Among several new items that I’ve ordered (but haven’t received yet), I did receive the new Amal carburetors. They’re identical to the ones the Norton currently has (Amal 932 with 230 main jet). Since a while, when the engine warms up, it starts running idle faster and faster and I figured it would be about time to replace them. Even if they wouldn’t have made that many kilometers, given their age, it wouldn’t hurt. Meanwhile though, I did figure out how to set the idle speed, which now returned back to normal on a hot engine, still using the current, old Amal carburetors.


The two new Amal 932’s from trialsbits.co.uk

Though it appears that many others prefer replacement carbs like the Mikuni, I like to keep the original aspect of the bike. I’ve found a pair of Amal carbs at trialsbits.co.uk and was surprised by their fast and friendly help to any questions. Luckely the Amal carbs were shipped with a clear instruction on how to tune them and how to synchronise them when used in pairs on a british twin. I already bought a depressionmeter device, I should be able to figure it out (I hope).
As soon as weather gets a bit better, I would like to replace first the headlight reflector, then I’ll start on the carbs.
With the Amal carburetors, I purchased at the same time an Amal jet key; maybe not for right now, but I didn’t forget yet that a while back the main jet of the left carburetor fell out. Back then, I put it back in, but didn’t have the actual right tool to tighten it. Now I do, an other tool to complete the toolbox.

An other good deed done, the Norton is now fitted with brandnew Girling shocks from Paul Goff. First I was scared that the old ones would be hard to remove but after all, in not even 30 minutes time they were changed. They fit perfectly, the exact same size.

New Girling 12.9″ shocks (Hagon replicas) for the Norton

While I was at it, I also removed the battery to charge it. I guess the electrical system still works well; it was charging for about 5 minutes and already stopped, it just didn’t need more which should indicate that the battery was still charged enough.  After that, of course a test; they work good, the Girlings, but they’re “softer” than the old Koni’s. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as I’m mostly driving around town and not speeding the Norton.

I’ve received them today; the new rear shocks for the Norton Commando. Though of course the original ones aren’t made anymore, there is an exact to the identical Girling replica. Some may say that nowdays shocks are more avanced; they are progressive, gas damping adjustable, ..
Yes, true perhaps, but then they won’t have the same look as “original” and I would like to keep the Norton as original as possible.

Girling replica shocks for Norton Commando

It would be possible to use more advanced equipement like better brakes, more reliable ignition, more reliable carburators, .. But as I’m not using the Norton for every-day-trafic anyway, I just prefer to keep the original aspects.

I’ve also ordered a new headlight (Lucas 7″) and rim as well as indicators (Lucas 5″ stalks). Soon I’ll take the Norton to Machines & Moteurs for some work. I also took the Norton out for a ride 4th of January; weather was dry though near freezing, but my wife gave me for Christmas a thermo underwear combination. It is amazing, it was really as if it wasn’t cold at all, though my fingers started to freeze in my handgloves.