Tool time...

Whiterabbit

Whiterabbit

Joined
Feb 8, 2019
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Well I got the bike running like a champ so naturally...... the cylinder base gasket s**t the bed. I must confess to the Norton gods I don't have a single Wittworth tool. I'm looking at a 8pc combination spanner set and an 8 pc 3/8" drive socket set. Do I need 1/2" or is a 3/8" drive what most use to do a top end gasket job???
 
Koken make a good slim whitworth socket set that fits down into the head. Mine are 12 point 3/8 drive.

For example.

www.classicbritishspares.com

Whitworth Socket Sets By Koken - Choose Socket Set Type

Conquer working on your vintage Triumph, BSA or Norton motorcycle by having the correct tools in your toolbox. Koken whitworth tools are the best quality sockets on the market today. Koken sockets are made specifically for British applications that use whitworth hardware. Check out our large...
www.classicbritishspares.com www.classicbritishspares.com
 
Last edited:
Whiterabbit said:
Well I got the bike running like a champ so naturally...... the cylinder base gasket s**t the bed. I must confess to the Norton gods I don't have a single Wittworth tool. I'm looking at a 8pc combination spanner set and an 8 pc 3/8" drive socket set. Do I need 1/2" or is a 3/8" drive what most use to do a top end gasket job???
Click to expand...
I use a small 7/16" SAE ring wrench (think its a craftsman set I've had a long time) for the two sleeve nuts underside front and one underside rear nut. Be sure to be extra careful when torquing these three nuts as the studs are in the alloy head and pull out real easy. I got a a torque wrench adaptor to let me use standard torque wrench on those three nuts...otherwise near impossible to use a socket/ratchet arrangement there and I'm not clever enough to just go be feel on standard wrench.
 
Tornado said:
I use a small 7/16" SAE ring wrench (think its a craftsman set I've had a long time) for the two sleeve nuts underside front and one underside rear nut.
Click to expand...

Whiterabbit's '1971' Commando, however, would have the full size 1/4" Whitworth sleeve nuts, if original, not the later reduced 7/16" A/F (3/16"W also fits but not as well) hexagons.
The "underside rear" nut hexagon (#2) should also be 1/4" Whit.
 
Last edited:
Whiterabbit said:
Well I got the bike running like a champ so naturally...... the cylinder base gasket s**t the bed. I must confess to the Norton gods I don't have a single Wittworth tool. I'm looking at a 8pc combination spanner set and an 8 pc 3/8" drive socket set. Do I need 1/2" or is a 3/8" drive what most use to do a top end gasket job???
Click to expand...
I really like this set: https://britishfasteners.com/koken-3-8-drive-6-point-8-pc-whitworth-socket-set-7911.html

Can't help with wrenches - all mine are old from OEM (mostly Triumph) tool kits.
 
Always worth looking for used wrenches and sockers on fleabay. That was my main source for most of my mixed manufacturer wrenches and sockets - except for the Hazet combination set that I've had for 50+ years. Many reputable manufacturers have made "Whitworth" tools over the years including Snap-on in the US.
 
Thanks all, my 71 does according to the parts books have the 1/4 Wit nuts and sleeve nuts as LAB mentioned. I'm grabbing the Japanese 8pc socket set (3/8" drive) and a set of combo wrenches, base and head gaskets, some anaerobic sealer and a 6 pack of beer. I have a 3/8 torque wrench (dial type) which will be a PITA to read upside down but oh well. I might splurge for some stainless base nuts. (😆they're the only thing on the list that isn't mandatory.) I'd track down some high end Wit tools if time wasn't an issue and I had more than just the Norton that required them. My exMOD 109 Land Rover, Enfield, and lil' T100 are long gone. The only other "Brit" bike in there right now is my wife's Triumph Bobber Black.
 
Whiterabbit said:
I might splurge for some stainless base nuts. (😆they're the only thing on the list that isn't mandatory.)
Click to expand...

Your '1971' model should once again require the Whitworth hexagon cylinder base nuts, not the later Unified base nuts as the threads are also different.
andover-norton.co.uk

Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.
andover-norton.co.uk
(Items 17, 18 & 19)
 
Yea, that's making it a lil' difficult to find a set, all I come across is SAE NF for 72 up. No love for the big drum brake Commandos... sad 😔 (LOL!)
 
Invest in the right tools for every bike you have I have complete tools in metric, AF imperial and a full set WW and I mean open/ring spanners as well all sockets all set in there own area on my tool boards above my benches, if 1 is missing I know, for many years I didn't have WW tools but I am glad I do now, use the right tools and do it right without forcing tools that not right for the job.
I worked on so many Norton's over the years finding butcher up nuts and bolts from the wrong tools being used and myself included and yet for about a $200 investment you can have a good WWsize tool kit for every nut and bolt on your Norton, cheap investment in my book.
 
Yep, that's why I just purchased a set of Whitworth sockets and spanners instead of using pliers, vise grips, and adj nut rounding wrenches. I figure that gasket made it 50+ years, I'll probably not be around when it needs replacing again 🤣. Oh I have very high end tools for every day/ hard use. (stares at stacks of Strap On specialty tool sets and 2 walls covered with Starrett machine shop tools. You're right, it's nice to look at a shadow board and quickly tell if your 10mm socket got left behind. I'm no stranger to tool accountability also, I've worked military aviation maintenance to nuke power plants, they kind'a like you to keep track of all your s**t.
(you'd never know that 'cause my shop looks like bomb went off in it, I had a bike maint week for my CVMA brother's bikes. It is thrashed.)
😆😂
 
Britool make a short 1/4 WW stubby combo for the upside down nuts. A pull spring balance will give you the required torque. I’ll ch for a part number 👍
 

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