new owner old jubile

Hello Pires,

welcome to the forum.

Good to learn you have a Norton, we trust you also have patience and perseverance in abundance.

There are many experts here who may perhaps offer help and advice.

Good luck with your new project.
  

Get your numbers checked out at records to find out the year of manufacture. I have no idea  about this model but I guess frame and engine should match. Armed with that information it may be possible to raise its original registration mark but if not an age related one.  Records people will advise.

Then get a compatible parts book for your machine and start identifying what you have, and label them with their part number. Segregate drive train, hardware and tinwear, then you know what you need to search for within those categories. 

Attention if it's in bits THERE WAS a reason for it. Be vigilant inspecting each part. Where are you located Antonio? Other manners may be close by.
J

Electricity is the last thing to worry about on this project. It is essential to go 12V and Electronic ignition.Abandon/cast aside for reference any old/original loom. Retain any 6V Wipac ignition coils and the original Wipac stator and rotor. Do NOT worry about or pursue any advance retard mechanism. With a little diligence I would think a re- registering can be obtained.
So you will have to concentrate on putting it together and getting the plating and paint in good order first.

Keeping the original 6V and points is giving yourself a 'hard time' You will need to reset the ignition timing on every journey. 6V can be made good and usable if you know what you are doing (on any machine) BUT Electronic ignition is the saviour for these twin machines. As of course the electrical parts can't be seen nobody can see your 'reliability'. 12V and Electronic ignition is mostly invisible except to the  rider, by all means have the looks 'original' but better ridablity might be useful. 

Al really knows his stuff when it comes to electrics and electronic ignition Pires.   I have owned two Jubilees, a Navigator and an Electra over the years and quickly discovered 12v and electronic ignition completely transforms the bike's reliability, performance, smoothness and rider enjoyment!   Really accurate timing is essential on such a short stroke, high reving engine and the poor quality advance / retard mechanism fitted by Norton is incredibly difficult to time accurately, wears quickly and impossible to find spares for.   It is the Achilles heal of the Lightweight Nortons which is soften at the bottom of their poor reputation back in the day.  I know from bitter experience of poor running, uneven tick over, overheating and several seizures when the ignition became too advanced - particularly on the Jubille.  Electronic ignition solves all these issues, is easy to time statically and with a strobe and is ultra reliable over 7 years use on my bikes.  A great bonus is it is totally invisible so the bike looks standard!   I hope that feedback helps!  Best wishes and good luck with your rebuild.  A well rebuilt Jubilee can be a real joy!.  Nick

So there, thanks for the back up Nick, it's all common sense once you've done it. But the 'originality freaks' really do like self flagilation. The whole principal is backed up by the article from Dave Fenner in RHolder March 2025 'Vicious Circle' the failures of the Combat engine -and you want it all original? So what is so wondrous about what comes out of the factory?  
All Norton and Triumph twins of 50s 60s 70s benefit from Electronic ignition (with wasted spark) any distributor engine can be improved with electronic as well. But be very careful if you ever replace a magneto with electronic, you are suddenly very reliable on the battery and its charging so it must be in good order and you must be very aware of the battery state/condition, which most magneto bike owners tend to ignore.

Found out the hard way that the Norton Lightweights were regularly updated during their life. It can be a nightmare for the new restorer. I know. And it can cost lots of wasted money and time. 

Very earliest Jubilee, 59 and 60, had unique clutch, mainshaft, and some gearbox parts. They all came with Deluxe frames and tin ware. 

61 to 63 were most numerous. Strengthened clutch centre, strengthened mainshaft, mostly standard frame configuration, and gear dogs with slightly angled faces to stop jumping out of gear when a bit worn. 

From 63/4 the gearbox was completely redesigned, clutch centre changed again for even bigger mainshaft. Most engine castings changed, except timing cover and primary outer cover. None of this late stuff will fit the earlier Jubilee. The frame centre changed shape to suit the revised crankcases. All in standard frame format. 

Somewhere down the line the forks and front hub were changed on  Jubilee. 

Tell us the year of your frame, which should have 17 in the number somewhere. And the engine number will guide you as to which of the three build standards you have. You need the correct parts list then buy by part number if possible. 

It will also help us old lags to give you the right advice, should you ever ask for it. 

A few photos of the parts or bike are always helpful. 

I do hope you enjoy your new challenge and as a bonus, all that the NOC can offer. Welcome.

There is a good lightweight development history on this website. 

Peter 

I like Alan's comment about setting the timing after every journey!

I commuted 20 miles a day on a Jubilee and could just about leave the points alone for a week.

Originality PAH