Norton Commando Proddy 'Racer'?

Al-otment · Jul 28, 2014

Bunch of blokes watching a static display of a bike blowing clouds of oil from the exhausts, owner switches off engine waves to crowd and gets a round of applause.

Round of applause? The cheeky fucker should get a boot up the arse for allowing a Norton's engine to be in that state and have the bike removed, forcibly if necessary, from his ownership and given to somebody who'll use it properly. Firm but fair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzF0MKv-9Cg

Mark · Jul 28, 2014

Yep, it's a smoker alright!
But....... it's his bike.

If that's the way he wants it, I'm sure not gonna let myself lose any sleep over it.
I can think of plenty of more important issues to get upset about than some guys oil usage.

Fast Eddie · Jul 28, 2014

If its a race bike... And it's not effecting his lap times... Is not a problem...!

Al-otment · Jul 28, 2014

Mark said:
Yep, it's a smoker alright!
But....... it's his bike.

If that's the way he wants it, I'm sure not gonna let myself lose any sleep over it.
I can think of plenty of more important issues to get upset about than some guys oil usage.

I wasn't being totally serious. I'm not upset and wont be losing sleep, but I wonder if the guy realises there's anything wrong? Typical of many owners, too much attention to paint and polish and no where near enough on the mechanics. That level of build quality would explain why there's fewer and fewer Norton's on the road. I'm very happy to say I've got little in common with the typical classic bike owner.

Fast Eddie · Jul 28, 2014

Now then, please forgive the blatant thread hijack here, but, how did you get on with the lightweight crank in the end? Better or worse than stock?

Seeley920 · Jul 28, 2014

Keith Heckles?

gripper · Jul 28, 2014

Yes that was Keith Heckles at Stafford in 2009 he was a very successful motorcycle racer and died in 2010 aged 75. Seems that you can't avoid a good slagging off even when you are dead. Nuff said.

Al-otment · Jul 29, 2014

Fast Eddie said:
Now then, please forgive the blatant thread hijack here, but, how did you get on with the lightweight crank in the end? Better or worse than stock?

Being lighter it has less inertia than standard so dosen't plod as well in traffic but after approx. 2,000 miles (1,000 miles of which was to the Applecross meet - great weekend, cheers Gino) I can say with confidence the acceleration is significantly improved. Have to come clean - didn't make the Scandinavian trip due to incorrect assembly of the iso's. Bad vibration became apparent on the way to the ferry at constant 70 - 80mph which I hadn't noticed whilst testing round Shropshire's twisty roads. Will be going early September for 10 days. I'm at Cadwell on Friday in the classic bike novices group so it'll be interesting to see how she goes against other classics. I wonder how many Commando's will be there?

Don't think the bike in the video is a pukka racer, it's got lights and a number plate - and it'll be down on power with all that blow-by.

Would it make any difference to my comments if the guy revving the bike hadn't been a successful racer? No disrespect intended, like I said - I wasn't being totally serious. Simply pointing out a reason as to why there's not many classics on the road on a weekly basis due to poor preparation and the apparent perception that they are now only suitable for riding a few hundred miles a year - if that, which is more than likely due to the rebuild standard rather than the bikes design capabilities.

nickguzzi · Jul 29, 2014

Could be that the condition of many owners limits the mileage rather than the bike?
After you've kicked it into life, the knees may not be up to more than a few dozen miles, ditto for the wrists, back, and whatever other bits ail you.
Obviously this only applies to the old knackers, the youngsters will be off doing 1,000's of miles over the weekend.

SteveA · Jul 29, 2014

Fast Eddie said:
If its a race bike... And it's not effecting his lap times... Is not a problem...!

Except a heavily smoking bike would get black flagged today!

There were other Commandos at the last Cadwell classic track days I was at. and a couple of featherbeds.....

If novice really means novice......tuck your feet in....and don't go for first at the hairpin.... ;-)

Al-otment · Jul 29, 2014

Only second track day. Good tip though - I learn't to tuck my toes in during the first track day.

acotrel · Jul 29, 2014

It sounded crisp and clean as though it has plenty of compression - probably wet-sumped or has been fed upper cylinder lubricant ?

grandpaul · Jul 29, 2014

I don't think that's enough smoke to have gotten black-flagged in AHRMA from what I saw as recently as 2010.

SteveA · Jul 30, 2014

grandpaul said:
I don't think that's enough smoke to have gotten black-flagged in AHRMA from what I saw as recently as 2010.

That may not be, I said 'heavily' which of course means open to individual interpretation, what looks like heavy smoking to someone used to modern bikes may seem fairly normal to some of us....but it is certainly considered an issue to be monitored.

Some seem to think a little smoke means its about to blow and dump oil everywhere, which is obviously a safety issue, but who knows how much that bike would actually smoke when fully warmed, the oil is in the right places only, and it is run under load.....

Just nice to see a yellow proddy bike

kerinorton · Jul 30, 2014

Al-otment said:
Fast Eddie said:

Now then, please forgive the blatant thread hijack here, but, how did you get on with the lightweight crank in the end? Better or worse than stock?

Click to expand...

Being lighter it has less inertia than standard so dosen't plod as well in traffic but after approx. 2,000 miles (1,000 miles of which was to the Applecross meet - great weekend, cheers Gino) I can say with confidence the acceleration is significantly improved. Have to come clean - didn't make the Scandinavian trip due to incorrect assembly of the iso's. Bad vibration became apparent on the way to the ferry at constant 70 - 80mph which I hadn't noticed whilst testing round Shropshire's twisty roads. Will be going early September for 10 days. I'm at Cadwell on Friday in the classic bike novices group so it'll be interesting to see how she goes against other classics. I wonder how many Commando's will be there?

Don't think the bike in the video is a pukka racer, it's got lights and a number plate - and it'll be down on power with all that blow-by.

Would it make any difference to my comments if the guy revving the bike hadn't been a successful racer? No disrespect intended, like I said - I wasn't being totally serious. Simply pointing out a reason as to why there's not many classics on the road on a weekly basis due to poor preparation and the apparent perception that they are now only suitable for riding a few hundred miles a year - if that, which is more than likely due to the rebuild standard rather than the bikes design capabilities.

some of us do ride our bikes a lot, and fix them when needed. Although I have 2 good ones, I get right in and fix problems as soon as they occur. Some people may like to make smart comments about what I do, but that's ok. probably one of those $10.00 heads.

acotrel · Jul 30, 2014

A smoky four stroke racer is not a good look, however we raced smoky two strokes for a few decades. Some people eople get their jollies out of environmental stuff. I love the environment however some things should be immune from harassment. We should just face the fact that motor racing is just one of those things which are so bad that they are good. I absolutely love racers which are based on old V8 muscle cars, and if they guzzle gas like a Rolls Royce Merlin engine, I still know there is a guy there somewhere having a monumental adrenalin rush - half his luck, we should all be so lucky. I hate electric motorcycles, I believe they are an offence before God.

Rohan · Jul 31, 2014

Take your meds Alan, it will all be all right in the morning.

P.S. In a previous fuel crisis, it was pointed out that horse racing uses something like 10 times more fuel than motor racing.
That means that banning horse racing would save 10 times the fuel.
Even pony clubs ???

But we diverge, muchly...

Al-otment · Jul 31, 2014

kerinorton said:
some of us do ride our bikes a lot, and fix them when needed. Although I have 2 good ones, I get right in and fix problems as soon as they occur. Some people may like to make smart comments about what I do, but that's ok. probably one of those $10.00 heads.

I have no idea how many miles you do - I was taking the piss out of your ridiculous suggestion to leave out valve guide oil seals. What exactly is the benefit of this advice?

olChris · Jul 31, 2014

ludwig said:
No matter who the man is , an engine smoking so badly is a disgrace , and personally I would be ashamed to demonstrate it in public .
And a Commando should be started on its wheels ..

:roll: :roll: So who really cares if it makes smoke and is started on centre stand! FFS........ (As if he would care what the wannabees think) oh yeah that make 2 now... It is what it is.. I'd rather read Phil Yates' dribble that this mean spirited back biting crap..

acotrel · Jul 31, 2014

When we started running the 880 JAP speedway sidecar after restoration it was smoky - we fixed the problem. It happens. The main thing is the Norton sounded crisp and clean, so it had probably wet-sumped. - Not worn out. That is one of the joys of owning a commando ?

Norton Commando Proddy 'Racer'?

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