Roller starter

Previously susan_harris wrote:

Help! Newbie with bad knees & a 1936 Norton 50!

Has anyone got a roller/paddock type starter lying around that I could buy for a reasonable sum?

Sue

Hi Sue welcome to the club.

I researched this for a mate end of last year, Ebay seems to be the place to look expect to pay at least £300 or if you have some basic engineering skills there are kits and plans available to build your own, good luck and have fun looking I have the same problem that's why I bought a 961.

Terry

Is it really the answer? It is a solution for starting at home, but you can't take it out with you, so, unless you are planning all your runs to be non-stop, ending back at home, it is not a complete one. You have to stop for petrol......

Some clever folks have electric starters on their singles, which may be worth you doing a search on this site for.

I think Sue is racing this bike - I cannot find my recent Roadholder but the name rings a bell. Well done Sue, good on you!

Yes, roller starters sometimes on eBay but they don't really get sold on by racers and tend to pass to friends. Just walk round the paddock next time and ask everyone if they know of one for sale or surplus that you could buy. Also, phone Stuart Tonge (advert in OBM) to see if he has a second hand one available.

Norm.

Previously norman_lorton wrote:

I think Sue is racing this bike -

Aah, fair enough! I didn't relate a 1936 Model 50 to racing......

This does bring a point to mind, I have noticed on other threads recently, that members post up requests for assistance/info etc, without giving all the facts, which would be beneficial to those offering advice, and would affect the advice given..... Not having a go, Sue, an oversight, no doubt!

Back to the roller starter; of course, there are two types, electric & petrol, the latter being much dearer. Depends whether you have mains hook-up or a genny at your disposal, which you also haven't mentioned!

There is a method using a pair of long rollers that go under the driving wheel of a car or van. Once the van wheel is off the ground the differential comes into play and spins the wheel, rollers and bike wheel. much cheaper but tricky without a buddy in the van. Another method involves a second bike with both bikes on paddock stands, back to back. The running bike in gear pushes the tyre against the tyre of the non running bike. Looks pretty hazardous, but we are talking about motorbikes, lol

Previously susan_harris wrote:

Hi all

Many thanks for all your replies. Yes, I aim to have the bike on track sometime this year, but it was built as a road bike, so will hopefully be doing "P5 Parades", but also will hopefully be out & about on VMCC "runs" locally & NOC meets etc. The starter really is for the next few months a) until I get my knee stronger & b) until I can ride it on the road!! If any of you are members of VMCC you'll see my dad on the front cover of the latest booklet & an article inside of WHY I'm going from 4 wheels to 2....hubby & I are 750 Formula racers...have a look on the 'net...(not to be confused with Formula 750 bikes) & neither of us had ever sat on a bike until November....both now done CBT & just passed our theory tests today....now for heated gloves & some SERIOUS practice on our 125's to get ready for the big challenge of modern 650's for the DAS & test! THEN I can try to ride the Norton as fast as she'll take me with the controls on the other sides!! Oh Lordy.

On topic....I have seen the 2-bike back-to-back method & the plans on ebay to build your own....think that looks the easiest route for now! (Welding practice looming)

Hey ho....this is what happens when you realise your "bucket list" is too long for your remaining compos mentis years!

Thankyou all for wanting to help....I have to say the bike world is a rather lovely one to be welcomed into.....it's not the same with cars!!

Welcome to our world,

My fantastic women Kate passed the test first time at 40 something and now commutes on a Kawasaki W650 year round and has a Yamaha 750 FZX to play on !

Born voyage