The story of this Norton starts much like everybody else’s. It was a glimmer in my eye, a feeling in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t let this bike go to waste. So much of it had already done so.  But, beyond what I saw on the surface, the bones of a really good bike were there. So I did what I said I’d never do, and I bid on this bike on eBay. It was located a couple of states over from me, so I knew shipping wouldn’t put me beyond my planned budget from the word go. As it turned out, the bid was good. I won the bike! A couple of weeks later, and with most of my finger nails bitten down to the quick, the bike showed up at my shop. It was worse than I had anticipated. I was hoping to at least be able to kick the motor through. That did not happen.

Neglected in the auction’s description of the bike was that the engine and transmission were filled with water. As can be seen in the early pictures, the primary cover was missing and the internals were completely rusted solid. So I wheeled my torch over from across the shop and started cutting things away until I had just a rotor hanging off of the crank shaft and a rusty old clutch basket hanging off of the output shaft. Still, the engine did not kick over.
Luckily, I had just sold another one of my old bikes, so the coffers were full. I just made a list and started ordering parts in huge chunks. Whatever I wanted and whatever the bike needed. The engine and trans were torn apart and inspected. Just about everything in the trans was replaced. The engine got the full treatment of new pistons, rings, valves, seals, stems, etc. It fought me every single step of the way. That was a good thing, because I knew I was doing it right. The cosmetics are always the easiest part for me. Not the most fun, I like gears and guts. But, a little over a year later, here she is. Enjoy!

Jason Delacroix