Author Topic: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......  (Read 2552 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline nickjtc

  • I was numero dieci
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,210
  • Yamaha XT500 'Gromit'
So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« on: June 01, 2007, 10:25:27 PM »
.....this is what you have to get to, to replace the isolastic mountings on a Norton Commando. And I'm not there yet! The good news is that it all comes apart really nicely. The bad news is the eclectic collection of wrenches you need for the different kinds of nuts and bolts holding everything together!
Nick J. Member #3247

2008 Triumph Tiger 1050
1977 Suzuki GS750

"That which does not kill us reminds us to wear proper motorcycle clothing...."

Offline nickjtc

  • I was numero dieci
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,210
  • Yamaha XT500 'Gromit'
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2007, 10:28:38 PM »
The good news is that having the old girl stripped down to her undies means that I can do all of the other finicky jobs that need to be done, like replacing the bodged wiring, and putting on the later model spin-on oil filter kit.

Thank goodness Sophie is on the road so I can get some riding in between bouts of fettling!
Nick J. Member #3247

2008 Triumph Tiger 1050
1977 Suzuki GS750

"That which does not kill us reminds us to wear proper motorcycle clothing...."

Offline mrbreeze

  • Not your average
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,902
  • Shut up when you're talkin' to me!!
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2007, 10:42:47 PM »
I really think I would "KILL" to have that as a project Nick!!!! I truely love the Norton and would totally dig the hell out of building one up! Man....you think people come up and start reminising about their old Hondas???? Pull up on an old Norton or something as cool and you will be talking for hours!!!!
MEMBER # 257
Fool me once..shame on you. Fool me twice..I'm kickin' your a$$......

Offline nickjtc

  • I was numero dieci
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,210
  • Yamaha XT500 'Gromit'
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2007, 10:53:32 PM »
Man....you think people come up and start reminising about their old Hondas???? Pull up on an old Norton or something as cool and you will be talking for hours!!!!

After I got her I rode for a couple of hundred miles, just to get a taste. Whenever I went out I had to allow twice the usual time to get to where I was going (no snickers, please, it had nothing to do with reliability) because every time I stopped someone would walk up (usually a GHOF like me) and start reminiscing.

But having said that I do get a lot of flattering comments about Sophie too, including a "Nice bike!!" from a little chickie enjoying an iced coffee beverage at a local Starbucks, as I rode by. Good job I had the full face helmet on, otherwise the comment might have been less favourable!
Nick J. Member #3247

2008 Triumph Tiger 1050
1977 Suzuki GS750

"That which does not kill us reminds us to wear proper motorcycle clothing...."

Offline mrbreeze

  • Not your average
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,902
  • Shut up when you're talkin' to me!!
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2007, 10:58:21 PM »
So......who spelt remiscing right ........you.....or me????? I think you did!!!! (I was having trouble with that word!!!!)........Old age!!!...ya know??
MEMBER # 257
Fool me once..shame on you. Fool me twice..I'm kickin' your a$$......

Offline nickjtc

  • I was numero dieci
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,210
  • Yamaha XT500 'Gromit'
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2007, 12:06:54 AM »
Old age!!!...ya know??

As I have noted before, you're only as old as the woman you feel.
Nick J. Member #3247

2008 Triumph Tiger 1050
1977 Suzuki GS750

"That which does not kill us reminds us to wear proper motorcycle clothing...."

Offline crazypj

  • I'm brill, me
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,467
  • first 100,000 miles. 1977 CB550F
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2007, 09:56:48 AM »
You don't change them, you hit them with a huge wooden mallet to adjust them ;D ( just like the race team did) ;D ;D
PJ
I fake being smart pretty good
'you can take my word for it or argue until you find out I'm right'

Offline Tim.

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,945
  • www.DOTHETON.com
    • DO THE TON
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2007, 01:45:24 PM »
Man I feel dumb - what on earth are isolastic mountings anyhow?  Sounds like something off the space shuttle.
Roule comme dans les annĂ©es 70...   Roll as in the Seventies...

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,044
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2007, 03:13:21 AM »
Why do you think the name in most workshops got changed to Notrun Catastrophy!
Isolastics is Nortons way of isolating the engine vibration from the rider by mounting it in rubber--the later veryneer adjuster types were better, only took 1/2 a day to adjust!

Think of this:-
Take 1 well handling chassis ( featherbed)

Cut into sections

Bolt swing arm to engine

Tie back together using elastic bands

Convince everybody its an engieering marvel, cures all ills (including cancer) AND OF COURSE IT HANDLES YOU MUST BE DOING IT WRONG

Or am I being cynical?

Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline WJL75

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 297
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2007, 01:44:08 PM »
A Norton Commando is still my dream bike.  Despite the warnings from PO's, I still feel the need to own the bike that first made me want to ride a motorcycle.  A classic design with flawed gaskets...what more could one want?
wjl75

1976 CB550K Cafe

Offline SteveD CB500F

  • Global Moderator
  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,553
  • Ride on the Steel Breeze...
    • TVAM
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #10 on: June 06, 2007, 01:20:46 AM »
Great as a Sunday rider.

I wouldn't want to have to ride one to work every day though.  (I didn't in the 70's either which is why I ended up with a 500/4...  the rest is history.)
SOHC4 Member #2393
2015 Tiger 800 XRT
1971 CB500K0 (US Model)

Offline SteveD CB500F

  • Global Moderator
  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,553
  • Ride on the Steel Breeze...
    • TVAM
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #11 on: June 06, 2007, 01:23:17 AM »
the eclectic collection of wrenches you need for the different kinds of nuts and bolts holding everything together!

Sorry to come to this thread late but...

you mean British Standard Whitworth (a great loss to the world of engineering)
SOHC4 Member #2393
2015 Tiger 800 XRT
1971 CB500K0 (US Model)

Offline CrisPDuk

  • Christ on a bike! Me, an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,115
  • Oh happy day! 3rd December 2005
Re: So you think a sohc is 'fun' to work on......
« Reply #12 on: June 06, 2007, 03:11:00 AM »
You think you've got it bad Nick, try changing the engine mounts on a '73 BMC Mini (my stepson's), whilst keeping the skin on your knuckles intact >:(

It only takes an hour or two of working no some old British piece of sh!t (sorry, engineering marvel) to realise why our motorcycle and automobile industries died off ::)


Having said all that though, nothing gets the pulse going like the sight and sound of a nicely fettled British Twin being used in the correct manner 8) and I'd quite happily accept your current woes if the pay-off was having that beauty occupying garage space ;D
Education: Elitist activity. Cost ineffective. Unpopular with Grey Suits. Now largely replaced by Training."


1978 CB550 K3
1985 H100S