Thank you for letting me join without a proper norton yet. Not sure how to get a good Norton, have considered a big four or a 19s or es2 to get me started have not ridden for 30 years but am looking forward to getting a norton again, used to have a dommie 99 but think a single may be easier to get back on the road again. Have just sold my triumph spitfire mk3 so now really keen to ride a Norton . Layed up a triton and bonnie and cub 30 years ago and am looking to recommision them and have a bike that goes nicely but looking to replace them with a Norton . Just missed out on a es2 600cc conversion and was very sad to not get it as I was getting the spitfire sold and could not have the funds ready . Look forward to being an active member. Live in Bexley .
Previously john_rogers1 wr…
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Previously alan_clarke2 wr…
Previously alan_clarke2 wrote:
Thank you for the advice Alan.Just got the Triton to fire up after 35 years and the tiger cub . Really looking forward to getting the Norton but started to like the featherbed frame a lot when working on the triton. Still in shock that she fired up with the magneto just requiring a clean of petrol on the slip ring i got a deserved shock when i put the wet rag down the brush hole and turned the engine over . put the plugs back and she kicked over on the 4th kick . so i have a runner to sell on and get some funds for a good norton but want a bike in good fettle . i feel very guilty having these 3 bikes laid up when they should have been ridden .
Was a member back in 1978 when i had the 99 dommie . just nervous about getting a norton . so looking forward very much to getting a good one.
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John, it seems to me that…
John, it seems to me that all you need to do is to swap that Tri**ph engine for a Norton engine. I made my Tr*ton into a poor man's Manx and never looked back.
As for buying another Norton, my advice would be to consider a featherbed heavy twin or a Commando. I would avoid the singles, especially the pre featherbed singles as the back up for these is totally inadequate. There will be people of course who defend this position but it does nothing to put and keep these machines on the road. Nothing seems to change!
Welcome to the club.
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Steady on Neil. For anyone…
Steady on Neil. For anyone who enjoys autojumbles, is not scared of eBay and is prepared to build up the contacts, the spares situation for WD16Hs is unsurpassed !
The rigids and plungers are not too bad. I suspect the real problem is with the 1950s bikes as they had become a small seller with regular changes by then.
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hello Neil and Richard Tha…
hello Neil and Richard
Thanks for your replies . I can make the triton into a poor mans manx as I have an es2 engine that is as good as un used . It was a 350 but the stroke is that of a 500 i got it for £40 in 1978 and had a new big and small end plus a unused 500 barrel and piston the top head was new valves .so I could do it as the triton was bought as a rolling chassis and the owner could not take out the T110 engine so left it in, it has borrani and a dunlop alloy rims but the rest of the triton was standard norton wideline parts . Trouble is I am a bit past it for doing what needs to be done to get it into shape , So it might be easier to sell what I have and wait till a good bike come up . Thanks Richard for letting me have some idea about the spares situation . I have been off the road for 20 years and would like to have a Norton that goes . The 1968 T120 needs recommissioning aswell .all my gear was bought in the 70s when bikes like I have were being virtually given away it was just before classic bike mag came out in 1978 and people started to appreciate older bikes .
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Previously john_rogers1 wr…
Welcome to our Club if your looking for something a bit speical then Have a look at what Cosmo classic motorcyles have up for sale you not get a Rarer Norton Twin anywhere, ther are only round 12 in this country and there real nice to ride has well, there in a class of there own , I know has I own one of the early models there one of the best Norton ever built, and built in Bracebridge street too, but there Not cheap buy any means , but that Nortons , now Triumph build over a 100 motorcycles to one Norton, that why do not see many around like other classic there very Rare , and that to me makes then more interesting to own, have fun yours Anna JAttachments books_005-jpgThank you for letting me join without a proper norton yet. Not sure how to get a good Norton, have considered a big four or a 19s or es2 to get me started have not ridden for 30 years but am looking forward to getting a norton again, used to have a dommie 99 but think a single may be easier to get back on the road again. Have just sold my triumph spitfire mk3 so now really keen to ride a Norton . Layed up a triton and bonnie and cub 30 years ago and am looking to recommision them and have a bike that goes nicely but looking to replace them with a Norton . Just missed out on a es2 600cc conversion and was very sad to not get it as I was getting the spitfire sold and could not have the funds ready . Look forward to being an active member. Live in Bexley .
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Hi John I was in the same…
Hi John
I was in the same boat as you when I first joined, no Norton yet but was just looking for information to help me decide what to go for. I now have 2 singles! This forum has been a great source of information throughout both projects, as well as for helping find faults once the bikes where running. I've also been to a couple of events put on by the clun and they have been very good as well.
Personally I wouldn't go for a side valve, the performance of the OHV models will be much better, but it depends what you plan to use it for and what your expectations are. The singles are lovely bikes to ride, I have a 1951 ES2 and although I've had some teething troubles after a complete rebuild (some brought on by my own inexperience during the overhaul, others just plain bad luck!) it's turned out to be a very nice bike to ride.
As for the spares, I think Niel is being overly critical, I can't say I've had any trouble at all, both the ES2 and my 30's Inter have had a fairly ready supply of parts. I am just making a start on a 1937 Triumph 350 single project that I bought at Stafford back in April, and sourcing parts for that makes the Nortons look very easy(or maybe I just haven't found the right people yet, I'll have to ask around at Kempton Park on Saturday)
Regards
Andy
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Thank you Andy Good Luck a…
Thank you Andy
Good Luck at Kempton
I am enjoying the owners club very much as it is helping me get a picture of the norton bikes after not riding for 30 years
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Apologies Richard, when I…
Apologies Richard, when I said pre F/bed singles I meant 50's pre F/bed.
Abysmal service remains the case but never had to wait too long for WD 16H bits. I just hope there is no squeeze on Dolls head gearbox spares?
John, a F/bed single is just the ticket and with all Norton bits is every bit a Norton. Only an anorak would know they didn't leave the factory at the same time! Enjoy
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Previously john_rogers1 wrote:
Hi John and welcome to the club. If you can, I would suggest you join your local branch, you should find the members to be a knowledgeable bunch who will be able to provide (hopefully) lots of wisdom and advice. You should get a lot more out of your membership this way, when you are ready to make a purchase maybe someone within the branch may know of a suitable machine, or may also come with you to look it over. All the best. Big Alan Clarke Shenstone Branch sec.