New classic brit bike owner/what have I gotten into?

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Piefairy

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Jul 16, 2019
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I just purchased a 1962 Norton Atlas from a restoration garage out in Texas, the bike is unrestored. I haven't touched or ridden the bike, but they have great reviews. Spoke to the owner of the garage, they only restore classic brit bikes. Engine and trans were gone through less than 1,000 miles ago. Numbers matching. Front wheel was swapped for a Honda from what I understand as well as a disc brake (requiring the left fork to be modified).

I've been looking for an Atlas at a good price for a few years. I rebuilt a 74 Honda CB750 2 years ago and convinced myself that I can maintain something like this. The bike is a good strong runner, starts in 2 kicks, per the 72 year old owner.

I am looking for a good place for resources, manuals, tips, tricks, parts, anything for this classic. I am worried about a kickstarter with such high compression 2 cyl engine, but I think I can always lengthen the kick arm if needed.


 
You can download free a Heavy Weight Twin repair manual from
http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Repair/NortonRepair.htm

This is a direct copy of my Norton Service Manual, but the photos are hard to see clearly.

There are several after market Manuals that can be purchased in the $25-35 range such as Haynes. Well worth having one.

As far as tips and tricks, if you bring a topic to this forum, you will get them.

Don't worry about kickstarting, once you get the knack, you will not need a longer lever, unless you have bad knees to begin with. It is more likely that you will need a strong wrist to cope with the clutch pull.

Slick
 
Thanks for the reply. Knees are still decent at 32, but I do lack an ass to knock it down. I'm not to worried about the clutch pull, I squeeze and hold on well, but kicking out and letting go, not so much. :P
 
The trick to starting is to treat it like a single, slowly advance the kickstarter until you come to a resistance, this is the compression building up prior to TDC, then carry on applying pressure and let the compression leak away, the kickstarter will suddenly become easy to move, stop at this point which should be just after TDC. You can now give it the beans, there will be little to no resistance and you will get maximum energy into the flywheel. Its this energy which will take the piston into and over the next TDC and to the firing point. Gives the kickstart mechanism an easier time than standing on the kickstart and kicking it over full TDC compression.
 
You should download a parts list from that classicbike.biz link I posted above.
My 'go to first' parts supplier is Baxter in Marne IA. Old Brita in WA is good two.

Slick
 
kommando said:
The trick to starting is to treat it like a single, slowly advance the kickstarter until you come to a resistance, this is the compression building up prior to TDC, then carry on applying pressure and let the compression leak away, the kickstarter will suddenly become easy to move, stop at this point which should be just after TDC. You can now give it the beans, there will be little to no resistance and you will get maximum energy into the flywheel. Its this energy which will take the piston into and over the next TDC and to the firing point. Gives the kickstart mechanism an easier time than standing on the kickstart and kicking it over full TDC compression.
Click to expand...

I’m shocked at how many people don’t do this. They treat the kickstarter like it’s on a 125 dirtbike. Plus the Norton doesn’t have the the best ratios. Practice the technique above until it’s second nature.

What prompted you to get this particular bike aside from it looking lovely? You’re going to need to learn a lot about Nortons. Do you have a local mentor or club?

Our local club encourages new, young members but one needs to be willing to learn.

And this forum is a wealth of information.

Welcome!
 
Where are you at? Maybe there is someone on the list who lives close by? There is a wealth of knowledge in the group and I'm sure that we will be more than happy to help you sort it out. It looks to have good bones and aside from not having the correct oil tank , battery box, the mounting plate for the battery box and I expect tool tray along with fenders it looks good. Yeah, it has a disc brake from what looks to be a Commando but in todays traffic that isn't a bad thing. I have an oil tank that has been chromed.
Question, do you want to restore it or ride and enjoy it? Make it work for you and ride it a bit, see if you want to change or upgrade things or put it back to stock.
John in Texas
 
RK Leighton do not have and don't seem to be able to get seat bases for the Atlas etc, I have been trying for the last 5 months.
 
Sorry for the late reply, been tied up with work. I'm not looking for a trailer queen or a full resto, which is why this one was appealing for the price. I want it to be a "classic cafe' style rider". I don't plan to change the front disc brakes out, unless there is a more stock looking option for it. From what the seller said, they were off a Honda. I actually have a professional leather upholsterer on staff where I work. I spoke with him and he is willing to remake the seat for me. I like the shape, but hate the color, we will see how it feels. I can make a seat pan if I need to, and my guy can fill and stitch it.

I cant find any classic bike groups in my area, I've been looking for a while. I rebuilt a 74 CB750 2 years ago as a starter, to make sure I was interested enough, and willing to put in the time and maintenance, a classic would take. Parts for that were cheap, so it is more custom than stock. I dont think they had bluetooth ignitions back in 74 :P . If anyone knows any groups in the Tampa FL area, please let me know.

Also, I noticed a few of you are out of Texas, that is where the bike is coming from. Anyone know Infinity Classic Motorcycles? Its outside Austin TX, in Pflugerville or however its spelled. Bought it from the shop's owner. Nice guy, seemed to know his stuff.

Anyways, it gets picked up tomorrow, can't wait for it to get here. Thanks for the Sage advice on kickstarting. I went out to my Honda the other day and put the kick lever back on it just to practice and did not do well lol. I will try again following your steps.

Pie
 
One thing I was thinking of changing on the bike was to have the knee indents on the tank. I can't bring myself to modify a stock tank, anyone have a good source for a retro stock tank with the indents?
 
You will cost yourself much by modifying the stock tank. They can fetch $500 easily. If you do bring yourself to modify it, please do not tell us .... it is sad to see grown men cry.

Original Atlas mud guards also are in the $500-800 range.

The original single leading shoe front brake is at best adequate, at worst, sorry. Stay with the disk.

Keep us informed.

Slick
 
Piefairy said:
One thing I was thinking of changing on the bike was to have the knee indents on the tank. I can't bring myself to modify a stock tank, anyone have a good source for a retro stock tank with the indents?
Click to expand...

Because you have the featherbed frame you have a lot of options when it comes to tanks. That's the good news. The bad news is that none fo them are cheap. And you can't just use any tank, because your frame doesn't have the traditional single backbone frame.

What ever you do, don't touch the original tank.

I hope you researched what you bought before you bought it.
 
Piefairy said:
Sorry for the late reply, been tied up with work. I'm not looking for a trailer queen or a full resto, which is why this one was appealing for the price. I want it to be a "classic cafe' style rider". I don't plan to change the front disc brakes out, unless there is a more stock looking option for it. From what the seller said, they were off a Honda. I actually have a professional leather upholsterer on staff where I work. I spoke with him and he is willing to remake the seat for me. I like the shape, but hate the color, we will see how it feels. I can make a seat pan if I need to, and my guy can fill and stitch it.

I cant find any classic bike groups in my area, I've been looking for a while. I rebuilt a 74 CB750 2 years ago as a starter, to make sure I was interested enough, and willing to put in the time and maintenance, a classic would take. Parts for that were cheap, so it is more custom than stock. I dont think they had bluetooth ignitions back in 74 :p . If anyone knows any groups in the Tampa FL area, please let me know.

Also, I noticed a few of you are out of Texas, that is where the bike is coming from. Anyone know Infinity Classic Motorcycles? Its outside Austin TX, in Pflugerville or however its spelled. Bought it from the shop's owner. Nice guy, seemed to know his stuff.

Anyways, it gets picked up tomorrow, can't wait for it to get here. Thanks for the Sage advice on kickstarting. I went out to my Honda the other day and put the kick lever back on it just to practice and did not do well lol. I will try again following your steps.

Pie
Click to expand...
You will need to develop what I call an educated leg to kick start a Norton. I like the looks of your bike but like I said before make it your own. Keep what you like and modify what you don't. No need to be a rivet counter if you aren't into that sort of thing.
John in Texas
 
possm said:
RK Leighton do not have and don't seem to be able to get seat bases for the Atlas etc, I have been trying for the last 5 months.
Click to expand...

Beware of buying new seats on the internet whether slimline or wideline. They are packed with a hard expanded foam and are a little hard on one’s posterior!
 

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