The very las part of the jigsaw was put in place today, when I received the original registration from the DVLA, not a new reg, but the original old registration, the guys at the DVLA used the frame number to track down the original number, and now it is back where it belongs, back on the old Norton, and back on the road.
So a project I started in November 2011 has now come to an end, it has I think been fun.
Norton ES2 Clubman
Well what can I say, my Norton “Garden Gate” Clubman came back home today, the motor is all finished with the later head fitted, now it is just a case of tidying things up a bit over the coming winter…
My Norton ES2 Clubman
Oh what joy, BSA A65 wiring, does it match the wiring diagram? of course not, does it make sense, well I think you know the answer to that one. I guess I will get it sorted eventually?
Now this may not be the most expensive bike uncovered by anybody, and I guess it was not really a “Barn” find, but more of a shed find, not by me I must add, but by one of my friends.
So I wonder what you will make of this sweet little James, totally original and only missing the original throttle, and fuel tap. That in itself is pretty amazing for a bike made in 1948, but look at the tinware, no rust damage, sure it has surface corrosion as would be expected, but this bike really wants just a rub over with an oily rag, it is not even seized, and does have a spark.
1948 James
Villiers 98cc
The Famous James
A little patina
Not bad for 68 years old.
One Last Step…
So I am nearly at the end of my journey, and have one last step to go, in the small matter of getting the Norton registered (getting a title for the US contingent). I started this whole crazy dream back in November 2011, with just a frame I found on Ebay….
Norton project
And now here I am five years later, with a dating certificate telling me the Norton was built at the Norton works factory in Birmingham back on 26th June 1952, and was despatched to Bennet’s of Southampton. Who knows what the bike got up to in the intervening years, but it is once again a fully working Norton, and ready to be out on the open road next summer. Just one final piece of paperwork, that is all I need.
Now where was I?
With the head all bolted down, and the rockers installed, it was time for those new SRM tappet adjusters to be fitted…
SRM tappet adjusters
SRM upgrade
Tappet angle
Next on the list was cleaning and refitting the exhaust system…
BSA A65L motor
Original exhaust re-fitted
So I am getting there slowly, I need to order a few small parts, rocker cover studs, headstock bearings, and I still need to find some forks, but so far so good.
My head having returned from SRM, was now ready to be fitted, and after a question asked in the competition section of BritBike forum, I equipped myself with some copper sealant, and a pair of small o-rings, so I was ready to go.
Barrel and gasket prepared and ready for the head to be fitted..
Ready to go
Returned head
Copper seal and o-rings
Coming together
