Ashman's CNW starter

[Starvingphotog]

Yeah, for sure watch those videos to get an idea, but you've got an audience here to help you if you have any questions. Lord knows that I messaged and called Matt several times during my recent install over things that I should probably have known if I had any idea what I was doing and had any mechanical sense or background about me. I probably made more mistakes than you will Ash so feel free to ping me too since I just recently finished mine a few weeks back and broke a few things along the journey of installing and the initial startup.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[Starvingphotog]

Yeah, I agree wholeheartedly with the Fast Eddie on that one. It was a real pleasure for me to install and learn as I went. Lots of support and beautiful parts that just fit right out of the box. I took my time and enjoyed the journey. Like you I have a well stocked fridge of beer (Canadian, while it lasts) to celebrate my wins along the way.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[ashman]

My Norton was the first bike I ever built when I converted it to the Featherbed frame back in 1980 and since then have rebuilt a few Commando motors in that time for mates as well some who paid me to do full rebuilds for them, I know ever nut and bolt on my Norton inside and out from 50 years of ownership, have always done all the work by my hands on my bike, so doing the ES conversion should be an easy job for me except working around one missing leg, but the ES won't be the only job I be doing, a full rewiring, installing my old Featherbed oil tank and make/mount a battery tray/box for what ever battery I decide to use for the ES.

I have a full equipped workshop and all the tools for working on my Norton as well the tools for making things, I was a TA to maintenance fitters at a TEC College (TAFE) for 31 years and over 15 years in the fitters shop, I shaved my Norton head on one of the milling machines at work, made a jig for the surf grinder machine to grind my lifters, also done the rebore of my cylinders with help from the motorcycle teachers, made all my engine mounts for the Featherbed frame to fit my 850 motor/GB, so installing a ES kit won't be a hard task for me.

Its been over 15 years since I done any major work/upgrades to my Norton, I do the work proper and my Norton just keeps going good, well great in fact so I must be doing something right, I think about things before I do things and try to do it right the first time, I be following the instructions right through and I won't have any problems at all, I am not going to rush the install as I still have months of rehab and learning to walk again, once I get my new leg I be doing 3 days a week up at rehab or more.

I enjoy doing my own work and if I do have any problems, but I won't, I walk away from it and think about it first, I always work things out no matter how hard the problem might be and the best thing I am good with my hands when it comes to making things and I have worked with metal all my life.

I am looking forward to the task ahead of me, both the bike and learning to walk again.

Ashley

 

[grandpaul]

... I be following the instructions right through and I won't have any problems at all...

Were the instructions in the box that already arrived? I forgot what stuff went in which box. The original was a VERY large box and would have cost $100 more to ship (plus possible red flags with a box that large).

 

[ashman]

Were the instructions in the box that already arrived? I forgot what stuff went in which box. The original was a VERY large box and would have cost $100 more to ship (plus possible red flags with a box that large).

I haven't opened the box yet going to wait for the number 1 box, not sure why they are being delivered different days but will leave it till next week if it hasn't been delivered before I inquire about it, it might be held up for some reason, you never know with customs or postal service so will give it a little time yet, even if it's been held up they should have left a message in my mail box.

Ashley

 

[johnm]

Maybe do an online search track and trace.

I have found US couriers to NZ to be very variable. They invariably go via Australia and often do little side trips to Japan and back to the USA before finally heading south. Plus there must be 5 airports minimum in LA and they zig zag back and forth between them for several days.

 

[ashman]

Well got a letter in the mail today and the number 1 box is held up in customs as the goods is valued over $1k and Australia Boarder Force, so had to navigate through Australia Post web site, down load a declination import form and declare who the sender is and where from and reference number from the letter I got today etc etc, I have never done this before but was a nightmare in trying to workout what I had to do, fill out the form and att the form to a email and send off with all information, then they will reply in how much GST/duty I have to pay before they will release the package.

I have spent 2 hrs just navigating through all this and has given me a headache, but I finally done it so now its a waiting game to see if I done it right and everything else, there is no longer gift concessions on imported goods over $1k in Aus now so GST will have to be paid, I don't mind paying, it's just the paperwork and everything involved that has to be done, doing paper work is just not my thing, well gives me some more time to prepare everything, Debra is cooking up pancakes now so that will fix my headache lol and a late lunch.

Ashley

 

[Flatspot]

I’ve arrived to this thread rather late, and it is great to know that Ash will be able to use an electric foot, and in good Crocodile Dundee fashion he’ll be able to say

Call that a starter! Now THAT’S A STARTER!

I’ll send my donation now, hope it will help if Ash ends up out of pocket.

$50 sent PayPal