Topic: Picked up a snortin' Norton - '66 N15CS

[gpzkat]

I just scored a $150 '66 Norton N15CS, which is a scrambler or desert sled type beast.  It's pretty complete and #s matching, still taking inventory on the parts pile and will start cleaning, bagging, tagging.  Engine is disassembled, has Mikunis not Amals.  Some extra parts from Norton and possibly other British bikes are in the pile, not too terrible shape.

It's in need of complete restoration and I'm not sure I've got the wherewithal to see this one through, but will see.  It is a 'hybrid' model, a Matchless frame with Norton Atlas 750 motor.   The guy had a very nice custom paint job on the oil and gas tank, but the other side cover is missing.   Here is a pic of the paintwork, it's all done by hand, no decals, and is signed underneath by the painter - a friend of the sellers who was out of work some time back did the job.  Normally there would be a badge on the tank and different striping, but this is pretty cool regardless, here's a pic:

[754]

150 bux.. great stuff..

[BeSeeingYou]

At least it wasn’t free. The only thing more expensive than a cheap bike is a free bike.   Humor aside that is a nice score.....hope you can see it through.

[gpzkat]

Yep. Hey all it needs is tires, chain, sprockets, brake pads, shocks, rebuilding of engine, carbs and fork with new gaskets and parts, instrument restoration, plus cables, battery, and the odd rubber, electric, and mechanical pieces that are super easy and cheap to find.  Then a bit of cleaning and polishing, assembling and dinking around with little issues. It practically builds itself 

At least it wasn’t free. The only thing more expensive than a cheap bike is a free bike.   Humor aside that is a nice score.....hope you can see it through.

[scunny]

It all sounds simple 
Best thing to do with a project is to move in small steps, try to get something done each week, even if it's just sorting nuts and bolts and cleaning them up. All good things take time, don't try and do it all at once, the fire soon goes out. good luck

[gpzkat]

Absolutely. Right now I'm focused on the '73 CB750, I have all the bits now and just need to paint the frame, put top end back together with new rings and gaskets, etc, and assemble.  I also got a '94 Yamaha XT350 for my son and thankfully it just needed tires, chain and sprockets, so it's just about ready.  So the Norton will be longer term but it's calling me.  I'm up to 4 bikes and maybe will sell my Multistrada, even though it's fantastic I really like the old bikes more.

It all sounds simple 
Best thing to do with a project is to move in small steps, try to get something done each week, even if it's just sorting nuts and bolts and cleaning them up. All good things take time, don't try and do it all at once, the fire soon goes out. good luck

[BPellerine]

those bikes are really nice and fairly rare,I had the csr version with bigger tank and more of a cafe stance,the tool box cover might be hard to find

[gpzkat]

I read they built 2500, can't be that many left.  Like the CSR, always been a fan of cafe style, though with its recent trendiness it's getting a bit overdone.

On the plus side I have some spare stuff I can sell, new Dunlop front rim, a 63 or so Royal Enfield Interceptor upper yoke/instrument housing combo, a set of cases and spare head.  Motor is not rare as it was used in many models, parts and knowledge readily available.  Parts will cost many times the $150 I spent though, if I have to get from specialists or Ebay.  I will try some swap meets.

On the minus side, no title so that's a hassle, needs lots of work and a few hard to find/expensive parts to get it running.  Will need to figure out frame bolts/fittings with seemingly no good diagrams available. Maybe best to part it out, take to swap meet but will see how energetic I am for another restoration after the Honda's done.  I do see reproduction tool box cover for $95.

those bikes are really nice and fairly rare,I had the csr version with bigger tank and more of a cafe stance,the tool box cover might be hard to find

[BPellerine]

if you do sell it,best to clean up what you have and sell it as a unit,the norton owners club has alot of info

[gpzkat]

Spent about an hour removing the timing and primary covers, pretty clean inside. The crank wouldn't rotate more than about 30 degrees but was easy to move for that limited amount.  I suspected the magneto might be the issue and was right, got that off and it spins freely. 

[BPellerine]

the bottom ends are pretty tough on these bikes,I have bought nortons in boxes and put them together without replacing much more than rings and valve seals and or guides and gaskets,ran strong

[jas67]

Yep. Hey all it needs is tires, chain, sprockets, brake pads, shocks, rebuilding of engine, carbs and fork with new gaskets and parts, instrument restoration, plus cables, battery, and the odd rubber, electric, and mechanical pieces that are super easy and cheap to find.  Then a bit of cleaning and polishing, assembling and dinking around with little issues. It practically builds itself 

At least it wasn’t free. The only thing more expensive than a cheap bike is a free bike.   Humor aside that is a nice score.....hope you can see it through.

Reminds me of the old phrase, "All it needs is...... EVERYTHING!"

Good deal though.   As @BeSeeingYou says, I hope you can see it through.

[gpzkat]

I got the forks apart, made a strap wrench to get the chrome shroud off the fork lowers.  Some heat and penetrating oil and technique solved it . No titile is my issue to consider, maybe it's a big deal, maybe not. I will just tinker with it and research what it will take to resurrect.  One little bit at a time is fun to do.

I find that the aluminum on the Norton cleans up easily vs. Japanese bikes. Seems the discoloration and pitting is easier to remove - though I'm always improving my skills so that may be part of it.  It seems softer and more pure if that makes sense.   A bit of orbital sanding with 220 took out gouges and then 400 wet sand, then finer grade has made the side covers look ready for the buffing wheel.  I really enjoy bringing stuff back to a nice condition.

I went to a Norton site and added what I thought I needed to the cart, and only got up to about $500, not too bad.  I don't want to sink in more than I can get back. On the other hand, if I just like it and think it's a cool bike to make right, I won't worry about a few hundred bucks. 

My CB750 is calling though so this is back burner stuff.

[gpzkat]

Pretty cool discovery - I located the original painter's page on FB (Designs in Lines' and on his personal page he'd posted a pic of the oil tank he'd done in '94.  It was signed with his last name 'Bartee '94' so that made me able to find him.  He's only in the next county.   

He said he'd delivered the fuel tank years ago and didn't have a pic, but posted that 'due to unforeseen events' ($ ?) he had just delivered the oil tank.  That post was just 2 days before I bought the Norton so I guess the PO was tying up loose ends and moving (out of state).   Now I know who to have paint the left sidecover I need to source.  And maybe my CB - he does amazing work, all hand striped.   I reached out to him and sent a pic of the tanks together after a long separation.

[gpzkat]

Well with a couple of non bike related delays (RIP dad!) I have gotten back to the Norton.  By the #'s I think it may be a '67 - what a year!

Crank and cylinder head are ready for assembly, really in good shape. Gearbox rebuilt.  Forks done today, all fresh inside.  I have nearly all the parts I need so it's assembly time.  The bike didn't have much wear, so I believe the 10K on the odometer - that's equivalent to 30K on a CB750 BTW.... ever hear of a sludge trap? Who needs oil filters anyway.

It had a drum brake but I swapped lowers to gain a disc brake. I'm using a Yamaha scooter master cylinder because it has the right bore size.  It's all gonna be fresh inside, every wear item is checked and replaced if needed.  Not stock but I like the way it's looking.  Here are some recent pics. Crank .010 under, NOS .040 pistons fitted to a fresh rebore. I had to deal with different years of cylinders that meant removing a 'spigot' to fit with the better cylinder head I had on hand, long story.

[Terry in Australia]

Looks fantastic mate, and 150 bucks, what a bargain! I'd love a bike like that, but they're big money here, for a running riding bike, it'd cost over $10K here. Sorry about your dad too.

[gpzkat]

Yeah thanks, it was a steal, but of course a couple thousand in parts to make it go.  My son found it a couple years ago, I'll be giving it to him. He's on his way to Melbourne with his mom on Monday.

Gearbox completed, all refreshed inside with bushings, bearings, seals and new sprocket. Very compact and they shift well but it's like a ship in a bottle to rebuild and you have to invent some tools.

[RAFster122s]

Sorry about your Dad.

[MauiK3]

Nice project, great photos.

[gpzkat]

Barrels painted, bottom and top ends done and engine ready for reassembly.  Love this stage of a project.

 

[Gurp]

Beautiful.

[Bankerdanny]

Absolutely. Right now I'm focused on the '73 CB750, I have all the bits now and just need to paint the frame, put top end back together with new rings and gaskets, etc, and assemble.  I also got a '94 Yamaha XT350 for my son and thankfully it just needed tires, chain and sprockets, so it's just about ready.  So the Norton will be longer term but it's calling me.  I'm up to 4 bikes and maybe will sell my Multistrada, even though it's fantastic I really like the old bikes more.

It all sounds simple 
Best thing to do with a project is to move in small steps, try to get something done each week, even if it's just sorting nuts and bolts and cleaning them up. All good things take time, don't try and do it all at once, the fire soon goes out. good luck

Sounds like the GoldWing I picked up a few weeks ago, definitely not a 2022 project.

[gpzkat]

Made progress on bike, got a new rear rim, waiting on the side cover, tool tray and battery mount which I will get next week then off to painter to match.

[Stev-o]

Gorgeous!  Seems this went together fairly well[?]

[gpzkat]

Thanks Stev-o, yah no dramas but the normal hiccups. The rear wheel has the speedo drive and those are tricky, I have the correct spacers but tightening the axle causes interference and it will not work that way.  I need to wire it up soon, just too much going on.  I'm really hoping the front brake is good, it's fairly equivalent to the CB750 single disc so I am not expecting miracles, but my ex '73 stopped well enough.  The trick is a smaller bore than the Lockheed stock MC.  The experts recommend 1/2" or so, and they can be sleeved, but since I didn't have one I fitted a Yamaha one.  That plus good quality pads and the new disc should help a lot.

Gorgeous!  Seems this went together fairly well[?]