Yesterday I made some minor reperations. While the first ones not specific Norton related, replaced the rubber band that holds the battery firmly in its place (as it was completely dried out and broken), cleaned the battery carrier plate and replaced the mainfuse holder, the oil leaks are perhaps more specific Norton related.
Some oil was leaking, or tearing rather, from both of the exhaust valve covers, making oil drop down on the hot cilinder and exhaust pipe (red circle). After cleaning both surfaces to remove some leftovers from previous joints, replaced them with a new joint
Same for the right exhaust valve cover (red circle)
An other place from where oil is leaking, is the RPM cable. But, from my understanding, it seems that most Norton Commandos suffer from this.
I’ve tried to insert a small o-ring washer, but to no luck (as the picture illustrates, oil is still passing through after a short ride). I’ll have to take it apart once more to see what is going on and how the leaking could be stopped. If someone has any ideas, they would be welcome.
Yesterday was a fine day, one of the first springtime sunny days that actually happened during the weekend and not during the week where one can only admire it from behind the windows of the office.
The Norton started pretty smooth, on the third kick or so, but lately a bit of white-blue smoke comes off the engine; the joints of the exhaust valves covers are leaking a bit of oil. As I’m not scared of some minor oil leaks, I’ll replace the joints next time, I took it out for a ride. 5 (five) times the engine died… But, I’m getting smarter; instead of pushing the bike back again, I first checked if it wasn’t something simple and easy to fix. After all, pushing the bike back would still be an option.
It paid off; as there was no electricity at all anymore, it had to be somewhere in one of the main circuits. By simply touching and moving the – wire of battery, the electrical circuit worked again. I had to repeat the same action 4 more times, but it got me home. First I thought that it was a bad wirecontact with the battery, but no, it appears that the fuseholder itself makes some bad contact. Oh well, I’ll replace it at the same time as the joints.
As yesterday the batteries of my camera were empty (bad excuse for the wife to go see the Norton again) and because she seems to start a lot easier now, I decided to clean and polish a bit today. I guess the new battery does a pretty good job, the engine started almost right away. I didn’t go far though as it started to rain so I only went to the gasstation to fill her up and back home.
The photos of the new handlebars (UK Roadster model) :
I guess it is maybe also just a personal choice, but I’m pretty happy with the new handlebars. I just “feel” the bike a lot better now.
The handlebars being a bit smaller than the US model, the cables and wires have at sudden quite some more slack but well, better too long than too short.
