Norton Twin Restoration by Roy Bacon

Status
Not open for further replies.
Y

Yellow_Cad

Joined
Apr 2, 2008
Messages
492
Country flag
How useful is the book, Norton Twin Restoration by Roy Bacon for the average Commando owner?
 
It is very useful indeed for the Norton twin restorer. The detailed information that it gives is more comprehensive than any of the other books I have seen. It is also an enjoyable read and gives a lot of background to the history and development of all of the twin cylinder models. It is however pretty useless as a general repair and service aid.
 
Norton Twins Restoration

Roy Bacon contribution to the British motorcycle hobby is unmatched and a good source when restoring. However don't get into an argument over historical accurace quoting his publishings. He has made mistakes.

David
 
I'd agree with Dave - the other aspect to consider is many times there is the "official" version vs the reality that these bikes were often assembled with "whatever was on the shop floor" or whatever the dealer (Berliner gang..) decided to slap on when they arrived. There are so many variables, like dating... If you're into the history, good read, if you want to restore - uesful. As Dave said - as a shop manual, useless.
 
It sounds like an interesting book. Next time my wife wants to know what to give me for a gift I may suggest it.
As you say nothing tends to be an absolute on these bikes.
 
Cookie said:
It sounds like an interesting book. Next time my wife wants to know what to give me for a gift I may suggest it.
As you say nothing tends to be an absolute on these bikes.
Click to expand...

As the book also covers the pre-Commando twins, as well as the lightweight twin models, it probably won't go into the minutest detail far enough with any one particular model to satisfy some people, but nevertheless, it does contain lots of useful information, as well as many interesting period photos, so is, in my opinion certainly a book worth having.
 
Does the book describe restoration of Norton twin engine units only or does it cover restoration of all elements of Nortons with twins such as tranny, brakes, etc?
 
Basically it is a "coffee table" book. For tech info I'd go with the INOA Tech Digest or searching the archives of the various lists.
 
Yellow_Cad said:
Does the book describe restoration of Norton twin engine units only or does it cover restoration of all elements of Nortons with twins such as tranny, brakes, etc?
Click to expand...


The book basically chronicles all aspects of the Norton twins' development over the years from the Dominator Model 7 to Commando MkIII, and it gives a large amount of information on detail changes and specifications of the models and years, colour schemes etc. as well as basic restoration info.

It's not really a "How-to" book, as a workshop manual is.
 
Yellow_Cad said:
How useful is the book, Norton Twin Restoration by Roy Bacon for the average Commando owner?
Click to expand...

Does cover too many models, so it's not as useful as Haynes or Clymer (or both combined!)
Get it if you find a bargain but don't spect much of it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top