My first ride on the Sunburst

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yves norton seeley

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This afternoon I did my first test ride with the Sunburst and I was totally disapointed, not about the bike but about my self: I start with my right foot on the footrest and my left foot on the ground, when the bike was runing in first gear I try to put my left foot on the footrest, no way, even after different trys and more as one mile with my foot over the ground, I must surrender and give the bike on Bruno who was following me with his car, to bring the Sunburst back to the workshop.
I was crying, after 8 months of pains, I was sure to do it, to be rewarded, but not to day.
This week I will put the footrest 3cm lower and see if this help
Bruno will do a report of his ride soon
Sorry Friends, give a bit more time to be out of the hell.
Still believing in my self, I will be back, soon or late....
Yves
 
Hello all,
It was indeed a very emotional moment for all of us when Yves started his marvelous bike for the first time. Laurent, Cathy, Bert, Pierre and myself came today to give Yves the final push towards making his dream come true.



My first ride on the Sunburst



The position on the bike is indeed a bit radical as it is more suited to a racetrack than the open road. Yves is not very tall either and still lacks strength and leg mobility.

My first ride on the Sunburst


As soon as Yves started rolling on the bike it was obvious that he couldn’t rise his feet up to the footrests or change gears.
As hard as he tried, unfortunately he couldn’t make it.
So after a bit I jumped on the Sunburst to take it back to the workshop. It started on the button, the new lightweight clutch with Ducati disks is amazingly smooth, the TTI gearbox magic and the FCR-fed engine simply amazing.
That thing goes like a sidewinder missile up the arse of an Iraki Mig over Babylon.
Although Yves was -understandably- disappointed today , I am quite optimistic that he will soon be able to enjoy his ‘Precious’.
It is quite easy to lower the footrests by about 3-4 inches to a more open road position, moving the clip-ons up and slightly backwards could be helpful as well; finally I suggested that Yves would wear boots with compensating soles, 1 inch would probably go a long way towards helping him climbing on or off the bike.
Obviously, it is physiotherapy and exercise that will finally allow our wonderful friend to ride his dream.

‘The’ moment:
 
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Good to see you back on this fine machine, I can imagine that you get impatient after a long time without being able to ride your bike.
Considering the "racy" riding position, it may be worth considering these so called "comfort clipons" they give a slightly more upright riding position without spoiling the loolk of the machine. I have fitted a pair of these on my Goldstar , and they made a considerable difference.

My first ride on the Sunburst
 
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Good to see you back on this fine machine, I can imagine that you get impatient after a long time without being able to ride your bike.
Considering the "racy" riding position, it may be worth considering these so called "comfort clipons" they give a slightly more upright riding position without spoiling the loolk of the machine. I have fitted a pair of these on my Goldstar , and they made a considerable diffetence.

My first ride on the Sunburst

Hi Peter,
That is a great idea indeed, we should look into that! Do you have a source for them?
Best,
Bruno
 
I have had problems raising my foot onto the rest on my race bike, just from the passage of time so a bit of fettling is often needed to adapt a bike to a different rider or the same rider at a different time. I found even 25mm made a difference, but I would think in this case, go long, to the maximum, and reduce the change as you get more movement back!
 
Great to see you back in the saddle Yves.

From my personal experience I can suggest raising the seat by say 20mm; Kenny added foam to the seat and it transformed my ability to race the bike. My problem sounds similar to that which SteveA alluded but to a lesser degree.

Don't get old!
 
The main thing is he is giving his best, which taking the seriousness of his injuries into account is no small task. I tip my hat and bow to your determination and devotion to mount up and ride that pony.
Owning a Norton is like a major drug addition....Just have to have a fix every day once you start.
From What I saw in the video you're almost there...Just don't overdo it and hurt yourself.
 
After a few miles of riding in pain with regular clip ons, I bought and fitted Apex Risers to my Special.
They come in alloy finish or black anodized.
Due to a very clever design , they are adjustable in almost every direction.
Mine are 3" max rise, 4" max is available.



Glen
 
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Bike looks like its starting and running great, and I am sure with Yves determination and more physical therapy, he will get there.

On Friday, he was already moving around a lot better than a few months ago when we visited for the afternoon. Happy to lend my fingers on this beautiful machine during the starter and battery re-install. The attention to detail on it is just sublime. ( My fingers were not clean enough! )

Take it slow and easy, our bodies and spirits require as much attention as our Nortons, even more after what you endured.
Keep the faith Yves!
 
Yves, this makes me so happy! It roars to life - As do you!

You'll get it soon. Don't be discouraged. The rearsets can be moved down and forward a bit if necessary. It is in the best of hands, and you have quite a team!

-Kenny
 
Glad to see a glimpse of your first ride on your new bike. I had some adjustable clip-on handlebars like the ones Glen /worn torn takes about. They should help. Anyway thanks for posting the video, lookin' good Yves!
 
The good thing about motorcycles they can be changed to suite for comfort while you are still recovering, once you have recoved then change it back to the way you wanted it, bad injuries take time to mend and the older we get it takes even longer.
Just don't over do it before you fully recoved, the bike will wait for you, but it does get frustrating for sure.
Wish you well sooner than later.

Ashley
 
I like the sound of that engine. Hardly any mechanical clatter! Awesom!
What's the story of the lightweight clutch with Ducati disks?

-Knut
 
Hi there,
I wish to tanks all of you, your words act like a booster on my will.
To day I put the footrests 3 inches lower, with the bike on the bench I try this new setting, and wonderfull, I can put my two feets on the footrest. I will test it on the road later this week, now I am very confident.
I make the drawing for the new brackets and bring it to the machine shop.
I hope to have the parts before this W.E. becouse there is a classic motorshow in my home town and I wish to be there with the Sunburst
Again I wish to thank you for you wishes and words of wisdom
Keep you posted
Yves
 
I like the sound of that engine. Hardly any mechanical clatter! Awesom!
What's the story of the lightweight clutch with Ducati disks?

-Knut
Hi Knut,
The whole clutch is a kind of one off made by JN Gindrat, a french Norton Goerou, creator of the Yellow Perril Endurance Seeley MK2 Commando
Every part of the clutch is made from the best materials on the market and is light, ultra light. I dont weight it, but it must be a few pounds lighter as the oiginal Commando clutch
Yves
 
Yves, this makes me so happy! It roars to life - As do you!

You'll get it soon. Don't be discouraged. The rearsets can be moved down and forward a bit if necessary. It is in the best of hands, and you have quite a team!

-Kenny
Hi Kenny,
The Sunburst is still your child and I will never change the spirit of this wonderfull motorcycle, the changes I make where only mandatoty to adapt the Sunburst to my injuries. I feel very lucky to own this piece of mecanical art made by you and your team and I hope to ride it for many years.
I like persons like you that start from almost nothing and after a few years be a Legent in this small world.
Respect Kenny!
Yves
 
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