Wrecked Motor

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Joe Hart

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Aug 7, 2018
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Hello, I am new to this site. Just recently bought 1975 MKIII - fulfilling a high school promise to myself to own one. Unfortunately the motor is trashed. Had been bored out to a 950, but not well. My mechanic said it is shot. With all the knowledge out there I was hoping to get some direction on what to do next; part out the bike, sell as a roller, or find a replacement motor, or any other ideas.

Thanks
Joe
 
Joe, surely the whole motor isn’t shot, make an inventory of the useable parts you have and see if you can get replacements for those that are no good.
 
There aren't many things on a commando motor that can't be repaired or replaced
Just get stuck in and do it yourself or find a place that knows Norton's to repair it for you
 
Most likely you will need to replace barrels, and get new pistons and rings. No big deal ..... there are barrels out there and JCC pistons are cheap, but don't use the rings JCC provides ..... use Hastings rings.

Slick
 
Hi Joe, that sounds like the bike that was in the Oxnard Craigslist. I thought about checking it out too.

If it is really a 950, then the cylinder has been not just bored out, but sleeved. Unless it is damaged, it can be re-sleeved down to anything from 750 cc to 920 cc. LA Sleeve, down in Santa Fe Springs, can do the sleeving, if you choose to go that route. Or just do as Slick says, and get new cylinders and pistons.

If you get really discouraged, you could always just sell it to me at a loss:)

Ken
 
Wow!!! You guys are great. It was the Oxnard "950" - jumped before I looked. I am getting the bike back from the mechanic today and will get a list of what's actually wrong - I know the pistons, sleeves, valves, cases and cam are all shot. My guy says it probably never ran after the work was done to it. He guessed a number of different folks worked on it over the years and it only got worse.Once I get a good list, I will post it and look for direction. I REALLY appreciate the help - this is my first Norton and first attempt at restoring a classic.
 
Joe Hart said:
Wow!!! You guys are great. It was the Oxnard "950" - jumped before I looked. I am getting the bike back from the mechanic today and will get a list of what's actually wrong - I know the pistons, sleeves, valves, cases and cam are all shot. My guy says it probably never ran after the work was done to it. He guessed a number of different folks worked on it over the years and it only got worse.Once I get a good list, I will post it and look for direction. I REALLY appreciate the help - this is my first Norton and first attempt at restoring a classic.
Click to expand...

Is your mechanic John Ireland, by any chance? If so, he's quite good.

Ken
 
Joe Hart said:
I know the...cases...shot.
Click to expand...
What happened to the cases? If it's a matter of the spigots being bored out to accept the larger sleeves, I believe anyone making sleeves to bring it back to stock could use oversized sleeves thick enough to make up the difference. Assuming the jugs are okay to re-sleeve, that'd also take care of the cases. Like the man said, "pictures".

Have fun!

Nathan
 
Worst case scenario, you can find complete engines if you are patient. SOMETIMES they fall into your lap!

You now likely have over a half-dozen folks already keeping their eyes and ears open for you (2 Daves, Baz, Slick, Nathan, Ken & myself)...

The folks on this forum are all the resource a person would ever need, JUST DON'T ASK WHAT OIL TO USE! heehee
 
This may be THE FIRST "new member" thread that gets moved to the "Norton Rebuilds" section...
 
This place is great. There are people here who know everything. Once you figure out who they are, you can avoid them and seek advice from those who are still learning!
 
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if you run across bits, make sure they are compatible for use

on a 1 year only factory 850 electric start engine setup with shifting on the left side,

find out what all is involved in paying someone to sort it all out, before deciding which way is best for u to go
 
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