- Joined
- Apr 19, 2009
- Messages
- 175

I'd like some input. Here's the background - I purchased a ’75, in boxes, almost 10 years ago. Over the years I slowly cataloged all the parts, got the frame and body work painted, plated the fasteners, built the wheels, rebuilt the engine and trans - see where this is going? So, after a pretty big assembly push over the summer, I’m pretty close to attempting starting up. (If you're interested in the gory details see https://www.doovsprojects.com/projects/category/1975-norton-rebuild)
Some particulars the of this build that you should know:
1) All these parts have not been together in a long time and never with me as the owner
2) I rebuilt the whole thing
3) I removed the electric start altogether
4) It’s got a new cam and ground lifters, new pistons, rebuilt head, etc
5) It’s got a statically timed TriSpark
6) Brand new Premiers
I plan to use a non-synthetic oil for break-in and will dump some oil down the push rod shafts and prime the oil pump too.
Now it’s my understanding that there are several things that need to be accomplished at initial startup.
1) Never allow it drop below 2500 rpm in the first 20 mins to bed in the cam/lifters
2) Don’t kick it over more than necessary
3) Good to vary the rpm and load above 2500
4) Check for oil returning to tank (I have an oil pressure gage too).
I’d also need to
1) Adjust my carbs
2) Adjust the timing
3) Make sure the thing shifts and stops
4) Adjust everything else I forgot along the way.
I really won’t be comfortable on the road with other cars and such, until I can get through this stuff. So here’s my proposed strategy:
Start the bike in my garage, with the goal of keeping it above 2500 rpm. Attempt the adjust the carbs a bit to keep it running OK. Use fan(s) to keep it cool, cycle between 2500 and 4000 rpm, and basically run it this way for 20 mins. I’m just not confident enough the rest of the bike is roadworthy enough that I would want to jump on it and go anywhere.
Shut it down, let it cool. Change the oil, torque the head, adjust the valves and dynamically set the timing.
Attempt to take it out on the road and see if it stops and shifts properly. At this point I should be able to let it idle a bit so I can set the carbs, etc.
Any Input?
Thanks! David
Some particulars the of this build that you should know:
1) All these parts have not been together in a long time and never with me as the owner
2) I rebuilt the whole thing
3) I removed the electric start altogether
4) It’s got a new cam and ground lifters, new pistons, rebuilt head, etc
5) It’s got a statically timed TriSpark
6) Brand new Premiers
I plan to use a non-synthetic oil for break-in and will dump some oil down the push rod shafts and prime the oil pump too.
Now it’s my understanding that there are several things that need to be accomplished at initial startup.
1) Never allow it drop below 2500 rpm in the first 20 mins to bed in the cam/lifters
2) Don’t kick it over more than necessary
3) Good to vary the rpm and load above 2500
4) Check for oil returning to tank (I have an oil pressure gage too).
I’d also need to
1) Adjust my carbs
2) Adjust the timing
3) Make sure the thing shifts and stops
4) Adjust everything else I forgot along the way.
I really won’t be comfortable on the road with other cars and such, until I can get through this stuff. So here’s my proposed strategy:
Start the bike in my garage, with the goal of keeping it above 2500 rpm. Attempt the adjust the carbs a bit to keep it running OK. Use fan(s) to keep it cool, cycle between 2500 and 4000 rpm, and basically run it this way for 20 mins. I’m just not confident enough the rest of the bike is roadworthy enough that I would want to jump on it and go anywhere.
Shut it down, let it cool. Change the oil, torque the head, adjust the valves and dynamically set the timing.
Attempt to take it out on the road and see if it stops and shifts properly. At this point I should be able to let it idle a bit so I can set the carbs, etc.
Any Input?
Thanks! David