Norton ES2 Clubman Project, continued…

I got a call today from the metal basher, asking if I would like to see how the tank is coming on, so I did, and it is…

Norton Tank

First Fitting

Nearly Time for Paint

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?

Norton, Model 30

Today was a day for getting idea’s and measurements, because today a nice old International model 30 rolled into the workshop while I was there having a cup of tea…

Model 30 garden gate

 

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

 

More Norton’ing…

Another big part of the puzzle fell into place today, in the shape of an ES2 500 iron barrel, it has had a repair or two in its life, as you would expect, it is also on the top end of the bore size at 82.3, but I am looking for a late 40’s AJS piston to fit in there, but if I fail in that direction I shall have a look at getting a liner fitted, and taking it back to standard (79mm) bore size.

Roll out the Barrel

500 Barrel

I also started looking at how to fix my newly aquired Smiths tacho, which I want to fit in a jaunty old fashioned classic race style.

Tach Mount

Norton Dash

My Norton Project, Cont…

Way back in the mists of time, I bought an oil tank with a big hole in it, this one to be exact…

Oil Tank

Well said hole is now a non hole, and today it also had a nice shiney new filler cap fitted, so next stop will be the body shop for some filler and paint…

Oil Tank Fixed

And as the sun had finaly decided to join us, I thought I would grab a couple of pictures of my newly prepped head and rocker box too.

350 cylinder head & rocker cover

Cylinder Head & Rocker Box

Top End

Just need to find a barrel now then…

My Norton Project… Odds & Ends…

I picked up a couple of bits for the Norton on Saturday at the Kempton bike jumble, one of the parts was the front fork brace and mudguard support, I found
it in a box of old junk, and it cost me just £2.00 or $3.00 for the colonials out there.

So today I thought I should just check to see how it all fits together, this is not the wheel I will be using, as that is yet to be built, but it is a 21″ wheel so is right for testing.

 

Dry Fit

 

New Handle bars

 

My next job is to convert this old damaged Triumph conical hub into a Manx style single leading shoe race hub, and although it won’t be correct in every detail,
it will be close enough to give the look I am after.

 

Conical Hub

 

 

First job is to remove all the fins from the outer edge, luckily this one was already damaged in this area, this may have helped in me getting it cheaply off of the Bay..

 

Broken Fin, A good thing.

Then it will be away to be powder coated black, before I start to convert a Norton brake plate to fit…

 

 

Garden Gate Inter…

I found this picture out there in web land, while searching ideas for my Norton Clubman project build, there are so many parts of this bike I like, and would like to copy on my build. The flanged alloy rims, and stainless spokes are already in the mix, I need to sort the little polished scoop for the front brake, and I like the double hoop rear mudguard stay too.

Norton Garden Gate

I should be picking up the rear wheel this coming weekend, so as soon as I throw a tyre on the rim I shall have a go at getting the rear guard fitted up, then it is decision time, on whether to get the alloy guards polished or painted black?

Picture was found here… http://www.themotart-journal.com/

Velocette, Norton’s & Plungers…

Today was a good day, today was the first “build” day,  I now have a few parts, and today they started going together

I had the rear plunger rods machined, and so today I took the frame, plunger rods, springs, and covers, over to Mick’s place to get some help fitting them on the frame, Mick has a homemade spring compressor just for doing the plungers, a job that would be tough to do without the use of a spring compession tool.

Norton Plunger Suspension

 

Garden Gate Suspension

 

And when I got back home I fitted the headstock assembly with the new bearings that turned up this week. I also have the parts needed to put the Roadholder forks together, so things are moving in the right direction.

There was a nice Velocette there while I was getting the rear suspension fitted, and a Norton on the bench too.

 

Velocette 500

 

Norton Single

 

 

 

More Norton’ing…

As I needed to pay for some parts today, I took the chance to get some more pictures of the Norton that has been the inspiration for my project,  I hope I can make my one turn out something like it, even in just a small way, if so then I shall be pleased. One of the hard parts when building a bike from odd parts, is getting the patina just right, I don’t want my bike to look restored, but old, and well used. This in itself will pose problems I am sure.

 

Norton Clubman

 

Tank Bracket

 

Amal 10TT

 

Oil Tank