New Norvil commandos.....

MFB · Oct 29, 2013

Still on the main bearing subject, albeit that it is not strictly on the original topic:
Every that Joe Seifert and Dave mentioned rings true to me from my recent rebuild experience. I purchased the superblends (standard fit) from Norvil along with most of the other parts I used.
When I put the cases together I could not check for end float on the crank because the bearings were too tight. I had noticed some difficulty in putting the cases together.
Long story short, I believe the difference between a satisfactory fit and too tight was the Loctite I used on the outer races! I determined this by experimentation.
Eventually I obtained C3 bearings and used Loctite.
As I mentioned in a previous post, it's a shame that Norvil is out of step with Andover on this issue. It cost me time and money.

Martin

PS Happy birthday Dave.

ZFD · Oct 29, 2013

We ceased supplying them over a year ago. All you buy from them these days has nothing to do with us.

rvich · Oct 29, 2013

Joe,
I would be curious if the dollar amount listed at Old Britts for building a Commando from new parts is still fairly relevant. It shows just shy of 9000 USD. All things considered this is not bad for a kit price. What bits are unavailable at this time? Tanks and clocks? Anything else?

Thanks
Russ

nortonspeed · Oct 29, 2013

rvich said:
Joe,
I would be curious if the dollar amount listed at Old Britts for building a Commando from new parts is still fairly relevant. It shows just shy of 9000 USD. All things considered this is not bad for a kit price. What bits are unavailable at this time? Tanks and clocks? Anything else?
Thanks
Russ

crankshafts, cylinder heads, wheel hubs .......

ZFD · Oct 29, 2013

Yes, crankshafts- o.k., you can have one machined from solid-, cylinder heads- though the excellent Fullauto ones are available-, wheel hubs come to mind; I should have thought everything else we have, but then one never knows until one tries!

I should be surprised if the 9000$US are enough though, frankly, I have never added everything up. Plus with the non-available items it is probably hard to come to a realistic figure.

It is clear the "new" Commandos are partly secondhand. In fact very much so judging from the ones I saw here a few years back. Cylinder heads, crankcases, gearbox castings, wheel hubs and a lot of other components were obviously secondhand and just cleaned up a bit.

rvich · Oct 29, 2013

It would be interesting to see someone offer a kit. Fullauto head, and all. It is not unusual if I want to build a replica car that I need a donor of some kind. It might be worth considering. And rather than "new", I think "replica" is the word that would be more proper.

Russ

swooshdave · Oct 29, 2013

ZFD said:
Yes, crankshafts- o.k., you can have one machined from solid

http://www.stevemaney.com/products.html

Couldn't you just use one of Steve's?

Hobot · Oct 29, 2013

New Norvils, what the heck, who'd want an old clunker Norton edition from a frustrating vendor for about what ya can snag a new 961 for with its current frustrating vendor, sheeze. Thank you Joe for keeping us faithful supplied so stick around please and maybe consider not ridding. Trying to be rational on this hobby.

rvich · Oct 30, 2013

Yes, we want to be rational about this!

You have the right to remain rational, but perhaps not the ability!

Russ

Hobot · Oct 30, 2013

Rationality depends on one's basic assumptions of variety of unknowns but for me m/c's are stupid crazy expensive dangerous hobby with every sort of disappointment and disaster lurking at any moment d/t pilot or someone or somethings else's intrusion. Small scooters and side cars and trikes are most rational way to go on m/c based transport, if going by expense and safety but still not as sane as staying inside your cage. Ask about any women on their insights on our rationalization values.

Norvil Commando Built To Order From 100% New Parts Please Note : Due to high demand, our waiting list for a new Commando to your specification is currently approximately 3 years from order placement [up to 1000 cc's]
http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/road.htm

dennisgb · Oct 30, 2013

hobot said:
Small scooters and side cars and trikes are most rational way to go on m/c based transport, if going by expense and safety but still not as sane as staying inside your cage.

Hobot,

That's why I bought this...it's fun when I don't feel like thinking too much or falling down

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22794316@N03/8655731393/

Hobot · Oct 30, 2013

Alrighty denisen, that's almost as sensible to me as 1950's meter maids, which I enjoyed if not ticketed myself.

But if going that route then this makes even more sense to me.

Alas these still all remind me of the most sensible originals

dennisgb · Oct 31, 2013

Love those Harley ServiCars with the 45 flathead

The Honda is like that only new...it's a Motor Trike conversion.

Matt Spencer · Oct 31, 2013

This ones got I R S . suppose you can leave of the sidestand , for extra cornering clearance too . :mrgreen:

Govig · Nov 3, 2013

you're being very generous. Attitude dealing with customer complaints 1/10. Technical knowledge 4/10. Technical ability 3/10.

Yep, you're probably right. I'll go with your score for attitude. I won't bore you with the incident that led to our parting after around 30 years( and my parting of >£10k during that period :? ). Suffice to say that what he did/didn't do would have been completely unsupportable had officialdom got involved. I just chose, again being generous, not to involve them. Up to that point apart from a couple of parts failures, one of which could have been serious, I was completely happy about my dealings with him.

I definitely don't want to demonise him (or anyone else) on a public forum as I genuinely think he is basically a decent sort . He just needs to be kept away from retail customers.....

Quote from Kate after spending >£10,000:

"Do I know you?"

Priceless!

Al-otment · Nov 3, 2013

It's amazing he's still in business. It's not uncommon to come across people who think it's perfectly acceptable to have to modify brand new parts so as they'll fit! Maybe they prefer this option to complaining. My last dealings with that company, several years ago, resulted in me asking for money back for parts and services and getting, when I questioned suitability of new parts and quality of machining to my parts. Went off like a rocket, effing and blinding, not a pleasant person. Good riddance.

DogT · Nov 3, 2013

Did you guys see the upside down numbers on the gearbox outer cover that was posted here a while ago?

Al-otment · Nov 4, 2013

DogT said:
Did you guys see the upside down numbers on the gearbox outer cover that was posted here a while ago?

Missed that one DogT, starts alarm bells ringing when you see stuff like that.

New Norvil commandos.....

MFB

ZFD

rvich

nortonspeed

Guest

ZFD

rvich

swooshdave

Hobot

rvich

Hobot

dennisgb

Hobot

dennisgb

Matt Spencer

Govig

Al-otment

DogT

Al-otment

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