Maney 920 & TTI transplant

Well I’ve only managed to get out on the bike twice as work and stuff keeps getting in my way!

It’s early days of course, and I really want to try and run this in properly to give the engine the best survival chance. In the 850 motor I’ve been getting through pistons faster than tyres. Seriously!

Running it in ain’t easy though cos the bloody thing just wants to GO! Open the throttle at 3,000rpm and you cannot fail to break out into a broad grin. Very tantalising !

The carburation seems good so far at least. The clutch is really light, but the bite point is a long way out, just something I’ll have to adjust to. The suspension set up is firm and the bike is tall, it’s a bit harsh over potholes, but will probably all make sense on the track.

I’ve a few tweaks to do and niggles to attend to. Off side footrest is too short when running the high level pipe. The speedo doesn’t work (digital job innit, great when working but can be a real PITA to get there). And as predicted earlier in this thread; the back brake is next to useless.

They’re only niggles though, the real issue is starting the beast. I am seriously hoping the motor loosens up somewhat. I’ve had to refit the centre stand (5 lbs extra weight in total) cos I cannot possibly start it off the stand, and the effort required would probably damage the frame if I started it on the side stand.

I’m in serious thoughts about fitting a cNw electric start. I know, all that weight right?!

But, if I use a Shorai battery, and remove the centre stand again, and use a lightweight fibreglass outer primary cover, and remove the kickstart, I reckon the net weight gain is gonna be around 10lbs or less.

And I’m beginning to think that 10lbs is a price worth paying for fuss free, reliable, injury free starting !
 
Yes but...
My current home bent affair is the same overall length.
And...
The RGM kicker would put linkage type rearsets further back than I want.
 
Have to say how pleased I am to find somebody else who has to start it on the centre stand! We need somebody to make a LONGER kicker not just
an inch longer.
...of course you have trouble because it is a serious motor and I because Im a bit, well more than a bit, light!
 
xbacksideslider said:
THAT is a bad ass bike, Eddie. Can you feel my envy? As for your kick start lever, function is beauty. The same goes for the rest of the bike.
Click to expand...


Yes it is. Very tasteful.
I'm sure there is a lot of 'Norton Envy' going on.
There is here at least. Enjoy....
 
Onder said:
Have to say how pleased I am to find somebody else who has to start it on the centre stand! We need somebody to make a LONGER kicker not just
an inch longer.
...of course you have trouble because it is a serious motor and I because Im a bit, well more than a bit, light!
Click to expand...

Well, I know there will be those who’ll say “shouldn’t do that, damage the stand”.

And... I agree with them! But I can’t see much choice. And at least if the centre stand is damaged, it’s easy to fix or replace.

Starting it on the sidestand is likely to result in a damaged frame.

Starting it on no stand is likely to result in increased demand on the NHS.

It’s not through lack of practice, I could comfortably start the 850, even at 10.5:1 CR, with no stand.

But not so this little tinker...
 
I doubt if you will damage the center stand by kick starting the bike. I can understand why it's tough on the side stand to do so, but the center stand is a much sturdier support.

FWIW, When I went from a 750 to a 920 on my PR, it was very difficult to start, and I missed a few race starts because of that, even with a lengthened kicker. I had to go to an external starter and battery cart to be able to keep racing it. That was back before power rollers were readily available. I was mostly racing as a team of one back then, and couldn't always find a couple of sturdy pushers to help me start it. Trying to bump start it cold by myself was hopeless. It was high compression, race cam, mega exhausts, and big carbs, similar to yours. It also had a belt drive with 1.75 primary ratio, which meant the kicker had less mechanical advantage than with the stock 2.17 ratio, turning the engine over slower and making it harder to start. You might have the same issue going on, depending on what belt drive ratio you are using.

I'm a confirmed fan of the electric foot now, and I fear you are about to become the same.

Ken
 
Fast Eddie said:
I’m in serious thoughts about fitting a cNw electric start. I know, all that weight right?!

But, if I use a Shorai battery, and remove the centre stand again, and use a lightweight fibreglass outer primary cover, and remove the kickstart, I reckon the net weight gain is gonna be around 10lbs or less.
Click to expand...

Just lose 10lbs yourself and will be a net zero. :-)
 
I’ve already done that.
lcrken said:
I doubt if you will damage the center stand by kick starting the bike. I can understand why it's tough on the side stand to do so, but the center stand is a much sturdier support.

FWIW, When I went from a 750 to a 920 on my PR, it was very difficult to start, and I missed a few race starts because of that, even with a lengthened kicker. I had to go to an external starter and battery cart to be able to keep racing it. That was back before power rollers were readily available. I was mostly racing as a team of one back then, and couldn't always find a couple of sturdy pushers to help me start it. Trying to bump start it cold by myself was hopeless. It was high compression, race cam, mega exhausts, and big carbs, similar to yours. It also had a belt drive with 1.75 primary ratio, which meant the kicker had less mechanical advantage than with the stock 2.17 ratio, turning the engine over slower and making it harder to start. You might have the same issue going on, depending on what belt drive ratio you are using.

I'm a confirmed fan of the electric foot now, and I fear you are about to become the same.

Ken
Click to expand...

Ken, I’m running the Maney belt on this, which does similar to the primary / kick ration as you describe.

Gortnipper, you sound like my wife !
 
Yes, I think Outstanding is the word , well done !

I'll probably need 4th gear to get past you on the Trident now :-)
 
I hadn't ridden in years before landing this job with the U. S. Army here in Japan. I happen to find an older Yamaha SRX 400 thumper (I'd always wanted the bigger SRX 600) it was a good deal at 800 dollars so I snapped it up and used it as my daily rider all thru last summer and this past winter. It was kick start only. I had fun riding it but got tired of kicking it (it was well set up and usually started on the first kick when warm----second or third when cold. One of the soldiers kept saying that he wanted to buy it from me. I let it go the next time he asked. Just sayin' I got tired of kickin' it (and it weren't no new nine twenty). Anyway what about the set up that Yves just put on his new bike, would it be lighter than the CNW or Alton? ..... p. s. 4th gear huh.... You guys crack me up.
 
Last edited:
trident sam said:
Yes, I think Outstanding is the word , well done !

I'll probably need 4th gear to get past you on the Trident now :)
Click to expand...

Well you’d probably be in fourth gear by the time I’d started mine Sam.

And then I’d be blinded by your smoke screen...
 
cjandme said:
I hadn't ridden in years before landing this job with the U. S. Army here in Japan. I happen to find an older Yamaha SRX 400 thumper (I'd always wanted the bigger SRX 600) it was a good deal at 800 dollars so I snapped it up and used it as my daily rider all thru last summer and this past winter. It was kick start only. I had fun riding it but got tired of kicking it (it was well set up and usually started on the first kick when warm----second or third when cold. One of the soldiers kept saying that he wanted to buy it from me. I let it go the next time he asked. Just sayin' I got tired of kickin' it (and it ain't no new nine twenty). Anyway what about the set up that Yves just put on his new bike, would it be lighter than the CNW or Alton? ..... p. s. 4th gear huh.... You guys crack me up.
Click to expand...

I actually like kicking a motorcycle, there’s something kinda retro, kinda romantic about it. And it’s nice when you know it’s gonna start first, or at the worst case, second kick. But this 920 might just be too much for me.

The starter Yves had was done as a one-off as I understand and it’s not commercially available. Anyway, it required one-off engine plates, which would be a big job on a Commando cradle.

But more than any of that, if I’m going electric, the cNw kit is a no brainer IMHO. It’s just an exquisite piece of kit. And the belt he uses, and the starter motor he uses, have gotta be the most robust on offer. And I’ll be needing robust...!
 
Look mate, if you want to enjoy the bike ----- then get a starter motor. It's a pita if you can't get it going !
Smoke was 30+ years ago, I don't glaze the bores any more

I'll give you a head start :-)
 

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