G'day from a new Dommi owner

A tidy machine! I suspect your frame number is 14 94340 which, without looking up the books, is a 1961 or 2 Model 99. The engine is 1959 (see the pre 1960 cylinder head).

No doubt others will give you precise information. Do the minimum to it, just ride and enjoy. You have the weather for it. Out here it's perishing cold and extremely wet. As I discovered when out on my bike last night.

Looks like a tidy rider. As is often the case a bit of a mixture of parts,but none the worse for that. The kickstart would have been a non folding one and is a part often switched for a later folder.The spring is likely to to be the type that locates in a hole in the inner cover ,later stronger ones hook round a post.Best to take a look.The only thing I would change is the wide bars which are not needed.The Kickstart lever is usually set a bit further back on the splines to give more leg room.The switchgear (horn dip ) looks a bit impractical and the choke was fitted combined with the brakelever on the rhs and makes a bit more space that way. Plain ended levers are a bit more stylish ,Watch out for clutch lever action ratio if changing.Magneto ignition was fitted to SS models,yours was most likely a coil ign bike but a good mag is something to cherish.

According to my book - but don't believe everything you read - the engine is late '58 or early '59 (probably '59 model year), the frame 1961. I agree with Robert that the bars and switchgear are not particularly ergonomic. The dipswitch really should befurther left next to the clutch lever. The speedo mounting is unusual but effective. It all depends on just how keen you are on counting rivets. Anyway, the 88 is a great machine - in many ways the pick of the bunch. Lucky man!

P.S. I have raced an 88 against Kawasaki triples. Not really recommended but a hoot.

Hi Gordon, I've just picked up my ulster , lots to learn, I'm hoping to pick your brains !!. Bob.

What's this, another heretic! I'm sadly behind with my Rudge projects. 1932 350radial is almost there, 1931 TT rep is gathering dust... Oops, off topic - we will be in trouble.

I'm not sure why Robert says that the kickstart would be a non-folder as the folding type was optional equipment for 1959 Wideline bikes and 1960-on Slimline.

See my post - a folding kickstart is fine. Listed in the 1959 Spares List

Good luck, Lionel

Previously craig_johnston wrote:

Cheers Gordon,

It would be interesting to find the history on it, though i am not fanatical about matching numbers and such. Yes we are quite lucky weather wise in this part of the world, though in all honesty i do more riding in our mild Autumn, winter, and spring, than in summer where it becomes uncomfortably hot, and regularly in the high 30's to mid 40 deg C range, my older aircooled bikes don't appreciate it much either

Here are some photos of the bike as i bought it

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/trumps1973/media/Norton/IMG_1930_zps0x83rbv8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/trumps1973/Norton/IMG_1930_zps0x83rbv8.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/trumps1973/media/Norton/IMG_1929_zps1xvczyhz.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/trumps1973/Norton/IMG_1929_zps1xvczyhz.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/trumps1973/media/Norton/IMG_1928_zpsngkxxu92.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/trumps1973/Norton/IMG_1928_zpsngkxxu92.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/trumps1973/media/Norton/IMG_1927_zpssbp9ylug.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/trumps1973/Norton/IMG_1927_zpssbp9ylug.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Should this model have had a solid kick start lever, or one with the hinged peg? I have a new kick start return spring which is broken on order from the local Nortorn shop, and what ever he can get hold of with regards to a manual for the bike, It is my first Norton, and like to have as much info and literature as i can on the subject before doing too much with them, currently my head is full of Kawasaki triple, and Moto Guzzi nonsense LOL!

Cheers

Craig

Previously lionel_yexley wrote:

See my post - a folding kickstart is fine. Listed in the 1959 Spares List

Good luck, Lionel

Previously craig_johnston wrote:

Cheers Gordon,

It would be interesting to find the history on it, though i am not fanatical about matching numbers and such. Yes we are quite lucky weather wise in this part of the world, though in all honesty i do more riding in our mild Autumn, winter, and spring, than in summer where it becomes uncomfortably hot, and regularly in the high 30's to mid 40 deg C range, my older aircooled bikes don't appreciate it much either

Here are some photos of the bike as i bought it

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/trumps1973/media/Norton/IMG_1930_zps0x83rbv8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/trumps1973/Norton/IMG_1930_zps0x83rbv8.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/trumps1973/media/Norton/IMG_1929_zps1xvczyhz.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/trumps1973/Norton/IMG_1929_zps1xvczyhz.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/trumps1973/media/Norton/IMG_1928_zpsngkxxu92.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/trumps1973/Norton/IMG_1928_zpsngkxxu92.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/trumps1973/media/Norton/IMG_1927_zpssbp9ylug.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/trumps1973/Norton/IMG_1927_zpssbp9ylug.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Should this model have had a solid kick start lever, or one with the hinged peg? I have a new kick start return spring which is broken on order from the local Nortorn shop, and what ever he can get hold of with regards to a manual for the bike, It is my first Norton, and like to have as much info and literature as i can on the subject before doing too much with them, currently my head is full of Kawasaki triple, and Moto Guzzi nonsense LOL!

Cheers

Craig The orriginal stock lever was a fixed type as I said before,However there were options for extra cost items. I have both types in use and unless you buy a puka folding one you may find it hits the exhaust and is not well fixed on the spline with a bolt that damages the spline and is too short in the threads for long life(especialy on an Atlas) good hunting.I prefer the optional folding one on the 99,son likes an old 1960 perfect fit fixed one on the 67Atlas. Yer pays yer money------.

Previously craig_johnston wrote:

Hello all, just signed up after recently purchasing an old 1960 Dommi 88 from a mate of mine, he has had it stashed away in his shed along with various other bikes for years.

It is in reasonably good condition, looks to have had the engine rebuilt at some stage, and seems to be reasonably complete apart from having a different headlamp unit, bars and speedometer, and recovered seat.the plan is to bring it back to original condition with regards to lamp, bars, and speedometer. get the bike to the stage where it is mechanically sound and ride it as is. at it's age i figure it deserves to keep it's stone chips and little blemishes.

I bought a copy of Roy Bacon's book on Norton restoration as an aide, and have been having a bit of a look on the net, but at this stage have not found any definative information on lamps, bars gauges, and or where to source them from. The frame number is 4-94340 engine number 80247.

The bike had been stored dry, and occassionaly filled with oil and fired up, it starts aftera couple of kicks, and is not smokey at all. Any tips and pointers ect would be much appreciated.

https://youtu.be/JFKAO8CXNGw

Cheers

Craig

Hi Graig,

have looked at the pics you posted and suggest that the top (and bottom ?) clamps on your machine aren't correct for that bike. Possibly from a Ducati single, 60's vintage. The top clamp is raked too far forward for a start and the handlebar clamping is typical Ducati for the period. Could account for the odd ergonomics you mention. Suggest a look at the photo on page 186 of Roy Bacon's Norton Twin Restoration might help.

Cheers

David Chambers

top clamp looks OK to me pre-63 type. Front linings may be too thin from the angle of lever on hub, control levers also suspect and will make brake and clutch action poor. Tyres look a bit bigger than std,not much room for modern tyres normally. Watch out for Primary chain, needs slack for decent gear change and tends to tighten up with the pull from rear chain.Turn the bars up and chop an inch off the ends,it has the lower comp head which will make for a smooth motor that will stand having its nuts revved off, Heck! just ride it.