Andover Norton spares

Totally agree with you, and a great source of information.

Thanks for the above comments, many will remember the days of old when ANIL was in Southampton, as you know the spares situation has improved considerably since Joe has taken over. Improvement is still not finished, and doubt it ever will be, two of many projects on the go at the moment have a huge sum that would buy a house in some parts of the country invested in them alone and may not see a return on them for 10 years plus. It shows that we are not scared to produce the more challenging parts. No doubt Joe will disclose more at the open day about these. 

I joined ANIL in 2015, and for 20 years prior to this was a customer and NOC member myself so well remember the ANIL of old. Keeping parts on the shelf and progressing new projects is a full time Job for myself and Simon, and 11 other staff to keep the rest of the organisation going. And yes, we test the new or changed process parts we get made in anger, master cylinders, calipers, followers, cams. If I don't have the confidence in the supplier they get dropped. I also get other parts tested, but not on my bike, we used to disclose what was wrong with them, but no more, sadly this has resulted in injury, thankfully not too serious, to a NOC member who had a part shatter.  

A typical daily challenge I face is with the MK3 inner chaincase, the hole and bore relationship has been overcome and checked and the layers through the case are now understood. Considering the short life of the MK3, the drawing has 17 changes - why is anyone's guess as we do not have all the change register entries, but with that amount of changes it suggests the problems with it were not fully understood throughout the parts life. 

With a potential move to a far larger building later this year, locating both units in one will ensure that we can carry on supplying this level of service and commitment to classic Norton parts. 

I tend to use RGM as the items arrive in the post in a couple of days. The prices are good too. 

I once rang Andover Norton for a price on some fork legs as I was passing the shop on my way home from a holiday but the price was really high. I ended up buying them elsewhere for a quarter of the price. They have been on for around 5 years now and still look like and work like new. Maybe not as good a quality but well fit for purpose and affordable for a pensioner. I also use Les Emery at Fair Spares sometimes and have usually found the products good. Shop around people and don’t forget the NOC also do some rarer parts.

I haven't had many parts from them recently but those I have had have been of excellent quality and fit. RGM also have been very good.

I agree as well - first class organization. As others have said , the parts themselves are top notch in all ways to date . I should also note that their web site is very easy to use and I applaud their rapid service as well - I was forced to buy a new main frame for my Commando and I had it in my hands here in the USA in little more than a week and at a reasonable price. To be fair I must add that I have never been disappointed with any of the suppliers I have dealt with in the UK.

 On another point I would be remiss if I didn't tip my hat to Ashley Cutler . He is always helpful and generous in sharing his considerable knowledge and experience . I note he is quick to chime in on many threads on this site - so a big thank you to Ashley .

Ashley,

I support the comments re ANL spares and service, however me and the many other Rotary owners are keen to have a reliable supply of rear chain gaiters, I have written to Joe asking for help but without success.

If you have any influence at ANL can you please help ?

Tony Duffield

ANL

I order several bits and pieces for my Dommie from ANL last Tuesday, got an email the following day to inform me that the order would be delivered the next day. So from initial order to arrival 3 days, not too shabby. Everything arrived on the day promised, even with our random postal service, duly labeled and packaged, sweet.

RGM

I'm lucky enough to live around 2 miles from RGM. All I need to do is pick up the phone and then collect the parts later in the day. Roger and his staff are always up for a chat when I call to pick up the order.

NOC Shop

The few times I used this service I've found it almost as good as ANL. Given that it's run by volunteers it's a good service all be it slower than ANL but, as long as the order arrives etc I'm happy.

John Sunderland

I’ve been buying my parts for 40 years at ANL. Only disappointment recently with their ballast resistance, the 2 wires break like glass, it also happened to 2 buddies (including 1 in Austria at the inter rally in 2019. Asley sent me one back but I dare not install it,I hope they see this play again. RGM it is a good shop also.

If we have moved onto Norton suppliers then there are only 3 others NOC, Les Emery and RGM and not in that order.

Les Emery has so much knowledge it's unbelievable and can quote part numbers off the top of his head, plus an enormous parts stock.

NOC a very good well priced and as already said for a volunteer group fast, maybe they should take off the rider could take a couple of weeks.

RGM a great source of supply and fast.

I have used RGM repeatedly over the last 12 years, including 3 times in the last couple of weeks, when the parts have arrived next day every time. They are always my first port of call. It doesn't get better than that.

Same here, I go to RGM first and look elsewhere if I don't find what I'm looking for. Anyway, healthy competition between several suppliers is in our interest, I believe, and I hope it will stay that way. 

Hello I use RGM motors  of any parts  they have the lot,  I find ANL a bit on the costy side  and Mosty Commando stuff witch most will not fit a Norton 650  unless you modify  it to fit,  and they have nothing much for the 1954 domies  the chains they sell I would not touch will a barge pole  the USA Diamond Chains are the best or TVH Chains Made in Japan  they fit the best  as for nuts and bolts I use Nooks Nuts  he  produces some of the best nuts and bolts around  and very good 3/8 BCY Nylock thread  good for cylinder barrel base nuts  they do not come lose  he also produces some nice BA screws too, but if you need anything in brass go to Live Steam on Ebay   they do BA , Whitworth and BSF   just looking around for a air pump  small enough to power a 3 inch steam whistle to fit onto the Norton    when folks hear this hey think there a train coming a get out of way   yours  anna j   

I use them as well and find their service excellent. I like the fact their setscrews don't have markings on the heads. On the other hand, this probably means they're made of mild steel.........

Nooky's nuts have told me that their BSF/Cycle fastenings are not high tensile.

Bolts from Nooky's Nuts are mild steel but that should not be a problem for general applications like mudguards and frame fittings but should be avoided for highly stress apalications like stretch bolt on the engine. this is a simple comparison of tensile strength of bolts up to 1/2"

Material                                                               Min tensile strength in PSI

Mild steel                                                            74,000

Medium Carbon steel (8.8 heat treated)                120,000

Stainless steel (303)                                            75,000

Stainless steel (18-8)                                           65,000 to 150,000

Hope this helps

Steven