Hot Rod Norton 880 long-term project

[grandpaul]

I traded e-mails with Kenny this afternoon, and it looks like he's got the monoshock rear end and the blue bodywork that were on the original prototype 952, he say's he'll sell them to me as soon as he reverse-engineers the monoshock setup as he no longer has the drawings and patterns.

I bought that rolling Kawasaki 636 chassis and found out I can slip that front end right onto my stock '74 Norton frame with a set of custom bearings and a bit of machining on the yoke stem. Piece o' cake!

This sucker is shaping up to be one heck of a special!

It will look quite similar to the photo of the Blue prototype except the fuel injection, and won't have the roller cam & rockers internally. Still undecided on the e-starter...

 

[CarlS]

Please keep us updated.

 

[grandpaul]

From Sept. 19th:

I had a guy meet me at the track in Albuquerque and bring me an 850 Mark III es engine and rear wheel with all the brake parts & footpegs. I'll be able to use the primary cases, transmission, rear brake gear and rear hub on the project. Not so sure about the electric starter yet, have to check out the possibilities with the belt drive that I already have.

Talked to Kenny for nearly an hour about issues surrounding use of the monoshock rear end, rear tire & carburation possibilities, and various other stuff.

The head, bodywork & swingarm should be arriving soon!

 

[grandpaul]

From Sept 29th-

Just received the "crown jewel" for my VR880 engine from Kenny - the head. It's a few pounds lighter than stock, has beefier valves with lightened hardware, and spigots to accept modern flat slide carbs.

Once I decide on connecting rods, I can start going together with it.

Also found a nearly new Tokico front brake master cylinder; so the Kwakky front end just needs the steering stem adapted to the Norton frame either by turning down the stem to fit OEM Norton sealed units, or a custom sized set of bearings.

Now waiting on the prototype monoshock rear and Blue bodywork from Dreer.

After that, there's not much left before it starts coming together except carbs, ignition, exhaust, and sorting out a final decision on which wheels to use or build.

 

[grandpaul]

From Oct 2nd-

After a long phone conversation with Kenny Dreer, more of the details are solidifying:

- I'll be using a vernier cam sprocket for ultimate cam timing on the Megacycle 560 cam

- Smith Bros. pushrods with OEM cam followers, re-cut to a 3" radius and Nitrided

- Ferrea 7mm valve lash caps with Coventry Spares radiused valve adjuster screws

- OEM late spec connecting rods, overcut big ends, polished and balanced on both ends

- 750 crank polished and dynamically balanced with billet flywheel

- Koyo maximum capacity 9-ball main bearings

- Kehin 35mm flat slide carbs

- Electric starter conversion on the belt drive clutch basket & inner primary cover

- 18" wire spoke wheels, front & rear

- Front forks installed with final fit to provide 4" trail

I'm thinking of arranging the logistics and scheduling to give the finished bike to myself for Christmas 2009.

Pix of the bodywork & monoshock rear end soon!

 

[grandpaul]

From Oct 3rd-

Hot Dawg. Here's pix of the bodywork and the exclusive hand-made pipes. I can't wait to mock this beastie up!

The tank is a fuel cell bladder with a glass shroud; the pinstriping didn't show in the prototype shots-

The tail / seat unit also houses a nifty tail light-

I hope the seat is more comfortable than the Corbin it's patterned after-

Nice sidecovers-

And the beautifully formed one-of-a-kind header pipes-

Something about the lines of those pipes on the prototype is what sent me over the top when I saw the first prototype pix on the 'web...

 

[grandpaul]

From Oct 25th-

Just got back a couple hundred pounds of Cad plated hardware,
it's shared between this project, a client's Norton, another client's
Triumph, and a bunch of old bits and bobs I rounded up from
around the shop to get as close to the minimum batch as possible.

Next, assembly!

 

[grandpaul]

11/8

Just received the one-off hand built monoshock rear end setup from Kenny Dreer. This little jewel is quite the trick bit.

 

[stevethelondoner]

My word GranPaul I bow down to ya mate....I would love to be able to do this....what a talent and a dream. Me dad use to do all this before my time, I wish I were around then. Good job I don't live near ya I would be down there helping ya out and learning all I could mate. What a fantastic hobby and job to have. That Norton tank has awesome paint work I love the pinstriping on it.

You are a credit to my home town machines mate......it's like people that keep the old war planes flying. There isn't many Spitfires left now but those that have them keep them flying. I remember as a kid watching the Lancaster, Spit and Hurricane fly in formation. What a sound that made.

Keep us posted I wanna see this one...

Ride Safe mate

 

[CarlS]

Paul, I am very impressed. I can't wait to see the finished product. What a one of a kind bike! Thanks for the pics.

 

[DaveM]

This one is looking good, what are you going to do with it once finished.

 

[grandpaul]

I'll probably be buried with it, or my 2 sons will fight for it. It's not going anywhere.

Without doubt, the most unique bike I'll probably ever build, with worldwide history attached. Also the most expensive and perhaps the most beautiful.

i still can't believe 1) Kenny had those parts still laying around, and 2) He was willing to sell them to me!

 

[DaveM]

Glad you are going to hang onto it sure is starting to take shape. Yeah it was a bit of good luck finding the parts teh way you did.

 

[CarlS]

I amazed that Keen y still had the parts and was willing to part with them.

 

[grandpaul]

Actually, I think it was sort of therapeutic for him to get rid of some "bad memories". He really wants to totally get out of the Norton scene 100%.

 

[Dschief]

That's really a shame! Kenny Dreer was one of the main reasons the Norton name is still as well known in the US as it is. From his early restorations to the attempt at production, his work was inspired and inspiring.

 

[CarlS]

Agreed, Dave. That is a very sad way to end all of his great efforts.

 

[grandpaul]

Preliminary mockup; please consider the fact that I don't yet have the shock mountings fabricated, don't have the proper adjustable link
on the shock pivot arm, and don't have the rear axle adjuster blocks that slide into the box section swingarm.

Front tire will be a bit taller profile on wire spoke wheel, rear tire will be a bit shorter profile on matching wheel with rear disc.

 

[CarlS]

I am looking forward to seeing the finished product - preferably in person.

 

[stevethelondoner]

This is gonna be a sweet looking ride

Ride Safe