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It´s the small things

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I always wondered why my frontwheel is harder to turn when I tighten up the axle nut.

Here is why:

front wheel spacer1

front wheel spacer2

After removing the lockring  I found new sealed wheel bearings but not the correct spacer! Someone used this bronze ring which puts pressure against the inner race of the bearing. Correct spacer from Norton Motors is on the way!

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This is the correct spacer from Norton Motors No.06.7674

06.7674

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Hi Uli, happy Easter, I think the spacer still pushes against the inner face of the race, but the race should be supported on the other side by the internal spacer, is that one correct? Or have I misunderstood something! 

Dan 

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Happy Easter also to you Dan and all other Lightweight riders!

Well, I fitted the spacer today and yes, it is also pushing against the inner ring of the race but the wheel turns freely when I tightened up the axle. So I took the Navi for an Easter ride.

Looking good from far with the temporarily fitted 68 Norton Fastback front mudguard!

The bike ran fine, weather was superb and the roads are empty because of the lockdown.

Navi at Easter1

 

 

But when you look closer:

Wasn´t me!

A severe oil leak from somewhere ! Could be the gearbox or the engine or...?

Down u7nder

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If you haven’t moved the bike back it must be coming from the head or barrel to be dripping that far forward? Are you sure you’re allowed out Uli?! 

ps looks like engine oil.

dan

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I am allowed out. You can go outside with your family for a walk or even cycling or running.

If you are not with the family there are no more than two people together allowed!

Many bikers are on the road. All is fine as long as you don´t cross the border to Bavaria. The rules are stricter over there and if you do not have a clear reason to leave the house better take 500€ with you if you get into a police road control!

The police is watching us from a new Zeppelin flying over my hometown Ravenburg. The Zeppelins are based in Friedrichshafen which is 15 km away. No joke! They look for illegal groups.You can get a fine up to 1000€.

I moved the bike back a little to get it on the main stand thtat is why there are more oil stains. Maybe it comes from the central engine joint.

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Hi Ulrich, great to hear the Navi' is settling down, and doesn't the temporary Fastback front mudgaurd look good!   have you re-torqued the head down since you rebuilt the top end?   I always do that after the first good run (say 50 miles) and then again at 500 when I do the first oil change - it helps avoid blown had gaskets and frustrating little oil leaks from the heads or bottom of the barrels.   Looking at the oil leak if you haven't already I would start by checking you haven't over filled the oil tank which is very easy to do without a dip stick.   After I had replaced the drive side gearbox oil seal, the one behind the clutch and the primary side crankshaft oil seal and gaskets I was frustrated by a similar oil leak and having to keep topping the tank up.   It took some time but at the next oil change I carefully measured out how much I was putting in the tank (3.5 pts according to the Norton twin cylinder manual) and was surprised about how low the oil level looked.   Worried I had used too little I double checked with a stick marked at 2" which is what the manual advises and adjusted so it was at that level.   Since then no more oil leaks and the engine has been running perfectly happily for over 1000 miles even in the summer heat last year!   It made me realise I was over filling the tank 'to be on the safe side'.    As a result every time I lent into a corner the excess oil was flowing down the tank breather pipe which exits above the chain - too much!!!!   As you say, sometimes it is the little things!   Good luck and keep us posted.

Nick           

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Nick, I did not re-torque the top end because I didn´t make 50 miles so far.

Will check the oil level, thanks for the tip! Hoipefully this is the cause. The oil was more on the left side where the breather pipe ends

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Fingers crossed its that simple Ulrich - I was amazed at the difference it made, it doesn't leak a drop from there now.....I've just got to cure the exhaust rocker covers now, just about to do the annual oil change and service so I will try the two gaskets and silicone gasket compound solution!  Nick

 

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Hi again Ulrich, I've attached two photos which show the position of the oil level transfer.  When I first got the bike it was missing so I was judging the oil level by eye.  When I measured before applying the new transfer I was surprised how low it was compared to the filler cap, and my estimate of 2"!  I emptied over a pint of excess oil to get it down to the 2" mark!   The NOC shop sells the water applied transfer - it suggests lacquering over the top but I haven't and it has survived over a year of regular use!   I hope that turns out to be the problem!   Nick   

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On the Electra I push my middle finger into the oil filler hole, if it touches oil we are ok if it doesn't we add some-saves sticks and inches........

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Wise words Alan, exactly what I now do having realised my mistake and that two joints of my middle finger are 2” long!  

 


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