Norvil lightweight twin disc kit feedback.

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

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Do any members have a Norvil lightweight twin disc set up they’re using (Norvil as in Mr Emery, not the prodie race shop)?

I’m asking for actual user feedback here folks, not opinions on Norvil in general. Please don’t turn this into a Les bashing fest…
 
yes. I bought the twin 14 inch disc set for my 2002 rebuild and used them for about 5k miles, using the standard Commando master cylinder, which suited them a lot better than with original single disc. ( have not used the bike since, but discs still look in vg nick.
 
Hi Eddie. Just fitted pair of 12” lightweight discs and norvil sliders using grimeca calipers and Lockhee dual caliper m/cyl. done 200 miles so far so just bedding in. Discs and carriers have good finish but have found one mounting collar on one disc has thackery washer added to take up slack . manufacturer error ?

performance so far is good, thinking of using ferodo HH pads . Will let you know if/when I do so.
 
I might be superstitious, however I prefer Japanese steel discs. The original steel disc on the Commando was chromium plated and finding suitable pads is not easy. If you fit twin discs and use the master cylinder which was designed for a single disc, you will often get better brakes. They probably don't sell brakes so good as original equipment, because if the brakes are actually as good as they need to be, ham-fisted people might scare themselves.
I use twin steel Suxuki discs with two Lockheed callipers with a master cylinder which was designed to operate only one calliper. I found the carbon racing pads did not work at all. But the old types asbestos pads are excellent.
My front brake is one-finger operation, so I keep the others operating the quick-action twist grip (it has less travel ).
For many years I raced with drum front brakes. so I never grab a hand full - I just move my finger. THe worst thing you can do, is find you are not stopping quick enough, so hold the front brake on really hard. I did it once and the brake heated up, grabbed and launched me at about 100 MPH.
 
acotrel said:
I might be superstitious, however I prefer Japanese steel discs. The original steel disc on the Commando was chromium plated and finding suitable pads is not easy. If you fit twin discs and use the master cylinder which was designed for a single disc, you will often get better brakes. They probably don't sell brakes so good as original equipment, because if the brakes are actually as good as they need to be, ham-fisted people might scare themselves.
I use twin steel Suxuki discs with two Lockheed callipers with a master cylinder which was designed to operate only one calliper. I found the carbon racing pads did not work at all. But the old types asbestos pads are excellent.
My front brake is one-finger operation, so I keep the others operating the quick-action twist grip (it has less travel ).
For many years I raced with drum front brakes. so I never grab a hand full - I just move my finger. THe worst thing you can do, is find you are not stopping quick enough, so hold the front brake on really hard. I did it once and the brake heated up, grabbed and launched me at about 100 MPH.
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Not what Nigel asked for Al.
 
jan nelder said:
yes. I bought the twin 14 inch disc set for my 2002 rebuild and used them for about 5k miles, using the standard Commando master cylinder, which suited them a lot better than with original single disc. ( have not used the bike since, but discs still look in vg nick.
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Thanks Jan, that’s good info.
 
TBW said:
Hi Eddie. Just fitted pair of 12” lightweight discs and norvil sliders using grimeca calipers and Lockhee dual caliper m/cyl. done 200 miles so far so just bedding in. Discs and carriers have good finish but have found one mounting collar on one disc has thackery washer added to take up slack . manufacturer error ?

performance so far is good, thinking of using ferodo HH pads . Will let you know if/when I do so.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. Do Norvil offer different pad types that are compatible with their discs?
 
Hi Nigel, I bought a pair of Norvil lightweight discs, front and rear for my Mk3 in about 2007.

For the first couple of years I was happy with them, but within 2 years and 3,000 miles the rear disc became loose on its bobbins. It was returned to Norvil who replaced the bobbins. This "repair" that cost me £40 +p&p lasted a few weeks before the disc was completely loose on its bobbins again as far as I recall because the carrier had wear on it as well. I did get another new rear disc from them (slightly discounted after a protracted phone call with Les) which also became loose on the bobbins in less than 3,000 miles.

The front disc fared a bit better. That lasted about 8,000 miles before it became loose on its bobbins. I didn't bother sending that one back or buying another!

So Nigel, the QC may be better nowadays, who knows, but my experience wasn't great.
 
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Reggie said:
Hi Nigel, I bought a pair of Norvil lightweight discs, front and rear for my Mk3 in about 2007.

For the first couple of years I was happy with them, but within 2 years and 3,000 miles the rear disc became loose on its bobbins. It was returned to Norvil who replaced the bobbins. This "repair" that cost me £40 +p&p lasted a few weeks before the disc was completely loose on its bobbins again as far as I recall because the carrier had wear on it as well. I did get another new rear disc from them (slightly discounted after a protracted phone call with Les) which also became loose on the bobbins in less than 3,000 miles.

The front disc fared a bit better. That lasted about 8,000 miles before it became loose on its bobbins. I didn't bother sending that one back or buying another!

So Nigel, the QC may be better nowadays, who knows, but my experience wasn't great.
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I’ve heard that kinda thing before. But considering the very limited alternative options, maybe replacing the discs every few years is the price to pay ?

Using two the original style proddie race discs will be heavy. Norman White no longer does his (very nice) kit. So without doing a complete custom front end graft, I don’t think there are many (any?) other twin disc options currently…
 
Fast Eddie said:
I’ve heard that kinda thing before. But considering the very limited alternative options, maybe replacing the discs every few years is the price to pay ?

Using two the original style proddie race discs will be heavy. Norman White no longer does his (very nice) kit. So without doing a complete custom front end graft, I don’t think there are many (any?) other twin disc options currently…
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Nigel,
Are you having any problems with the setup you currently use?
Mike
 
YING said:
Nigel,
Are you having any problems with the setup you currently use?
Mike
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It’s a bit on the limit on the track. I recently tried some outrageously good twin discs (Norvil supplied, but using Brembo calipers) on my other track bike and it’s kinda spoiled me !
 
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Fast Eddie said:
Do any members have a Norvil lightweight twin disc set up they’re using (Norvil as in Mr Emery, not the prodie race shop)?

I’m asking for actual user feedback here folks, not opinions on Norvil in general. Please don’t turn this into a Les bashing fest…
Click to expand...
Oh, please, let's bash away ;)
 
If you haven't already, do try SBS DC compound pads in your current set up. (I currently have 523 DC in an AP Lockheed caliper). They are the best pads I have used in this caliper so far, great feel and stopping power. I shall use them at Gedinne in August. They are a better choice than EBC GPFAX016HH, which I had been using.

These pads are sold for road and track use, so I tried to locate some in the full race compound. SBS told me not to bother with the DCC compound, saying that the only way I would tell the difference is with pressure testing equipment! I accept that. Others have been racing with these SBS DC pads for some time.

SBS say all of their pads work with both steel and iron discs!
 
Fast Eddie said:
It’s a bit on the limit on the track.
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Depending on the caliper you have then look out for racing only compound pads. For my Brembo 32/30 Goldline calipers I have some Vesrah Green Pad

www.vesrah.tokyo

Racing Products - Vesrah Company, Inc.

Racing Brake Pads Team Vesrah Suzuki won eight championships in ten years of WERA National Endurance Series competition. These results demonstrate the superior quality of Vesrah racing brake pads. In addition, we won the AMA Supersport East championship in 2012. What makes Vesrah racing brakes...
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and Carbone Lorraine pads in C685.

Both have been supplanted by new compounds.

If you do go the Norvil route then disassemble and get the hub properly Hard Anodised before you use it, that's if the alloy used can be Hard Anodised as it is only a few Grades that can.
 
I have been using EPFA095HH (Brembo 4 pot caliper) and do accept that the suggested pads will no doubt be an improvement.

However, my mind is kinda set on twin discs now. I have been well and truly spoiled…

Norvil lightweight twin disc kit feedback.
 
The other option is to go for a radial master cylinder, the radial caliper is not needed as its only advantage the ease of changing disc size but the radial master cylinder does improve the braking.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I have been using EPFA095HH (Brembo 4 pot caliper) and do accept that the suggested pads will no doubt be an improvement.

However, my mind is kinda set on twin discs now. I have been well and truly spoiled…

View attachment 107338
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Looks like you are giving those DOT tires a heck of a workout with your new track toy.

What springs and weight fork oil are you running in the CRS forks? You like?

If'n I had your money, I'd box up the stock parts on the other bike and put the same front end as shown in the image on it. Go with what you know.
 
Schwany said:
Looks like you are giving those DOT tires a heck of a workout with your new track toy.

What springs and weight fork oil are you running in the CRS forks? You like?

If'n I had your money, I'd box up the stock parts on the other bike and put the same front end as shown in the image on it. Go with what you know.
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40lbs springs, 10 wt Putoline, C and R 5 clicks out each. Seem good, but still playing around. But we digress…
 
Sorry about going off the rails on the topic. I am a full-time digresser. :)
 
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