Morning all,
So, after many months of looking and deciding, I took the leap of faith and purchased a bike this Saturday gone at the recent auction in Staffordshire.
apparently the bike should be comparatively easy to get it working and it comes with a good bit of history.
What I need now, is advice and guidance. (A thank you to this who I talked to over the model 16's that I was originally looking at)
Im after user manuels, workshop manuals, advice on powder coating over spray of any black work and the best places to get original stickers. Best places for chrome work. Best places for any thing I may need as I strip her down and bring her back to her original beauty.
Also, if anyone has any more history on this bike, the previous owner was a member of the club back in 2001 and apparently it hasn't been ridden since 2014, although I have dozens of receipts. Or, if any owners are still around any quirks of this particular bike or quirks general I need to know about.
engine and frame number A3 4597
fork number 4712 tank number 2686 as far as I can tell.
Once again, thanks in advance.
Stuart
Hi Stuart. I'm pretty new…
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I'm not sure they were…
I'm not sure they were powder coated, but I'm sure someone could chip in and tell you what type of paint was used.
There are many chrome plating suppliers in the UK and get recommendations on here but can't tell who they are because I haven't needed it yet, I have a 38 model 18 and will try and help if I can Stuart
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Norton 18 advice
Thanks Matthew
Already joined. I'm based in Essex. Have found loads of manuels on line; sent to my printers and now have a reasonable body of literature to wade through. It was totally unrestored but apparently mechanically sound. I've ordered a six volt battery but no luck on adding it. I'm going to try and go to the Essex meet on Tuesday on SWF to start getting advice.
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You will find the Essex…
You will find the Essex Branch members will be an excellent source of advice. I have a 1937 Model 18 but cannot be there on Tuesday. I agree with Jonathon just a light touch may be all that is needed. Ride it first and assess what actually needs to be done.
It has a magdyno so a battery is not necessary to get it going. Things to look out for are blocked jets, dirty points and possibly a non functioning mag.
The bike will have a valve lifter and advance retard lever. Find out at the branch about using these to get the bike started and then running properly.
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A little tidy up…
...and a wipe over . Check the rubber and brakes then get it firing. I would not restore until you have assessed it on the road. There are plenty of these looking new, yours is what it should look like, Unique !
Enjoy it...
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Rub the chromed tank down…
Rub the chromed tank down with a fistful of aluminium foil. Aluminium is harder than rust but softer than chrome plate. Keep it wet while you do it.
Don't throw away an original Rexine saddle cover even if it's damaged...and don't let a restorer take it from you as a pattern and destroy it.
There is certainly a place for concours machines but essentially unrestored are highly prized.
As Jonathan says...try it, ride it and learn about it before making changes to "improve" it. Otherwise you could make it less desirable (and even less usable).
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Help
Thank you everyone, appreciating the advice. Part of my brain wants a fully restored item, the other part of me is starting to appreciate the somewhat aged appearance of it.
I think the get it working is best first.
After looking in the tank it's somewhat rusted, I'm going on the premise that would be more sensible to clean out and maybe line?
Atb
Stuart
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restoration
mechanically restored is more important, and safer, than cosmetic.
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Because there is external…
Because there is external surface rust it does not necessarily follow that there is a problem with the tank. I don't like tank liners and would only use one once it is established that it is necessary.
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Hi Stuart.
I'm pretty new also to Norton so I thought I would chip in here as it looks a bit quiet.
Would be great to post a couple of pictures so we know what we are looking at.
Whereabouts are you based?
There are lots of books about your particular model which have when it is and if you are completely new with limited experience, I would join the norton owners club in your area For some accurate guidance.
In terms of parts there is a wide variety of suppliers based in the UK if that's where you are.
Is there anything obvious wrong with it initially?