Norton Atlas Recommissioning Northants area

Lovely looking bike BUT (going to have a rant now) How I hate swept back exhaust pipes, as soon as you go to do anything-pickup a spanner etc the pipe is in the way, and they don't help cornering that I have ever been able to do....even though they look great!
Another look great but actually slows up performance is those cheap carb. trumpets. The Amal ones work-those don't. Just take em off and see what the difference is with bottom end punch? But shouldn't they be down draught? 
Another point, the front brake looks over centre so needs looking at.
 

any offers from Northants or Leicester branches?

Hi ArJay,

Is the assistance needed of a professional (ie a shop) or an enthusiast nature?

I live in Northampton and would be happy to meet you and discuss what needs doing.

I would describe myself as a competent enthusiast/mechanic and very little fazes me with bikes so I'm not really up to date on where to best go for professional help.

If this would be a help, contact me by private message with your contact details.

I will also add that next Wednesday (14th) the Northants and Leics NOC will be meeting at The Wharf Inn at Welford (on the Northants/Leics border) from around 6pm. By all means pop along and say hello and you will get other members advice on where help can be sought.

Regards, George 

Jan,

Thanks for the suggestion!

George 

It looks like someone fitted a Commando carb manifold.  They turn down to compensate for the engine being tilted forwards.  Twin carbs on the Atlas etc should have straight spacers so the inlet passage is dead straight before it reaches the inlet valve.

I never said I was/am an originality freak. I like the look of it but I still dislike swept back pipes as they get in the way as soon as you want to do any work! The front brake appears to be early Commando TLS fine a good mod, but it still appears over centre and needs resetting.
Glad somebody else sees the carb manifolds being wrong, The carbs should be down draught not horizontal which the appear to be.

those inlet manifolds are very odd. can you post a close up of a carb. and manifold?
   The front brake levers on the hub are at a very odd angle: never seen them at such an angle, which is potentially very worrying as to how the brake shoes /linings have been set up, or more likely, that the levers have been fitted to the pivots the wrong way round: the fitting slots in the arms are at a slight angle to the length of the arm.

Front brake is over 'centre' makes it extremely inefficient-unsafe even. The araldite oil tank pipe is also a disaster waiting to happen.
The carb manifolds are Commando, wrong for the Atlas. This should have Atlass/SS ones (think they are the same) but do check the bore of head, manifold and carbs are compatible. Remove the carb trumpet and run without before putting it back (if you must) Observe the drop in bottom end performance first.
Have fun.
 

Yes,  front brake needs dismantling and correcting. Inlet manifolds look ugly , I would consider swapping for a single carb and manifold which will look better and be a heck of a lot easier for a newby to classic bikes.The carb trumpet is too close to the battery and will block airflow. These are pretty basic errors and makes me wonder how safe the rest is.

arjay_joffe apologies for the rude, stuffy and narrow-minded comments you have received.

Your bike looks great and welcome to the world of Norton ownership!

The front brake is not safe!