Norton / Amal carburetor spacers project

I've been working on this project for a good long time now, and it's finally starting to pick up the pace. My goal, was actually to find some original longer carburetor spacers like the Norton Works Dept, used on the Domiracer and the Daytona race bikes, but they simply aren't available. I've been lucky enough to see some in person, but they were mounted to an original machine. All others, have only been seen in photos. So I've decided to make some of my own, and with the help of my good friend Chris Wire, the crew at Real Art were able to take the flat digital template that I designed, and extrude it, in order to make this 3D printed positive. I've taken a lot of time to clean up the lines on the shape, and matched it up to an Amal monobloc carburetor flange.

I've designed them with my Solo Motorcycle Works logo to be inset into just one side of the casting. That way, they can be turned in and faced down, should I not want to see the logo. That would give a traditional look, but still allow all the benefits of the longer inlet tract.

Here's a photo of my prototype spacer, along with actual original spacers that can sometimes be found. This will give a comparison to the difference in length.

At the forefront of the photo, the thinnest spacer, with the balance pipe, is a stock Norton piece. Behind that, is another stock Norton piece, normally found on Atlas and Dominator machines. The finned spacer, is a Dunstall item, and to the right of that, is an original Devimead spacer, which was a popular aftermarket item for BSAs. In the very back, is my 3D printed prototype.

I'll produce them to be a straight fit, with stud holes at 2" apart on center. The center bore will be 1 1/8" and the thickness of the spacer overall is 2 1/8". 

For additional reference, here's a detail photo of the original spacers on the 1962 Daytona Dominator.

And the Domiracer.

My plan is to source studs at the correct length, and sell the spacers, longer studs and nuts, as a complete bolt on kit. I'll likely offer them for sale in bare cast finish, as per original, as well as polished, and polished with the inlay painted.

Another nice bonus is that once finished, they can be milled down should they be slightly longer than needed. Anyone interested, should consider the spacing on their particular machine. For instance, a featherbed machine, with the stock battery box and oil tank, will not allow enough room to make use of these longer inlet tract spacers. You'd need a central oil tank, or some other modified set up. They should work great on a Commando, Triumph and BSA.

Finished cost for a set of the spacers, is unclear at this point, and will basically depend on the mold cost and tooling, plus the cost of the studs. I'm not exactly taking orders yet, but if you're interested, please send me an email, as it'll help me to gauge overall interest, and guesstimate quantities with the foundry. I'll only make a small batch of these, and selling them is intended to allow other enthusiasts a chance to get them and offset part of my cost. I'll be having these produced by a foundry and professionally machined, so it's not some sort of back yard operation. Also worth noting is that these will be produced in the USA. With the extent that I'm taking this project, my final goal is to have them made properly. So if you've got any interest, please email me at works.moto@gmail.com

Chasing the Ghost

It’s been a little over five years since I took a pretty big chance, and sent a large sum of money to a perfect stranger, an ocean away, to purchase an original, new old stock, Ray Petty roadster frame kit. It’s the sort of motorbike, that you have to be pretty far down the rabbit hole, to even know exists. One of only a dozen frame kits made, in 1969, by the legendary racer, become tuner, and it’s truly a work of art. The frame kit includes a high tensile steel tubing lowboy frame, alloy petrol tank, alloy oil tank, nickel plated swingarm, nickel plated cross brace and nickel plated foot controls. Originally, it would have come with Girling shocks, but those were missing from this one. The tanks are hand hammered units, made by Lyta, baffled internally and feature Enots flip up caps, and were an option at the time. Petty produced these frame kits and intended to sell them to customers wanting the advantages of his Manx Norton, but for use on the road. The kit is identical to his very successful Manx racers, but has additional tubing on both sides, to mount the exhaust of a twin motor, and were to built up with a customers Norton, Triumph, BSA or Velocette motor. He built just one machine, which was unveiled at the motorcycle show in 1969, powered by a Triumph Bonneville motor and earning an article in the December issue of Motorcycle News the following year.

1970 Motorcycle News article

The original sales brochure for the Ray Petty frame kit

Petty didn't pursue these kits much further, and went back to focusing on his racing efforts. It's unclear if he completed any other roadsters, or where the remaining frame kits are these days. Which is just the sort of hurdle that makes it difficult to build a bike like this. Quite simply, there just isn't much information to be found, or too many people that know much about it. Ray passed away in the 1980's, and my dream is, to complete this machine, in his honor and as close to his original vision as possible. I'll be using a Norton power plant, but building it to match up nearly identical to machine No. 001.

Progress on the build, varies from time to time and is mostly dependent on locating difficult to find parts and having the money to afford them. Like most people, I earn a modest living and work a 9-5 job, so spare cash comes second in line to the obligations of living a normal life. But these old bikes are worth it, and I put every spare dollar I have into them. It somehow feels rewarding and important. There's a value in old motorbikes thats far greater than what they cost. It's satisfying to coax something back to life with your own hands. It's a fairly cliche notion, that feels shallow to say out loud, but it's still worth saying. 

The day it arrived from the UK

A couple of photos of current progress

I'm only sharing a few basic photos, as this post isn't a complete journal of the build, and its not nearly done yet. And while I've done a mountain of work already, there's still a long way to go. I've promised the previous owner of the frame kit, that once it's complete, I'll fly him over from the UK, to have a go at it. It's fitting that after many years of being the steward of it, he get the opportunity to enjoy it as well. We've become friends over the years and been able to help each other out with various projects and acquiring parts. 

My biggest saving grace with this project, is that I've been around old Norton's for a long time now, and built a few of them for myself, so I'm confident in building most of the bits. Some of the biggest challenges, are getting the engine to sit properly in the frame. My kit, came with engine plates to mount a Commando motor, which leans forward, but since I'm using a 650ss Dominator motor, it sits vertically in the frame, so I'm having to fabricate engine plates from scratch. It's a real trial and error task, but I'm nearly finished with it. Once that happens, there's a lot of other things that can be mocked into place, and some significant progress to be had.

Over the years, I've managed to obtain nearly all the right parts for this project and even some genuine Ray Petty parts, like his PGT gearbox. I'd still love to find some more of the things he produced, like an original seat unit and one of his lower fork yokes. If anyone out there has any of these parts, please contact me. Additionally, if you've got any information or old photos of these bikes, I'd truly appreciate seeing those as well.

Projects like these, aren't just about turning wrenches, and they entail a lot of research and digging thru old magazines, brochures and having conversations with as many people in the world that might have some knowledge of it. Studying photos from different angles, to figure out just how every bracket was made, or what sort of adjusters were used. It's like unravelling the history of something that wasn't intended to be a secret, but obscurely became one. Like chasing the ghost...

Special thanks to my dear friend, Rob Collins for the photos. 

Norton Atlas - Solo Motorcycle Works

Fall here in New England, seemed like a good time to get my good friend Rob, out to shoot some photos on the Norton. Not much to really say, but the photos turned out nice enough that I thought I'd share them here.

 

A Single Moment in Time - Cammy Norton

This photo pretty much sums up the emotion I was feeling during all of Wheels & Waves California, and especially the moment that I got the opportunity to ride a genuine original Overhead Cam Norton.

Chris always recognizes these moments and what they mean to me

The 1948 / 49 Norton International pictured here, belongs to Alan Stulberg, from Revival Cycles out of Austin Texas, and was saved from a barn, somewhere in Texas. I'll fully admit that even before going to Wheels & Waves, I knew that the crew from Revival, would be there, and I hoped that they'd be bringing the International, so I'd get the chance to see it. I'll also admit that I had talked for several days about how I hoped I'd have a chance to meet Alan and see this fine machine up close and personal. And secretly, in my head, I thought that maybe, just maybe, after the three day event, I might somehow be able to talk Alan into letting me take it for a short ride. A boy can dream.

I had followed along, with the rest of the world, when Alan had first fired the machine back to life, after a long stretch of it laying dormant. This particular Inter, is a true hot rod, built up in the period, and likely very close to Manx spec. It's got a high compression piston and some magnesium bits, including the cam box and bevel tower housing. It's got stripped down fenders and plenty of neat little bits that are impossible to replicate, if built today.

Day One of Wheels & Waves, and we ride out to the flat track races at Santa Maria Raceway, and it didn't take long for me to spot the Inter. There it was, sitting on it's center stand, amongst the other fine machinery that Revival had brought with them. I was fixated on the Norton, and I as knelt down, visually pouring over every detail, Alan walks up to greet me, and was more than happy to discuss the details. It was instantly obvious, that the importance and rarity of this machine, wasn't lost on him. It was apparent, from the first words he spoke, that he's a true enthusiast as well. He talked about how he came to own the machine, and the process of going over it and firing it up for the first time. Our conversation, was rapid fire. Him talking, me asking, and I wasn't sure if I was more happy to see it, or if he was more happy to tell me about it. Either way, it was less than a minute of seeing the bike and meeting Alan, and he asks "you want to ride it?" During the split second that followed, I was both shocked and elated, but I think I said yes, before he even finished the question.

Alan kicks the beast to life

Originally, I said I'd just take it around the dirt lot, but Alan insisted that I get it out onto the road, so off I went, for a total of three stretches up and down the road adjacent to the track. What a glorious machine that simply wants to go. Like any Norton, it's happiest being wound up a bit and likes a decent bit of throttle. The sound is amazing, the power is dead smooth and its got heaps of compression. The exposed hairpin valve springs, working away and just oozing cool, as well as a bit of oil spray as expected. For a garden gate frame, it handled better than I would have thought and the riding position is much tighter and racier than expected. Everything just feels like it's in the right place, and for those ten minutes or so, everything was just right in my world.

I was responsible about the adventure, and rode the machine as if it was mine. Not getting too aggressive and not staying out too long with it. I was truly happy to have this once in lifetime opportunity; one that I had dreamt about for as long as I can remember. 

When I returned, I thanked Alan for his kindness and letting me share in the glory. I commented to him that it was pretty amazing that even though he didn't know me, he'd still let me ride it. His response was perfect: "if you know what it is, then surely you can ride it".

So there it is. The culminating point of a lifelong goal, to ride a cammy Norton. And it all happened in such a whirlwind experience, during the amazing event, that is Wheels & Waves, and all shared with a group of true friends from Iron & Air. I honestly don't think it could have been any better. And while I've always longed to one day own an overhead cam single for myself, now it simply must happen. Somehow, someway...

All photos: Gregory Moore

Alan, if you're reading this, Thank You! You're the man, and I truly can't express my gratitude enough.

And a huge thanks to Vincent and Paul from Wheels & Waves, as well as Chris, Adam, Greg, Dan & Scott from Iron & Air

Brixton - Visual Relay

I've worn all sorts of Brixton clothing over the years, and quite simply, I've always loved the things they design and produce. So it was pretty humbling to get the call about working on a project with them, for their website. They have an ongoing series, entitled Visual Relay, which highlights all sorts of different people, working in their studio, garage or workshop. Basically, doing what they do, in their own space
My good friend Rob Collins, came up to shoot the whole thing, and he truly has a way for capturing things on camera, which I don't always see with my own eyes. So it was just a regular day in the garage, tuning up the Atlas, in preparation for the Spring riding season. Click HERE for the full photo set on the Brixton site.

Team Obsolete

It seems that I start many of my postings here, with some sort of apology for it being a while since my previous post. I'll admit that there are websites that I visit, which don't get updated that often, and I'm frustrated by that. Not because I'm angry, but because I'm hungry for good content, compelling stories and inspiring photos. I follow a few people / websites because I find that the things they do with motorbikes, are intriguing to me. I'm always hopeful and forever looking forward to each new post. I'll reflect that same mentality back upon myself, and vow to do a better job in keeping up with fresh material, here in this space. That can be a difficult task at times, because, to be honest, there's not always something great to write about. It takes something special to stir me into putting my thoughts out into the motorcycle ethos, which is already full of white noise. So, while I'll try harder to post more often, I'll also be selective in the material, as to not bore anyone with mundane news.
On a side note, you can also follow along on Instagram, should you choose: @solomotorcycleworks

Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get to it. Team Obsolete...
If you haven't heard of them, I'll take this time to welcome you to what is apparently your first day on the planet. Welcome to Earth. Or at least, welcome to vintage motorcycling and a celebration of those who preserve the importance of it's history.

Each year, Team Obsolete hosts a Holiday Party, which is by invite only and quite top secret. As it should be of course. It's honestly a sort of mythical event, which I only hear about each year, after the event has passed, and those that were in attendance, start to share and circulate stories. I wait, with baited breath each December to hear and see, little snippets of photos from what is obviously a shrine to all things which I hold dear and only dream about. The sort of place that I think about in the hours that it takes me to fall asleep each night. Glorious old racing motorcycles in their original, as raced condition. Cared for, preserved, raced, repaired - repeat. How can such a place exist? How can such a small handful of people, have acquired and saved so many historic and important machines? A complex question, with such a simple answer; because they did, because they do.

Before I get too far down my philosophical rabbit hole, lets get back to the Holiday Party. By some stroke of luck, I was invited this year. Yep, me. Can you believe it? Neither could I. But before I started asking why, I decided that I'd just simply enjoy it. I'd seize the chance to attend and push plans aside and rearrange things, to make this happen. And then life happened. As it always does. A personal tragedy and the loss of my very best friend, required that I attend a memorial in California. And as much as the Team Obsolete collection, has drawn my attention for longer than I can recall, my only thoughts, were with my friend and his family, and I wanted and needed to be there. To celebrate his life, and mourn the loss of someone that is unexplainably important to me. And while this certainly isn't the forum to discuss such a thing, it just speaks to the fact that we're all only here for a short time. I thought about it; what would he want me to do? That's an easy question to ask yourself, but a much more difficult one to act upon. So I did what he'd do. What he'd want me to do. And I decided that I'd do both. I'd take pause and be there for him and his family, but I'd also do something for myself, which I had always wanted to do. So I flew from Boston, to California and joined in the celebration of his life. A life well lived. After just 25 hours in California, I hopped a red eye flight back to Boston and then drove straight to New York for the Holiday Party. This was all shaping up to be one Hell of a story. Just as all good things in life, tend to do.

Upon arrival at a very non descript building in New York, I was greeted by a simple sign, printed on a sheet of paper. It read, "If you're here for the Team Obsolete party, call this number XXX-XXX-XXX". So I called the number, announced myself and waited. Standing there, on this random street in New York, where everything and everyone, can be completely anonymous, I was anxious. Taken back by the fact that this building, housed such great treasures. It's like a million other buildings in New York. They're just buildings. Nothing special about them, right? Well, normally that is the answer, but not in this case. A cold night, December, New York city, and the dull, creaking noise of a freight elevator slowing approaching me. The door opens from the center and with all mood setting techniques, is lit only by the glow of a heat lamp. I'm welcomed inside and and up we start upward. It was only a few floors, but certainly the slowest elevator ride I've ever taken. Partly due to my nervous anxiety and partly due to the fact that the elevator was older than the motorbikes I was about to see. And then, after all that, the door opens to a bustling group of people, all circling round a well lit and perfectly displayed collection of motorcycles. Pure glory...

Thank you for hanging in there so far, and reading these words. I hope you enjoy the photos:

Giacomo Agostini raced this fine machine:

Peg board, cluttered with treasures:

Honda RC165:

A Matchless G50 roller, that also had a tail light:

This is a terrible, zoomed in photo of a very special Manx Norton tank. It's housed on this shelf, way up in the rafters. I simply must have it. It needs a real life, back on a featherbed framed Norton, and not on this shelf.

A machine that I never even knew existed. Built by John Surtees, but sold to the Arter brothers due to a conflict that made it so Surtees couldn't campaign it. Raced by Peter Williams. Does it get any better than that?:

Spare G50 motor on display:

Details - While most in attendance, socialized, ate and drank, I was that guy on the floor, studying every detail and snapping these photos. So many neat details, like the yellow nylon covered clutch cable:

The 3 Arter Matchless':

 Three Matchless G50's that were all ridden by Dick Mann:

The very machine that Dave Roper raced to 1st place at the Isle of Man:

Hand painted stripes on the G50 petrol tank:

If you look close, you'll see that this Amal matchbox float, was cast, and the boss for the fuel line outlet on this side, was never machined. Obviously, it was made only for a single cylinder machine with the need for only one carburetor:

Cooling fins:

I'd like to wrap up this post by expressing my gratitude and thanks to Team Obsolete for their generous invitation. I'll certainly never forget this evening. And I'd be remiss if I didn't also say Thank You for everything that you've done to preserve all these important and glorious machines. The world of motorcycles, needs more people like you.