16H frame

Previously neil_wyatt wrote:

You might find a decent dolls head gearbox hard to come by too?

Most helpful,thank you.

Previously richard_payne wrote:

Girder-era Norton frames are generally not common but it's noticeable with (WD) 16Hs that the quantity of loose engines and other parts greatly outnumbers the frames. Few frames turn up and if they do, the numbers are often 'odd' and there will be dodgy repairs to sort out.

This aspect of altered numbers is something to be very wary of in the current DVLA climate.

It would probably be reasonable to assume that as 16Hs, solo and outfits, gradually failed their MOTs through the 1960s, they were scrapped or buried under the rockery...but motorcyclists being hoarders, they quite often seem to have removed the (knackered) engines and stood them on a damp floor, on the basis that they might come in handy one day...

"Doll's Head" boxes are not actually that rare but the fact that they fit so many other models, often more valuable bikes than the WD side-valve, means that they tend to be expensive (although the number coming out of Greece at the moment seems to be bring prices down again).

How many pre-war Inters are there with the post-1940 brass gear position indicators on their boxes ?

The most expensive single assembly is likely to be a decent set of forks. The current Indian production with cast-iron lugs worries me a lot.

Thank you Richard,for your comprehensive reply.I have found a frame at last,so added to my engines,gearbox's and other odds and ends,I can finally start the grand restoration.I am having trouble locating the correct camshaft drive sprocket for a side valve engine,could you clarify the number of teethon these sprockets please? Do they have 14,15,or 16 teeth,and also where on earth I could buy the set. Thank you. Ian.

Previously richard_payne wrote:

Ian, I've answered on the other thread - 15 - My first port of call would be Russell Motors.

You are a star! thanks.

Previously adam_davis wrote:

Hi Ian, take it as fact that building any bike, let alone a sixty year old one, from a disparate collection of parts is problematic to say the least. It's like doing a jigsaw without the picture on the lid, sort of. Most people would recommend a complete bike, however knackered, as the best starting point. The frame is the key of course and as such commands the biggest price. Just keep looking on ebay, you might get lucky but you can't avoid the fact that everyone wants a project and it's better to get some cash together and get the most complete machine you can afford. You won't be sorry.

Adam

Hello Adam,I have been fortunate enough to find a frame(girder model) and now embark on a mammoth task of finding the other parts.I shall be posting a diary of progress at a later date.Thank you for your reply. Ian.

Previously richard_payne wrote:

Ian, I've answered on the other thread - 15 - My first port of call would be Russell Motors.

Thank you Richard, I managed to buy both sprockets from peter in the Netherlands. But Russell motors are a lot closer to home!