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1960 Manx Clutch.

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Hi.

I was wondering if anyone out there knew what Mick Walker in 'The Manx Norton' and Mick Woollett in 'Norton' meant when they say the 1960 Manx specs included a 'reinforced clutch centre'. If anyone has any gen on this and particularly period articles, photos or drawings I'd be grateful. I know that The Motor Cycle and Motorcycling quite often had articles on 'The New Nortons for....' in them the year before the bikes came out. 

Thanks.

Ian.

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I have no real answer but,

on one of my Manx clutches the clutch centre cover plate is bolted to the clutch centre with 6 Allen screws instead of the usual 3 cap screws.

This clutch also has no roller cage but has some 50 rollers. I'm told that this was a common mod by racers.

Thanks Mikael. It's the year when Norton changed from the 3 screw to the 6 screw fixing that I'm trying to determine. I suspect that the 'reinforced clutch centre' mentioned in the 1960 specs is just that. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Ian.

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The clutch I mentioned was on a -59 350 made in a batch for John Surtees, though he took another one. Only Surtees connection on that bike. It was ridden by at least three good riders up to -68. After that it had a half dozen other owners. One of them had at least four Manxes. I don't know if this is the original clutch or if it was replaced. This bike has a number of other parts which according to Bacon Singles was first introduced in 1960. An old racebike still having all parts as it left the factory must be a very rare bird indeed.

Mike

 


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