Getting there...

Although there's still a long way to go, progress continues on the drum brake front end for the Norton Atlas. This original vented hub will be mated to the John Tickle brake plate which has already been restored and waiting ever so patiently for it's day in the sun.

The hub was featured in a previous "On The Bench" post, and has certainly come a long way since then. Bearings removed, fully degreased, scrubbed and then it's face polished. New bearings will be on order soon, and then mated to a Borrani rim with new spokes. The whole set up will then be sent west to have the drum skimmed and new brake pads installed and cut to size.

There's a lot of little bits that go into the front end set up being changed. An NOS set of fork lowers go along with the kit, and the forks will be treated to a full rebuild. Then there's the change of the clip ons and levers, as well as a custom brake cable. I'll be swapping the brake light switch back to the original, which operates off the rear brake pedal. Some fine tuning to match it with the rear sets, and of course running new wires.

All in all, it doesn't sound like much, but when you add up each and every little thing that goes into it, the list gets long and the cost climbs quickly. Like anyone, my progress is often limited to my bank account, rather than by my motivation to turn a wrench. But winter has more or less set in, so riding time is basically non existent.

The rear brake will get new pads as well, and fully cleaned and rebuilt. If running just drum brakes, I figure I better make sure they're in top shape, and it's been several years and many miles since some of these things have had their service. And while they all still function as they should, it's good routine maintenance.

Once all the pieces are here, I'm guessing the whole thing can be done in an afternoon. Take that time frame, and double it twice, and that's usually about how it goes. Either way, time is sort of on my side, and come Spring time it'll definitely all be ready.