seeley Norton with Triumph Gearbox

A lot depends on your intended use for the bike. With the Norton 4 speed box, the close ratio gear set costs about $900. You can fit a standard first gear and have a larger step between first and second. A friend of mine who was racing a manx had three first gears which he used to exchange for various race circuits. The Triumph 5 speed gearbox is good, but I suspect it might be a bit weaker both internally and in the cases. With most Nortons which have the close ratio gear set - once you are rolling, you never go below second gear. And that is even when you have quite high overall gearing. You only need first gear to get off the mark or when you are very badly balked.
 
The last time I raced, I was using the American close ratio gear set which has first gear higher than a manx box. In every race I was up with the leaders despite the slow start. But in the last race of the day, I revved the tits off the motor to get going and was in front when I had a problem which stopped the motor. The top three ratios in that box are excellent everywhere. The bike accelerates much quicker than with the standard gearbox.
 
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