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new owner old jubile

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hello, im new to the forum.

So. i wanted an old British motorcycle , I have been looking on and off for the past couple of years , two weeks ago a did a bid on a old Norton thinking " no chance i will ever win ", guess what , i  am here now . The machine its split in two ,engine and frame, plus some other random bits that i am still sorting trough. The  bad news is i have no V5 and no plate number, it has been sitting on a garage for quite some time but previous owner says it was working before it was taken apart .

I guess the first step is to register it and get a plate V5 in my name so i can get on the road  as quick as possible .  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

 

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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.
  

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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

In reply to by Jon Newton

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Thanks Jon,

i have managed to find the frame numbers and engine numbers. it would be great to get the ball rolling towards a registration etc, before i commit to it 100% .

downloaded a few manuals and also have a spares parts book list that came with the bike, at the moment i ma just cleaning the screws and bolts that i have , but your idea is comes in handy to get things more organised on this side.

it came as a complete engine  and the frame in bits , plus various other spare engine bits and bots . but yeah i understand  need to thoroughly inspect this old thing.

i am in located in Kent .

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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.

thanks Alan.

the old mechanism it really that bad, i was hoping to keep the bike  original  , no modern electronics with this bike this is one of the reasons that attract me these creatures.

looking at putting it back together at some point this weekend or next , just sorting our what screws i have and what are missing , for the screws one of my work colleagues has found them to be   either  it BSC or BSB threads "nice ", also studying the manual , At the moment still cataloguing what i have 
 

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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. 

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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

Thanks both, it makes sense now, i was unaware of this. Not only an old system but an old and badly made system ?.Out of curiosity is this a case of most old bikes or just this norton ?
For me ,if it helps the old girl run better and increase  reliability i am up for it . i will look this article up. Ant
 

 

Pires,
no not all bikes suffer from these problems,  the lightweight  Norton seems to be the worst of the popular marques.

A single cylinder bike with a reconditioned manual advance magneto and generator are usually very reliable.  

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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.

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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 

 

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Thanks Peter really useful info As well, really Appreciated,i did hear some improvements on the machines from the 60's onwards wasn't aware of incompatibilities.

I have been looking and buying some bits that i find on bay , Recently found a headlight case and battery tray.

Adding pictures, the parts book states its probably from the 60's

Frame 9095919 but the markings are bit worn im not sure what to make of some of the numbers.

 

 

 

Wow Antonio, 

Bit of work here. Engine number is a mid 1961 Jubilee. Your parts list is a bit early. Try to get Norton parts list PS215 for 61/62  Jubilee and Navigator. It's very good and shows 250/350/std/de-luxe differences. 

Your frame number indicates a standard model. But the lower two digits might be 19. So a standard Navigator frame side.

The front down member on Navigator frame has two plates welded for Navigator head steady. On Jubilee, shorter engine, front down member has a bridge piece welded for head steady. 

The tool tray you have was only fitted to de-luxe models and was also rear tank mount. 

You look to have most of a standard Jubilee. 

Them rocker cover fasteners of yours made me wince. Photo of top of earlier Jubilee engine. Needs to be like this. 

Good luck Antonio. 

Peter
 

In reply to by peter_holland1

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thanks for the tips Peter.

I will try and find the parts list manual you mentioned.

So i have a standard 61-62 jubilee , with a navigator frame ? i assume they are sort of similar but the navigator coming with a 350 engine?

The rocker cover fasteners came with it i noticed that straight away, criminal.

 

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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.

Made me smile Michael.

Set the timing and points exactly per the manual on my 3 year old Navigator. Warmed it up to a remote 2 mile straight road, head down, left arm trailing, full bore. 90 indicated, smooth as a turbine and still pulling well as the bends approached. 

By next day, points had slipped and I resigned myself to a bike that for three more years as a daily ride, seemed to be good for indicated 60 all day, and not much more if you had any mechanical sympathy. 

Electronic ignition, timed correctly, transforms the Norton Lightweights. 

Peter 

 

 



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