Newbie, couple of questions

Manu said:

Had NGK BP7ES in it but they've been discontinued.

Click to expand...

If you change to a resistor type plug then you need to change the plug caps to non-resistor type if they're resistor type.

Hi - Thought I'd give an update since getting my '72 Commando and first posting on May 7th,

Bottom line is she is running smooth and looking good!

I know more about her now. She started life as a Combat. She was rebuilt/restored not long before she was parked 10 years ago in a barn. During the rebuild she had Superblend bearings and a Megacycle 560-00 cam installed. I also think detuned for lower compression and new wheels, spokes, and pipes among other things.

Since I got her, and thanks to advice on the forum, I teased her cylinder's with some mystery oil, changed the fluids and battery, and after many kicks got her to fire up. The tank was original fiberglass and was clearly melting, clogging the Amals. I got a new Emgo tank from BCS and sent it off to Brent at Vintage Vendor for painting. While waiting for the tank I polished and tinkered and made some recommended upgrades: Mikuni VM34, Trispark ignition (replaced Boyer), and coils from CNW. I made a "hanging" fuel tank to operate in the garage for timing. Also adjusted valves but those were very close, replace rear break switch, replaced some broken fasteners, and replaced rock hard Avons with Bridgestone Battlax BT45's. Also replaced Mikuni 040 pilot jet with 035 as plug had lots of carbon. I'm at 6K' elevation. By the time the tank and covers came back looking spectacular, she was ready to go.

I've put maybe 100 miles on her. She starts right up, seems to idle great, and runs smooth. I am chasing a few rattles.

There are a few things on my to do list. Change the oil again and replace or anneal sump plug washer as it's leaking. I need to grease and oil all the maintenance points and chain. And of course more polishing needed. Other than that just ride.

I've noticed the left cylinder smokes a tad as you can see in the video, if you use a magnifying glass. It's not bad and AI (who we know never lies) tells me it might work out with more "break in after sitting 10 years" miles. Just learning the machine. Thoughts on that would be appreciated.



So, that's my update and thanks for the advice over the past few months. A few pictures included

ashman said:

I done so for all my 50 years of owning my Norton, doing all the work myself, complete rebuilds and conversion to the Featherbed frame and I did that without any experience at all. + who can afford paying someone else to do the work, I know every nut and bolt on my bike can do things without looking in the workshop manual and I have a fully set up workshop just for my bike now, build things up as you go I have 50 years of doing that with my Norton, I even built my large shed and workshop as well set it all up, wish I had all this when I first started on my bikes, but the best thing now is I have a lift table, bike scissor jack and every tool I need to work on my Norton, good having all the right tools to do the job.

Ashley

Click to expand...

A work diary , dated , logged in .

Everything I have done to my Norton in the 50+ years of ownership, is all in my head, no need for a work diary as I know, my dates might be a bit out from the work that I have done to it but I know its been done and most of the things I done has had threads on Access Norton since joining, I come on here every morning, its good therapy lol, so keep records I no need to as my Norton will never be sold while I am still breathing and when it's time to go, I won't be around to worry about it, my youngest daughter will get my Norton, after my accident last December, I be back on it soon and riding again, I will adapt as I have done with most things now after losing my right lower leg, I will never give up my old Norton, recovery and learning to walk and rehab all takes time, but it's getting closer.

We all have different ways in doing things, if my bikes break I fix them, so simple, if it running badly I work on it till its right again, but lucky my Norton been very reliable and if it did need a rebuild I just do it, my shed/workshop is set up for any work needed and the last 15 years my Norton has been running the best it ever has, so now I just got to get it up on the lift table and install the ES kit, rewire it and fabricate and make a few changes for the ES when all my rehab is done and dusted and learn to ride with a peg leg, so I have a lot on, been 8 months now since the accident, but I will never give up, adapt and keep going.

Ashley

I second the idea of a work diary. Not all of us have Ashman's memory banks. Simple stuff like "how many miles has it been since I changed the oil? Checked the head bolts? Bought new tires?

Really nice work there Manu! Your bike looks classic too. My Combat is also yellow trim like yours, but with a Corbin saddle. Looks sweet!

Hey, I have a newbie question for you guys who are running a 3-phase stator, and have a voltage light still on your bikes. I installed a 3-phase recently and my ignition light is on all the time now. I have the Cool Cats assimilator which replaced the silver tin can Lucas assimilator, and I understand that it gets confused and is not compatible with the Tri-spark regulator I now have on there. It's a cNw alternator kit. Wondering what you guys are using as a replacement for the voltage light on the top of the headlight shell that is compatible with a 3-phase and works properly. I would like to keep a voltage warning light on the bike.

Manu said:

Hi - Thought I'd give an update since getting my '72 Commando and first posting on May 7th,


I've noticed the left cylinder smokes a tad as you can see in the video, if you use a magnifying glass. It's not bad and AI (who we know never lies) tells me it might work out with more "break in after sitting 10 years" miles. Just learning the machine. Thoughts on that would be appreciated.

Click to expand...

I don't think the smoking will disappear by itself. Most likely you have a cracked valve stem seal and/or over-oiling from the intake rocker, so you might want to check that.


In ingenious ways, it's possible to replace the valve stem seal in situ, and the rocker spindle naturally !

- Knut

nortonmargie said:

I second the idea of a work diary. Not all of us have Ashman's memory banks. Simple stuff like "how many miles has it been since I changed the oil? Checked the head bolts? Bought new tires?

Click to expand...

notes in the back pages of the workshop manual. I have pages of notes for oil, tyre, chain replacements etc for my T140 and Commando. Only difficulty is reading my own writing years later.

Starvingphotog said:

Hey, I have a newbie question for you guys who are running a 3-phase stator, and have a voltage light still on your bikes. I installed a 3-phase recently and my ignition light is on all the time now. I have the Cool Cats assimilator which replaced the silver tin can Lucas assimilator, and I understand that it gets confused and is not compatible with the Tri-spark regulator I now have on there. It's a cNw alternator kit. Wondering what you guys are using as a replacement for the voltage light on the top of the headlight shell that is compatible with a 3-phase and works properly. I would like to keep a voltage warning light on the bike.

Click to expand...

Andover Norton sell an LED device which changes colour as the battery voltage rises, (13.1947). I have bought one but haven't installed the thing as it requires enlarging the hole in the headlight shell. Personally, I am inclined to mount it in a small plastic box, put some croc clips on the wires, and use it as a piece of test gear in the garage.

daveforty said:

notes in the back pages of the workshop manual. I have pages of notes for oil, tyre, chain replacements etc for my T140 and Commando

Click to expand...

In my workshop manual there is a single typewritten page of what I did in the first few years of ownership. 1975, 76 and maybe 77. Typewritten, not printed. Without that I would never remember all of what I had done so many years ago. What is missing is the reason(s) WHY I did what I did back then.

You guys saw my list that I keep on my Mac over the years. From time to time, I'll print it off, but it's safe with replication across my other Mac and iPhone. Good to keep this list to remind of things needing to be done periodically as well. I keep the same list for my truck and cars as well.

Rob,
I use the ICM unit on mine which doubles as an oil warning light.Fits perfectly in the headlight shell and has worked nicely for me for quite some time.No need to enlarge the hole which always makes me smile and Graham is great on replies if you have questions and stands by his products.
Mike
I have the same 3-phase system as yours.

daveforty said:

Andover Norton sell an LED device which changes colour as the battery voltage rises, (13.1947). I have bought one but haven't installed the thing as it requires enlarging the hole in the headlight shell. Personally, I am inclined to mount it in a small plastic box, put some croc clips on the wires, and use it as a piece of test gear in the garage.

Click to expand...

That looks like the one I’m using.

With the re-use of an old grommet and a bit of super glue, I mounted mine here, it’s unobtrusive and easy to see:

Nice idea guys! Where does one get one of these beauties around here in the USA?

Not sure its been mention but unless you know from service history, gotta investigate if the gearbox layshaft bearing has been sorted. Originals were usually marked from Portugal and tend to fail from cage deterioration...leadibg ro potentially catastrophic consequences. Good write ups and videos availabe on how to sort it and upgrade. Always best ro do it beforoe purltting any serious mileage on the bike.

Starvingphotog said:

Nice idea guys! Where does one get one of these beauties around here in the USA?

Click to expand...

Improving Classis Motorcycles

.https://improvingclassicmotorcycles.com/products.htm He's in Jolly Olde England but easy ordering process. However...I was just poking around on his website and the order page is down???

Tornado said:

Not sure its been mention but unless you know from service history, gotta investigate if the gearbox layshaft bearing has been sorted. Originals were usually marked from Portugal

Click to expand...

My '72, #2084xx had a japanese made NTN layshaft bearing. Seemed OK but I am replacing it anyway with the roller bearing alternative.