Two real survivors…

Two totally different bikes, both from the same era, both unrestored survivors, both are bikes I would dearly love to own. And both owned by different people.

First up is a Velocette Venom 500, in clubman trim with period John Tickle accessories.

Velocette Venom 500

John Tickle Brake

Velo clubman

Next up is one of my top dream bikes, a wonderful BMW R69s with Heinrich long range touring tank, owned by a fine old gentleman down in the south east corner of England, what a classy bike.

R69s Earles forks

Craven luggage

Riders view

Perfect, BMW R69s

And as it happens both are for sale right now, and I would love them both.

My Norton Clubman Project…

I had a little blast up the road today, fast & loud would sum it up, sure there are still things to sort out, not least of which is the registration, but what a moment this is for me, it has truly been a labour of love over the las few years.

Norton 500 Project

First Ride

Norton Clubman

My Norton Clubman Update…

My Norton is fast heading for the road, it is moving forward in leaps and bounds, but not without the odd compromise. The main problem right now, and one that I have agonised over is the use of the Inter oil tank. I have had this tank since I started the project, and it has been an integral part of the overall look I have been trying to achieve.

On the bench

The problem is the fact the ES2 frame is different from the International frame, and so no matter how I try I can’t get enough clearance to mount the inter oil tank. So I am going to have to use the standard ES2 tank, which is a shame as it detracts from the overall look.

My Norton Clubman Project…

Just a quick update … as of yesterday (Saturday) the Norton was pretty much all bolted together, except for the top end that is. The rear end is all complete, rear wheel, brake, speedo drive all in and working, lower engine, gearbox, primary cases and chains all bolted together and changing gear, foot rests and pedals all on and connected,

I have had two problems of my own making, through choices I have made on how I want the finished bike to look, and go! the first headache has been the choice of BSA B50 piston and Norton model 50 alloy head. even with a 3/16th spacer under the barrel, the piston still hits the head. But the barrel is bored out to 84mm, so I either needed to find a piston with a flatter crown, or get the barrel sleeved down to standard again, and use a normal Norton flat top.

After digging around and talking to a few friends, I managed to get a Vincent piston of the right size, it only has a very shallow dome, so cleared the head, but the skirt hit the flywheel, so it has had to be shortened just a little, but it does now all fit. but that is not the end of the issue, now I need to find or make some new barrel studs, because these are now too short!

Norton oil Tank as found

The other problem is that damn oil tank!
Again this all comes down to the “look” that I am after, but now the whole engine gearbox assembly is bolted in the frame, I find that the main oil outlet at the bottom of the tank is obscured by the gearbox adjuster bracket, so I now have to risk ruining the new paint by getting a new outlet tig welded in. my fault again, because you should always do a dry build first before getting the paint done!

Norton oil tank now..

So now I am waiting on some studs, valves, and my magneto, and it may well be fired up.

It will be five years in the making next month!!

Talmag Norton…

In the carpark at the Talmag trial back in January, there was a nice girder ridgid Norton single for sale …

Norton for Sale

Norton

Girder/Rigid

Girder front brake

My Norton Clubman..

So where was I? due to being a little under the weather of late, I have been unable to wave a spanner in any semblance of anger, so things down in the lock-up have all got a little dusty, not helped by the strong winds we have endured recently.

But that being said, a little work has progressed on my Norton Clubman project, as you will see from the pictures below. overall I am really happy with how it is all progressing, sure I see things that I would change if I were doing it again, the front brake scoop is not quite how I would have liked it, but for a first go at this type of thing I am happy.

The fuel tank looks like it is white, but that is just where the sun was reflecting off of the aluminium.

My Norton Clubman

My Norton

Up on wheels

Making Progress

All Quiet In The Shires…

I have been laid up now for three weeks, since my trip into hospital, so as such I have not done anything motorcycle related, which I find frustrating. The weather is what you expect this time of year, wet, windy, and getting cold. But mixed in with that are some real nice chilly sunny days, days like today when you would like to get out for a ride, and get some pictures of what remains of the autumn colours.

So, I have things to do on all three bikes when I feel better, and able to do it. my R80st has been with me now for five or six years, I forget which, but it was bought as a project back on an October day, and dragged back here in the back of my van.  Right now it needs a couple of pushrod seals changing, this will be the second time I have done these since the bike has been in my ownership. But I might wait to do this until the new year.

My R80st

BMW R80st

My Moto Guzzi Ambassador also needs a little work right now, and I shall put this one at the front of the que. I am waiting on a couple of parts to arrive right now,  one being a used cylinder head for the right hand side, as the one fitted has lost the exhaust threads, so the exhaust is glued in place! it has been working Ok, but it is a job that I have wanted to do for a while.  So I am debating on whether to do the valves and guides on both heads at the same time? I shall see when the replacement head gets here.

I also have some new springs on order to fit in the distributor, the small springs that go on the throw out weights, this should be a fun fiddly little job. I also want to change the front brake shoes, as they scream loudly when applied, working better than a horn, and surprising all around.

Moto Guzzi 750

And of course my Norton project.

I still have a long list of jobs to do on this bike, and a long list of parts to find also.  But I have the wheels sitting here with new tyres fitted, so as soon as I am able to go and get it from the metal basher, I should at last have it up on two wheels. I can then set to with fitting the motor, and gearbox, and maybe even getting it all wired up. While I look around for the other main parts I need to get it somewhere towards being finished. I do however have a fairly long list of parts that I now need to concentrate on finding.

Chain cases, clutch assembly, headlight, switches, mudguards, stays, magneto, dynamo, carburettor brakes, both front and back, Now this may not seem a lot, but there are some tricky parts to find in there.  I also have some smaller parts that need making up on the lathe, steering stops, plunger caps, etc. I also want to get my oil and petrol tanks in to be painted, I have thought long and hard over this one, as there are so many different styles of paint on these bikes that have been done over the years. But I have scoured the internet for ideas, and I think I will go for something like one of these…

Norton Paint

Norton Paint

Norton Brake…

Well the brake plate is done, all apart from one last rivet which I dropped and can’t find? (in case any of you are counting)  And although the finished result is not perfect, I am over all quite pleased with the result. and it should look the part when fitted to the bike…

Front Brake Plate.

 

A Norton Puzzle?…

At the weekend I came across something I have not seen before, and have heard no mention of it previously in all my Norton searches.

I came across an old Norton 30, 500 International,plunger frame model from the late 40’s, that had been owned by the same old boy since way back when. But this one was different, the rear suspension had been modified, and on further discussion I was led to believe that this was a Norton “Works” modification?

Norton Works Modification?

So anybody heard of or have reference to this modification? and do any of you out there have an idea on where I could find these small rams so that I could do this to my project?

The Norton Project…

 

So yesterday evening (Friday) I got a call from the machine shop telling me that my hub was ready to be collected, I had asked the guys in the shop to make me a set of cooling fins, along the lines of a Manx or Inter, I supplied the billet alloy, they supplied the skill.  And here is the result…

Front Hub Fins

 

It can be off now to be enameled, and built on to a 21″ flanged alloy rim, I then need to set to building an Inter style Single leading shoe front brake plate…

 

Cooling Fins, Inter Syle