Novice owner - Help!

Don't do it unless you get insurance with breakdown cover, take a mobile and start out early before it gets dark.

I generally aim to fill up with the premium unleaded if its available, but if not just put what they have in with or without ethanol (cue the ethanol debate) and don't use any aditives.

Check the oil levelbefore you set off, over that kind of distance low oil could do some serious damage.

As for a tool kit:

-a set of whitworth spanners (assuming the bike is whitworth as it should be)

-an adjustable spanner

-plug spanner and spare plug

-pliers

-cable ties

Whenever I'm working on a bike I look at the tools I am using for a joband think'is this something I might haveto have to do on the side of the road'. If the answer is yes carry the tools! It depends how far you are likely to be going on the bike. I take a much bigger tool kit if I'm off to france for a weekthan if I'm going for a 30 mile local ride!

Most important thing to carry is your AA membership card and a mobile phone, then if it really comes to it you can get home.

Enjoy the bike, the ES2 is a great thing to ride

Andy

Hi.

If you're unsure as to the bike's reliability or roadworthiness why not hire a van and take a mate with youto help load it? If you're not an AA member (or similar) getting it home via a breakdown service, if it does breakdown, will cost a mint.

It's also a bloody good idea to have a good look a the bike at home where you've got time to check it - one man's classic is another's old nail!

As far as fuel goes, I run my 60 ES2 (owned for 36 years)on ordinary unleaded with no problems - Andy is right - they are great fun to ride.

Ian.

An adjustable spanner to tighten up things ,if loose, a set of magneto spanners to adjust the points, tools to clear a blocked carb jet or filter. A half litre of 40 oil to use in the primary case ,gearbox or motor. I would check all three levels before starting the trip. I would also go round the bike to check wheel nuts ,spokes,yoke clamps ,handlebar fixings,control cables,tyres,chain tension etc. Sort of mini MOT. Its your life!!!.

Lots of people fit ES2s with oil taps (myself included) if it's fitted with one make sure it's switched on

Last time I did that my wife gave me a lift there on her Yamaha and she ended up towing me the last 20 miles home... Buying a bike from a retired engineer who is a member of the owners club is no guarantee you haven't bought a pup. And it should have been so much safer than buying through a well known auction house. Check it over very carefully.

P.S. Rode same pup to a hospital appointment today so it's fine now but it took a lot of sorting.

I just typed in Norton Model 50 1957 (very littler difference to ES2) and then clicked on images and lots came up of what your original bike should look like.

If you are taking the bike apart in the very near future, PLEASE can you lend your engine plates to club spares, so they can copy those instead of buying Fair Spares!

Previously neil_wyatt wrote:

I just typed in Norton Model 50 1957 (very littler difference to ES2) and then clicked on images and lots came up of what your original bike should look like.

If you are taking the bike apart in the very near future, PLEASE can you lend your engine plates to club spares, so they can copy those instead of buying Fair Spares.

Hi Neil,

I've just found these in the shed in a box labels Model 50. All my bikes are featherbed but are they what you are looking for? I'm not a pre featherbed expert so they could be off anything but the footrests are Norton. Let me know if they are of use to you.

Cheers

Mark

Thank you Mark, for looking out for me, what the club should be about...(Not just looking out for me but putting old Norton's back on the road and keeping them there)

The footrests and small seration are Norton but I'm not sure about the two, what look like front engine plates. This is the problem when you are looking for parts you have never had.

I did have a 19Sbut sold it in 1975 and can't remember what any of the plates looked like.

Perhaps someone can identify them, (Charles?) to see if they are for the 57/58 singles. I think the rear plates will be harder to find because of the AMC gearbox. Many thanks.

No worries, I know what the long hunt for parts is like but you will find them in the end.

good luck,

Mark

hi all these engine plates are dommi or mod 7 twin cyl engine

regards roger

hi neil

what type of frame do you want engine plates for i have a pair of featherbed rear plates if its pre f/bed they are proberley the same as a plunger frame i think i have a set of these

regards roger

Hi Roger,

Many thanks for looking out for me.

The 57 & 58 singles, I believe used a Matchless frame.

The Gear boxes were AMC, as across the Norton range by 1957.

Therefore the rear plates will suit the AMC box and not the laydown type.

Tnank you so much for looking,

Neil.

Check what threads they are before ordering replacements - mine were 1/8" BPT.