Visit To Comstock Engineering

dennisgb · Nov 5, 2014

We had the opportunity to visit Jim Comstock while in Colorado.

It was a long drive from Durango where we were staying but well worth it.

Jim was very hospitable and helped me to understand a little better the in's and outs of building and tuning a Norton engine...but I really am a bit of a noob when listening to Jim. He's forgotten more than most of the rest of us know about tuning.

It was an amazing tour and to see all the tools he has assembled and built to work on Norton's was really interesting.

Thanks Jim for taking the time to make this a special trip for us.

bwolfie · Nov 5, 2014

That is a trip I myself would like to make someday.
I do have one question for Jim right now, what's the deal with the jet engine in the background?

JimC · Nov 5, 2014

...but I really am a bit of a noob when listening to Jim. He's forgotten more than most of the rest of us know about tuning.

I know what you mean. I once had the pleasure of visiting C.R. Axtell's shop. Ax and I chatted for a couple of hours and he then invited me to watch him port a Harley head for Mert Lawill. It's an experience I will never forget.

comnoz · Nov 5, 2014

bwolfie said:
That is a trip I myself would like to make someday.
I do have one question for Jim right now, what's the deal with the jet engine in the background?

That is a 5 Hp fan used to create a serious breeze for keeping engines cool on the dyno. Jim

gtsun · Nov 5, 2014

Nice shop Jim!! I miss my garage SO much. I thought that would turn out to be a cooling fan but realy, if I saw a jet engine in your shop I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

SteveA · Nov 5, 2014

bwolfie said:
That is a trip I myself would like to make someday.
I do have one question for Jim right now, what's the deal with the jet engine in the background?

Flow bench testing?

Fullauto · Nov 5, 2014

He's foxing. It really is a jet engine. He needs it to help start his next Norton motor.

comnoz · Nov 5, 2014

Fullauto said:
He's foxing. It really is a jet engine. He needs it to help start his next Norton motor.

Shhh!

Fullauto · Nov 5, 2014

Oops. I hope I haven't let the cat out of the bag about the new triple overhead cam, 9 valve, 223 degree crank, 20,000 rpm Norton you've been working on.

Oh.

kerinorton · Nov 5, 2014

bwolfie said:
That is a trip I myself would like to make someday.
I do have one question for Jim right now, what's the deal with the jet engine in the background?

I bet its because white stuff grows there in winter.

boz · Nov 6, 2014

I have had the pleasure to visit Jim's shop when I was living in the area helping an old friend going through radiation treatment for cancer. He has a lot of very cool stuff in there. Saw some one off prototype stuff that will probably never see the light of day due to complexity and cost to manufacture but it shows his very creative mind and way of thinking.

dennisgb · Nov 6, 2014

Fullauto said:
Oops. I hope I haven't let the cat out of the bag about the new triple overhead cam, 9 valve, 223 degree crank, 20,000 rpm Norton you've been working on.

Oh.

I saw that engine on the bench. I took pictures but was afraid that Jim would get upset if I posted them so chose the only picture that didn't show much. Jim's shop is an amazing place...there are a lot of interesting things hiding there, it was a little like an episode of American Pickers...everywhere I looked there was something interesting...and the stories of how Jim put it all together...the tools and methods to build some of the best Norton engines in the world...but far more than that. Jim's daily rider...is an engineering masterpiece. His talent goes way beyond engines. Very special.

SquareHead · Nov 6, 2014

Thanks for the thread, Dennis. Glad to hear about your trip to Jim's place. I have a couple of his items on my Norton's and am grateful for the people who continue to research and improve parts and such for our bikes.

Visit To Comstock Engineering

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