Clutch Restoration- Part 1

Taking advantage of the Thanksgiving Holiday to get things done on the Model 7, I took the clutch apart mostly because there was some slip and the adjuster didn't seem to work. The plates are pretty knackered particularly the pad material which is considerably thinner than specified in the manual.

The pad material consititutes a hazardous material situation because they are a composite of cloth,steel, and asbestos. I highly recommend wearing a mask when initially taking apart unknown clutches and brakes because of the deadly health risk. I love dismantling the bike because it's often like an archaeological expedition. You get to see the handiwork of previous owners- the good, the bad, and the ugly. In this case, I noticed the clutch mushroom which is a difficult and expensive part to find was replaced at some point by a valve that fits and works perfectly. Genius!

I plan to beburr the plates and replace the asbestos pads with cork. I run a dry primary case with an IWIS self-lubricating primary chain so I have a some doubts about the durability of the cork. The experiment will be an interesting one. More to follow.

Making Headway

The first order of business on the Norton Model 7 was to replace the rocker oil feed line. The original had a a kink where the banjo fitting meets the oil tank union. My concern was that the kink restricted oil flow to the top end impacting its lubrication.

Original line with kink

I purchased a new line from Norvil. Norvil offers two varieties of rocker oil feed lines. There is a one piece version and a two piece. I chose the one piece thinking that the clear plastic tubing wired to the original feed line was a bodge like many other fixes on the bike. The more I thought about it I came to realize that it was a smart modification that did two things. First, the plastic tubing serves as a sort of shock absorber dampening vibrations that could damage the soldered joints. Second, the clear tube serves as a sort of sight glass allowing me to visually ensure that oil is going up the line. It doesn't guarantee lubrication but I figure that between the visual confirmation and the pressure gauge measuring oil pressure off the scavenging side I'll be pretty safe.

First, the tear down started easily until the removal of the oil tank. Stripping off a Model 7 oiltank requires the removal of a screw buried behind the battery carrier. The only problem is that the bolts for the battery carrier are behind the oil tank. Needless to say, a few contortions later and I got the tank off without having to take off the battery carrier.

I did a test run with a length of wire coat hanger and cut the feed line at approximately the point I wanted the clear tubing to be situated. The hacksaw is a british item that stabilizes the blade via a springloaded guided that minimizes wobble providing a nice clean cut. Get it at Garrett-Wade.

Considering that the tunbing is zinc coated copper, bending requires the use of  a tubing bender to avoid putting a kink in the line. The bends were compound ones requiring bends in multiple axes. The tubing bender is available at Eastwood Company here in the USA

After some deburring and polishing I ended with this.

The final product fits very well although the picture above is one step shy of completion. Thinking I was done, I am now taking the opportunity of easy access to the gearbox adjuster now that the oil tank is removed to do a much needed clutch/primary drive overhaul. Stay tuned for that adventure. 

Friday's Pin-up

John Surtees and Vincent Grey Flash 1951

Pretty Pics

I have a thing for art and really have a thing for motorsports related art. There's something about capturing the essence of form and function that I truly appreciate whether it be by sculpture, painting, drawing, or photography. If you dig the details of vintage motor vehicles  including some wonderful bikes then click above for a real treat. You can than Working Class Customs for bringing this to my attention

Bobbed 1951 Model 7

I was going through my usual list of blogs that I follow when I came across a Model 7 Bobber featured on LE CONTAINER, which incidentally is a great blog featuring some wonderful photography. It is definitely worth a visit. I had first seen the bike on the Jockey Journal forum and thought it to be pretty striking. It is definitely not a motorcycle for most purists but it had me thinking a bit.

1951 Plunger Framed Norton Model 7 Bobber

The idea of bobbing my bike has passed through my head a few times even before seeing this picture. The natural stance of the 1951 Model 7 makes for a great bobber platform and from a practical standpoint eliminates the search for rare tinware. The rear plungers on this bike work well as all to often plungers seem to detract from the minimalist aesthetic at the core of the bobber style. The difficult part with this particular bike is achieving balance as the oilbag and tool box are side mounted on the right. Looking closely at the frame, it is evident that it would be a major engineeering effort to centralize the oilbag and still have sufficient capacity. Overall, I think this a sharp looking scoot.

Friday's Pinup

Sammy Miller in 1957 riding a Mondial 125cc

Do you like adventure?

Dumb question. Motorcycling is all about adventure! Who hasn't thought of riding the Panamerican Highway or some equivalent? But some actually do it and do it in a big way.We are all familiar with McGregor and Boorman taking the "Long Way Round". Definitely a series I enjoyed watching. But what if you and your buddy decided to quit your jobs and circumnavigate the globe on 70 year old Nimbus motorcycles and document the whole journey from rebuilding the bikes to the travels over the next 2 years. Well, you would get this:

The reference to Croesus  in King Croesus' Contempt for Death or KCCD is a complicated one which required some research on my part. The best explanation that I could draw from the Wikipedia refers to the fickle nature of one's fortune which is a natural and essential component to any good adventure. Their itinerary is an ambitious one that does a bit more than circumnavigate the globe:

I haven't read through the whole adventure yet but the blog is fantastic. It offers great technical detail, fabulous photography, and superb humor from two of the ballsiest Norsemen around. Check them out here and support their adventure!

Friday's Pin-up

Salute to All Military Men and Women

Flag over the 10th Combat Support Hospital

A bit of recognition to all those soldiers, airmen, and sailors willing to lay it on the line and God Speed to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

All work and no play........

.....doth  a dull boy make. My posts definitely reflect that my attention has been diverted elsehwere. Well, I am finally on vacation and now that I am done taking my certification exams on this:

Drank a couple of these:

brewed close by at the Spoetzl Brewery

in Shiner,Texas

I can now get back to this:

Stay tuned for some good stuff!!!!!!!

Friday's Pin-up and an explanation

Well everybody, I apologize for being short on content here lately but Monday is my big exam for certification in Transesophageal Echocardiography and I have been studying like crazy. My scoot looks forlorn in the corner of the garage waiting to be put back together. I have some good posts planned so stick with me. Vacation starts Monday afternoon. Enjoy the pin-up.

Nice AJS Racer