor at all but it looks like it was recently gone through based on the markings on the head and cases. No idea on the condition of the tranny but it does shift into each gear. It looks like I'll need to have the mag gone through since the attachment points for the spark plug leads are broken off. It's missing the front wheel, mufflers, and the seat but everything else seems to be there from what I can tell. There are lots of spare parts (cylinders, pistons, carbs, oil tanks, forks, sprockets, etc.) and a couple of the classic fiberglass full fairings from the period so I should be able to piece something together once I get the missing parts.

That said, I have a couple questions:

Since I need to get an entire front wheel and I'm not terribly worried about keeping the bike original, what would be a good double leading shoe wheel to get?

What is the best source for getting the mag rebuilt/replaced?

Thanks again and best regards,
Charles

If you are in the US or CA, I recommend Doug Wood for magneto rebuild. He is in PA.

Douglas A Wood [dougwood@netzero.net]

The high tension pickups are available from several suppliers....maybe that is all you need. Rig the mag up on something to spin it....if you get a 1/4 inch arc coming off a high tension lead wire, you may be OK (at least for awhile). Check for proper rotation of the mag...later models were CCW looking from drive end (dunno about yours).

Slick

check with Madass140 here on the forum for front brakes / wheels. He almost assuredly has what you're looking for.

The stock early Commando drum front brake is actually pretty good, with the addition of the stiffener plate, modern compound shoes (Vintage Brake), and proper adjustment. If you can find one for a reasonable price.

Ken

Thanks for info, guys. I'll check into those.

Charles

lcrken said:

The stock early Commando drum front brake is actually pretty good, with the addition of the stiffener plate, modern compound shoes (Vintage Brake), and proper adjustment. If you can find one for a reasonable price.

Ken

Click to expand...

Be careful with this advice ; the Commando has 7 ½ centres fork yolks and the Dommi usually 7 inches, one front wheel will not fit inside the other forks correctly really.

Best cheap setup is a Tickle 2ls with the brakes professional fitted with oversize shoes skimmed down on a mandrel to fit the hub. But the Tickle 2ls brake plate goes for ridiculous amount money there days.

As we have pointed out BEFORE, Bernhard, you are spreading bad info on this subject.
You don't even seem to be able to quote the correct measurements.

ALL dommies from the mid 60s had the 7 & 3/8 fork centres, and will take the TLS front brake.
And those parts will bolt into earlier models...