My first hot rod Norton

Haven't gotten much done, had Covid for two weeks. Modified rear break mount to fit, also modified swing arm for larger axel. If you notice there is only one brace welded on swingarm, WHY do you get them from AN as one not a pair. I'll read better and order another one later. Also rebuilt front breaks complete, so that's ready. Modified frame for in frame oiling, not completely happy with tank that I added to rear of frame think I'll redo it.

***Future reference*** My MegaCycle 560-00 cam caused the valves to hit each other at .160 lift may have to sink valves to widen their relationship> Shop said he knew that was going to happen when he saw the duration. Should have cylinders and head back later this week for real mock-up!


My first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod Norton
 
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mean gene said:
***Future reference*** My MegaCycle 560-00 cam caused the valves to hit each other at .160 lift may have to sink valves to widen their relationship> Shop said he knew that was going to happen when he saw the duration. Should have cylinders and head back later this week for real mock-up!
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Radius the followers?
 
Yes using radius lifters. Great looking bike and pipes. Thanks for pics. Comstock's racer that burnt?? had pipes bent around and out under the seat as reference. There is a pic on forum somewhere. First mock up of rear master cylinder, not sure I'll use it, need to look at it for a while. Someone suggested a Ducati Monster is more compact. A lightweight kicker would be nice, those suckers are heavy!


My first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod Norton
 
mean gene said:
Yes using radius lifters. Great looking bike and pipes. Thanks for pics. Comstock's racer that burnt?? had pipes bent around and out under the seat as reference. There is a pic on forum somewhere.
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Pictures of your Norton Commandos

And here are a couple pictures of my first perimeter framed Norton racer. Here are some pictures of the modified Norton motor that was in it. It made 85 to 90 horse at around 9000 and the engine cases would last about 6 weekends of racing even with the center support. Then they would...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
Ok so I got zero feed back on my rear break set up! Don't worry I didn't really like it but as trying to use what I had. Thanks to Steve who suggested a Ducati set up. $50 eBay and I got exactly what I needed, remote reservoir plus a break switch and a break line that is a little short but shows me what I need. Tomorrow morning will be spent cleaning Aluminum chips up in my shop. Seems the wife found a few in the family room. First I might add a few holes to save weight.


My first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod Norton
 
Before you drill any holes, I’d cut a curve out of the back side of the plate too. It’ll save more weight than holes and (IMHO) improve the aesthetics.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Before you drill any holes, I’d cut a curve out of the back side of the plate too. It’ll save more weight than holes and (IMHO) improve the aesthetics.
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BIGGER HOLES!

mean gene said:
Might follow your advice. I have a manual mill and curves are a PIA!! LOL
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Scribing your curve and "chain drilling" with a hole saw, then tidying up with a file is faster than fussing with the rotary table, unless you're doing multiple. Even then it can still be a toss up.

These arbors are awesome. Nice, stiff 3/4" shank instead of the puny drill ones. Going into aluminum is best done if you don't plunge 100% into the material, and let the saw hang off an edge or into a hole to evacuate the chip, or it'll wad up in the kerf if not. Tried blasting air to get the chip out while cutting, but to no avail. Kerosene and dangling works best.
 
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Id tend to leave the head & go at the cam , or pistons . A bit of measuring the dome ? thickness , would see if Cut out's'd DO IT .

Or throw in low comp. & plastacine , to see WHERE the cut outs gotta go . you need 40 thou. / 1 mm clearance . MINIMUM , over the top .
AND you dont want intake & exhaust to tangle on the overlap .

My first hot rod Norton


But // twins a bit twisted .

My first hot rod Norton


Bit of drivle here : https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/high-cr-pistons-and-squish-heads-chat….34084/

Wonder if Inter Pistons'd go inem .

My first hot rod Norton
350 ones ? https://www.racingvincent.co.uk/14 Norton Site/Manx-Norton-04.html

ANYWAY , Shifting the VALVE HIGHT , would mean the whole valvetrain geometry would need restablishing .

ALSO you want to check the hight / clearance above the lifter at full lift - as in it got say 30 thou. plus ' excess travel ' clearance .
Was a Major problem on first Villietrs combats .

SO , if you can go at it at The PISTONS , you wont get all tangled up elsewhere . I'd think .
 
Whole valve geometry needs to be checked, head has been planed. Thanks didn't think to check lifter maximum movement height!
 
Moving along, I contacted Sudco about the use of t34 Flat slide carbs on my 850 project. Seems all t34 have a #4.0 slide, per Sudco, This is what they gave me if anyone else is interested. Only time will tell. Left prices for shoppers!!

My first hot rod Norton
 
Ok everything I look at I learn a little more and see something I have not seen before. In changing to left shift the transmission that I bought was JUST REBUILT, would not could not shift. No biggie tear it apart! What I found was a lot of new gears and new shafts, plus the outboard bearing being machined and replace with a larger and stouter Styer bearing. Is this a common practice? I believe it was assembled to tight. Will assemble it slowly and ck that there is some clearance on shafts and gears.


My first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod Norton
 
mean gene said:
Ok everything I look at I learn a little more and see something I have not seen before. In changing to left shift the transmission that I bought was JUST REBUILT, would not could not shift. No biggie tear it apart! What I found was a lot of new gears and new shafts, plus the outboard bearing being machined and replace with a larger and stouter Styer bearing. Is this a common practice? I believe it was assembled to tight. Will assemble it slowly and ck that there is some clearance on shafts and gears.


View attachment 101661View attachment 101663
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Same bearings are in my P11 gearbox and I don't think it was ever modified. The standard gearbox rebuild kit bearings from Andover went right in.

My gearbox only shifted easily when the mainshaft is being spun by the clutch powered by the engine. You can fake it with your hand spinning the mainshaft, but it isn't smooth.
 
Have been told , for those who want to know, the Styer roller bearing is way better then standard ball bearing. In fact that is the only bearing he uses! So here are some pics of my left hand shift mods. The only thing is the adjustable linkage will have to go on the inside to allow for oil block. Might have to go to spherical rod ends for clearance. It does shift! Twin T34's fit with cone K&N filters. Will stay with these manifolds for now. Need to fight the important fires, I'd like to have it running for Washington Crossing this spring. Next will be the exhaust and the alternator mount.


My first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod Norton
 
mean gene said:
Have been told , for those who want to know, the Styer roller bearing is way better then standard ball bearing.
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Not necessarily "Styer" (Steyr?) but the NJ203E roller bearing has been the recommended replacement for the standard 6203 ball bearing for many (40+?) years although there is a better quality FAG 6203 TB.P63 ball bearing that Mick Hemmings preferred over the roller bearing.
andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
 
Thanks! Story of my life, being behind times! but 40 years oh well LOL
 
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This mornings project, make exhaust thread protectors. Machined out of aluminum to save weight. Started on exhaust. Need to order 30 or 45 degree prebent 1 5/8 inch pipe. Also got Ebay oil cooler for $50.


My first hot rod NortonMy first hot rod Norton
 
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