Norton tools

OK, so this is a newbee question. I believe I will have to purchase a set of whitworth spanners and BS sockets in order to properly work on my MK2 Norton. And some "specialty tools" as well. Opinions or comments? Price? What is an absolute required and what is not really needed. Not sure of the level of restoration to do to my 74 Norton. Just trying to set up a starter set and want to go in the correct direction.

Thanks!

Andover Norton is now offering a new version of the basic tool set that was provided with the bikes back in the day. Pretty cool.

Part # 06-7268

http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/Accessories.htm

Expensive, possibly not needed. I'm sure my 72 has some Whitworth still in there somewhere. So far it's all been standard.
The very first, and most essential tool you need is a shop manual. The second is a parts book.
http://britmoto.com/

And please add your location. Whether your in South Australia or North America literally makes a world of differance. :wink:

Agree with Shrugger about not overdoing the tool purchases until you figure out what you actually need. However, I do believe everything on the engine is Whitworth. I also believe that Whitworth and BS are interchangeable (different numbers, but same sizes), so if you have some Whitworth that should be enough as far as the "oddball" tools are concerned.

Sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

The other tool that comes in handy right away is an exhaust nut wrench. Make sure those things are tight!

Spaulding - Thanks for the part number. I think this will be a welcome addition to the Norton. I am sure I'll be using the Whitworth standard a lot after reading your reply. I'll drum up a set to purchase. Thanks.

shrugger - The link you provided is great. I have printed the parts & the workshop manual and they are in binder form. Thanks again.
* I did update my profile, Thanks. (Las Vegas Nevada, USA.)

Some fasteners on the engine are Whitworth. But unless you are tearing down the engine you will probably never one.

Rocker covers? Aren't those Whitworth? Just the bits of the top of my head where I've had a call for Whitworth = covers for inlet and exhaust rockers, spindle plates, primary chain tension, etc. I haven't done a teardown and I have certainly hauled out the Whitworth tools on occasion. I thought the engine/gearbox (the "legacy" parts on the Commando) were WW, and the newer frame bits are standard (AF). Maybe I'm imagining things...

I don't think the Andover toolkit price is bad at all. The real purpose of it is to carry it while riding.... just in case of a breakdown! The wrenches in the stock toolkit are both US and English sizes and they also have most of the specialized ones and the large double sockets for the larger sizes.

Dunno - maybe a cell phone and a AAA membership is all you need.

A basic set of wits is quite helpful. When I transfered the title for my Norton,the PO (two owners past) offered me his brit tools as he is now all Guzzi. Six wrenches, eight sockets, clutch hub tool, exhaust flange wrench and a set of taps + misc. for $50. Excluding the taps, I've used every last one of them. Worth every cent.
Rounded off nuts and bolts are a pain. U.S. SAE and metric are often close but we know what that is good for.


Tom

On my '72 Combats I come across a number of vital - significant fasteners that no standard size Withwhorth fits only a metric or SAE size does. IIRC 9/16" fits best on my front isolastic mount factory nuts. 13 and 14 mm fit as good or better than 1/4" W, on head and barrel fasteners. I use a 1.5" spanner just fine on the big drive sprocket LH nut. May not be opening engine but that don't mean you don't need to wrench on em to stop weeps.

A hammer powered impactor is needed now and then. Also a series of hammers and drifts, may come in handy : (


Eventually you will need to deal with clutch plates, not a tough job, but need a spring compressor. I made this one out of a brass bowl, but other versions abound.

My opinion, you need these sooner than later:

Clutch spring tool: http://www.oldbritts.com/19_060999.html

Exhaust wrench: http://www.oldbritts.com/19_063968.html

Whitworth wrenches and sockets: http://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=502

At some point you will need to remove / reinstall / tighten your exhaust. At some point you'll want to look at / replace clutch plates. At some point you will need to have a whitworth socket or wrench. I personally wouldn't want to have to wait a few days for one to arrive in the mail. They all fall into the category of stuff you won't use that often (unless you're doing a rebuild) but will be glad you had on hand when you need to.

(using these links for reference, get them from whoever you feel has best service / prices / quality.)

A wonderful crazy Combat mentor of mine in NYC city, on realizing his non Whitworth tools didn't fit much, filed each nut and bolt to fit his tools on hand. Me on the other hand fogged over looking at the repair sections of manual thinking that's for experts I'll just ride and top off fluilds and replace simple stuff like rings, HA little did I know I would one day ignore manual, especially torque values and fluid levels and type of fluids. Took me about a decade to get familiar the hard way.

Nortons need constant attention, then almost as constant maintenance, with punctuated major over hauls. Besides tools there are a number of little items to keep on hand, like clutch locator circlips and oil pump nipples and TS cover gaskets.
Can't forget the electric bullets or blade terminals and electrical wiring tools, like solder and shrink wrap and crimpers. Dental picks straight, curved and 90's really helpful as well as strong magnet to suck out clutch plates.