RacingVincent Shop - Newsletter No.49 : Summer 2026
Recent Updates To Our Ways Of Working - Some Our Doing, Some Because of World Events . . .
First of all, hello to all our customers and readers who visit our website and catalog - I hope you and your families are all well, and for many of you in the Northern Hemisphere - I hope you are coping with the current Heatwave that is impacting so many of us.
Like many Britishers - I dont do too well in very hot weather and trying to operate a CNC machine from a small overheated workshop of late has been very difficult . . . to such an extent that I have tried to limit working time to 2 or 3 hours (and no machining at all on the hottest days) - to avoid both the CNC machine and myself getting too badly overheated and either of us throwing a wobbly!
Anytway, a lot of water has gone under the bridge since I last posted a 'normal' Newsletter, listing stock updates and other recent updates - so I will get straight to it:
www.RacingVincent.co.uk Recent Domain Changes and Ways of Working Going Forward:
As most of you will know already - and as I advertised on the old RacingNorton (online catalog) homepage some weeks before making the change - back in June 2026 we amended our online catalog domain name - i.e. the URL address you enter in your browser to access our online catalog of parts.
The catalog format remains unchanged for the moment - but now the Online Catalog will be accessable from within our main parent site - www.RacingVincent.co.uk, by pressing the 'Catalog' button on the top button bar (actually it always was - but the actual name there has changed).
However, it is also available directly by entering www.RacingVincentShop.co.uk
For the moment the format of the online catalog is as before, but going forward we may be having to amend it further, as much of the functionality of that E-Shop is now quite old - however, for the moment it remains broadly as it was .. . only so many hours in the day etc etc etc
As a final note - as a number of customers emailed me after the change occurred, asking where the RacingNorton website had gone? - please always read our Online Catalog homepage for any updates that are about to occur. We also provide updates on any family illness which may be impacting online orders. And although I do not advertise it on our website, you can also email me direclty on paul.norman@racingvincent.co.uk if you need an update on an order and are getting no response on our normal sales@racingvincent.co.uk (just in case my daughter is ill or not in the office). As always, leave 2 - 3 days for me to reply.
Recent World Events and How It Impacts Ourselves And The Parts We Offer:
The last 5 years (in fact since Covid, broadly speaking) seems to have had an overall negative effect on many businesses - with costs of materials, heating, electricity etc rising far out of proportion with the general cost of UK inflation - and this has had a negative effect for many small businesses, ourselves being no exception - in the last 18 months particularly, with so many changes imposed on businesses like ours, and with many of our trusted suppliers now either retiring or not being able to offer the services they previously did - it does mean that although we are continuing for the moment, it may be in a reduced capacity going forward.
The most recent changes imposed on us we need to remind customers of - as they may have a direct impact on our order process, and what we are able to manufacture going forward:.
US Tariffs - Deliveries of Customer Orders into the US: The US introduced tariffs for goods being delivered into the US last year and we updated customers at the time of what this would mean for any orders being sent to the United States - for those customer orders up to £250 or 2kg in weight - we use Royal Mail and they now charge a tariff on top of the normal postage charge. This tariff can be up to £25 per order - and as they only give the final cost once they process the package through their post office till - we now contact US customers at the point we pick their order to remind them of this, and to confirm they wish to pay the tariff, before we proceed?
However, if the final cost of tariff is less than the £25 charged, we refund the difference once we have the final receipt (normally a week later)..
For orders over £250 in value - we use FedEx and their online quoting system means we are able to provide the actual cost of postage/tariff combined.
This is extremely time consuming and tedious for us - and ultimately costs us money in having to manage this process - but we do it this way to ensure the customer is not penalised any more than necessary, and because we dont wish to profit from this process.
EU Tariffs from 1/7/2026 - Deliveries of Customer Orders into EU Countries: The EU has now introduced a similar tariff system for all consumer items being sent into EU countries - and therefore we are now having to adopt a similar process to that we adopted for US customer orders - where we notify the customer up front, once we get to their order, but before we start picking.
We are still trying to understand how this new tariff system will work (as it seems to vary by EU country) - but as far as we can ascertain, it is supposedly for those orders with a value up to 150 Euros (or less) - but for us - that means most Royal Mail orders will now have a tariff applied and we are likely to apply the same £25 up front rule (and any difference either way - either refunded or requested, once we get the final receipt).
Again, this will be very disruptive and add time to the order process - but hope you will appreciate . . . just like the US tariff .. . its introduction has nothing to do with us and is also costing us money and lost revenue. Please bear this in mind if placing an order with us from either the United States or an EU country.
UK Government Introduced Steel Tariffs from 1/7/2026 - Impact On Our Catalog Availability and Future Pricing: The UK Government has just introduced tariffs on steel quotas into the UK. At the moment the longer term impact of this is still to be quantified - but it would seem that this will have the most knock-on affect to small engineering companies in the UK - particularly those who specialise in materials such as some Stainless Steel and some other non-ferrous materails . .. such as ourselves! What I can tell you is that I have been trying to place two large stainless steel orders in the last 2 weeks - and for many imperial sizes am not able to obtain the material at all - and for other sizes I am being quoted at least double what I last paid for the same material 2 years ago. One of those companies is also quoting close to triple the delivery charge I previously paid.
I will leave you all to work oiut what the potential impact of this is likely to be to future availability of parts . . . but for the moment, I have given up trying to place an order . . . and will continue making other parts I already have material for.
Needless to say - like many other small engineering companies in the UK - I have signed the petition for the government to review this tariff - and it has already exceeded the required 10.000 votes for the government to respond to it - but it needs far more votes for government to formally debate it. I f you are interested the government site for signing the petition can be found here: Urgently review & adjust steel import quota & tariff changes - effective 01/07 - Petitions
Thats enough of the bad news for now. Frankly, along with a number of other personal challenges in the last 8 months - 2026 has not been a lot of fun . . . but for the moment we persevere - and are still operating.
So below are a few updates on restocks and just a few new products (some available now, some still in the pipeline).
I am also trying to find more time to write new content and articles for our main RacingVincent site - but again only so many hours in the day!
However, one thing I know I do need to do - to stay sane in this ever increasingly demainding economic climate - is to take a more balanced perspective and switch off from the business side of things more than I have done in the last 5 years . .. and as I approach something like a normal retirement age, spend a bit more time trying to enjoy my own bikes and hobbies. Like many, I also have less funds available these days for some of the larger restocks - . . . I hope you will understand if this means us having less capactiy or a dimished range in the future.
Best wishes
Paul Norman
15th July 2026
Major Re-stocks Or New Products This Newsletter
Not sure if I can remember where I last left off in my last Newsletter - so I have covered below all those items below I can think of restocked in the last 6 months - apologies if some of these were some time ago or you saw them previously in my last Newsletter
SOHC Pre-Featherbed Engine Sprockets (but some later Featherbed Sprockets still available)
Over a year ago now we ran out of our previous stock of Pre-Featherbed SOHC Norton type engine sprockets in the most common sizes - i.e. 19 Tooth, 20 Tooth and 21 Tooth. Unfortunately our original manufacturer stopped manufacturing a long time ago . . . and even one of the other well known motorcycle sprockets manufacturers we spoke to were struggling to provide a quote we thought tenable - and subsequently we have been informed that manufacture has ceased trading - a real shame.
So - although being a long and ardous process, I am pleased to say that - we decided to continue, and look at manufacturing a batch of these sprockets ourselves. As with all our in-house parts - we used an original SOHC Norton manufactured sprocket as the template and produced drawings, CNC programs, test pieces etc to ensure they accurately reflect the key dimensions of the original items.
Although they were many months in the making - at around Xmas time 2025 these came back from the hardeners and are now available on our catalog again. As an added bonus, as we have manufactured them ourselves (and not all my time is charged for!) - we have been able to offer them slightly cheaper than the previous price . . . and I am going to go out on a limb and say they are also a nicer finish than from the previous manufacturers batch!
These pre-Featherbed type engine sprockets are available in the 3 most commonly requested sizes - 19 Tooth, 20 Tooth and 21 Tooth sizes. We also have a few odd sprockets in other sizes from our previous batch.
We also still have a few remaining SOHC Featherbed International sprockets from our previous batch - but at the moment we have no plans to remanufacture these once they run out. But if there is enough interest . . . we may reconsider that - email for more details.
Item 0650 (Variable Listing) - SOHC Engine Sprockets -
Pre-Featherbed Type
This new batch of Engine Sprockets to fit original Norton Pre-Featherbed SOHC models are now manufactured in-house by ourselves on our own CNC machines - using original Norton Engine sprockets as patterns
Engine Sprockets to fit Pre-Featherbed SOHC Models
- New Batch Available in 19T/20T/21T
We have made the new batch of sprockets in the 3 most popular original sizes - 19 Tooth, 20 Tooth and 21 Tooth.
A few other sizes are still available from our original batch of sprockets (mot manufactured by ourselves - that maker now retired)
Setup for these sprockets is quite complex - it starts with a drawing per sprocket type as below, but programming the correct tooth milling patterns is far more complex than it looks! However, we are pleased with the result and hope you like them.
>
Sprocket dimensions taken from original 1930's Norton SOHC Engine Sprocket
In the photo above - our sprockets are shown on the left, but with an original 1930's SOHC sprocket on the right. However, like so many parts on Norton models of the 1920''s -50's (and many other manufacturers for that matter) - it looks like Norton's did not manufacture the sprockets themselves - because this sprocket is stamped wtih the makers name 'T D Cross and Sons - a well known local manufacturer in the day - that made many sprocket types for local bicycle and motorcycle manufacturers in the day - see the period advert below - probably late 191x's or 1920's period.
. . . And - Engine Sprockets to fit Featherbed SOHC Models
- Some Still Available
And just a reminder that we do still have a few sizes left from our previous batch - of the later Featherbed type SOHC engine sprockets (you can see these look a bit different to our latest in house batch)
In case you are unsure on the difference between Pref-Featherbed and Featherbed type SOHC sprockets - click on the picture below to confirm what the difference is
Sorry, no plans to make any more of these Featherbed type . . . but if I have enough interest (and the same applies to Norton OHV/SV engine sprockets) - then I may consider for the future
.jpg?ObjectPath=/Shops/4c675e64-813f-4c0a-8926-87a680c962a0/Products)
Timing Case Quill and Pressure Release Parts to fit Original Norton (Walter Moore Cricket Bat Type) Engines and Later 1930's OHV and SV Norton Single Modles
In my last Newsletter of 2025 I let customers know that I was working on the complete 'Big End Quill' assembly that was fitted into the 'cricket bat' style timing chest - fitted to late 1920's Walter Moore type Norton CS1/CSJ engines. I had very kindly being lent a complete original assembly by a well known Norton CS1 exponent - and along with details drawings of another original quill from a kind owner in Australia (you both know who you are!) - was eventually able to replicate the entire assembly - and trial fit it to another friends stripped down CS1 engine.
I dont expect I will ever sell enough of these assemblies to ever make back all the hours spent measuring originals, doing the drawings and writing CNC programs etc (or getting correct springs made) . . . but at least they are done now - obviouisly the price reflects that time spent and small batch quantities .. . . but if you own one of these rare models hopefully you will this assembly useful:
Item 1299 Big End Quill Assembly to Fit Original Norton CS1/CSJ (Walter Moore Type)SOHC Engine Models
This quill assembly consists of 5 parts (all machined parts are CNC manufactured to original design) and are fitted to the front (crickdt bat style) timing cover, witht the distinctive cover screw machined in stainless steel so it looks pretty an will not rust
Some Parts of the CS1/CSJ Quill Assembly also sold seperately:
We have made the new batch of sprockets in the 3 most popular original sizes - 19 Tooth, 20 Tooth and 21 Tooth.
A few other sizes are still available from our original batch of sprockets (mot manufactured by ourselves - that maker now retired)
So as well as being able to buy the complete assembly (Item 01299 on the left) - we also sell the front screw - as originals are often chewed or rusty - Item 1301 above, or we also sell the correct spring on its own, Item 1300 below:
OHV/SV 1935/37 and 1938/47 Norton Single Cylinder Timing Case Parts
>
Big End Quill Holder to fit 1938-1947 Norton OHV and Sidevalve (Civilian Model) engines (and Quill see below) .
As well as making a batch of CS1 Quill Holders - I also took the opportunity to make a batch of the quill holders for the 1938-47 OHV and (Civilian model) SV engines. These quills are often seen 'chewed' in original engines - particularly if the original engine has had main bearing failure or oil pump failutre that can result in the mainshaft rubbign against the quill holder and destroying it!
We also sell the correct quill for this 38-47 type engine, not to be confused wtih the 48 onwwards OHV/SV engine, which are different - see below:
We also sell the quill spring seperately - see here: 38-47 Quill Spring
. . . And - Pressure Release Parts for 38-47 Engine
To go with the timing 1938-47 Timing Case for OHV/SV models - we have also manufactured a batch of the Pressure release screws, as well as the ball and special spring that was fitted - all made to the original dimensions.
These parts are not easy to remove (they were normally held in place with a centre punch to the alloy surrounding the screw head - but should always be checked - the spring can corrode and break or the ball stick or corrode - see listing for more detail.
These parts specific to these 38--47 models, see below for earlier OHV/SV models
. . . And finally - Pressure Release Parts for 30's-37 OHV/SV Engine Types
And then finally - we have also manufacutred the very similar pressure release assembly for the earlier 1930s - 1937 OHV/SV timing cover - which was different to the 38-47 engine type (but note - the WD 16H models that continued to be manufactured through WWII continued to use this earlier timing cover type. We also sell spring and ball seperately if required - click on picture below.
Again, we also sell the Big End Quill and spring for this earlier OHV/SV engine type - although they were the same as the type fitted to all SOHC engines
Comparison of OHV/SV 1930's Timing Covers
Just in case owners of this period of Norton single cylinder model they have - a couple of photos of both types of timing coverr are shown here.
And of course - these were later replaced with a different timing cover again, when Edgar Franks redesigned the OHV/SV models in 1948.
Although we do not make the quill holder for the 48 onwards engine - we do sell the Big End Quill and spring - just scroll through our ES2/SV section of our catalog to see all types
Other Items Back In Stock - Carburettor Items
Back in Stock - Item 0458
Copper Floats to fit Original Type 76/276/TT and RN Carbs
Manufactured to the original design (from copper then soldered) - we manufactured a new batch of these in the New Year
NEW ITEM- Item 0052
Float Needle to Fit Original Amal 302 Float Chamber - Each
If you happen to have a 1940's/50's/60's competition bike, fitted with an Amal TT/RN/GP carb - then you may be familiar with this larger capacity competiition type float chamber - known as the Type 302.
There was more than one variation on this floatchamber, but often they were top feed and had a needle as per above fitted above the copper float, which sat on a brass rod. You may also know that it is common for these to get a wear ring around them (or to corrode if using methanol) - and be far more susceptible to flooding.
So - we can now offer these newly CNC manufactured replacements to the original dimensions, from high quality duralimum.
Cllick on photo to read more - in the catalog listing
New Item - Bellmouth to fit Original Amal 10TT Pre-34 Carbs
Internal Thread Type - CNC Machined from Alloy Billet
This is an item - that after many years of being 'Out of Stock' - I am very pleased to be able to offer again.
This is the distnctive bellmouth fitted to the earlisest Amal 10 TT (note 10TT only, not 15TT or 25TT!), manufactured up to 1934 - where the bellmouth had an internal thread (and no lockring) - before the TT carb design was changed to external thread bellmouth in approximately 1934/35.
The original bellmouths were normally steel (probably spun) and are now extremely rare - I have seen many original early TT carbs up for sale with this bellmouth missing. We did have a batch of these manufactured about 15 years ago - but no more are available from that source . . . so eventually - using my last 'Master' (and with the assistance of a very helpful early Inter owner, who was able to test fit my first 'setup' versions to his own original carb - shown in photo) - I was eventually able to manufacture a batch of these . . . with the same profile and dimensions as original bellmouths - but ours are CNC machined from alloy billet.
Not cheap . . . the listing shows a photo of the amoun of swarf my CNC machine generatetd for each bellmouth made! - but hopefully those that need one of these rare bellmouths will appreciate that they are now available again - possbly for the last time, as I do not intend to make any more once these have gone!
New Items 1256-1&2 - Flametrap Bellmouths (as per the type we already sell - to fit 1930s/40s OHV/SV Norton models) - to fit larger Amal carbs - 2 sizes Available
Around 4 years ago we introduced the 'Flametrap' style bellmouths, as fitted to Norton OHV/SV Type 76/276 Carburettors in the 1930's - early 1950s - These being our Item 1205: Norton Type Flametraps
But I have finally got round to listing these two additional 'Flametrap' type bellmouths which we made a small batch of - but to fit the larger 289/375 or 376/600 type carb. Sorry, but the filters we had manufactured for the Norton type flametraps are too small to fit these larger alloy billet turned bellmouths - but it would not be a difficult job to cut gauze circular filters wire from a sheet and make up a useful flametrap - click on photos to take you to the listing, where you will find more detail on these items.
New Items To Special Order - Wassell Versions of Concentric Carbs in Various Bore Sizes - Alternatives to TT Carbs
As you can see above - we are able to offer a modern reproduced carburettor, that has been manufactured by one of trusted parts suppliers (Wassell) - a carburettor that is modelled on the original Amal Concentric style carburettor - in a variety of bore sizes, and in both RH and LH variants.
In the photos attached here - are a matched pair of 32mm tract bore versions - that are offered for Norton Commandos. In reality, I wanted to see what they looked like - and will keep them as 'spare carbs' for sanitizing my own Vincent Black Lightning replica, which is also running on original Amal TT 32mm carbs at the moment - but having looked at them, and seen the excellant quality of the machining - want to also make customers aware they are aviailable and seem to offer excellent value for money.
I have listed this as a 'Special Order' listing - but if you have a specific bore size you require - we can confirm how close to that is available (i.e. Norton Inter 500 are commonly 1 5/32" - and there is a carb size available very close to that = and if you want to try a modern, newly manufactured carb as an alternative to a badly worn original Amal TT on your own Inter or Manx - then we will tell you what is avaialble and current price. Please bear in mind that these carbs (just like the original Amal Concentric) has an inbuilt float (i.e. it does not have a 15 degrees angle floatchamber, which the original Norton Inter carbs had) - but hopefully tney should still proof a cost effective alternative to original Amal Carbs on your Norton single models, if reliability is the key.
.jpg)
New Items 1318 - Twistgrip Replica of Amal Type 16 (7/9")
The Amal Type 16 twistgrip was a common fitment on many marquest from the 1930's - 1950's, including many Norton singles.
This is a really nice copy of that distinctively style twistgrip
New Items 1223 - Cable Nipples and Ferrules
Not just for carb cables - but other cable fittings as well, this variable listing I first listed last year, but added some more to it recently.
Making up your own cables is very useful (and normally necessary) when restoring your own bikes
.jpg)
Back In Stock - Plain Bushes to Fit Norton Upright Gearbox Selector Mechnism and Selector Pates
- and New Item - Selector Plate Bushes for Laydown Norton Gearbox Type
These plain bushes proved very popular when we first manufactured them about 8 years ago and we have been out of stock of both for some time. Well earlier this year we CNC manufactured new batches of all - so all are now back in stock.
Since our previous batch - the cost of phospher bronze has risen hugely - but we have kept our price as close to the original price as we can
If you wish to en uire for more detail - email us on our sales@racingvincent.co.uk email
Item 1051 - Gearbox Selector Plate/Quadrant Bushes -
To Fit Norton Upright Gearbox Types 1934-51) - Per Pair
These gearbox bushes proved very popular when we introduced them 5 years ago - and we have been out of stock for some time, but have now made a new batch on the CNC. We go to some effort to machine these to original tolerances so they should fit as the originals.
However - you can also email us if you have a worn shell - we normally try to make a handful of additional bearings a thou or two oversize on the OD, for those gearbox shells where the bearing has previously spun in the shell
Item 1053 - Gearbox Selector Plate/Quadrant Bushes -
To Fit Sturmey/Norton Upright Gearbox Types 1931-34)
- Per Pair
Just one of the variances between the late Sturmey Archer gearbox (fitted from approximately 1931-34, before Norton started making their own similar looking upright gearbox) - was that the earlier Sturmey gearbox shells was fitted with fractionally shorter plain bushes in the shell (with small felt washers on the outer face).
We can also offer the plain bushes for these earlier type gearboxs (email us if you are not sure which type yours is)
Item 1051 - Gearbox Selector Plate/Quadrant Bushes -
To Fit Norton Laydown Gearbox Types 1951-57) - Per Pair
And if you have the later Norton Laydown type gearbox - we also now manufacture the plain bushes for this type of gearbox as well - they being slightly longer but slimmer than the earlier Upright gearbox type.
Item 1059 - Upright Gearbox Type - Positive Stop Mechanism Bearings in Phospher Bronze 1934-51),- Per Pair
Another gearbox part that had been out of stock for some time - we also made a new batch of the Upright Gearbox type positive stop bearings - and these are in Phospher Bronze - rather than the original steel Norton bearings. Worn positive stop bearings (along with the selector plate bearings and worn link pins) are one of the major causes of indistinct gear change on these gearboxs, and are well worth replacing if in doubt.
Item 0738 - Rear Brake Pins to fit Rigid, Gardengate, Swinging Arm Brake Pedals - Each
No - not a gearbox bearing!, but at the same time as remaking them, we also made another small batch of these brake pin bearings - as a worn Norton single brake pedal is a common issue.
Note - we also manufacture 3 versions of Rigid/Gardengate brake pin - but are out of stock of some types at the moment - but am looking to restock these in the next 6 months.
Other Re-stocked and New Parts
Item 1277 - SOHC 'Wine Glass' Petrol Taps
Available Again - But With Revised Design
Long time SOHC customers might remember that in the past we have manufactured small batches of the distinctive 'Wine Glass' type petrol taps, in stainless steel - which although beautiful to look at - were extremely difficutl and expensive to manufacture - and required so much work to avoid leaks using the original 'tapered pin' design (an issue that most original Norton taps also suffered with) - that it became un-economicable to make them to that design any more . . . they were just taking far too long, and one mistake in any of the many machining processes would end up in a wasted body.
But due to the continued demand for this type of SOHC tap (fitted to most pre-Featherbed International and Manx Norton tanks) we are now able to offer a slightly revised design - which still incorporates exactly the same 'Wine Glass' bowl in highly polished stainless steel (and with correct imperial hex and seal fittings' - but now these are fitted with a proprietary ball valve petrol tap.
Then, if later down the line (as most taps invariably do after some period of time) - a tap does start to weep or leak, it can easily be replaced with a new tap, without having to replace the all important wine glass bowl.
I hope you will agree from the photos above (and comparison with the original type tap below) that the difference in look is actually quite insignificant - and as an added bonus - this new design is substantially cheaper than the original design!
Sorry, but these have already been on sale for a few months since I have had chance to produce this Newsletter - so we have already sold a number of the first batch of this new design, but we still have some available - and it should be easier to make new batches in the future
Back In Stock - Item 08899 - 1931 - 47 Type OHV/CS1 Valve Springs - Per Set
We do now offer quite a selection of different Valve Springs to fit various Norton single cylinder models - but one of most popular sets, that went out of stock at the end of last year was our Item 0889 - which was the miain type fitted to 1930's OHV and CS1 models.
As you can see (as with most of our springs) - these are copied from original VS343 Terrys Valvee springs (a new old stock set) and we have had enough made - that we should not be running out again for quite a while!
Back In Stock - Item 0417 - SOHC Cambox Exhaust Lifter Sets - Kit of 4 Parts - Per Set
We recently made up a new batch of these SOHC exhaust valve llifter sets - including the all important pin (copied from possibly the last 'New Old Stock' eccentric pin left in the world . . . happy for you to prove me wrong and tell me you have one as well!) . . . which are a bit more complex to make than you might think. Anyway, back in stock for th moment and we also sell a variety of exhaust valve lifter levers, and cables and adjusters to make up the full assembly
Back In Stock - Item 0609 - SOHC Oil Pump Screws - Per Pair
Unashamadely - our starting point for these special flat headed screws are commercial high tensile screws - which we then modify on our own CNC - to give them the very speicific dimensions needed to fit SOHC oil pumps, to ensure the head does not foul the Oil Pump Drive Plate. A new batch recently machied and back in stock
Oil Pumps To Fit SOHC Engines - Not Now, but Maybe . . .
FYI - I started looking at the manufacture of SOHC oil pumps again about 18 months ago - and even started drawings and some initial CNC programs. But with the last 12 months having been impacted by a lot of other work and personal stuff .. .sorry these are not progressing, and I already have a large backlog of existing parts to remanufacture on the CNC.
However, if there is enough interest from customers, I may consider passing this over to my main CNC partners - but wont be cheap. Please let me know if interested
Item 1271 - Girder Fork Speedomete or /Rev Clock Bracket - Each
We have had these laser cut brackets made some time ago, but never got round to making the press jigs until recently - so now available, to fit most Norton Girder Fork Models
Back in Stock - Item 1089 - Replica of Pre-War Style D142 Headlamp and Switch/Ammeter Binnacle
These come from one of our proprietary parts suppliers (and are almost certainly made offshore - so quality is good, but may not be quite the same as original pre-war Lucas!) - but as a complete assembly they offer great value for money. Back in Stock
Item 0679B - Competition Trials Rubber Seat Kit
- In Stock But Read Update
First of all - i can remember if I already updated on this in my last Newsletter . . . but as the old Newsletter are no longer available - I will just remind customers about this one anyway . . .
Some customers may remember that a well known trials part supplier used to offer a replica kit of the old Dunlop Trials/Competition saddle. These were discountinued many years ago - but we were still able to offer the rubber covers on their own (and actually still can - item 0679)
Now Available as a kit again, with frame - but read on . . .
Well I am pleased to say that my supplier of the saddle covers is now able to offer the complete kit - which includes a pre-fabricated frame, screws for the nose and rivets etc.
However, Having looked closely at the kit - and knowing these rubber saddles as I do - I think the actual manufacturer may not have realised that the cover needs to be held in 'tension', and as they are supplied- the seat may not have enought tension - and is not taut enough to be ideal in use. I have passed this information back - but not sure if it will be acted on in the near future.
So for the moment - we have prepared an extended kit (only available from us) - that includes longer and better quality high tensile nose screws - and a small length of pre cut steel that allows the nose of the cover to be extended on the frame to provide added tautness.
We have also highighted that looking at where the frame bolts together to take the vertical saddle springs (sold seperately) - we think there is probably enough length in the frame bar to allow a further drill hole at the end - and make the frame tauter again - however we will leave that for the customer to decide and do themselves.
See the listing for more detail of the kit we offer
(please note - a number of customers have asked us about the larger pre-war Brough Superior/International rubber saddle kit we used to offer - sorry but this is no longer available. However, fyi - this size of rubber saddle shown here was similar to the type fitted to prewar racing Internationals
Back In Stock - Item 0870 - DOHC Featherbed Norton - Original Pattern (Early to mid 1950's) Seat Cover Kit
Again, I may have listed this in the last Newsletter (whcih is no longer available as was part of our recent domain change) - so I am just showing it again.
Late last year, due to demand from customers, we decided to have one more small batch of DOHC Featherbed seat covers made - by our specialist UK seat upholsterer. This kit includes cover made from high quality, correct period type black seat covering, complete with red piping - and the pattern copied from a genine period Manx Norton original seat.
We have also included the correct foam parts and drawings/dimesnions of the original Norton steel base pan - so you can fabricate your own genuine style base pan if you dont have a pan already. Specialist UK manufacture . . .so not a cheap item, but correct and nice quality
Back In Stock - Item 0879 - SOHC 1930's Type - Black Barrel Shaped Seat Springs
Many motorcycles in the 1930's were fitted with black coated saddle springs - particularly a number of competition bikes like Racing Internationals (Manxs) and Velo KTT's. Some years ago we started having these made by our own spring makers as they were not available commercially. We have just had a new batch made, so they are back in stock again
New Item - Item 1281 and 1282 - Braced Handlebars For Rubber
Mounted Norton Girder Fork Models - Ready To Braze
A few months ago we manufactured another batch of our 'Braced' Norton girder type handlebars - in both 7/8" and 1" Handlebar sizes
What Are Braced Norton Handlebars?. .
Through the 1930's, Norton offered two or three types of girder forks, but from the mid 1930's onwards - many SV and OHV models, and most International And Racing International (early Manxy) models had a top spindle casting that included mounting for rubber mounted handlebars, which had a special clamp pressed around the handlebars and braced in place.
We already offer the special rubber 'Doughnuts' for this type of handlebar, but about 10 years ago we had some specially commisioned 'pre war Manx' style handlebars made, to which we fitted the original style brace - as per the photo above.
The cost of having these re-made in the modern world is (frankly) - prohibitive, but also . . . as well as being extremely expensive for us to make - we did the brazing and it meant the final position of the handle bars was a racing pose - and not very practical to thosse wanting to fit them to road going bikes.
So .. .. we are now producing this distinctive type of handlebars again - but this time we are using a profile of handlebar we also sell without brace - which is a good replica of the racing type, but can be turned round to make them into a good copy of the 1930s roadgoing profile - and with this tyhpe of handlebar (which already come to us chromed) - we linish the central section of the handlebar, to remove chrome before using our special 'press toolsl to press the brace correctly around the handlebars.
It is then for the customer to braze/weld the brace into whatever position they wish the handlebars to be placed in - hopefully most restorers either have welding equipment or are prepared to have this work done, once they have figured out the best position.
We offer these bars in both 1" size (click picture above) or 7/8" size (click below) - but sorry - since offering them I am almost out of stock again of the most recent batch . . .but if they are showing out of stock - ust email us - I am looking to do another batch for Autumn 2026
.jpg)
New Item 1307 - Girder Fork Headlamp Brackets
- Original 'New Old Stock'??? - Per Pair
I have a small quantity of these Headlamp Brackets available, which came from one of my suppliers who as well as selling offshore manufactured parts - sometimes has old stock original parts.
These were sold as being an offshore part - but on close inspection - I am actually thinking they are more likely to be original Norton 'New Old Stock' - I suspect they may be from the large quantity of ex-WD 16H parts that were coming to the surface in the 1970's..
Anyway, regardless - tney are fitted with the correct BSC thread for locating into the girder fork lugs (which most offshore parts do not replicate) . .. and these come supplied with our stainless steel BSC nuts and washers
Item 1316 - Black Coated 'Megga'
Good Value Silencer For Manx Lookalikes or Sprots Bikes
We have started stocking these black coated reverse cone meggas - which have a bore suitable for Norton stingle cylinder models and adaptor rings to fit smaller bore exhausts.
Supplied with a bracket that makes them suitable for fitting on either the left or right (or both if you have a sports twin!) - these silencers are great value for money
Item 0246 - SOHC Engine Pipe Unions
First of all - i can remember if I already updated on this in my last Newsletter . . . but as the old Newsletter are no longer available - I will just remind customers about this one anyway . . .
Some customers may remember that a well known trials part supplier used to offer a replica kit of the old Dunlop Trials/Competition saddle. These were discountinued many years ago - but we were still able to offer the rubber covers on their own (and actually still can - item 0679)
To Be Available Soon - SOHC Oil Tank Gauze Filters . . .
and SOHC Oil Pipe Sets.
We are currently in the process of making a batch of gauze oil tank filter unions to fit SOHC oil tanks (both International half wrapround and Manx full wrapround used the same filter unions).
These are about 80% complete, but other work (mainly fork spindles and keeping the normal plates wobbling!) have stopped me completing the batch . . .hopefully ready for early Autumn 2026.
I am also about 40% complete on making up matched sets of SOHC wire round Oil Pipe sets - but again, other work is stopping these getting completed. In this case - I need my main CNC machine to free up, to allow me to get on with the special unions . . . sorry but think this will be a while yet.
Item 1317 - 20" Chrome Plated 'Megga'
To go with the black coated megga above, we also now have available these longer (20" length) chrome plated meggas.
Like the short megga, as well as fitting 1 3/4" bore (i.e. Norton single) exhaust pipes, they also have adaptor rings to fit smaller exhausts.
Being of heavier construction and chrome platd, they are a bit more expensive than the black meggas - but still pretty good value when compared to some modern exhaust silencers!
New Item 1320 - Ethanol Reistant Petrol Sealant -
2-Part Epoxy Based Kit
I recently needed to seal a petrol tank I have been restoring - so as part of obtaining a kit for myself - I have decided to also stock the same tank sealant kit and offer it to customers.
I have not tried the petrol tank in anger yet, but can confirm the kit was easy to use and gave very good coverage. It certainly seems to have bonded well to the inside of the tank and feels like it has good adhesion. This kit suitable for 20-25 Litre tank size.
Sorry, but this is for UK customers only - we are not allowed to ship this kit . . . forbidden chemicals etc.
.
. . . And Finally - Stuff Coming Up On The To-Do List or Already In Progress
Girder Fork Spindle Sets - Coming Shortly
International and OHV/SV Fork Type - Email for detail
It seems in the last few months all I have done on the CNC is an endless stream of girder fork parts (and still more to do - including some remakes of popular bolts that have ran out).
In this case - a job I started the drawings for quite a few years ago - but only in recent months have got round to makking (i.e. a lot of setup and measuring to accurately replicate original Norton patterns I have for the different fork types) - are girder fork spindle sets.
Therefore, for this first batch we will have available two distinct types available - as complete spindle sets - CS1/OHV/SV girder forks and International (SOHC Girder Forks. We may also have a couple of sets of the pre War Racing International (SOHC Manx) type available.
Sets will consist of - all parts CNC machined from original patterns - Spindles (in EN16T steel), stainless steel nuts for both sides (original nuts being specific to these forks and now very hard to find) - and the special knurled thrust washers - wihich will be machined from phospher bronze (originals were just hardened steel)
I am expecting to have these available for sale late Summer (frankly far too hot in UK at the moment to run my CNC machine all day!)
- but only limited sets available so if you want more information or to reserve a set then Email me on: paul.norman@racingvincent.co.uk
Milling Work To Do - SOHC Valve Spring Holders
(and actually - guides as well)
As some customers are aware (and waiting for .. . ) - we went out of stock on our SOHC valve spring holders at the end of 2025.
These spring holders are patterned on an original International valve spring holder and we have them cast and then machined .. .quite a lot of work actually - but while originally Norton SOHC engines used these on the inlet, and a solid bronze guide/spring holder casting on the exhaust - the cost of doing it that way
Well, as well as having the special stainless steel petrol pipe coils spring made - we also invested in the tooling to make the similar oil pipe spring (a larger diameter) - and above can be seen an example can be seen above
I am still a little way away from writing the programs to create the correct type ferrules and fittings - but hope to get to them towards the latter part o fthis year.
Contact us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk if you are interested in pre-ordering a set . . but sorry, dont expect them to be cheap
Some of the other parts Out of Stock - expecting to remake in the next 3 months:
-SOHC Exhaust Valve Guides : Currently in Progress Expected Late Summer
- SOHC Cambox Rocker Pins (including a new item - the early type rocker pins fitted to pre-34 camboxs) - Currently in Progress
- SOHC Vertical Bevel Tubes
- A new batch of OHV 1930s-40s Pushrod fittings (almost out of stock)
- Girder Fork Handlebar Clamp Bolts (racing and standard type)
- Some lasercut parts - i.e. cambox bearing reataining plate
- Rubber Sheathed (pre-war type) Speedometer and Rev Clock Cables
- Item 0875 : SOHC Girder Fork Crown Main Nuts
- Douglas Parts - Aware we are showing out of stock on many parts - to all my Douglas customers, apologies - but I will endeavour to spend some time in the future re-making many of the more difficult parts to find - and possibly Stainless Steel valve Caps
Email me on paul.norman@racingvincent.co.uk if you wish to reserve anything or need an update on availablility
