Been getting the Norton sorted for the summer, being British there is a lot ot sort..... Last part to fit was a new throttle cable, but it was a nice day on Friday and I had to go into the city on the way to Highbrook so I figured I could do this in the evening. Parked outside a cafe in town and watched in amazement as no oil dripped out on to the new Council paving....... It thundered down the motorway and off at Higbrook......rounded the last turn to the office and the throttle jammed open......yep you guessed it the freak'n throttle cable. Note to self: don't buy parts and not fit them as " the bike knows" Much mirth from office as I pushed the bike thru the gates...." your $350 scooter is more relaiable." " wheres your beamer"........ Phoned up the Missus...." Darling.....have you got the van today?"....." yessss......." Saturday: Went on the Vintage Motorcycle rally run , one of those timed things with directions..." when the hand gets to 30 you go.....understand?...I nearly jumped the start....again... It started at Orewa, across to Kow Kop, up sh 16, via Pakari to Leigh where the ladies of the local school put on a great home made spread with tea in those big old pots.... Rode back with two of the classic racer guys to Orewa, had a beer, admired their Velocette and BSA B31 440.....then off to see if Trustme was home. He was and got the tour of Winstones innards spread about the bench......but he has plans....mwahhhmwahhhaaaaa...... Had a very nice Harringtons Rogue Hop beer or two and then off home. 300 odd KMs and nothting fell, dripped or dropped off.....apart from my lock bungy.... They are so unlike BMW's to ride I had added respect to the guys who race them...... you just have to accept you are riding a time bomb and just do it. "Herr Voltaire...." " Ja " " Ve have taken vun of these Nortons apart and can not verk out how zey vin races.... " " der crankenshaften is trhee bits bolted together mit leedle screws..... und the pistons look like dey are from a veed eater" My race plan for next year is just push the Brits till they blow up.
Good to hear Voltaire. I once had a throttle cable jam on a BSA Goldflash while riding the motorway in north Italy.The only way of control I had until I managed to pull off the motorway, was with the ignitiion switch .... it does keep the mind focussed. Get your Tank Bag? Rhys
Yep go the tankbag and Winstone has given me correct details...... I tried it on the Commando but it falls off....is fibreglass not magnetic? Norton were wise to that trick....mounted the ignition by your boot...... I don't have that much focus....
That's why British bikes didn't have air filters....although it takes both hands with a Bonnie. I never used kill or ignition switches....and survived some stuck throttle moments.
Diary of a Commando Commuter: Monday: kicked twice and rode to work, finished work kicked twice and rode home. Tuesday: kicked twice and rode to work, finished work kicked twice and rode home. Wednesday: kicked thrice and rode to work,stopped for fuel on way, finished work kicked twice and rode home.
Call that first kick a priming kick, then you can say it's a first kick starter.
turn on fuel push ticklers for 5 seconds hold open throttle 1/4 turn two slowish kicks Igniton kick it like you mean it usually starts in one or two. that's how you start a motorcycle.
That is Ok for you young guys, we did our apprenticeships on kick starts ..... I am very comfortable with an electric start....LOL Rhys
The worse bike I had for kick starting was a yamaha XS750. The kick starter only used to engage about 1/2 way down & it would typically fire on 1 cylinder only. Took me 1/2 an hr to get it going at the cold kiwi one year.
Real bikes use boat rollers
Easiest bike to kick start was my XS650 - stupid thing used to start idling as I was trying to find compression.
Easiest bike I had was a Honda 500/4 i could kick start it with my hand......worst a Chaing Jaing......get that wrong and you limped around uttering Chinese ....
Real bikes get push started by beemer riders in full leathers.
Well....7 days of Nortoning and nothing fell off.... did about 300 miles. Motor starts and idles nicely, clutch is a bit graunchy into 1st ( superbike crunch?), thinking the clutch may need replacing as most of it looks original. Just need a tyre now and all sorted for next weekend. The Last Drink at the Whangamomona Saloon........Maybe we could have a shootout in the main street.....
Originally Posted by Volt .45 Maybe we could have a shootout in the main street..... Um, I'd settle for a Norton backfire . . . .
