P11 Norton Daily rider
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My P11 in driveway. It does not get ridden daily. Probably won't get ridden for the next 3 months during drizzle season. I do start it, and let it run for 15 minutes every once in a while. Some changes from OEM have been made, and more changes are planned.
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Alas gone but not forgotten. Bought as a rolling restoration from Randy Baxter in '89, kept roadworthy for the following eleven years. Used for work and back in summer, longer jaunts but 'A' roads only, and got wet on more than a few occasions! F U N writ large 
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Lovely looking cycle... Had the chance of two 'for rebuild' last year. Not that I'm looking, but as both were within walking distance seemed daft not to have a look.
Both missing parts and late models, but ideal for 'hot rod' a la Schwany maybe. But one had too much welding on the frame (for a saddle pan), and t'other had Commando head and pistons, so I was happy to walk away.
Both missing parts and late models, but ideal for 'hot rod' a la Schwany maybe. But one had too much welding on the frame (for a saddle pan), and t'other had Commando head and pistons, so I was happy to walk away.
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Another project here....
NORTON P11 1966 MATCHING NUMBERS ,RUNNING RIDING PROJECT | eBay
NORTON P11 MATCHING NUMBERS RUNNING RIDING PROJECT PROJECT. BELIEVED THIS BIKE IS KNOW TO THE P11 OWNERS CLUB CERTAINLY LOOKS THE PART ,MISSING LEFT HAND SIDE PANEL AND CHAIN GUARD. ALL DUTY,S PAID.
ebay.us
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My nearly, but not completely finished ‘67 restoration. This year, for sure!
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What is left to do? And are you keeping those tyres on it?My nearly, but not completely finished ‘67 restoration. This year, for sure!
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It mainly needs running in and sorting the odd oil leak. Just the usual shakedown stuff really.
The tyres are Heidenau and handle better than you’d think! They’re grippy enough for the speeds I’m likely to be doing! I also really like how they look on the bike. I’ve also got some on a TR6 and that’s happy enough on them.
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K67?
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Yes
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This not worthy to be a P11 replica has 30 year old tires on it. K70 on front and an Avon Super Venom on the rear. LOL
I've got some new tires in the back of the truck I'll put on before getting back on the road in the spring.
It is a P11 engine with a P11 FBS ported head, 2S cam, Commando pistons, and a Commando timing side cover to support EI and the cam. It's a little peppier and a better handling road bike than a P11 replica. It needs more brakes though.
I've got some new tires in the back of the truck I'll put on before getting back on the road in the spring.
It is a P11 engine with a P11 FBS ported head, 2S cam, Commando pistons, and a Commando timing side cover to support EI and the cam. It's a little peppier and a better handling road bike than a P11 replica. It needs more brakes though.
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I'd love to 'build' a P11 special.... Pare it down to the minimum, alloy rims, minimal lighting and instrumentation etc. (Modern silencing, though)....
But... I know it'd never sell, but would I care? At 64 I'm not looking for 'investments', and doubt there'll be too much interest in these dinosaurs in a few years time anyway......
But... I know it'd never sell, but would I care? At 64 I'm not looking for 'investments', and doubt there'll be too much interest in these dinosaurs in a few years time anyway......
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Yeah, specials are a hard sell. Fun to ride though.
Back in the olden days, when small car shows existed in the USA, and people were allowed to gather, I'd put my P11 special in the back of my '65 El Camino hot rod and take it to small car shows. Hot Rod in a Hot Rod. Always drew a lot of attention. "What's a Norton?"
Fast Eddie
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Forgive me as I am not a P11er, I ventured onto this forum just for a peek.
Gotta say tho, these P11s are handsome beasts. The frame looks incredibly sturdy, almost Rickman Matisse esque in its design.
Are they as good to ride as they look ?
Gotta say tho, these P11s are handsome beasts. The frame looks incredibly sturdy, almost Rickman Matisse esque in its design.
Are they as good to ride as they look ?
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Like all Brit bikes nowadays, no two will ever be the same (as I'm sure you well know
) and opinions will vary widely.But, I found for what it is, it's a great bike for the UK as it stands. Low compression lowers the vibes, but still plenty of grunt... Also the high bars put the wind in your chest which makes the front end light at 70-80, which is more than enough if you're not on dual carriageway or motorway.
I'd buy mine back in an instance if it became available, the Commando is a big softie and has it's own charms, but P11 just has 'it'......
(Frames were Reynolds 531, just like the best push bikes!)
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Fast Eddie
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‘Scuse my ignorance, but what is the engine tune like compared to an early Commando in terms of cam, CR, carbs and ports ?
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You are a motorcyclist, what's to forgive?
Fairly certain the P11 is built around a Matchless singles frame with a 750cc Norton Atlas motor stuffed in it. Someone will inevitably tell me I am wrong, but that is what I'm here for. Ron?
My P11 feels light weight with a low center of gravity, and very quick handling. I actually don't feel the wind on my chest that much or the light front end at 80mph, but my suspension is not stock, and I rode high bar off road and dual sport motorcycles for I don't know how long. One gets accustomed to the feel of wind and lighter front end.
My motor has a re-balanced and lightened crank in it. It vibrates at idle, but is relatively smooth at speed. I had a Commando and that thing would spin around in circles on the center stand at idle. P11 probably would too, but no center stand.
Near its limits, my P11 is a bit like riding a wet noodle compared to something with modern frame technology and a beefier swing arm. The little brakes are not very useful at higher speeds. Only good for one 90 mile an hour corner entry, then backing off the throttle for the rest of the ride is the only way to survive to live another day. The brakes are suitable for riding at the speed limit as long as applied early enough and both front and rear brakes are used. My opinion of course. I've only owned about 30 bikes, so my sampling could be too small to be relevant.
I've been dragging that P11 around with me since the early 1970's. Nothing else I've owned has been as interesting to ride. Well, that's what I tell myself anyway. Actually, its too hard a sell at my price point configured like it is, so I've held onto it. Last one in the stable.
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According to my Norton Villiers Red book it is a low compression 7.5:1 engine. Atlas? Amal 930 carburetion. Not sure about the cam or original porting, but the port entrances were probably 30mm like early Commandos.
Mine is not an Atlas anymore. Some would say not a P11 anymore either. Too many changes.
