P11 "Desert Sled" purchased. Now what?

A am new to the forum and new to British bikes. I had some time in my youth in the early 80s messing with two stroke Yamahas from the early 70s. I recall the drum brakes and basic setup and maintenance. I just purchased a P11 from a reputable shop in Cali and am set to take delivery of the bike in the next week. The bike runs and was used recently in a vintage off road event or two, per conversations with the shop owner. I suspect it needs some TLC before I go "blasting about" or whatever the limeys may call it. I am wondering what advice I can get regarding first steps to take with a mystery P11 desert sled that has a few scuff marks here and there. Photos suggest it is solid on the exterior. One piece of data i do have is that it is number 218 in the factory run of these bikes. Looking for checklists, advice, encouragement or admonishment.

Here's little bit I found concerning the bike online.

Welcome to the form. You have obtained a very special motorcycle. If you are not familiar with the ‘hybrid’ group of Norton/Matchless bikes the NOC website has a very good history. The author is one of the most knowledgeable people in this area. Go to the NOC website, https://www.nortonownersclub.org/, click on the history tab and scroll down to Atlas Hybrids 2 for starters. There were many changes to this model over its short run and that can be a real head scratcher for restorers. Mechanical parts are basically standard Norton. It is the tinware that can be a problem. There were not a lot of these made and many died desert racing.

Cool bike - but who wrote that copy? Pretty breathless and inaccurate IMO. Did he mean to imply that Norton was around for 6 years? "Given the company was only around for six years". Good that they're reputable though, and congrats and good luck.

gpzkat said:

Cool bike - but who wrote that copy? Pretty breathless and inaccurate IMO. Did he mean to imply that Norton was around for 6 years? "Given the company was only around for six years". Good that they're reputable though, and congrats and good luck.

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The write up was just some internet rambling. Not the seller. Found it after I purchased. Yes, it was a bit gushing. Maybe AI generated. Entertaining at least.

I don't gush about the P11. I've had one since 1972 or 73. I expect you'll be back asking questions once you get it in your garage.

If you want a basic Maintenance and Instruction Manual get the one with the Red cover. Looks like this:



You'll need some tools you probably don't have, and you'll need to be handy with them.

Off road you won't notice the vibrations of a big twin with both pistons going up and down at the same time much. On the road you will.

My advice is leave the engine as stock as possible, and consider budgeting for putting a disc brake on the front if you plan to ride on the street a little aggressively. If you just want to putt putt around the little 7" SLS brake and rear brake combined can stop the bike if you brake early enough.

Owning a Norton is unique. The scrambler is a conversation starter when parked anywhere people gather. Particularly motorcycle owners. It's the high pipes that lure them in. Enjoy

Welcome to the club of P11 owners! Owning a Norton P11 is a unique experience! Pun intended. To enjoy these bikes, you need to be in for the long haul.

Lack of an illustrated parts book will be missed, but it pays to be familiar with 50's Matchless models. Lucklily, the Internet allows you to tap in on the experience of others.

Your bike looks to be in a surprisingly proper state. Does it still have the early oil tank made of alloy, or has it been upgraded? AMC/NV did a recall on these early models and swapped the alloy tank for a rubber-mounted steel one. If yours hasn't been replaced, I suggest you do it now.

There is no separate oil filter on these bikes, only a metal gauze at the suction side. Cleaning out the tank and gauze for deposits is adviseable. Then I suggest fitting an external oil filter, similar to what the Commando model had.

Another tip-off, check the primary chain and the oil level inside the chaincase frequently. A single-row chain is stressed hard on these bikes. If the chain runs dry, it will shed rollers in no time and finally rupture, smashing the primary chancase. There are many examples which document owner neglect. Repairs are difficult and costly, so frequent maintenance pays off.

Good luck with your purchase!

- Knut

Well …. basically just like and other 50 plus year old British twin. Just do some basic checks, good spanner check (tighten all the nuts and bolts you can see) check oils, air in tyres, clean the treacle, that goes as petrol these days, out of carbs, oil the cables then ….. just give it a go. You will love the noise, worry about your teeth fillings because of he vibration and stuff will fall off. Quick blast on the roads then try off-road. After a few goes you will either think this is great, bloody hell this is crap or try to make it better

I will take all of that advice. Thank you. She arrives next week. I must find a fitting name. Bridget, Margaret or Fiona perhaps depending how she behaves. She might be Tina. We shall see.

The only proper name is "Cheetah"

You're in for quite a ride , especially if you're planning to ride it offroad on hard pack dirt. Think bucking bronco.
But you'll have fun if you have the patience for the maintenance.

Ride it and see if you think any of your names still fit the bike.