Can you please recommend a spcialist engine rebuilder?

As you haven't received any replies yet, I will mention Ken De-Groome who advertises in 'Jampot' as 'specialising in AJS Matchless Heavyweight singles and Norton twins', is well respected for his expertise by many in the AJS&MOC,and is located at PE13 5HX. I have no experience of his work on the twins (but there was one there when I visited), but I had a Matchless 350 single (G3) engine rebuilt by him after it seized solid and was in a rather sorry state as a result. Can only say that he seems good to me and the G3 is stillrunning nicely several years later.

Contact details are: 01945-870060, 07800-809345, ken.degroome@btinternet.com

Hope this helps.

Richard

Four years ago I had my '76 Mk 3 850 completely rebuilt by John Mossey ofJMC Classics located atKneesworthnear Royston which is close to Cambridge. Maybe not exactly what you want but he did an excellent job with the engine still running fine , albeit at a price.

Why not send it to Mick Hemmings as hehas beenrebuilding Norton engines for over 30 years.

You can send it via a courier to Hemming's as this is what he is doing now. He also builds the engines for Peter Williams replica JPN racers, so there is no more higher recommendation for a Norton engine builder.I hadhave a very fraught time with JMC.

As an aside, I wouldn't be too concerned about a gearbox rebuild. I felt the same but tackled it anyway and it turned out to be one of the easier parts of the rebuild. The box is quite simple (crude) and you should upgrade the bearings and layshaft bush (see Norton Service Notes). The only tricky bit I found was getting the pawl spring set up for positive up and down shifts.

An adventure most certainly: finished mine after 30 months sorting out not only a non-runner but a bike missing bits and with some wrong bits. Enjoyed it though, first time I have taken a bike completely apart and rebuilt it. Still sorting out some niggles but its running well and well worth the effort.

Previously john_dunk wrote:

I'm about to start the complete strip and rebuild of a '74 850 Commando. I have bought this as a non-runner, apparently low mileage bike, which is not been run for many years. I am confident about the majority of the strip and rebuild but think the engine, and gearbox, probably need to go to a professional for a check and potentially rework.Can anybody recommend a good specialist to do this work? I am in Suffolk so preferably Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex or Cambridgeshire area. Ideally had like to find an individual who has a lot of Norton experience rather than the general workshop.Any help would be much appreciated!

Try Adrian Dedman of EEK Racing.

Races and rebuilds Norton twins. Apparently comes highly regarded although have not used him myself. Long time NOC chap.

Based in Suffolk/Cambridgeshire and belongs to Cambridge branch. Don't have contact details but guess they should be easy to dig out.

Rgds

Alan.

Any special reason (apart from time) why you don't want to get stuck-in yourself? Big twin engines are not especially complex -- though one does need an astonishing number of special tools for something so simple (or crude ... )

HI, this company isn't in your area but they are outstanding in work and quality.

SRM Engineering Ltd

Aberystwyth.