New to Norton, 71' Basket Case..

Hey Guys,

I have been lurking around for a few weeks now after my purchase of a 71' Norton basket case. Matching #'s (according to the seller,) rebuilt motor (looks clean and can see new valves etc.) The tranny was rebuilt with new bearings and seals, I believe he said it is from a markIII. I would first like to say hi before I start asking all sorts of questions.

I (to some peoples dismay I am sure,) am planning on a cafe build, nothing crazy a lot of stock parts being used. I do plan on tackling the more common issues with reliability as I have not owned anything older than 2000' and although I love to wrench I prefer to do it on my own accord rather than out of necessity. My research on the forums has scared me a little, but I have ordered a set of whitworth tools and 'kim' dvd (yet to look at it though,) so hopefully I am headed in the right direction.

I have it in rolling chassis form as I am modifying the stock fenders to my liking and will be adding a cafe seat with the classic 'hump'. So far I have finished my fab on the front fender, lobbing a lot of metal off of it and taking 3cm out of the middle and using the fender supports as the new mounting brackets (I'll post some pics shortly.) I will be starting on the rear soon!

As much as I would love to build a performer, suspension, brakes etc I have an 08' RSVR pushing 160hp to the wheel, ohlins, brembro, so I am not in need of one. I am looking to build something that is a start and go that feels good down the road but maintaining some classic looks (front drum brake etc,) and have fun doing it.

Here goes the questions....

Ignition...I have a Boyer unit in box (I know nothing about it,) but was reading about the Power Arc system and it sounded pretty slick, worth t he upgrade or the Boyer is solid enough?
Isolastics... Being a basket case there is just a mound of these laying in a box, scary looking. I have read the markIII units are a good upgrade and will ease the tuning. There are a few aftermarket units out there, is the CNW unit a bit overkill? Is there an equally well functioning cheaper solution?
Z Plates... Being a cafe bike I am looking to elimate some heft (or look of) and the z plates along with stock pegs look like a place to start for me. Easily done with the install of a dunstall like rearset?
Headstay....worth ditching the stocker for the CNW unit?
Oil Tank....Are they as bad as the CNW web page describes? I can mig weld but braze I cannot, can I fix the tank myself?

thanks ahead of time guys

Dan

shady280zx said:

I (to some peoples dismay I am sure,) am planning on a cafe build, nothing crazy a lot of stock parts being used.

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I have yet to see anyone dismayed by a custom norton, unless it's ugly. This isn't a Triumph forum, these bikes are meant to be ridden. :mrgreen:

shady280zx said:

Here goes the questions....

Ignition...I have a Boyer unit in box (I know nothing about it,) but was reading about the Power Arc system and it sounded pretty slick, worth t he upgrade or the Boyer is solid enough?
Isolastics... Being a basket case there is just a mound of these laying in a box, scary looking. I have read the markIII units are a good upgrade and will ease the tuning. There are a few aftermarket units out there, is the CNW unit a bit overkill? Is there an equally well functioning cheaper solution?
Z Plates... Being a cafe bike I am looking to elimate some heft (or look of) and the z plates along with stock pegs look like a place to start for me. Easily done with the install of a dunstall like rearset?
Headstay....worth ditching the stocker for the CNW unit?
Oil Tank....Are they as bad as the CNW web page describes? I can mig weld but braze I cannot, can I fix the tank myself?

thanks ahead of time guys

Dan

Click to expand...

Boyer is fine. Use it since you have it. Replace later, you have plenty of other things to purchase.

MkIII iso are the way to go. Period. Choice is to shorten a pre-MkIII front mount or buy a kit that will fit a pre-MkIII front mount.

I suggest the Norvil rearsets, especially if you are going to not have passengers.

Headsteady: just about anything is better than stock.

Fix the oil tank. Several methods.

As a lurker I hope you are familiar with the search function here. :mrgreen:

Three cheers for custom/cafe builds! I demand many, many pictures. I'll be keeping my eye on this one..

-Jordan

Glad to hear that I won't be shamed! I have some ideas and will be focusing on customizing the body before I dive into the mechanicals. My appologies about hammering with questions, I am good with forums and search functions but I suppose I am just a little overwhelmed with everything at the moment. I have rebuilt a few bikes myself (write offs, engine swaps etc,) but I dissasembled them and labled them well. I am looking at a mess at the moment (good thing there isn't too many parts.) I will try to get my photos up but I am in the bush working and sattelite internet and up/downloads is a painful thing. But I will be taking lots, it will hopefully turn out to be something unique. While I have some interest another question, what is the general conecencus on belt drive conversion? A must? I really want to drill some holes in that cover......lol

shady280zx said:

Glad to hear that I won't be shamed! I have some ideas and will be focusing on customizing the body before I dive into the mechanicals. My appologies about hammering with questions, I am good with forums and search functions but I suppose I am just a little overwhelmed with everything at the moment. I have rebuilt a few bikes myself (write offs, engine swaps etc,) but I dissasembled them and labled them well. I am looking at a mess at the moment (good thing there isn't too many parts.) I will try to get my photos up but I am in the bush working and sattelite internet and up/downloads is a painful thing. But I will be taking lots, it will hopefully turn out to be something unique. While I have some interest another question, what is the general conecencus on belt drive conversion? A must? I really want to drill some holes in that cover......lol

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Belt drive is on my list of "Please let me have money to do this someday" items.

-Jordan

Jordan I have a feeling you are doing the same to your 850?

shady280zx said:

Jordan I have a feeling you are doing the same to your 850?

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Someday. The wife's already about to kill me with how much I've dumped/continue to dump into my still-unfinished build.

Haha fair enough! I can see how it can happen though! I though a nice little winter project, mmmmm maybe a couple winters and $xxxx....

shady280zx said:

Haha fair enough! I can see how it can happen though! I though a nice little winter project, mmmmm maybe a couple winters and $xxxx....

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Yes. Many, many $$$.

Oh c'mon it won't be too bad, look it is all there....almost....I think...

Let The Mods Begin!

those drum brakes look so good, hard to go wrong

Yeah the high performance part of me really wants the stopping power of the dics but the drums are just soo cool, and like I said I have the Aprilia for speed, the norton will be for cruising!

shady280zx said:

While I have some interest another question, what is the general conecencus on belt drive conversion? A must? I really want to drill some holes in that cover......lol

Click to expand...

There are lots of people who say 'nice to have.' Also a bunch who say 'meh.' I don't know that anyone will say it is a must...

Cheers,

- HJ

Hungry J0e said:

shady280zx said:

While I have some interest another question, what is the general conecencus on belt drive conversion? A must? I really want to drill some holes in that cover......lol

Click to expand...

There are lots of people who say 'nice to have.' Also a bunch who say 'meh.' I don't know that anyone will say it is a must...

Cheers,

- HJ

Click to expand...

Depends on how many parts are missing. For me it was a toss up as I needed a new chain at the very least. If your clutch basket is suspect then at that point go for a belt.

Hey, your bike is already in pieces! You've eliminated the 'teardown' phase! GENIUS!

I love those TLS brakes..They're gorgeous. I damn-near considered downgrading to one on my '73 for looks alone....but that would probably be dumb, so I didn't. If/when I ever start on my featherbed project, I've got a TLS brake to put to use..

-Jordan

Right on, haha sounding like me and already talking about the next project! There will be a lot of 'chromed' parts being painted or blacked out but those drums gotta stay polished! I like the enthusiasm!

shady280zx said:

Right on, haha sounding like me and already talking about the next project! There will be a lot of 'chromed' parts being painted or blacked out but those drums gotta stay polished! I like the enthusiasm!

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A nice, polished TLS assembly is a thing of beauty. It's almost like a piece of art. Mmm.

Looks like a fun project. Search the net for pictures, you'll find Nortons have been "cafed" and raced for as long as they have been around, early 1900's. Do the oil tank mod, Ive had a few commando's & one P11? and ALL of the tanks cracked eventualy. Looking at that front fender you obviously have the skills. I have lower back issues and can only ride leaned over so all my Nortons have been cafe style bikes with rearsets/clippons. You loose a lot of leverage with the short rearset brake lever so you should do a good job of making your front drum work as good as possible. Maybe send it to vintagebrake.com or at least go to his web site, learn what he does & try to have it done somewhear. I know you say you will just cruise but once you get on that bike I think you'll be finding yourself moving quite fast & those brakes are going to feel like Fred Flinstone putting his foot down compaired to your other bikes especially the Aprilia. More pictures please?

Thanks for the advice on the brakes, and compliments on the fender, I will keep that in mind as things progress (slowly!) I have more pictures but the ones I posted pretty much sum up the mods and work I have done thus far as I am working away from home at the moment. I have a tailight ordered and as soon as I can get home and take a few measurements I will get a cafe tail section ordered. I will most likely modify and existing fiberglass unit as I have never really worked with the stuff and my metal skills are limited to collision repair (apprenticed for 2 years, 5 years ago,) and a little fabrication around the house. The rear fender will receive a similar treatment to the front, both will be painted in the end to match the tank/body. Though not the place I will never skip a chance to show off my Aprilia! She is fairly modded up (as far as streetbikes go) with a 1102cc Big Bore Kit, sex on wheels in my mind.