WD16H/Model 18 chaincase problem

We can't see what the problem is from your photo. Is the primary case off a WD16H and the one that was on the bike before you put in the Model 18 engine? Maybe a picture of the innner casing fit would help.

There are quite a number of different 1930s Norton chaincases and it's not always apparent what the changes were.

I'm beginning to wonder if the WD cases were unique. The higher ground clearance of the WD bikes was achieved by shortening front and saddle down-tubes. Would this have led to altered bracketry in order to line up with the rear chainguard ?

The WD bikes did not have footrest tubes welded to the engine plates...could they have taken the opportunity to place them at a different height from standard ?

A photo of your case from the top would be useful.

Yes, that looks like it fits correctly. Obviously the foot rest hole in the inner and outer cover should line up, so it has to be the wrong outer cover, unless the outer edge or rubber gasket is misshapen making the holes misalign. Try it on the inner cover without the gasket to see if the holes line up. Sometimes they do need a bit of persuasion.

The correct WD outer has a 'cut-out' or indent around the area of the points cover (just enough to get the lid off). If your outer has a reduced area going all the way to the rear, then based on my observations, I would say it was a post-war cover.

All the casings I've seen have a cutout for the points cover. I've looked at my 49 ES2, my 42 16H and another outer case that I think must be off a swing arm ES2 and they all look the same. The differences only show up when you mix them. I've never had my ES2 and the 16H cases off at the same time to see if they are interchangable.

I'm sure the holes in your cases should line up but as long as you can get it to fit I wouldn't worry too much. It looks fine in the picture. Getting it to seal will be another battle. I'm running my tin primary's almost dry these days. A splash of oil every so often to keep it lubricated and I don't expect it to stay in there. I've never had a problem doing this.

I'm interested to see you have a 46 Model 18 engine in your 16H frame, that's exactly the same engine I'm putting in a WD16H frameI would like to see a full picture of your bike please.

That's lovely thanks Paul and very similar to what I'm building. I'm glad to see it all fits in the frame ok. I'm in the middle of building the engine for it, then I have to finish another engine rebuild to clear a bike off the bench before I can get the rolling chassis together. I think I've got most of the parts I need now. I'm interested to see how your progresses

I've not studied the post-war singles but have noticed that some (plungers ?) seem to run straight back from the points cut-away whereas the pre-war types seem to drop back in again.

Paul's cover looks correct for WD16H engine plates.

This is a post-war plunger in Andy Tiernan's archive (hard to find a decent plan-view photo of the cover though)

This is my case viewed from above showing the clearance for the points cover as an indent rather than a change of line going all the way to the rear.

[IMG]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg164/commando16h/NOC/Battery_zpsso1hjbvk.jpg[/IMG]

http://www.andybuysbikes.com/archivehtml/5493nrt.html#

I see what you mean Rik, however my 49 ES2 has an outer case the same as a WD16H as far as I can see? There's always as chance mine has the wrong cover so I've just Googles it and the other ES2's of the same year have the same case that I can see.

[IMG]http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j331/Horror/P1010001_zpsvonnsa1p.jpg[/IMG]

I've just checked some old pictures of my 52 ES2 and that has the same cover too.

[IMG]http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j331/Horror/DSCF0022a_zpsx9n1mw08.jpg[/IMG]

The cover I've got that is straight after the cut away is for a swing arm single I think, but I'm not certain, so that would suggest it came in in '53..?

[IMG]http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j331/Horror/Norton%20Primary%20outer%202_zpsehcukcpz.jpg[/IMG]

Just my observations, I could be wrong.

Paul, the WD bike is mine. It certainly has a rubber in...supplied by Russell Motors, as I recall. I have an idea that alternator cases use a thicker rubber ?