Noob with an 850 chopper from so-cal...

chopped850 · Nov 5, 2008

Greetings NC forum. Yesterday I aquired a 72' Norton chopper with 850cc's of power. My first issue from the p/o is the kickstarter does not engage unless you push the lever into the case. So something inside is not right. I tried to get the lever off to no avail. So I'm going to use a 3 jaw puller today and get into the cases to find out what's wrong. I have been reading alot of posts and already learned a great deal. This is my first Norton or British bike ever. I also got a brand new girder front end, bars, mufflers and a slew of other swag. But here is a few pic's of her.

ILLF8ED · Nov 5, 2008

kick start arm removal

To get the kick start lever off the shaft, remove the pinch bolt completely. If the lever won't come off, drive a wedge into the split portion - such as a screw driver. This usually expands the hole to facilitate removal. Just don't use a puller without removing the bolt first.

Good luck.

chopped850 · Nov 5, 2008

Yeah, the bolt was removed and I had to use a two arm puller to get it off the shaft. I removed both covers and the parts. Here is a pic of the shift pawl. To me it looks like it's worn out. Shouldn't area #1 be like area #2 a straight edge? I need to know before I buy a new pawl. But I'm 99% sure that is the issue as it cannot engage into the inside of the gear. Also where can I buy a new pawl from?

79x100 · Nov 5, 2008

That big chunk out of the pawl is your problem. There have been all sorts of failures over the years, some were too hard, others too soft...

Any Andover Norton outlet can sell you a pawl. It should have a cast-in 'M' on it.

chopped850 · Nov 5, 2008

Okay, thanks. Anyone know a Norton dealer in so-cal?

jsouthard · Nov 5, 2008

fairsparesamerica.com

great guy to deal with.

chopped850 · Nov 5, 2008

I will check him out also. But I just ordered a new pawl from "OldBritts". $22 Do I need a new pin also or is the old one still usable?

chopped850 · Nov 5, 2008

I found out the pin is okay. I thought it was pressed in but it's held in by the pressure from the plunger. So in the mean time I will change the oil and clean the tank and carbs. What grade oil do these engines run? I run 20w50 in my shovelhead.

Hortons Norton · Nov 5, 2008

Where are you located in So. Ca.? Let me know if you are close to Long Beach. I have a few parts I could help with. Also there is a swap meet in Riverside this Sunday that is being put on by the BSA club, If you need anything else sometimes you can find stuff at these meets, Chuck. :lol:

chopped850 · Nov 5, 2008

Hortons Norton said:
Where are you located in So. Ca.? Let me know if you are close to Long Beach. I have a few parts I could help with. Also there is a swap meet in Riverside this Sunday that is being put on by the BSA club, If you need anything else sometimes you can find stuff at these meets, Chuck. :lol:

I'm in Temecula. Where in Riverside is the swap meet and what time? I get off work at 0600 and take a nap till noon. The only part I needed so far was the kicker pawl. But it's ordered already.

Hortons Norton · Nov 5, 2008

The meet is at 7:00a.m. Sunday the 9th at: Malcolm Smith Motorsports 7599 Indiana Ave. Riverside CA 92504

chopped850 · Nov 5, 2008

Hortons Norton said:
The meet is at 7:00a.m. Sunday the 9th at: Malcolm Smith Motorsports 7599 Indiana Ave. Riverside CA 92504

0700, what time is it over? I get home at 0700 and climb straight into bed.

grandpaul · Nov 6, 2008

Old Britts are good folks. Ella will get parts out straight away, and she's never screwed up an order of mine to-date.

Coco · Nov 6, 2008

Cool bike. What do you plan on doing to it?

May I suggest ditching that fat mustang tank and find a nice Wassell banana tank or peanut tank. Mustang tank slook odd when not on Harley's unless they are narrowed. Lose that flat rear fender and find a nice curved one to fit the tire a little better. New paint and some shorter, lane splitter bars and you're there.

Off to a good start anyway so keep us posted. Maybe check out the Jockey Journal forum for some Brit chop inspiration. www.jockeyjournal.com

Hortons Norton · Nov 6, 2008

It says it ends at 12:00 sorry, Ride safe.

Dr_Hiller · Nov 6, 2008

What grade oil do these engines run? I run 20w50 in my shovelhead.

The manual calls for straight 50wt oil. I personally use Valvoline VR1 because of it's higher levels of ZDDP, an extreme pressure additive that's helpful in flat tappet cams engines. It's been largely removed from modern multigrades due to it's effects on catalytic converters.

chopped850 · Nov 6, 2008

Coco said:
Cool bike. What do you plan on doing to it?

May I suggest ditching that fat mustang tank and find a nice Wassell banana tank or peanut tank. Mustang tank slook odd when not on Harley's unless they are narrowed. Lose that flat rear fender and find a nice curved one to fit the tire a little better. New paint and some shorter, lane splitter bars and you're there.

Off to a good start anyway so keep us posted. Maybe check out the Jockey Journal forum for some Brit chop inspiration. www.jockeyjournal.com

I've been on JJ but haven't registered yet. I have the original tank for the bike, 5 extra different bend handle bars, a girder fork just need an axle and risers. I plan to just ride it first for a while then I will get bored and start playing with it. The paint is fine as the frame is a deep forest green metallic. I also have the peashooter muff's and another set for it so I can change the bikes look all the time.

I have a service manual enroute as the P/O was unable to locate his so far. The pawl is shipped and I hope to have it maybe tomorrow or early next week.

chopped850 · Nov 12, 2008

Today I got the new pawl with an "M" installed and kicked the shit out of the bike. It wouldn't start. I pulled the plugs and no spark. The battery is charged and key on one click with lights on. Still no spark. I call the P/O and he told me it had spark before I took it. All the wiring is connected and the fuse in line with the positive wire is not burnt. What do I need to look at or test? The manual I have is no help as it's just a print out.

grandpaul · Nov 12, 2008

Clean the points.

Turn on the keyswitch and touch a screwdriver tip across the points, do they spark? Does the plug spark at the same time?

chopped850 · Nov 12, 2008

Sorry about that I don't have points, someone installed electronic's in their place. I removed the points cover and found everything under there clean and new looking. So that is not the issue.

Noob with an 850 chopper from so-cal...

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