New to me ES2

Looks perfect, and I can tell from your first four words that you are the right person for this bike to own. Yes the bike will own you. Its likely to have wet sumped ,the carb pilot jet filter and float chamber may need a clean,(but may also be just fine,Try it first). The tank may have a bit of sediment from dried out fuel . The oil levels may need a check ,particularly the primary which usually (but not always) will slowly drip a little (not worth any worry). The battery may need changing (always fit a breather and direct to below the bike to avoid acid damage to the chrome).It will start without a battery but the charge system needs one. Use only thin basic 20 oil in the primary and not much of that. The clutch plates will have stuck together but can usually be freed off with the kickstart .Its likely to be positive earth unlike modern stuff, but may have been changed.The motor with its roller and ball bearings will be happy on a 40 or 50 oil,changed regularly as there is no real filter. Enjoy the journey into a different time and pace.

Some think that original is how the bike was when it left the factory. Not easy to tell as the factory made bikes for the home market and and export models. Paint and chrome are the most obvious differencies. Not really shure but handlebars could be as fitted by Norton on bikes exported to the US. Some other (including me) think that period add-ons are OK. I believe the crash bar could be period. I think panniers never was fitted on the factory, except on police and military motorcycles. Uncertain, but they could be US-made. Hopefully someone can tell. Mirrors is another question. Nowadays, most countries request them even on old bikes. Yours don't look too modern. Even if not legally required, it is a useful addition in modern traffic and regarding visability limitations in modern helmets. The Monoblock carb you have is correct for a ES2 from -55 onwards. The -59 ES2 had featherbed frame, so you are right about -58.

Nice looking bike, hope you'll get it running giving you many pleasant miles.

Looks very nice. The colour scheme is of course non-standard but is in good condition so I would leave it. Panniers are after market and to my eye don't quite match the bike. I would definitely change tyres and those plastic oil pipes which always go brittle and split. And given the length of time it's stood change all oils. As said, the crankcase will probably be full of oil so will need draining as well as the oil tank.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the bike.

Looks quite like mine (1957 ES2) but with the white bits and crash bars added. Yours is tidier too but mine is used as and when I feel like it and no need to send in an application form in triplicate before riding. The starting procedure on mine (they're all different) is: Set advance lever to about half of its travel. Fuel on and give the tickler only a few prods. Push kickstart to compression. Pull decompressor and push kickstart a fraction past compression and release kickstart. Release decompressor. Give kickstart a long, steady push. Don't try to go too fast and it should now be running. Move advance lever to fully advanced and you're ready to go. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is in reality. Good luck and let us know how you get on with a British thumper in the USA. Cheers................Chris

Oh, I forgot to say in the starting procedure, hold the twist grip so that you're only giving the motor a tiny bit of throttle.

Hi Kip - Very nice bike you have there . I have a 1950 ES 2 which I have been through every piece of during a complete restoration. I am in the USA and can give you my contact info via private message if you wish . If I can be of any help let me know .

Wishing you many safe miles - Richard

The club have the factory records and should be able to give you some history.

Do you not need any choke (air lever) , Chris?

Your kickstart is set back, probably to suit someone with a bad back who can not get his leg up (like me!) , if its an easy starter it won't be a problem,otherwise you are losing some of the action.

No - I meant that you didn't mention any air lever usage in your starting procedure, Kip. Mine won't start when cold without the a/lever being closed.

George