Probably a '67 P11

Every Norton I've heard sounded as if it were on the verge of coming unhinged. So I figure the racket is a good thing in proving that all the bits are moving freely without restrictions.... They make an old panhead seem a picture of silence.

I'd be interested in the changes you did to the oil gallery in order to fit the M3S timing cover to the M3 engine. The oilways are different, as I've learnt lately at this site.

-Knut

mdt-son said:

I'd be interested in the changes you did to the oil gallery in order to fit the M3S timing cover to the M3 engine. The oilways are different, as I've learnt lately at this site.

-Knut

Click to expand...

I did not do the work. It was 30 years ago (maybe more) and done by Bob Raber's lead mechanic at the time. Might have still been Brook's Cyclery. Anyway, I had it done so I could eventually use the Boyer ignition in the Commando timing cover and get a 2S cam in there. Options were limited back then for electronic ignition, and the 2S cam wasn't a drop in.

The cases were modified a little to allow a cam with more lift and modified so that I could use the later style commando timing cover. Different cam bushings may also have been installed. A couple of extra holes were drilled into the timing side crank case for better crank case pressure relief, since the timed breather was not supported with the 2S cam. I don't believe the modification to the oil path at the bottom of the cases was done. Some modifications were done to the timing cover, but I'd have to pull it off to tell you what they were. I'm considering checking and possibly replacing the oil pump, so I will eventually take the timing cover off and revisit this thread with a pic of the inside of the timing cover and timing side case.

If I had it to do over again today knowing what I know now, I would not do it the way it was done. I would leave the P11 cam in there and get a TriSpark (or similar) to replace the magneto that was in it at the time. Sure as heck would have been easier. It ran great with that stock cam in there. It's quicker now with the 2S cam and other work I had done at the time, but going fast on the street with P11 brakes is best left behind in my distant no fear years.

There are some highly creative Norton tuners here that probably know exactly what needs to be done to get that Commando timing cover on the Atlas cases and prevent catastrophic failure.

Ron L
The P11A long seat story. I found a receipt dated 02-11-93 from Baxter Cycle. They added a note indicating they ran out of the short P11 seat that I ordered, and put it on back order. I apparently called and told them to send me the long P11A seat they had in stock and the appropriate fender loop. I wanted to get the bike back on the road and not wait a month or however long it would take to get the official repop P11 seat. I paid $100 for the P11A seat in '93. I checked and they sell the same crappy made in the UK might as well be an ironing board seat today for $425. Redamndiculous considering the poor quality of the seats.

I need to find an upholsterer close by. Just about all the staples holding the cover down on the seat are pulled out. And the foam needed to be replaced in 1993.