16H

Hello Phillip

welcome to the 16H world.

You don't mention the year of your model, but if it is a wartime one then there is a mine of useful information on www.wdnorton.nl, including a forum and links to suppliers.

In addition there is a general wartime bike forum on the www.wdbsa.nl website, this is more active than the Norton one.

Iain

Hi Phillip

I am just nearing the end of a 16H rebuild and have a "civilianised" WD machine that is, in reality, a mix of different year parts. As I have discovered, there are quite a few differences over the years, some bleeding obvious but some are very, very subtle and I have spent money on parts that just don't fit, even though they are correctly described as 16H parts.

I haven't really lost any money doing this, you can always find another buyer for good condition parts, but I have wasted a huge amount of time.

My advice woud be to measure things very carefully. Different year parts can often look very similar, but may have minor diferences, especially true if buying from ebay or at autjoumbles. If you have access to a lathe or know someone who can turn out simple parts for, that will be a big help.

There isn't really a concise book on 16H models, maybe the market is ripe for one, most books on singles tend to concentrate on the more desirable cammy or OHV models, so you may be better to post a question on here if and when you run into any difficulties.

Good luck with the rebuild, they really are under-rated, fabulous bikes!

Paul

Hi,

I too have just purchased a 16H and am embarking on a rebuild. Mine is essentially a WD16H and I intend to return it to military trim.

At present I'm keen to identify the correct type of primary cases. My pair don't quite fit correctly. I also have two types of primary side foot rest support (locates into the engine plate and sits behind the primary case inner). One is longer than the other.

Does anybody have advice for identifying the correct mix of foot rest support, inner primary case and outer primary case?

Given that there are at least two of us embarking upon this type of endeavor, maybe we should set up a self help group!

Regards,

Ian

Philip, your bike does of course fall on the cusp of some very important changes to the side and overhead valve ranges, further complicated of course by the War Department retaining the earlier engine.

Do you know the despatch date of the machine ?

Do you have an engine at all, and if so, which type is it ? Does it have the enclosed tappets ? Finding parts for a WD engine will be easier (the 1937 pattern).

Does your frame have horizontal or vertical saddle spring studs ?

Photos would help.

Rich.