Test 650SS on Nordschleife Nürburgring 1963

Hello everybody,
found a nice article in an old German mag today. Road test 650SS kitted out with a tachograph data recorder.
The tester said he rode fast without taking any risks. I do not know.... he lapped under 12 minutes the long Nordschleife 22.835 km, for which Marco Lucchinelli holds the lap record at 8:22. He did 2000 km!! In half shoes!
Anyway, very interesting page for those who like data. Here are some pictures.

Main things they said: almost irresponsibly fast, fantastic handling at any speed, 100% oil tight, terrible vibration. poor front brake, massive pull out of turns, overgeared for a large rider, but unforgettable.

I think, I would like one.

Have a nice evening,

Martin.

Don't get me wrong. I love them. But "oil tight?" Especially after hard running? Maybe the bike was shipped to Germany as a kit and assembled at the BMW factory.

Haha could be some truth in that they say it came striaght from the works and they had to wait a year.

Martin

My 650 ss wasn't assembled at the BMW factory (very funny) & is oil tight including the primary chaincase! It was however, assembled by me with great care. It also gets a serious thrashing every time I ride it. They really are great bikes & with the crank & parts balanced to 68% very pleasant at all speeds.
Thanks for posting the article.

Martyn.

My 650SS is oil tght too. Also is the primary. The engine was rebuild by a local specialist for British bikes.

Fritz

There is no reason why all Nortons shouldn't be oil tight. If you take time and caring what you're doing it's not that hard to make them oil tight. The only times mine have ever leaked is when I haven't replaced some seal that I know has gone bad. My 850 only drips when the grommet on the backside of the primary case for the electrical leads gets old and hard. I find they have to be replaced about every year and a half.

I really want a 650 SS. I have two MKIII's I am going to sell to finance the purchase of one. Neither are running, one is totally complete with about 4,500 miles on it and one is basically a rolling chassis with motor and trans but I should be able to get enough money for them to find a nice 650. Any one interested in a trade?

What couldn't you love about them?
First is mine the second from the web
Cheers
Rob

What I could not love about them is their drum front brake. You cannot go faster than you can stop.

So, don't go faster than you can stop. Enjoy riding this beautiful motorcycle within its' limits.

Not everone is a racer like you Alan lol, I very rarely use my brakes only for stopping, I just back off before any tight corners and power on when going through them, these bikes handle so well and with a hot motor they can be lots of fun, I am now getting the urge back to start back on my Manxman project, its getting built as a caferacer and will have a hot 650 motor ex Mike Farrel race bike, I was building it up for my youngest daughter but she is now only into Nissan turbo jap crap and boy friend, but who knows she might get back into the bikes again, but I am sure I will have lots of fun with it as I do with my hot 850 Featherbed.

Ashley