Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration

Put everything away, posted the last few shots, washed my hands and did some paperwork and the postman knocked on my door with this:

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


It'll go on tomorrow, with the fenders.
 
My camera hides the dust and fingerprints except in the macro closeups and some flash shots.

It WAS shiny & clean, and it WILL BE again, right before I deliver it.
 
Wiring harness in place, like-new Lucas rectifier installed-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


New Zener diode on cleaned up heat dissipation fins-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Rear fender & support loop installed-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


It's getting down to where finding the remaining proper matching hardware takes more and more digging. It sure is nice to have all clean fastener hardware...
 
Tail light installed, I need to buff out the original Lucas lens-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Front fender partially installed, I ordered a new front mount because the old one was going to take too much work to repair the twisted bottom lug.

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Bloody thing takes SIXTEEN bolts & eight nuts!

Also dug up the bevelled head screws and secured the upper gaiter mounts which also secure the lower ends of the headlight ears, and got those done.

Sorted a few other bits & bobs, test-fit a few items and set aside matched hardware sets for next week's push.
 
Setting up the magneto timing with my trusty dial indicating caliper using the plunger and going by the book at 11/32" BTDC on the piston crown with advancer chocked at full advance. It took a bit to get a stable, repeatable stup, but pressing the caliper body against the flat of the finned section and seating it solidly on the spark plug hole seat, it was dead-nuts-on three times in a row-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Apparently, that equates to a little over one tooth at the crank pinion-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


I didn't happen to have a "cigarette" paper handy, so I used a piece of very thin carbonless receipt paper and adjusted the points to the SLIGHTENST drag (equivalent to a cigarette paper slipping free)-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Chopped off the modern blue crimp bullets on the three alternator wires and scrounged some wire segments with Lucas bullets to make for a neater match to the new harness-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration
 
The punchlist is now getting pretty short to reach the start-up stage-

Replace timing cover oil seal and install tach drive & cover (parts on hand)

Parts needed:
Carb rebuild kits
Needles & needle jets
Oil manifold pipe gasket

After that, it's basically add fluids and "give it a go".

Finishing up will be very few items-
Seat cover to the upholsterer as soon as it arrives
Instruments back on the bike when they get back from precision overhaul
Chain, front brake cable, ball-ended clutch lever
Decals and detailing

Looks like having it done & test-ridden before take-off time to Barber's is reasonably within reach. I estimate 20 hours, with a tad over 3 weeks to go...
 
"Just to give you an idea"

Seat cover is long overdue, but tracking says it's inbound; for now I just set the old seatcover in place for a mockup shot (sorry for the blurry shot, too hot & tired to re-do it)-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


This side looks better-

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration
 
I have yet to mount the front fender brace (should be here today or tomorrow), but it is indeed the correct fender. When it's done, it'll have equal daylight all the way around between it and the tire.
 
Finally got the seat cover in, Canada post is SLOW!

Anyway, it's all down at the upholsterer's.

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Just waiting on the carb kits & oil pipe gasket to get her started up!
 
"The waiting is the hardest part"

All that came in today was the mufflers.

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


"Straight thru", and removeable bafflers!

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


This weekend is going to be furious...
 
How are going to mount them shorties? I was thinking cut down the head pipe the distance that would be inside the muffler, sleeve the muffler/head pipe joint with 1 1/2" pipe, weld and chrome for a one piece header/muffler that allows for 1 3/4" baffles. Would be clean and more solid than just using P clamps in standard P11 fashion. My headers need re-chroming anyway :lol:
 
Tomorrow I'll figure out how I want to hang the mufflers for the simplest, cleanest look.
 
The good news:

Mailman brought me the one key bit I need: oil manifold gasket. Also throttle cables, chain & carb kits.

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


The good news/bad news:

He also brought me the very nice speedo and tach (that's the good news). Mileage was not zero'ed out (that's the bad news)

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


I can send the speedo back on overnight and he'll zero it at no charge; or, just leave it. Original mileage is recorded, the "new" mileage can start there. The owner will decide.
 
Seat just got back from the upholstery shop - VERY nice!

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


There's a CHANCE that it'll be running this evening, but probably not 'till tomorrow.
 
Carbs are done, along with throttle cables & throttle with grips.

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Valves are adjusted, just need to run the oil lines and top off the fluids.

Startup tomorrow...
 
It's fascinating watching a rare old bird like this take shape. I don't think I've ever seen one of these in the flesh, not even at some of the big classic shows in England. Hope all goes well with the start-up tomorrow.
 
It's getting mighty close. I seem to have misplaced the two petcock ferrule nuts with the pipettes to connect the fuel lines to. I think it's ready to fire up otherwise, oil lines are done and fluids are topped off.

One little hitch, when I went to install the tach drive, I found out it has no guts inside! I have to order the drive pinion for it.

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration


Pretty noticeable change from "before"...

Norton N15CS Hybrid restoration
 
grandpaul said:
I think it's ready to fire up otherwise, oil lines are done and fluids are topped off.

And to imagine you were busting my balls to get my bike started. :mrgreen:
 
Back
Top