vettes and bikes .. hey norton

[SPANISHVETTS]

My first motorcycle was a red '73 Commando. Like others, I wish I still had it, despite the Lucas electrics, poor mechanical reliability and the quirky gear shift that's upside down and on the wrong side.

Took me years to get used to a 'regular' shift pattern

Back in my Motocross days I raced a red frame CZ400 in Open class and a Suzuki 250 in its class, often I rode both on the same day. Going into the first corner on the CZ I was always chanting ¨brake left - shift right¨:eyerole

GAWD! That makes me sick.... I sold my '72 Roadster in '77-'78 for $750.00,

It hurts too much to look back. I always tell myself ¨it was the thing to do at the time.¨ When I left the states in 85 I sold 3 Triumph Bonnis in pieces that could have been built into 1 show bike, 1 rider and a box full of spares for $500 and I let the guy pay me over 3 months.:W

While we are talking about bikes I put a few laps on the new Yamaha R1 last week. This is Yamaha's total effort to win the World Super Bike title and they have pulled out all of the stops.
The bike I rode tipped the scales at 168 kilos and dynoed at 192HP/11200RPM. (The spec sheet says 172K 178HP.)
The magic is the 3 valve head and the fly by wire fuel injection. There is a wire instead of a throttle cable coming out of the right hand grip.:confused
The torque comes on at 6K and is strong well past 13,000 revs. - The old R1 and most of the competition are dogs below 9000RPMs.
The brake disk are damn near as big as the tires and clamped by 6 double pot calipers. I am a braking fool that likes to push the bike and anybody in front of it through the corners. After 10 hot laps I could not fault the brakes. Little fade - no grabbing.
The negatives are still in the suspension. If you put a tire sticky enough to connect the HP to the track on the back then you are in for some rearend hop that would embarrass a Jack Rabbit in heat. I know that the Dr. plays down the hop but believe me... It ain't nice and I am not man enough to handle it. This is 1 of only 2 bikes that I am afraid to go balls to the wall down the front stretch.*
*still looking for the other one.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, If you roll on the gas at 100 MPH in 6th gear the front wheel is going to play rocket ship and head for the moon.
hnoes

 

[chevy6673]

hey guys it was nice out today so i put new oil in the norton i have to seal the gas tank next they tell me theres a 3 part sealer that works good .

 

[Autom8r]

Damn near 200 HP pushing around 400 lbs on the R1 is just plain spooky!!!

I can appreciate your wheel-hop trouble, my Caddy CTS-V has terrible wheel-hop. It has already been thru a diff and tranny under warranty. At least the wheel-hop helps preserve those high dollar runflats!!!

Dave

 

[chevy6673]

I NO ITS BEEN SOME TIME BUT.. I GOT THE NORTON STARTED TODAY .

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

I NO ITS BEEN SOME TIME BUT.. I GOT THE NORTON STARTED TODAY .

Great! It is bike weather; time to go cruising on your Norton.

76º and sunny here. We are riding over to Portugal for lunch. 3 hour easy ride each way. One of the group is on a Harley so I am taking both Metric and SAE tools... sure to need both to get him home.

 

[Autom8r]

Chevy6675,

Have you been in the saddle yet? Howzit run?? What did it take to get it running? Any oil puddles yet??

The Norton mill on my Indian-Enfield hasn't run since 1977 and is locked up. I dread tearing into it since I haven't turned a wrench on it in 30 years and my old shop manual has disappeared or disintegrated.

Dave

 

[chevy6673]

Chevy6675,

Have you been in the saddle yet? Howzit run?? What did it take to get it running? Any oil puddles yet??

The Norton mill on my Indian-Enfield hasn't run since 1977 and is locked up. I dread tearing into it since I haven't turned a wrench on it in 30 years and my old shop manual has disappeared or disintegrated.

Dave

No havent been on the saddle yet waiting for a tool to take the caliper apart... yes a puddle of oil came with the bike lol you should be able to pick up a new non-disinigrated book online and it could be your winter project. Good Luck

 

[chevy6673]

ok i took the norton around the block rides good sounds great..have had alot of people ask me if i want to sell it i said no thanks unless a trade 4 a vette comes up. most people like the title still marked new scince i got it from the orignal owner who i work with ..

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

ok i took the norton around the block rides good sounds great..have had alot of people ask me if i want to sell it i said no thanks unless a trade 4 a vette comes up. most people like the title still marked new scince i got it from the orignal owner who i work with ..

You have a true collectors bike. From the photos I have not seen a better one in years. It may never be a one of a kind but it will always be special. Hold on to it!

I paid $600 for the Wide Case Ducati back in the 80's and spent a couple of grand making it perfect. When I let the museum ¨store¨/ display it their appraiser set their insurance value (what they will pay me if the bike is lost while in their care), at 15K pounds... about $29k.

 

[chevy6673]

You have a true collectors bike. From the photos I have not seen a better one in years. It may never be a one of a kind but it will always be special. Hold on to it!

I paid $600 for the Wide Case Ducati back in the 80's and spent a couple of grand making it perfect. When I let the museum ¨store¨/ display it their appraiser set their insurance value (what they will pay me if the bike is lost while in their care), at 15K pounds... about $29k.

well mine is not perfect but someone said to get it appraised .thanks

 

[Autom8r]

Appraised.... my ass!!!! Go out and get some new tires and ride the thing.... HARD...... That's what it was built for.... It's an ultra sweet bike!

(but get the tires first... voice of experience.....)

Dave

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Appraised.... my ass!!!! Go out and get some new tires and ride the thing....

(but get the tires first... voice of experience.....)

Dave

How to stay alive on a Classic British Bike:

Check the forks, replace the seals if leaking and change the fork oil. Every year.

Rebuild or replace the shocks as soon as they feel soft.

Check the brakes. levers, cables, cylinders, etc. and change the fluid. Every year.

If you have spoke wheels check the spokes every time you check tire pressure.

Never ride on an old tire - even if it looks new.

Remember these old bikes were built when men were men and bikers had steel plates in their skull. The suspension is unpredictable and the brakes are unforgiving. Most Nortons, Triumphs and BSAs came to their demise in a glorious ¨hi-side¨ when the rider locked the rear wheel in an otherwise routine braking situation.

Learn the bike and take it up one steep at a time and NEVER get too happy with the rear break pedal. That way both you and the bike may become ¨collectors items.¨