Recommissioning a Dommi 88

As soon as started block the return with a long finger and flush the head oilways for 10 secs ,you will probably see some smoke and be prepared to have to change the plugs as they may soot up, get the choke off as fast as possible to avoid this.

It sounds like you have done all the right things - basically a full service. Robert's suggestion is a good one. Don't be too surprised if you get petrol leaks. Just watch carefully as you fill the tank and turn the petrol tap on. If it's reluctant to start, you may have to strip and clean the carb.

Earlier this year I recommissioned 2 bikes that had been lying since 2000. The BSA was completely trouble free. The Enfield had a gunged up carb. Both are running well.

It might be worth giving the carb a real good clean out to get rid of any varnishing or any other gunge. You can get a full service kit from Amal. I have a 1960 99 (62 reg) 12 months ago that hadn't run since 1999/2000.

I did just about everything you have done plus a clutch rebuild, new oil lines, carb service/rebuild and installed a Thorspark electronic ignition in the mag, (never looked back with that). Just new tires and chain required and then it's back on the road (well after May 2018 so I won't need a dreaded MOT).

Best of luck with the project

John

Absolutely lovely Graham, I especialy like the line of the small bore exhausts ,no horrible corner bends. Did they fit the DD head to the 2 tone 88SS?, Perhaps not?, but who cares. I would have preferred the 2 tone seat, cheroot silencers and mono's but the Concentrics are practical. Love it.

Delightful! Good to see someone has done the go-faster upgrades - downdraught head, alloy rims - without feeling obliged to go the full cafe racer look. Impeccable good taste.

It's actually not a good idea putting WD40 down the bores, or mixing it with any lubricant. WD40 has lots of detergent in it, and it destroys lubricants. It's far better to put a very light oil down the bores instead. Also, never use it on control cables, for example. If you are worried that the rings have stuck, try TF2 or GT85, they are a very light oil with teflon

I would also advise ethanol proofing your fuel system - replace petrol pipe, the fuel filter in the carburettor banjo, and the float needle. The tank tap may need attention as well

Your tyres are probably time expired. There may be other rubber components needing

replacement.

You have a nice bike

Paul

Previously graham_parker wrote:

Hi all

I'm completely new to Nortons, but have taken ownership of a 62 Dommi 88 SS. It is in excellent condition, but has been stored and not run since 1998.

I have (or am) cleaning the fuel tank / carbs etc and am obviously changing the oil / draining the crankcase / flushing the oil tank, etc.

I've sprayed some WD40 into the bores and kicked it over many times with plugs removed and can see that oil is being drawn from, and returned to, the tank by the pump.

I have a great spark at both plugs from the Mag (it has been converted from dizzy at some time).

I would be really grateful if people could suggest anything else that I should do before firing it up or anything else I should look out for during its early running.

Thanks in advance and apologies if I'm repeating previous posts (I did a search for recommissioning but didn't get much back).

Cheers

Graham

Thanks in advance and

Hello Graham well it looks a sporty prospect and in the right colours too but the carburettorare for a much later model you should have fitted, mono bloc 376/288 and 376/289 which are the correctones for this model now you can buy New ones at £157 each and you should have inlet sleeves fitted as standard, yours anna j

If anyones nitpicking Graham its only because we are green with envy!.

The paint is lovely! Whoever stored it in 1988 did a great job.

Mike

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

If anyones nitpicking Graham its only because we are green with envy!.

well if your going all standard has the bike left the factory you need all the right bits yours anna J

Hi,

A beautiful example, hope it works out okay for you and the steep learning curve isn't too painful and costly.

Anna, usually get things right, but seems to be in danger of becoming a "Rivet" counter!

This is no personal criticism of you Graham, but, years ago it was a restoration job and "putting the machine, back on the road"!

Recommissioning? Sounds like Bonham's speech! Strange how as, Auctioneers, Investors and Speculators have got involved, the terms of reference have got more "flowery".

I have read some of the Auctioneers blurb in the past, usually based on a lot of plagiarised quotes, hearsay, supposition, and inflated claims, but the best thing is it gets repeated on Ebay with regards to mass produced "common or garden" stuff!

Rare... C15 Star....this model was...Isle of Man TT....and is... a gem of engineering .....yours for the bargain price of... £4,700, bargain, a truly solid piece of motorcycle history, successful @ scrambling and as a 1/4 litre racing mount, and as good as it gets a solid Gold standard, future Investment....!

Sad to see and increasingly inflating the cost of partaking in our beloved "Hobby" of motorcycling!

Cheers

John H

Previously john_hall1 wrote:

Hi,

A beautiful example, hope it works out okay for you and the steep learning curve isn't too painful and costly.

Anna, usually get things right, but seems to be in danger of becoming a "Rivet" counter!

This is no personal criticism of you Graham, but, years ago it was a restoration job and "putting the machine, back on the road"!

Recommissioning? Sounds like Bonham's speech! Strange how as, Auctioneers, Investors and Speculators have got involved, the terms of reference have got more "flowery".

I have read some of the Auctioneers blurb in the past, usually based on a lot of plagiarised quotes, hearsay, supposition, and inflated claims, but the best thing is it gets repeated on Ebay with regards to mass produced "common or garden" stuff!

Rare... C15 Star....this model was...Isle of Man TT....and is... a gem of engineering .....yours for the bargain price of... £4,700, bargain, a truly solid piece of motorcycle history, successful @ scrambling and as a 1/4 litre racing mount, and as good as it gets a solid Gold standard, future Investment....!

Sad to see and increasingly inflating the cost of partaking in our beloved "Hobby" of motorcycling!

Cheers

John H

Well if you do not count your rivets you end up with a sinking ship that'swhat happened to the British motorcycle industry its some 50 years trying to claw its way back into the motorcycle industry triumph/Royal Enfield has made it back but the rest have yet to follow Norton for me as lost it way, and only god know were it's going !! only time will tell , yours anna j

They should have welded the plates together, rather than rivet them, my friend!

Cheers

John H