New to Nortons.

While I am new to Nortons, I am neither new to vintage motorcycles nor british vehicles.
Have owned a few Jaguars from modern ones to a V12 XJS also an MG Midget.

Mainly I deal with vintage Honda motorcycles but I have had the itch for a British bike.
A good friend of mine stumbled onto a Norton CHEAP. He had it for a while, but his focus changed so I was able to pick it up.
Might be jumping the gun as I don't physically have the bike yet, but it is as good as mine.

Don't know much about the Norton at this point, have not had a chance to go over it yet.
I know the engine turns over and it has a clear title.
Also has a glass tank.

Bad pictures, I know.






Looks like the bike was knocked over at some point.

Once the bike is back in my garage I will get a better handle on what it needs.
-Assume that the Isolastics need to be done. I heard that the MKIII ones are an upgrade?
-Had Mikunis on it, think it comes with the Amal carbs too.
-Will need to locate a PDF of the manual and parts break down.
-My main focus will be on simple upgrades that will make the bike more useable and enjoyable to ride. I am not one for perfect restorations of hipster bait cafes.

What do your eagle eyes see that stands out?

Im sure I will be picking people's brains to find out about where to get parts and what makes these things tick.

Because everyone loves pictures here are some of my current and past bikes.

This is my long term project.
I did all the newbie mistakes, like take it apart day one.


My chopper.


The current daily mount. Will be on the chopping block to make room for the Norton though.


Cb450 I did a few years ago


The parts hauler, beer getter.


And the big project. A CB750 Honda Seeley #19 of 302


Like I said, a lot of Hondas. Hope its not blasphemous to post all those Hondas....lol

Jag,
Nice Patina on the New to you Norton. Looks like it will polish right up with a bit of elbow grease. :mrgreen: The spring attached to the handlebars is for the Center Stand. Looks like a 70-71ish????
Welcome to the forum.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

Hi jag.
The major safety critical fix is a spring to stop the rear brake pedal dropping if the cable breaks while you are riding it.
Every other enhancement/reclaimation on your (earlier model) bike is non-life threatening.
Ta. Enjoy.

Welcome you are hooked now, looks like it will clean up great with time, and also some nice classic Hondas, when i brought my Norton new in 76 I could have brought a new Honda 4 as all my mates were at the time, but I am glad I went the way I did, so nearly 40 years of ownership, anyways get it all cleaned up and who know might not take much to get it going, just refreash all fluids and have fun, I think you will fall in love with it pretty quick.

Ashley

Nice, early bike. I have a similar one, a 1970 myself... Want a list of everything I have done to it?? (you'll probably sell yours if I posted a list lol)

Once it's mechanically correct, it's worth the effort.

BTW,..... do not get rid of that 1100F. I had a 78 750F. what a great bike that was til I crashed it...

Nice find, looks kind of like mine when I got it. Looked easy but needed pretty much everything. Buckle up.
Ditch the glass tank unless you can get non ethanol fuel
The glass tank is the next thing to go on mine.
Good luck with your project!

jaguar said:

-Will need to locate a PDF of the manual and parts break down.
-My main focus will be on simple upgrades that will make the bike more useable and enjoyable to ride. I am not one for perfect restorations of hipster bait cafes.

Click to expand...

For references, this is a great thread to read - technical-information-how-post-photos-t2357.html (links to manuals are there) else the Google search in the top right (better than the forum search on left)

You may want to read some of Old Britts before you start anything - gives you a superb overview before you dive in on Day 2 - http://www.oldbritts.com/ob_tech.html

For eyecandy and usable upgrades - http://coloradonortonworks.com/default.asp.

Yes on the Mk3 isos. Also check out the sexy Comnoz headsteady at CNW. You will want a new-ish head steady

These are the brake shoes you want to get when you first get this thing running and on the road. Just put some on the back of my '74 and they stop harder than most.

http://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/rgm-rear ... d_2471.htm
http://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/rgm-fron ... n_2441.htm

A good ignition...TriSpark, Pazon....
Crank case breather to ease the leaks. Google that one here for fun reading ...
Lansdowne fork dampers - http://lansdowne-engineering.co.uk/three_3.html
And a new horn...LOL.

Welcome and enjoy!

Welcome Jaguar Looks like a 1971; and mostly complete too. First thing I would bin the fiberglass tank and get a steel one. The fiberglass ones are ... just not worth the grief. :evil: Get an original OEM used, maybe fleabay, or EMGO makes a really nice replacement. This Norton will be super simple compared to the Hondas and the cars you done.

Great pics of the Hondas too, thanks for posting. Had 9 Honda CB750s (SOHC) over the years, and some other Hondas ... and bunch of other bikes as well. Pretty much ANY 70s bikes I like, just partial to the British ones. There just something about the 70s British bikes ... specially' the Commando 8)

Enjoy !

Hey Ho jaguar, main thing besides above 70-71 era, ethanol prone tank etc the primary chain must be set what seems too slack cold as tightens up a lot hot to point can bend shafts and wear bushes bearings or worse. Creep up on it from manual instructions and use ATF Type F as best fluid fill to lower link sag level only. It can be a crazy handler on old tires and old isolastic cushions the both collaspse and take a angled set depending on how bike stored on side stand or not. Most efficient is tear down to crank and work back up or pig in a sac that may otherwise piecemeal you to death far from home. Electric loom and bullets corrode to dust or apart under insulation but hey you know that with Hondas. On the real Brit Iron forums its was taboo to spell that out fully like come four letter words in polite company. I do not like how most Hondas sound but the inline 4 with open pipe in chopper frames, bitchy starling sound only the HD choppers would not love. I needed Whitworth, SAE, Metric and Metinch special sockets that grab flats not corners as some fasteners buggered up as well as corroded in. Cut off allen key for carbs, puller for clutch spring you can make, couple special pullers for cam side and got heat torch plus some hammers should get ya going. Much easier to source any parts and special parts than Hondas.

Looks to be a '71 model year. Frame, engine, gearbox numbers should all be the same and less than 200,xxx. After you get it in your garage your going to play with it for a while and you may be tempted to start taking it apart. Resist this and make a plan of attack first . Take lots of photos for reference for when you have to re-assemble. Pick and choose the upgrades that make sense to you. You can really get carried away spending money on things that don't have that much return on investment. Hopefully you will be adding to the population of Commandos returned from the dead.

CanukNortonNut said:

Jag,
Nice Patina on the New to you Norton. Looks like it will polish right up with a bit of elbow grease. :mrgreen: The spring attached to the handlebars is for the Center Stand. Looks like a 70-71ish????
Welcome to the forum.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

Click to expand...

Yeah I think it is the center stand spring too.
Honestly done remember the year.
Hope that she polishes up well. Like I said, not looking for a show bike. She will live outside too. Just looking for something that isn't a heap.

needing said:

Hi jag.
The major safety critical fix is a spring to stop the rear brake pedal dropping if the cable breaks while you are riding it.
Every other enhancement/reclaimation on your (earlier model) bike is non-life threatening.
Ta. Enjoy.

Click to expand...

Will have to look into that, thanks

ashman said:

Welcome you are hooked now, looks like it will clean up great with time, and also some nice classic Hondas, when i brought my Norton new in 76 I could have brought a new Honda 4 as all my mates were at the time, but I am glad I went the way I did, so nearly 40 years of ownership, anyways get it all cleaned up and who know might not take much to get it going, just refreash all fluids and have fun, I think you will fall in love with it pretty quick.

Ashley

Click to expand...

Yeah I hope that it doesn't take more then the "normal" stuff to wake the bike back up.

o0norton0o said:

Nice, early bike. I have a similar one, a 1970 myself... Want a list of everything I have done to it?? (you'll probably sell yours if I posted a list lol)

Once it's mechanically correct, it's worth the effort.

BTW,..... do not get rid of that 1100F. I had a 78 750F. what a great bike that was til I crashed it...

Click to expand...

You have a "build thread"? would love to read it.
The 1100F has been a bike I wanted to own for a long time. They are mildly rare. I tend to like to have many motorcycle experiences. Now that I have checked that box it is time to move on. Also I am space limited and the 1100F is the bike closest to the door. Im sure I will kick myself when they shoot up in value in a few years.

MikeM said:

Nice find, looks kind of like mine when I got it. Looked easy but needed pretty much everything. Buckle up.
Ditch the glass tank unless you can get non ethanol fuel
The glass tank is the next thing to go on mine.
Good luck with your project!

Click to expand...

I can get non ethanol fuel. But still think I would rather not have a glass tank.

gortnipper said:

jaguar said:

-Will need to locate a PDF of the manual and parts break down.
-My main focus will be on simple upgrades that will make the bike more useable and enjoyable to ride. I am not one for perfect restorations of hipster bait cafes.

Click to expand...

For references, this is a great thread to read - technical-information-how-post-photos-t2357.html (links to manuals are there) else the Google search in the top right (better than the forum search on left)

You may want to read some of Old Britts before you start anything - gives you a superb overview before you dive in on Day 2 - http://www.oldbritts.com/ob_tech.html

For eyecandy and usable upgrades - http://coloradonortonworks.com/default.asp.

Yes on the Mk3 isos. Also check out the sexy Comnoz headsteady at CNW. You will want a new-ish head steady

These are the brake shoes you want to get when you first get this thing running and on the road. Just put some on the back of my '74 and they stop harder than most.

http://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/rgm-rear ... d_2471.htm
http://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/rgm-fron ... n_2441.htm

A good ignition...TriSpark, Pazon....
Crank case breather to ease the leaks. Google that one here for fun reading ...
Lansdowne fork dampers - http://lansdowne-engineering.co.uk/three_3.html
And a new horn...LOL.

Welcome and enjoy!

Click to expand...

Thanks very much. Will be sure to read up!

nortriubuell said:

Welcome Jaguar Looks like a 1971; and mostly complete too. First thing I would bin the fiberglass tank and get a steel one. The fiberglass ones are ... just not worth the grief. :evil: Get an original OEM used, maybe fleabay, or EMGO makes a really nice replacement. This Norton will be super simple compared to the Hondas and the cars you done.

Great pics of the Hondas too, thanks for posting. Had 9 Honda CB750s (SOHC) over the years, and some other Hondas ... and bunch of other bikes as well. Pretty much ANY 70s bikes I like, just partial to the British ones. There just something about the 70s British bikes ... specially' the Commando 8)

Enjoy !

Click to expand...

I have been told that the Norton will be "different" but overall a more simple machine. I laugh when guys say "I bought a barn find CB750, Im sure it will be easy to work on. Its so old" Truth is they are complex machines and lots of interesting tech. Looking forward to learning about the Norton though.

hobot said:

Hey Ho jaguar, main thing besides above 70-71 era, ethanol prone tank etc the primary chain must be set what seems too slack cold as tightens up a lot hot to point can bend shafts and wear bushes bearings or worse. Creep up on it from manual instructions and use ATF Type F as best fluid fill to lower link sag level only. It can be a crazy handler on old tires and old isolastic cushions the both collaspse and take a angled set depending on how bike stored on side stand or not. Most efficient is tear down to crank and work back up or pig in a sac that may otherwise piecemeal you to death far from home. Electric loom and bullets corrode to dust or apart under insulation but hey you know that with Hondas. On the real Brit Iron forums its was taboo to spell that out fully like come four letter words in polite company. I do not like how most Hondas sound but the inline 4 with open pipe in chopper frames, bitchy starling sound only the HD choppers would not love. I needed Whitworth, SAE, Metric and Metinch special sockets that grab flats not corners as some fasteners buggered up as well as corroded in. Cut off allen key for carbs, puller for clutch spring you can make, couple special pullers for cam side and got heat torch plus some hammers should get ya going. Much easier to source any parts and special parts than Hondas.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. Would rather not have to dig deep into the motor, but will if I have to. I did a HD shovelhead engine once and was SHOCKED how much easier it was then the SOHC Hondas that I am used to building up. Only time will tell how deep I have to dig.
Iso, tires, brakes, ect are first on the list.

illf8ed said:

Looks to be a '71 model year. Frame, engine, gearbox numbers should all be the same and less than 200,xxx. After you get it in your garage your going to play with it for a while and you may be tempted to start taking it apart. Resist this and make a plan of attack first . Take lots of photos for reference for when you have to re-assemble. Pick and choose the upgrades that make sense to you. You can really get carried away spending money on things that don't have that much return on investment. Hopefully you will be adding to the population of Commandos returned from the dead.

Click to expand...

I know the dangers of blowing a bike apart day one. Will not be doing that without a very good reason. I have been told the numbers all match.
Would like some alloy rims, maybe a dual disc front end, better forks?, good shocks and just simple "period" type stuff.

I have a knack for finding extremely rare speed parts in the Honda world. Maybe I can translate that to the Norton world now too.

Not too far from you is Jim Noll at British Bike Connection
http://www.britishbikeconnection.com

He has a ton of experience with Norton's.
I also like to get my parts from Clubman Racing over in CT, http://www.clubmanracing.com. but don't email him unless you have a huge order, calling Frank is best to get a quick response.

Looking forward to watching what you do with this project

The engines bottoms are pretty robust and can last many dozens of 1000s miles and if starts and do not smoke to high heavens likely bores/rings decent too. Soft cams are infamous for wearing a lobe off but could detect that measuring valve lift off a rocker. Most likely weakness is the gearbox bushes especially 1st gear and deeper sleeve bushes worn sloppy and begine to flip out of gear or trouble engaging. Oh yeah the gear box lay shaft bearing is also infamous for comning apart to lock up on the fly. There are some tricky tedious procedures to tackle gearbox but straight forward w/o special tools expect to ream new bushes. Rear bearings in drum hub likely rusted worn sloppy too. Hard to keep head leaks and case weeps alway unless a PCV or reed valve or old school TS case breather mods. Rocker covers are problematic to seal on paper gaskets as their fasteners not than strong to torque on but must be dang tight not to vibe off the road. I like the thick soft reusable red silicon rocker seals which many vendors have. If high CR 10 ish like a Combat it gets timed to 28* max other wise 32ish or may be hurt kicking off back fire. Forks with be full of rusted springs and mud at bottom. If has assemalator key on until I would bypass or trash it. Do note about 1/3 the loom wires are for useless police equipment so do not sweat the double dead ends and loops, especially red earth leads.