Dad on the Norton, eBay deal complete!
Apr 18, 2019 7:14:52 GMT -5
Woody Williams, greghopper, and 11 more like this
Post by HighCotton on Apr 18, 2019 7:14:52 GMT -5
With a job transition on the horizon, I have a few weeks off to get a lot of chores completed, including the final touches on my vintage Norton and BMW motorcycles. I have not been happy with the way the ole Norton Commando starts. Strictly, a kickstarter, the ole girl can send a serious hurt from the tip of your toes to rattling your teeth. It was taking 20+ kicks to get her started and that just drove me crazy. So, I called Pops and suggested we spend a few days together, putting our heads to the task of smoothing the bike out.
We set off to the basics, covering everything like the sparking plug settings, proper earth connections, torch box wiring, petrol taps and idling paths, with a fair amount of white spirit for cleaning. Yes, it is the strange terminology the Brits use that had us spending extra time just to "interpret" the service manuals.
At the end of the second day, we had her starting in 1 or 2 kicks. Cold bike or warm runner. She's on it!
I learned a lot here. Many things on the Norton are backwards to a typical motorcycle. I already knew the shift pattern was crazy, being on the right side and 1 up, 3 down! But, then I also learned that eletriks are positive earth (ground) at the battery. Wiring is strange since the bike can also be (2) 6 volt in series with 2 separate 6 volt coils.
The Amal carburettors are reverse from my way of thinking in that a relaxed enrichener slide (choke cable) means that the bike is in full choke mode! Once the bike is running and warm, the choke cable will be fully stretched-a very weird feeling.
For those that have ever taken a true barn find and got her running tip top...not another feeling like it in the world!
And to do the work with Pops and listen to endless stories of his motorcycle riding and racing days, starting in Holland in the 1930's!
And then to make the ole Norton wrap some serious revs and outdo Pops age!
I'll never forget the smile on his face!
We set off to the basics, covering everything like the sparking plug settings, proper earth connections, torch box wiring, petrol taps and idling paths, with a fair amount of white spirit for cleaning. Yes, it is the strange terminology the Brits use that had us spending extra time just to "interpret" the service manuals.
At the end of the second day, we had her starting in 1 or 2 kicks. Cold bike or warm runner. She's on it!
I learned a lot here. Many things on the Norton are backwards to a typical motorcycle. I already knew the shift pattern was crazy, being on the right side and 1 up, 3 down! But, then I also learned that eletriks are positive earth (ground) at the battery. Wiring is strange since the bike can also be (2) 6 volt in series with 2 separate 6 volt coils.
The Amal carburettors are reverse from my way of thinking in that a relaxed enrichener slide (choke cable) means that the bike is in full choke mode! Once the bike is running and warm, the choke cable will be fully stretched-a very weird feeling.
For those that have ever taken a true barn find and got her running tip top...not another feeling like it in the world!
And to do the work with Pops and listen to endless stories of his motorcycle riding and racing days, starting in Holland in the 1930's!
And then to make the ole Norton wrap some serious revs and outdo Pops age!
I'll never forget the smile on his face!
