Model 7 Poor Spark heavy kickstart

Have you drained the sump?  If not it will inhibit kicking the bike over . The mag will need a service . most likely . But drain the sump first and try again. Tip a teaspoon of fuel into each plug hole before you do. Let us know how things go , we are bored witless with winter.You could clean the mag pickups , mag earth brush and points , you will have to do some reading up first as it’s all a bit delicate

Have to know where you are , if your mate has not owned an old Norton he could be talking soft spherical objects 

I use straight 50 in my singles, they are very stiff to kick over until warmed up a bit in this cold weather! 

such as whether the carb jets are clean, and if it has suitable mixture settings for it to run. The pilot jet needle should be about 1 1/4 turn out from fully home. Have you checked that the spark plugs are sound, good HT leads, and have you cleaned the points? The slip ring could be dirty, so unclip the plug pickups from the front and rear of the magneto, and clean it with a very clean cloth.  While you are at it, look at the carbon brushes, and make sure they are not worn out, and have some spring in them. If the contact breaker points have corroded, that alone will stop your engine from running.  It is likely after standing for 8 years. Get some fine emery paper, double it, and give the points a quick clean. Don't forget to wipe with a clean cloth afterwards. Now make sure there is clean fresh oil in the right places.  A good amount in the tank, toss some at the valve gear (and thus the camshaft and followers), and not a sump full. It's likely the oil tank to engine pipe will need priming too.  It's a good idea with an unknown engine, to give it a few priming kicks, and with the spark plugs sitting on part of the engine (with the HT leads fitted), kick it over and look at the fatness and colour of the sparks.  If there's no spark, you need to keep checking.  If it's a lot brighter than before, you are on the right track.  Now put them back in the cylinder head.

Now have a go at lighting it up.

The recommendation from Norton was 30W oil in winter and 40W in summer.  I have used 20W 50 for ages. It's what Norton specified for the Commando, and it does make for easier starting.

Another recommendation. Do not over-tickle your carburetor.  In cold weather, mine (a 1955 Model 88 with Monobloc) wants full choke and a momentary touch of the float tickler.  More than that, and it simply will not fire. A few seconds from start-up, lumpy running will tell you to open the choke fully. 

Paul

If you go as far as getting the magneto overhauled then use the NOC’s magneto specialist Paul Wolf (magnetos@nortonownersclub.org)

I have had my ES2, K1F magneto and Inter,M01 magneto overhauled by him and the results have been exemplary.

Regards,

Anthony Bolton