Nortons at Spa

Thanks to the guys who posted photos of the Norton gathering at Donington Park last weekend. Great pics. Here are some pics of a few works F750 Nortons with Commando-based engines at the Bikers Day at Spa Francorchamps, also held last weekend. Pity about the clash of dates. On the trellis-framed bike, on the primary side, does the crank protrude simply because the works primary case is narrower, or is there another reason? Also, the window at the bottom of the primary case, held by 8 small nuts — could that provide access to a tensioner of some kind? Interesting and very different timing side, too. The primary chain looked rusty, so maybe this was for display only and wasn't run. Maybe someone who knows more than I can expand.

The monocoque-framed bike looked in better shape and has a belt primary drive. Is this original? I remember reading that Norton put a lot of work into aerodynamics, to the extent that they removed the riders' names which had been stitched to the backs of their leathers because this would disturb the airstream when the riders were crouched behind the screen. I think that the works Norton racers were among the best looking F750s of the period.

Sorry for the poor detail in the last two pics. The pit garage was small and crowded and I had to take them while I had the chance.

Hi Dave...the "new" one is a replica, Norman has made a couple of them, they were at Donington last year, although not complete at the time. If I remember correctly it also has a set of Maney cases!!

I'm not sure about the little "window" in the space framed bike. It's got the special clutch and primary with the ouitrigger bearing though, I thnik it was an AJS clutch. Interesting timinig cover though. I have seen this bike before, many years ago and lalways wondered how much difference it made? I can ask Norman when I see him in a couple of weeks if no-one else has come up with theanswer

John

daveh said:

On the trellis-framed bike, on the primary side, does the crank protrude simply because the works primary case is narrower, or is there another reason?

Click to expand...

No alternator on the race bike?

daveh wrote:
On the trellis-framed bike, on the primary side, does the crank protrude simply because the works primary case is narrower, or is there another reason?

No alternator on the race bike?

The crank protrusion is actually a nut for taking on a power starter. No alternator either, all battery loss electronic igntion.

Mate of mine had an original JPN shipped over from West Australia to the Isle of Man in 1980. we flogged around on Mad Sunday in 1980 and he lost it big time at Kates Cottage. Slid across the road, hit the embankment stone wall and took off like a Polaris missile about 50 yards into a sheep paddock, shedding bodywork and other bits. I ran over to turn off the ignition only to find the battery had snapped off both cables and punched its way out of the side cover and was another 10 yards away. I think we salvaged the engine and gear box. The rest of the JPN bodywork, as I far as I know is still in the sheep paddock!

Mick

Seeley920 said:

Hi Dave...the "new" one is a replica, Norman has made a couple of them, they were at Donington last year, although not complete at the time. If I remember correctly it also has a set of Maney cases!!

I'm not sure about the little "window" in the space framed bike. It's got the special clutch and primary with the ouitrigger bearing though, I thnik it was an AJS clutch. Interesting timinig cover though. I have seen this bike before, many years ago and lalways wondered how much difference it made? I can ask Norman when I see him in a couple of weeks if no-one else has come up with theanswer

Click to expand...

Hi John, how did you do at Donington last weekend? Thanks for filling in the gaps in my knowledge. I assume you mean Norman White. The JPN chassis was amongst the best at the time, but they were hampered by the Commando engine, which was just too slow. Amazing that Peter Williams and Dave Croxford won as many races as they did, considering that handicap. Peter Williams wrote in Classic Bike recently that he could drift both wheels, such was the excellent balance of the bike.

ML said:

The crank protrusion is actually a nut for taking on a power starter. No alternator either, all battery loss electronic igntion.

Mate of mine had an original JPN shipped over from West Australia to the Isle of Man in 1980. we flogged around on Mad Sunday in 1980 and he lost it big time at Kates Cottage. Slid across the road, hit the embankment stone wall and took off like a Polaris missile about 50 yards into a sheep paddock, shedding bodywork and other bits. I ran over to turn off the ignition only to find the battery had snapped off both cables and punched its way out of the side cover and was another 10 yards away. I think we salvaged the engine and gear box. The rest of the JPN bodywork, as I far as I know is still in the sheep paddock!

Click to expand...

Mike, good story! I hope your mate was none the worse for his experience. After posting this on the Net, you might see some treasure hunters in amongst the nettles looking for JPN bits! It crossed my mind that the nut on the end of the crank was for a starter, but I wasn't sure. Nothing wrong with total loss ignition, I guess, and one less thing to go wrong.

Hi Dave,


Yes, I was referring to Norman White. He was there at the weekend on one of the monocoques, and his own '72 spec JPN (850 now)....and was going pretty quick in the parades too!!

http://www.sport-pics.co.uk/2009gallery.htm Rusty has some excellent pics on his site!

Donington went well, the weather was good all weekend, had some good races and the only twins I had to really worry about (or not!) were Steve Maney's and Gary Thwaites, but then they're both 1007s! I kept ahead of the wessies, 920s etc, had a couple of close races with a Danish short stroke commando (the yellow Seeley in some of the pics) we managed to fend off a lot of the triples too (apart from the obvious ones, Cormac, Stu Melling, Patrick Banfield etc!)

Brands in 3 weeks,then off to Sweden for the next round of the UEM Vintage cup

Cheers

John

Thanks Ludwig, looks like we had the best weather in Donington for a change :shock: