Running In

The bike has been running well, and I've been engaged in the "running in" process. I've been following the procedure in the original owner's manual, which advices not lugging the engine and not using more than 1/3 throttle for the first 500 miles. After that you can start gradually increasing the load and throttle over the next 500 miles.

I also retorqued the head and adjusted the valves after the first heat cycle, and changed the oil at the 200 mile point, which I reached this weekend.

The only issue so far is keeping the motor mount bolts tight. They've been loosening fairly quickly, which I'm told is common when the frame is repainted or powder coated.

Next weekend's club ride will be the reborn bike's debut!

Leaks fixed!

I solved my leakage problems today and enjoyed a pleasant twilight ride on my nice new bike. It was a perfect evening for riding, very nice.

A different set of float bowl gaskets took care of the carb leaks. The oil leak was more difficult because the oil goes all over and it's hard to tell where the origin is. I eventually traced it to the rocker spindle plate for the left exhaust valve. As I'm sure you all know, the plate is actually a "sandwich" of two plates, with a gasket for each. It turned out that the outer plate was bowed, forming a gap that let the oil just come squirting out all over the place. I fixed it by replacing the bad set with another one from a spare head that I happen to have on the shelf. The parts were used but in good condition. No more leak!

The front brake still needs some attention but it has improved with use. I think a new set of pads would be worth a try also.

Snortin!

I'm happy to report that once again I have a Snortin Norton! I finished off the final assembly tonight, added gas and oil, and three kicks later - woohoo!

Overall, everything is working and it sounds and feels pretty healthy. There are some issues though - the carbs are leaking pretty badly at the float bowl gaskets, there's a pretty substantial oil leak somewhere on the cylinder head, and that trick new front brake is not working all that well (old glazed pads maybe?) So, I have to fix those problems before I can start actually riding the bike. Pretty encouraging though!

Tomorrow's the big day!

I didn't quite get it done this weekend. I just ran out of time and had to ride another bike to the club meet.

But tonight I did finish it! Suddenly, it's all done. The bike is all back together again. The job started in August of last year, ten months ago. It's been a long hard road since then. I've struggled a lot, and I've learned a lot. And now, suddenly, I have a Norton Commando motorcycle again, not a pile of parts. Wow!

Tomorrow's work list: install gas tank, add gas and oil, kick. What will happen? Stay tuned...

The Final Push

I've been working on the bike all week, trying to get it ready for the club ride tomorrow. I'm getting really close, but the final few things are by far the most difficult. All the previously-installed parts start getting in the way, so the assembly work keeps getting harder and harder. And it's hot out there now so working on the bike is very tiring. But it's almost there!

I think I'll have it finished off sometime tomorrow morning. Then it'll be time to put some gas in the tank, turn on the ignition, tickle the carbs, and cross my fingers! The club meeting is in the afternoon, so I just might make it...