650SS - recommendations for a good garage?

Alexandra Priest previously wrote on Saturday 4th August 2012 at 13.36hrs:

Hello,

I have inherited my Dad's 650SS which needs some work doing to bring it back up to roadworthiness and its full loveliness! I would really appreciate any suggestions or recommendations for a good garage or person who specialises in this in the Surrey area- being new to the Norton world!!

Many thanks

Alexandra

Hello Alexandra,

Good to hear of a treasured machine staying in the family to be used. Good luck.

I am in the Westcountry, but I have a contact in the South East who is most knowledgeablewith Norton heavy twinsand could adviseor put you in touch with someone trustworthy.

If you have an email address or telephone number, we can have a chat about it.

Paul

Hi Alexandra

I can recommend getting involved with the fine chaps of the Surrey Branch, perhaps only aplatonic relationshiphowever they have plenty of knowledge regarding the local scene.

Peter

If you have any photographs of the bike up anywhere on display, or can put one up of it that would be interesting.

Previously wrote:

Hello,

I have inherited my Dad's 650SS which needs some work doing to bring it back up to roadworthiness and its full loveliness! I would really appreciate any suggestions or recommendations for a good garage or person who specialises in this in the Surrey area- being new to the Norton world!!

Many thanks

Alexandra

Hello Get your spanners out and get stuck in its not rocket science ,and its a lot cheaper too , I do every thing on my bikes, yours Anna J Dixon

I can understand Alexandra's apprehension. If you are new to elderly motorcycles, it can be a bit daunting. If you are not mechanically minded, it can be terrifying! However, getting someone to fettle or restore a bike is an expensive business... A quandary indeed.

Hi Alexandra, The best advice you have received, so far, is to visit the Surrey branch of the N.O.C. Not everyone has the the the mechanical aptitude to restore a classic motorcycle (just as others have difficulty with language skills). Possibly, it may be expensive, but that is better than ruining a classic machine (or even worse, having a catastrophic failure causing a fatal accident). Get a workshop manual, but, stick to routine lubrication, and minor adjustments, until you gain more experience.

Good luck ! John.

I agree with John that you should visit the Surrey branch but if you stick to routine tasks you never will gain more experience. Find yourself a mentor from the Surrey branch and get the thing in pieces.

Previously wrote:

Previously wrote:

Hello,

I have inherited my Dad's 650SS which needs some work doing to bring it back up to roadworthiness and its full loveliness! I would really appreciate any suggestions or recommendations for a good garage or person who specialises in this in the Surrey area- being new to the Norton world!!

Many thanks

Alexandra

Hello Get your spanners out and get stuck in its not rocket science ,and its a lot cheaper too , I do every thing on my bikes, yours Anna J Dixon

Hello And Norton Owners Club As Some Nice DvDs On How To Sort Your Engine Out or gear box, So see The NOC sales team

Anna, it's one thing for a mechanical engineer to say "Get stuck in.." as it'srelatively easy on old bikes, but it isn't for an absolute beginner. Especially if they don't have any interest in getting their hands dirty with engines! It's a bit like saying "Anyone can be a gourmet Chef - it's not rocket science!" It might not be, but it might be absolutely bloody boring to many people!I don't think that Gordon would say "Sheep are easy to look after - I can do it, so can you!" I don't know about you but knitting doesn't float my boat however easy it might be and I don't intend to take up crotchet any time soon!

Aren't there any NOC or Norton enthusiasts in the Surrey area who might cast an eye over the bike and possiblylend a hand? Getting restorations done by a garagetends to behorrendously expensive but us enthusiasts are happy to do it just for fun eh?

Cheers, Lionel

Previously wrote:

Anna, it's one thing for a mechanical engineer to say "Get stuck in.." as it'srelatively easy on old bikes, but it isn't for an absolute beginner. Especially if they don't have any interest in getting their hands dirty with engines! It's a bit like saying "Anyone can be a gourmet Chef - it's not rocket science!" It might not be, but it might be absolutely bloody boring to many people!I don't think that Gordon would say "Sheep are easy to look after - I can do it, so can you!" I don't know about you but knitting doesn't float my boat however easy it might be and I don't intend to take up crotchet any time soon!

Aren't there any NOC or Norton enthusiasts in the Surrey area who might cast an eye over the bike and possiblylend a hand? Getting restorations done by a garagetends to behorrendously expensive but us enthusiasts are happy to do it just for fun eh?

Cheers, Lionel

Hello Lion el well if I had a 650ss left me , then I would want to lean how to sort things out for my self even if I did not want to get my hands dirty there is something called gloves ,the ones that the Mechanics wear at any garage , has for my self I do not like gloves when doing work one my Norton's I like the feel of the metal , I keep my bikes as clean as I can , so there no dirt on my bikes , And engineering is not boring you always have something new to learn , even the so called experts are still learning ,or there not real engineers ,If one thinks they have done it all and they have got the T shirt , And do not what to know anymore, These guys are wearing blinkers, And there minds are stagnant , One will not go far with this attitude, you need to keep learning ,the only time you stop learning is the day you die then one will not learn anymore, so keep on learning ! yours AJD

Previously wrote:

Previously wrote:

Anna, it's one thing for a mechanical engineer to say "Get stuck in.." as it'srelatively easy on old bikes, but it isn't for an absolute beginner. Especially if they don't have any interest in getting their hands dirty with engines! It's a bit like saying "Anyone can be a gourmet Chef - it's not rocket science!" It might not be, but it might be absolutely bloody boring to many people!I don't think that Gordon would say "Sheep are easy to look after - I can do it, so can you!" I don't know about you but knitting doesn't float my boat however easy it might be and I don't intend to take up crotchet any time soon!

Aren't there any NOC or Norton enthusiasts in the Surrey area who might cast an eye over the bike and possiblylend a hand? Getting restorations done by a garagetends to behorrendously expensive but us enthusiasts are happy to do it just for fun eh?

Cheers, Lionel

Hello Lion el well if I had a 650ss left me , then I would want to lean how to sort things out for my self even if I did not want to get my hands dirty there is something called gloves ,the ones that the Mechanics wear at any garage , has for my self I do not like gloves when doing work one my Norton's I like the feel of the metal , I keep my bikes as clean as I can , so there no dirt on my bikes , And engineering is not boring you always have something new to learn , even the so called experts are still learning ,or there not real engineers ,If one thinks they have done it all and they have got the T shirt , And do not what to know anymore, These guys are wearing blinkers, And there minds are stagnant , One will not go far with this attitude, you need to keep learning ,the only time you stop learning is the day you die then one will not learn anymore, so keep on learning ! yours AJD

I agree with Lionel, I have an engineering background and don't have any problem working on my bikes but I can understand why someone would rather get an expert to do it for them. We all know that it's not that difficult if you have the correct tools etc and a workshop manual but this guy may not be interested in doing it but would rather see his father's bike working and be able to ride it. Anna may have lots of spare time to do do her own maintenance etc, perhaps she is retired, but if you have a full time job it maybe hard to fit in. Especially if you have other interests and would prefer to get it done properly, I know that even though I can do my own repairs and maintenance if I don't have time I will pass it to someone who can do it for me. Some people who have motorcycles, classic or otherwise have other interests also and just may not have the time or inclination to do their own repairs. I am fortunate to live close to Mick Hemmings shop so if I haven't got the time I take my Norton's to him, so there must be someone in Surrey we can suggest to do the work. He will have plenty of time to learn in future if he wants to do it himself.

JMc

John - I think you'll find that the enquirer is actually female (Alexandra).

Anna has missed the point - SHE is an engineer, Alexandra is not. She doesn't need to justify why she needs a garage or specialist to help her. "One man (or woman's) meat is another...etc..". I am an expert but if I break down on the motorway in either of my cars I will get the breakdown serviCe to help me - even if it's only to change a wheel!

Cheers, Lionel

Previously wrote:

Hello,

I have inherited my Dad's 650SS which needs some work doing to bring it back up to roadworthiness and its full loveliness! I would really appreciate any suggestions or recommendations for a good garage or person who specialises in this in the Surrey area- being new to the Norton world!!

Many thanks

Alexandra

Hi Alexandra, If the bike was in use a few years ago it may not need much work, the patina of age is now valued. My Norton has stood for 3 years but started easily and with half an hours work will be ready to go. Can you post a photo?, get an opinion from a local enthusiast before you start fixing something that may not be broke.

Previously wrote:

Anna has missed the point - SHE is an engineer, Alexandra is not. She doesn't need to justify why she needs a garage or specialist to help her. "One man (or woman's) meat is another...etc..". I am an expert but if I break down on the motorway in either of my cars I will get the breakdown serviCe to help me - even if it's only to change a wheel!

Cheers, Lionel

Hello Lionel yes I am a Engineer and still Learning as we all are The point I am making Is If female member Has A Vintage Machine It can be any Motorcycle over 50 years old or older that ,Its Good To learn how its all works So If you have any trouble On your Nice ride Out and You can Fix it at the side of the road and get Home OK , Were would the Surrey Branch Be when your 50 mile from no-were and you have not Got a clue what to do, and your a female on your own , If you had the Know how, You can then do something to get you home , the AA or RAC or green flag could take them hours to get to you , when anything can happen in that time you out there on you own , and a vulnerable female at that , it may be OK for you guys but try putting you self in female shoe for once , Then you see what I mean ! Yours Anna J Dixon

I wonder if Alexandra is reading still this or has run away in horror... Hopefully she will contact the Surrey branch for some advice. Rather better that someone have a look at the bike and give an honest opinion of what it needs than we speculate from a distance. Hopefully she will be inspired to tackle some work herself but really, why should she be? If you are not into bikes and engineering, the task would be overwhelming. I suspect that all she wants is to have her Dad's old bike returned to working order. Someone must be able do that on a commercial basis.

Kevin Fletcher (Fletcher Auto's, Cherry Street, Woking, 01483 751828) would certainly be able to check it over, advise and sort out anything that needs fixing. Knows his stuff does Kevin.

We have no reason to suppose that Alex is even a rider - she just wants her Dad's old bike sorted out! She might not be at all interested in patina or in keeping it in original, used condition. In fact she says she wants to bring it back to "....its full loveliness!". That could imply "looking like new". I think it's a smashing ideaand, if she can afford it she might as well pay someone to do it rather than make a mess of it herself. I don't think there is likely to bemuch chance that she will be a lone femalebreaking down on a motorway, or any other road on a vintage Norton any time soon!

From her lack of response after her first letter, I think Gordon may well be right and she has run a mile thinking that we are a bunch of purists who reckon everyone should know how to make their own parts and be able to strip and reassemble their Nortons in the dark, blindfoldedwith one arm tied behind their backs! I can of course, but I wouldn't expect a non-mechanically minded person to be able to do it!

Speak to us Alex!

Cheers, Lionel

Previously wrote:

We have no reason to suppose that Alex is even a rider - she just wants her Dad's old bike sorted out! She might not be at all interested in patina or in keeping it in original, used condition. In fact she says she wants to bring it back to "....its full loveliness!". That could imply "looking like new". I think it's a smashing ideaand, if she can afford it she might as well pay someone to do it rather than make a mess of it herself. I don't think there is likely to bemuch chance that she will be a lone femalebreaking down on a motorway, or any other road on a vintage Norton any time soon!

From her lack of response after her first letter, I think Gordon may well be right and she has run a mile thinking that we are a bunch of purists who reckon everyone should know how to make their own parts and be able to strip and reassemble their Nortons in the dark, blindfoldedwith one arm tied behind their backs! I can of course, but I wouldn't expect a non-mechanically minded person to be able to do it!

Speak to us Alex!

Cheers, Lionel

Hello Lionel Well maybe she rides a Kawasaki ZXR750, as any female rider would as they're more reliable and do not leak oil all over the place, like a lot of Norton's I have seen. My sister rides a modern bike - she just changed her bike of a new model, I have no idea what this is yet, but you guys are narrow minded if you can't see the benefit of learning how to do things for yourself. Even the Queen is capable of changing a spark-plug, or sorting out a carburettor, or setting up the points on a distributor.... she did all this and a lot more in her time , Yours AJD

Sorry to go off topic for a second, but speaking of the Queen, thought you all might enjoy this link:

http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2012/06/god-save-queen-of-motorcycling.html

Skip Brolund

Previously wrote:

Sorry to go off topic for a second, but speaking of the Queen, thought you all might enjoy this link:

http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2012/06/god-save-queen-of-motorcycling.html

Skip Brolund

Hello Skip Well Done You See I was telling the truth She is No stranger to the old tool box and She know how to sort your bike car truck or land rover out So God save the Queen of Engineers !

I'm struggling to come to terms with just how far this thread has digressed.

Alexandra, if you're still reading this (and have understood that the term 'basket case' does not just apply to some old motorcycles, but also their owners) ...which part of Surrey are you in ? The Hampshire side is probably better-served.

Mick at Two-Wheels in Farnborough (A Thames Valley branch member I think) should be able to sort you out or point you in the right direction (but he's probably off to the Manx Grand Prix very shortly) or if you go a little further, Norman White at Andover has immense experience of Nortons going back to the factory race team of the 1970s.

The days are gone when we could expect a dealer in every town but the advice to ask someone from the club involved with Nortons remains good. You can then at least draw up a plan of what you intend to have done.

Wot's this, a return to reason and sanity? An analogy for Anna's benefit. If I were left, say, a non-running grandfather clock, I would be looking for a horologist to get it back into working order. I wouldn't contemplate trying to fix it myself. Similarly Alexandra has been left a motorcycle and she is looking for someone to fix it for her. There is no reason why she should attempt to do it herself. Fair point? I did enjoy Skip's digression. Poor old Liz having to ride a C10. I know what they were like...

Previously wrote:

Wot's this, a return to reason and sanity? An analogy for Anna's benefit. If I were left, say, a non-running grandfather clock, I would be looking for a horologist to get it back into working order. I wouldn't contemplate trying to fix it myself. Similarly Alexandra has been left a motorcycle and she is looking for someone to fix it for her. There is no reason why she should attempt to do it herself. Fair point? I did enjoy Skip's digression. Poor old Liz having to ride a C10. I know what they were like...

Hello john You done it again A ERROR 503 It not good its it , when it happens I just wait a sec and click on the top marked messages then it comes up just the once , so there a tip from me, AJD

Thanks for the tip Anna. I'm not actually John, I'm Gordon. In point of fact, I am letting the post go on twice as a sort of quiet protest at the website's propensity to give Error 503 messages... Sad, I know.

Previously wrote:

Thanks for the tip Anna. I'm not actually John, I'm Gordon. In point of fact, I am letting the post go on twice as a sort of quiet protest at the website's propensity to give Error 503 messages... Sad, I know.

Hello sorry I got your Name wrong Gordon There that many of you make answer ! Yours AJD

Hi all

Absolutely Tim! An old adage applies here - and almost everywhere else: "When in doubt, leave it out."

Cheers, Lionel

Previously wrote:

Absolutely Tim! An old adage applies here - and almost everywhere else: "When in doubt, leave it out."

Cheers, Lionel

Totally agreeLionel, but as you said before I think all this has put off Alexandra as I have not seen any response for a while. Or perhaps she has found someone to restore it for her as she asked, a few people on here did do as sherequested and put her in touch with useful contacts. Not many femails I have metare that interested in riding bikes and even less in working on them, Anna is one of the exceptions and obviously quite unique!

Previously wrote:

Many thanks for the contact details and suggestions on how to move forward with restoring my Norton.

Alexandra

Hello Alex Good luck with all if you were near me I would have done it for you, And I would of not charged you a penny , for my work ,you can see my bike at The NEC Footman James , Classic Motor Show Birmingham 16Th To 18th November 2012 Hope to see any member there just give me a big tap on the shoulder , yours Anna J