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Well, if you consider it ... it IS hinged in the middle! The frame and front end are one piece, and the engine and swingarm are attached to them via the rubber hinges. But unlike the H1 Kawasakis to which that description is usually applied, it's designed to be hinged in the middle, and the hinge is supposed to be constrained to move in a way that doesn't detract from the bike's handling.As you say, if the Isolastics are in good shape and adjusted, the handling should be as good as any BSA or Triumph, which is VERY good ....Lannis
It is a fiberglass tank and it appears to be lined. There is some gas around the petcocks. I need to figure out if that is from the tank or from the petcocks. Are there any sources for new tanks?It probably is going to be repainted anyway you look at it. It will be fun to run around on a pink bike for a while, but I don't see that as my long term color
A friend who was a Norton guru would tell potential owners , "make sure to purchase the official Norton repair kit" . and when asked what that was his, reply , " a trailer with a tool box full of cash attached" . Dusty
Yep. He's keeping the legend going; I know how it is. Think about it; what a Bull Goose Motorcycle Hero the "Norton Guru" must be if he can ride a Norton and still keep that POS going WITHOUT a tool box full of cash! I might start doing the same thing, come to think of it. Like folks that talk about how hard to start old Brits are. With the exception of the Velocettes and the BSA B50, both of which have really bad kickstart gearing which doesn't even give you a full four-stroke cycle on each kick, Brits are as easy to start as any bike that has good compression, a working carburetor, and a properly timed spark. One or two kicks every time. If it doesn't, it's not just because "They All Do That, Sir", it's because something's broken and needs fixing, and most people don't want to hear that ... they just kick and kick and cuss and tell stories .... !Lannis
Actually Lannis , this was in the early 1980's , and my friend built several Nortons for other folks that were better than new and ran reliably for years . BUT , this was after new Superblend main bearings , lower compression pistons , Sportster valve guides machined to fit , and often times a conversion to a single Mikuni . Dusty
Like folks that talk about how hard to start old Brits are. With the exception of the Velocettes Lannis
I've ridden early Honda CB750's. These were very vague. I guess these were fast, but I felt they were a little gutless and flat until you waited a second for the revs to rise. I can't believe anyone bought those when Nortons were available.
...........I'd never been on a motorcycle road trip. I had:One BSA 650 Spitfire ScramblerOne denim jacketOne USAR back pack.... And what the hell is a rainsuit?
When I headed out from Charleston WV to Port Isabel (Padre Island) in August of 1966, I'd never been on a motorcycle road trip. Any thinking person would have changed either the countershaft sprocket or final drive to gear the bike higher, since it was scrambler-geared. But when you don't know what you don't know, you go with what you've got.I had:One BSA 650 Spitfire ScramblerOne denim jacketOne USAR back pack.... and the desire to get to southern Texas to see my bride-to-be.Quite an adventure. No helmet, no goggles (until Chattanooga, TN) And what the hell is a rainsuit?I ran the old Beezer so hard across the King Ranch that it apparently burnt up the spark plugs. But luckily, the BSA made it down and back, for a round trip of approx. 3000 miles.Who says these old Brit machines weren't tough!
When I got orders for west pac I was stationed at the Cecil field NAS JAX Fla., and I had to report to San Diego in 29 days. So I decided that since I was going to VN I would take my time and ride across and stop an visit family.I went to the local moto dealer with what cash I had and bought a bike. I had a choice of a Norton Atlas (a '64 I think) or a Matchless 600 Typhoon single. I couldn't make a deal for the Norton so bought the Matchless and loaded it with my parachute bag full of stuff and a pair of sun glasses and hit the road.Long story short, I made it! The Typhoon had a top of about 85 but would cruise at 65 with expectable vibration. Never failed me and taught me about the importance of a spark retard!I know this thread is about Norton but I always wondered about that Norton. Wish I could have pulled that one off.Wanted one ever since but bought the CX instead.
Like folks that talk about how hard to start old Brits are. With the exception of the Velocettes and the BSA B50, both of which have really bad kickstart gearing which doesn't even give you a full four-stroke cycle on each kick, Brits are as easy to start as any bike that has good compression, a working carburetor, and a properly timed spark. One or two kicks every time. If it doesn't, it's not just because "They All Do That, Sir", it's because something's broken and needs fixing, and most people don't want to hear that ... they just kick and kick and cuss and tell stories .... !Lannis
My '56 Triumph started on the first or second kick one I replaced the slip ring in the mag. Turn Ign. on, tickle the Amal Monobloc, push kick starter to a compression and then kick. Easy start. Always wished Guzzi had a kick start, would have helped me a many time when my first one and I were getting to know each other. My R75/5 kick is just about useless unless you move the LH foot peg out of the way of the kick stroke. If it's running right and have a warm engine, and it;s just a bad battery. You can get it to start on the short stroke with the peg in the way.Tom
Oh I know , remember , I rode those old Limeys for years , all over the country . Once , only about 200 miles from home a couple of HD riders seemed amazed that we had ridden our TR6R that far , they just knew we had come in on a trailer . The wife set them straight on that , and then asked the two , "So just how far did you ride in from?" Seems they had made an epic journey of 15 miles Dusty
I understand what you mean ....10 degrees over advanced could cause a holed piston if the throttle was held open long enough in high gear..The old 750 Ducati's had no timing marks if I remember correctly...Timing was done by finding TDC and using a degree wheel, same as old British bikes... the standard full advance timing was 36-38 degrees, with 28 of that provided by the auto advance unit..Substituting softer advance springs gave sharper part throttle response , but could cause a bit of pinging.. I had owned a few 750 Ducati bevel drive twins over the years. The kick starter was a bit awkward but the engine always started on one kick.. I had a 74 850 Commando with a hotter cam...When tuned properly is wasn't difficult to kick start provided you put some ass into it. Kick back can be induced by feeble kicking....The Norton was smooth above 2500 or so rpm but I never warmed up to handling of the bike...It was 10 years old when I got it and the Isolastic engine mounts may have deteriorated needing new rubber parts or shim adjustments . It felt hinged in the middle when pushed hard into turns...
I now have a lead on a 1973 850 Commando. This one is much more stock. It has the twin Amal carbs. The only non-stock items appear to be the Corbin seat and the electronic ignition.
Looks like a beauty!Can I come take it for a ride after you get it?
Oh yeah. I had the serious hots for one when I was a kid. Fortunately.. I couldn't afford it. I wasn't a good enough mechanic to even *think* about maintaining a Velo then.