Engine Plates for an 88 Special

hello Jon yes if there is No elongated holes in them I make alloy engine plate, or Stainless steel ones cut by lazer and polished to a high shine, nice yours Anna J Keep Carm and Ride a Norton !

Yes. My Atlas currently uses 99 engine plates. These plateshave been modified so that the rearengine bolt hole is now a slot to make it possible to remove the engine without removing the gearbox. Despite dire warnings from some quarters, it's a useful modification and does not cause problems. Well, not in the last 25 years.

What ignition is the 88 using? . The 88 can be a nice ride if set up well. The Atlas can be a rough dog if not set up well.Don't be surprised to find yourself going in circles in a year or two.

Previously Gordon Johnston wrote:

Yes. My Atlas currently uses 99 engine plates. These plateshave been modified so that the rearengine bolt hole is now a slot to make it possible to remove the engine without removing the gearbox. Despite dire warnings from some quarters, it's a useful modification and does not cause problems. Well, not in the last 25 years.

Hello Gordon, I always cut a vertical slot on the bottom, most forward stud hole of the rear plates. It takes the long 5/16 inch stud. Another mod always worth doing is to fit the modified bottom gearbox mounting. This permits removal of the gearbox whilst the engine and plates remain in situ. Most of the racing fraternity have always done this mod and it used to be an expensive kit. However Will Horgan at Stainless Classics is making an excellent version at a very reasonable price. Regards, Howard

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

What ignition is the 88 using? . The 88 can be a nice ride if set up well. The Atlas can be a rough dog if not set up well.Don't be surprised to find yourself going in circles in a year or two.

I'm pretty sure the 88 has magneto ignition and was working ok. The guy wants to install a Triumph motor. Who am I to judge. In any case I don't mind having an extra Norton motor lying around. I will have all the time in the world to tinker with the Atlas and get it right. I ended up with the Atlas because parts are so cheap and available in the US. I think 80% of all Atlases must be over here (and a good percentage of all Commandos as well). Anna probably knows the actual figures.

It's just an overbored 650 and as standard does not produce any more power then the 650. I don't think you need to lose any sleep worrying about the engine ripping the rest of the bike apart.

It's just an overbored 650 and as standard does not produce any more power then the 650. I don't think you need to lose any sleep worrying about the engine ripping the rest of the bike apart.

It is just an overbored 650 with suitable modifications to suit. Is that better? Max power of the Atlas was never intended to exceed that of a 650SS - hence the dished pistons and thelower compression ratio. The power and torque curves will differ inevitably but again the peak power for both engines is the same. And yes, I prefer riding them to talking about them (just back from 60 cold, wet, dark miles on my BSA, owned for a mere 38 years, sacrilege!).

When we ride together , my son and I , we swap bikes back and forth, 99 and Atlas. I always enjoy the pull of the Atlas but am relieved to get back on the 99 and cruise at least 10mph faster. I am sure that the same would happen if it were 99 and 88. An 80 mph cruise was no problem on the 88. Capacity does not always mean more.If I destroy the motor I will most likely replace with a carefully ballanced,low comp ,geared up 750. At least its reliable.

It is just an overbored 650 with suitable modifications to suit. Is that better? Max power of the Atlas was never intended to exceed that of a 650SS - hence the dished pistons and thelower compression ratio. The power and torque curves will differ inevitably but again the peak power for both engines is the same. And yes, I prefer riding them to talking about them (just back from 60 cold, wet, dark miles on my BSA, owned for a mere 38 years, sacrilege!).

Note the phrase suitable modifications to suit. I almost said bodges but would not wish to upset any genuine bodgers. I ride an Atlas-engined 99 and have done for about 25 years and am well aware of its characteristics, even down to its desaxe barrels - an engineering bodge, or compromise if ever there was one. It's a grand engine just the same and replacing the 99 engine with the Atlas one was the best thing I have done to the bike in 46v years of ownership. But what do I know, I'm not a Norton enthusiast like you, dear lady.

Note the phrase suitable modifications to suit. I almost said bodges but would not wish to upset any genuine bodgers. I ride an Atlas-engined 99 and have done for about 25 years and am well aware of its characteristics, even down to its desaxe barrels - an engineering bodge, or compromise if ever there was one. It's a grand engine just the same and replacing the 99 engine with the Atlas one was the best thing I have done to the bike in 46v years of ownership. But what do I know, I'm not a Norton enthusiast like you, dear lady.

Enjoy the 88. A well set up one will zip along at 80 mph with little vibration.An Atlas is harder to set up to do this. 60 on our one is wearing .I'm going to have to work on it.

Perhaps I am just lucky. The Atlas engine in my 99 is actually very pleasant. Yes, it vibrates, no, it's not intrusive. Plenty of go if you need it. Normal cruise is 75mph, plenty moreon tap. It's a bike I can and have put 600 miles on in a day and have still been able to use my fingers at the end of it. It has a single carb and Commando pistons, otherwise untouched.

Previously Jonathan Soons wrote:

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

Enjoy the 88. A well set up one will zip along at 80 mph with little vibration.An Atlas is harder to set up to do this. 60 on our one is wearing .I'm going to have to work on it.

From what I've read, on this forum and elsewhere, the smooth spot can be moved up or down by varying the balance factor. If the smooth spot can be put at 4000 rpm and the gearbox sprocket be set for 60 or 70 mph at 4000 rpm, that would give a pleasant cruising motorcycle.

EDIT: Let's assume the Atlas has a smooth spot. Dream on! ,Ours is dead smooth when parked up for the admiring throngs at meets,otherwise its not.

I have a single carb 750 Commando motor in a 57 f/bed. Up to 70mph its fine not as nice as my old 650ss though. It's also very tall geared so 70mph is about 3600 rpm.

A 600 or 650 motor will be better in real life riding. I just put in what I had at the time.