Photos of 650SS

worntorn · Sep 4, 2008

I finally got around to taking some pictures of the 650SS I got recently.

Is there a way to post the photos directly to this thread or is a using a link to a web photo hosting site the best method?

iusedtolikehondas · Sep 4, 2008

worntorn said:
I finally got around to taking some pictures of the 650SS I got recently.

Is there a way to post the photos directly to this thread or is a using a link to a web photo hosting site the best method?

i use photobucket, super easy

worntorn · Sep 4, 2008

Thanks, that is pretty easy.

Here is the link to the photos

http://s402.photobucket.com/pbwidget.sw ... c9333b.pbw

tpeever · Sep 4, 2008

worntorn said:
Thanks, that is pretty easy.

Here is the link to the photos

http://s402.photobucket.com/pbwidget.sw ... c9333b.pbw

Very nice!! I am working on a 61 Dommie 88 right now. Hope it looks as nice as yours!

mikegray660 · Sep 5, 2008

beautiful! :shock:

debby · Sep 5, 2008

Congratulations, that's a beauty! I'd love to have one of those. Scarcer than hen's teeth around here though.

Debby

worntorn · Sep 5, 2008

Thanks for all of the nice comments.

I'm not sure how many of the 650SS bikes made it over here, but I think the number is quite small. Even the overall production numbers of the SS were small with only a hundred or so being built most years and as few as 30 some years.
According to the info I have, they were assembled in Doug Hele's race shop. The SS got factory polished internals, the famous SS downdraught head, high compression(9to one) and very large carbs for a 650(30MM)

There was already a hot SS cam used on the 500 and 600Ss bikes, but it was given a little more lift for the 650.
The bike does not have the lugging power of my 850, but it has enough to make slow riding quite pleasant. When allowed to rev, it is an absolute screamer, I don't think my 850 would stand a chance against it. This particular bike is overbored 60 thou so compression is around 9.5 to one.

I'm just starting to get onto the featherbed handling, it surpasses anything I have ridden previously including some modern sportbikes. Braking still needs improvement, but hopefully the 2ls brake with stiffening kit will take care of that.

Coco · Sep 5, 2008

Beautiful bike worntorn. A real score for sure. Next time I'm out that way I might be PM'ing you to come have a closer look. :wink:

worntorn · Sep 5, 2008

Sounds good.
I work in the shop at home here, so I'm here most of the time.

Tony F · Sep 5, 2008

Very cool bike.

t ingermanson · Dec 14, 2019

worntorn said:
Sounds good.
I work in the shop at home here, so I'm here most of the time.

Hate to dredge this up, but did you get to the bottom of the vibes on the bike, and did you eventually get the crank dynamically rebalanced? If so, who did the work and to what factor? I've got a couple 650ss motors on the bench and they need at least a regrind.

If there's a thread detailing any work on the bike, I'd be happy to check that out, but couldn't find one in my brief search. Thanks.

milfordite · Dec 14, 2019

The link to the pictures isn,t working for me. I recently bought a 66 650 that was headed to a scrap pile. The numbers are correct for a 66 model and it has dual carbs, but I have no idea what is inside the engine. Bought as a roller with no bodywork, but it has good compression, turns easily. Probably try to start it this winter when my other jobs are caught up. Is there a way to tell if it is a SS or just a 650 with dual carbs.

worntorn · Dec 14, 2019

In 1966 the only 650 Norton was the SS.
I'm afraid the Photobucket link to photos died some time ago.

Glen

Bodger · Dec 14, 2019

Surprised this thread has lasted so long in the Commando forum. Should be in Other Nortons where there is more information and expertise. Can the webmaster move this?

acotrel · Dec 14, 2019

I thought the only dual carb 650ss was the Manxman.

Bodger · Dec 14, 2019

acotrel said:
I thought the only dual carb 650ss was the Manxman.

Heresy, the Manxman is not a 650SS. Actually this is a never ending religious debate among the fans of either bike. All Manxman bikes were built at the original Norton Bracebridge Street slum factory (The building still existed as of a few years ago) before all production was transferred to the slightly less slummy A.M.C. parent company factory in Plumstead in south London. The Manxman was styled for the US market and may have been built to a higher standard. The 650S [ports]S[pecial] was essentially the same bike but with more conservative home market styling. Some were built at Bracebridge street but most at Plumstead. But none of what I've just summarized is written in stone since, for instance, some machines marketed as Manxman may have had the more conservative styling.

worntorn · Dec 14, 2019

acotrel said:
I thought the only dual carb 650ss was the Manxman.

All of the 650ss bikes came with dual carbs.
The Manxman was a separate model, much the same running gear as the 650ss but styled differently to appeal to US buyers.
I believe it was a one year only model (1961) but there could be some 1962 s out there as well.

Glen

worntorn · Dec 14, 2019

I found one photo of the 650ss with two old friends.

jbruney · Dec 14, 2019

Nice. It was in very good company.

Matchless · Dec 15, 2019

t ingermanson said:
Hate to dredge this up, but did you get to the bottom of the vibes on the bike, and did you eventually get the crank dynamically rebalanced? If so, who did the work and to what factor? I've got a couple 650ss motors on the bench and they need at least a regrind.

If there's a thread detailing any work on the bike, I'd be happy to check that out, but couldn't find one in my brief search. Thanks.

My 1962 650ss crank was dynamically balanced by Bassett Down in Wiltshire at 65%. It is a delight to ride at any revs & regularly does the ton with remarkable ease, & all my fillings remain intact.

Martyn.

Photos of 650SS

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