RacingNorton Newsletter No.46 : Spring-Summer 2025
Current Happenings And Projects - Re-Stocking Good, Own Projects - Sporadic!
In the last Newsletter - I included a couple of pictures of my Vincent Black Lightning (Rep) - which in truth, I had hoped to have running by now (or at least the luxery - of someone else getting going for me!) . . . but although I did do some good work around Xmas time, that has stalled for the moment, as I was waiting for an update from the DVLA - but hopefully this will continue shortly
But before covering anything more on my own projects - a few updates on recent stock updates and our online order process as a whole.
Since my last update we have been busy re-stocking some of the more difficult parts to source - so I have been doingn quite a lot of paddling under the surface, but like the proverbial Duck - not all those tasks in process are visible yet - but a number of them are now close (Some even finished - I just have not had chance to finalise the parts ready for sale.
BTH Platinum Points:
Some regular customers may rememeber that a few months ago we were able to offer some limited quantities of genuine platnium BTH competition points - but they would probably be the last batch, as like so many old craftsman - these were manufactured for us by someone that has now retired.
Well - despite them definitely not being a cheap purchase - There was quite a demand for them following my last Newsletter - and actually they have now all sold out, putting us in a bit of a predicament for future supply. So . . . as I had already been giving some thought to this anyway - I did do some investigation around the process of bringing the manufacture of these special points in- house, and I did quite a bit of investgation and talking to potential suppliers of precious metals - with a view to manufacturing the parts on the CNC, with the specil tips.
What I could not believe was - just how difficult it is to source the raw, precious metail, material. Without going into all the details, what I would say is that the correct material used for making platinum points is not just pure platinum - it is a bit more complex than that, and horrendlously expensive at the moment, so much so, that frankly - I could not see how I could make them myself for the price we were recently offering them for.
Luckily, in the short term anyway - there is a positive ending to this update - having talked to my recently retired manufacturer about this recently - he has agreed to make one last batch for me, and I am hoping that by the time this Newsletter is published - they should be available again - or very close. So if you do think you will need a set soon, best to email us to reserve a set . . . because once this last batch have gone - trying to buy the raw material for a further bach may be out of my reach!
SOHC Cams and 500cc Vertical Shafts - New Batch of Both Back In Stock:
I am pleased to report that since the last Newsletter we have batchs of both these (difficult items to manufacture) back in stock.
With cams - again, similar to the BTH platinum points . . . both my previous (excellent) cams manufacturers had retired and I knew that we had pretty much ran out of stock of all 3 types we offered, and I had already spent a lot of effort on setup for making further batch's in house.
However, just like the platinum points - the setup for making these cams - and all the special processes required, was taking time and I dont get much of that . . . so am still a long way off.
But the good news is - I was recently able to purchase one more set of cams from my previous cam manufacturer, and just the same high quality as they were when first we offered them 20 years ago. So for the moment anyway - these are now back in stock - and shown below.
And finally, over the Xmas period - from my main CNC manufacturer, we had in a new batch of 500cc SOHC Vertical shafts (in the most common length that Norton offered for the 500cc model - there were a few variations) - and if I say so myself - the have done a lovely job of them
Again, see the update in the main photo section below.
And a final update on the manufacturing updates - for anyone interested, we are currently having manufactured a new batch of SOHC engine sprockets (pre-Featherbed offset) in the 2 most popular sizes 19 tooth and 20 tooth, but may also be having a few in 21 teeth. These are a couple of months away at least yet - but email us on our normal email should you wish to reserve one. FYI - we do still have some other engine tooth sizes still in stock (pre-Featherbed and Featherbed offsets) - but these 3 most popular sizes are all now out of stock.
Lots of other work in progress at the moment, which I will cover in future Newsletters, and a few other interesting new items showing in the sections that follow below - so hope you find at least one or two things that are of interest to you in this Newsletter
Vincent Grey Flash - Gets An Audit Check
Starting to loosely assemble some of the many parts accumulated for my Vincent Grey Flash Replica (a project I first started discussing with my father back as a teenager in the 1970's!). Notice correct shaped Grey Flash Gearbox outrigger plate - quite different to the corresponding Comet version. At this stage just a loose assembly - as much as anything - to work out what items I am short of, and maybe a mock up assembly - but I always fancied this bike for twisty sprints or other such events.
The tyres are soft compound 18" race tyres - but now 20 years old!
Below: This rare HRD 'Meteor; timing cover came up for sale on Ebay recently - advertised by same sellar as I had bought some Grey Flash parts from before Xmas. Although a temptation - rembering my engine already had a nice (and more correct for GF) 'Vincent' outer timing cover - helped me to avoid bidding on it. Good job as it eventually sold for a whopping £780!!
Recent Purchases and Progress On My Own Projects.
I gave an update in the last newsletter on my Vincent Black Lightning rep - and how I had pulled it ouf the garage, where it has sat under covers for the last 12 years, following a very longterm build project - and had undertaken a number of fettling tasks, with a view to shortly getting ready for the track - and hopefully occassional road use. Well that is still in progress, and some work has been done - and I hope to have a further update shortly
However, in the meantime - and while still in 'Vincent Mode' I decided I would pull out from the deepest depths of my workshop . .. some major lumps from my 3rd and final Vincent - this being my Vincent Grey Flash project.
Again, I mentioned this project in the last Newsletter, as recently some Grey Flash parts I was short of came up for sale on Ebay - and I was able to acquire.
That happened to coincide with a little bit of space in one of my 'mancave rooms' in our house happening to free itself up (actually my older daughters old bedroom, which i was recenly able to clear of most of her old rubbis - as she had vacated it when buying her own house almost 2 years ago!).
Having now managed to turn it into a reasonable second office and 'quality time with grandaughter play area' - I realised there was now also a little bit of space in one corner of the room - which might benefit from having a nice quality oak TV stand and drawers placed there (bought very reasonably in the January online sales!) - and then maybe rather than a TV plonked upon it . . . why not maybe a few lumps of Vincent - after all I would much rather sit and watch a static Vincent engine, rather than even 5 minutes of Eastenders, or some other crappy TV soap!
Again, this was not just a whim, but something I had been thinking of doing for a few months - trying to remember how much of the Grey Flash and its component parts I had, and what bits I was still missing - and deciding if it was worth starting back doing a bit of work on it.
The basis of the engine for this project was a very original 500cc standard Comet engine - actually my late fathers spare Comet engine in the 1960's. But it had sat in large plastic container under a workshop bench for the last 12 years or so - and I was struggling to remember how complete it was.
And then just after Xmas - the same person selling the other Grey Flash parts I had purchased recently on Ebay - offered up for sale a very unusual 500cc Vinnie Item - a genuine HRD timing cover.
Now that may not sound very interesting to the none Vincent layman (after all - my Black Lightning Rep is also the earlier HRD branded version), but actually the postwar 500cc was only resurected a bit later on from the twin - and only a few HRD 500's were offered - and I believe almost all of these were the rare Meteor models (a slightly more basic version of the Comet, and fitted with Brampton forks and less tuned engine).
Well, as I have always liked the more unusual trinkets I did think to myself an HRD 500cc timing cover might be nice, and actually - although the Grey Flash should really have a Vincent timing cover . . . I happen to have seen the prototype (supposedly) Grey Flash engine unit about 30 years ago, covered in dust and dirt in a well known Vincent experts workshp - and that first Grey Flash had a HRD cover fitted!
I watched the cover on Ebay for a few days, hoping a 500 Vinnie timing cover would not exceed more than £150'ish . . . but as with a couple of days to go it has already gone over the £250 mark . . . I decided that had already gone past what I wanted to pay - and now would be a good time to dig my own engine out from under the bench .. . because frankly I could not remember if my spare engine actually had the timing cover with it - and if it dident, then maybe I was going to have to grit my teeth and keep watching!
A New 3-Part Web Page Article -
Som Norton Works Parts Recently Acquired
You may have already seen this - if you visit our home page or my other website - www.RacingVincent.co.uk - but I have finally managed to publish a new 3-part web article (something I have been trying to get to grips again for a long time
Luckily -although getting to the container holding the engine was a bit of nightmare - loads of tooling and equipment had to be manhandled to finally get to it . . . I was very pleasantly suprised to find that - not only did it have a very nice condition 'Vincent' monogrammed outer timing cover fitted, but also most of the contents of the timing case were still in place - and the main lumps of the engine looked in much better condition than I remembered.
So with that - I decided (regretfully) to let the 'HRD' Meteor cover go - and let someone spend all their spare cash on it!
And a very good job I did too - because out of curiousity I went back into Ebay a day or so later, after the listing had completed . . . only to find that the timing cover had finally sold for a whopping £780!!!!
I can only assume this is because Meteor parts are so rare (and actually I would have felt guilty depriving a genuine Meteor owner of it - if he needed it that badly) - or just maybe there was another person out there building a Grey Flash Rep .. . and he too had once seen the Grey Flash prototype and wanted to replicate it!
Recent Purchases and a New WebPage Article:
All that was about 4 weeks ago from writing this update, and since then, I have spent the odd couple of hours here and there washing down and cleaning the main lumps of the Vincent engine, and loosely assembling parts on my new TV stand, and doing an itinery of what parts are still required. I am pleased to report that I have found numerous parts I forgot I had - and now have almost all the larger and more difficult parts, and actually dont need that much to actually start a 'loose assembly'. I will report on this more in a future article - but for the moment, a couple of photographs of it as it sits on its new 'TV Stand build platform' - and for me another bit of eye candy to distract me and look at when doing the paperwork!
I have done a few Norton related tasks as well since my last Newsletter, but will report on them seperately - not only on my 1939 Gardengate Manx project (which I was half way through doing a Youtube article on a few months ago, when other things then got in the way) - but some time around September last year I was very fortunate to have been offered some rare parts from a dear old friend - which then caused me to change 'tack' with my own projects yet again! . . . as I have said many times, I am the proverbial 'project butterfly' - flitting from one thing to another with random egularity.
But I knew that with these parts, I needed to move relativly fast to acquire them, and was very fortunate to have been offered them. So - I decided that they would make the perfect opportunity for me to to publish a new RacingVincent article - and one that is finally 'Responsive' . . . i.e. it should size automatically to whatever device you are reading it from.
After a lot of struggling to get to grips with some of the technical web techniques to do this - I was finally able to publish the article at the end of May 2025, and I have included a link for it here - just click on the carb picture above. I hope you find something in the 3-part article that is interesting - and remember - click on any photograph to see a larger version.
www.RacingNorton.co.uk - Some Online Order Changes To Be Aware Of:
So a few things to be aware of in recent months, although if you are shopping with us regularly, you probably already know this:
- My daughter Steph is now back processing online orders each week, ratherr than myself (who stood in for her while she was ill and later on maternity leave). However my daugter is on our sales@racingvincent.co.uk email address - so please include that email address on correspondance if you are emailing me for order updates
- My daughter only works part time - Mondays, Tuesdays and part of Wednesdays. I am now back concentrating on manufacturing. However, we have managed to reduce our backlog somewhat - but as she works part time - we still expect orders to take 2 - 3 weeks to process ... . please be aware of this and plan for it - as this turnaround time is not likely to change, and we take orders strictly in the order they are placed - irrespective of size (it is the most fair way)
- Large orders to non UK locations - i.e. the US, Australia, some European countries etcc. : We have noticed that since the US President imposed new import tariffs recently - that some larger orders seem to be attracting more attention from some Cusoms services. Please be aware that we have no control at all over each countries Customs departments .. .. and legally we will always include a customs declaration of the full retail value, and a hardcopy of the customer Order Receipt. It is then up to the countries Customs people how they treat that!! . . . hopefully this goes without saying, but we always provide tracking details and use a trusted courier for larger orders over £250 value (either DPD or FedEx). Orders up to £250 value or 2kg weight will normally be sent by Royal Mail.
Fedex,
And finally . . . just as a 'fly on the wall' personal update - while my daugher is working - processing orders, normally either myself or my wife are now involved in trying to keep our new grandaughter Nova entertained, who is now almost 1.5 years old . . . and very lively!. This sometimes means I am no longer able to do the same level of hours CNC machining, or fabricating, per week that I was doing before! But as I am now approaching 63 years of age, and this is our first grandaughter . . . i feel no guilt for saying this - and hope you will not hold it against me!
Best wishes
Paul and Steph Norman
26th May 2025
Major Re-stocks This Newsletter
I did not get time to update on all the new items that were in the pipeline in the last Winter Newsletter - so have covered them in this latest Newsletter instead, along with those that have come in in the last 4 months
(actually - sorry . . . I am late wtih this Newsletter . . . it is parts come in in the last 6 months!)
SOHC 500cc Vertical Shafts - New Batch Now Available
If you are a regular to our site, you may already have seen these appear in January - February on our online catalog - but as I have struggled to get htis latest Newsletter out, I am only just now giving an update - but I am pleased to say we now have a new batch of 500cc SOHC vertical shafts available - and as you can see from the photgraohs - they are very pretty and have come out very nice
FYI - we have seen many variations in lengths of SOHC vertical shafts over the years - and even with the 500cc length shaft (which these are) - there seem to have been a couple of minor variations - but we have done much checking and verifying with other owners and marque experts - and are confident these are the most commonly fitted 500cc length - and of course we also sell the Oldham Couplings in various lengths (Items 0683 and 0684) - whereby you can amend the top oldham coupling cnetre thickness to account for small changes in compression ratio.
Have a careful read of the Item Listing for these shaft and couplings if you are building a SOHC engine for the first time - or if you need to confirm anything before ordering you can always email us on our sales@racingvincent.co.uk email - Title the email SOHC Vertcial Shaft Info required
Item 1055 - 500cc SOHC Vertical Shaft
These 500cc Vertical Shafts are newly manufactured to exactly the same dimensions as original Shafts. The lipped end (shown below) is always positioned at teh bottom - feeding into the crankcase bevel castings
And a Reminder - Oldham Couplings
(Items 0683 nad 0684)
Just a reminder we also supply the oldham couplings - in various thicknesses. Item 0683 is 3/16" thickness and must always be fitted on the bottom - but various thicknes couplings (including the 3/16" thicknes) can be fitted in the top coupling position - to suit what compression ratio or variation best suits your engine.
And by the way - if your original shaft has its tangs at one end shorter than the other . . . the chances are that someone many years ago did not have the correct thickness coupling - so chopped down the vertical shaft instead to get the cambox to fit the head height!! I have seen a few bodged like that!
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SOHC Cams - New Batch In Stock
Back in Stock - Item 0051
500cc M30/Longstroke Manx Type cams - Per Pair
These 87/88 profile Norton SOHC 500cc cams are probably our most popular cam choice - and we have finally managed to get a new batch made - from our original cam maker (perhaps for the last time).
This cam profile was known pre-war for being the type fitted to racing engines (i.e. M30 or Longstroke SOHC 500cc Manx engines) - but actually became the stanard 500cc International road profile from 1953 onwards
Back in Stock - Item 0052
500cc Model 30 International Type cams - Per Pair
And to go with the 87/88 profiles, we have here the earlier 500cc 62.12/62.13 Norton International 500c prfiles (most commonly fitted on road Inters up to 1952.
Unfortunately - we were only able to get a few sets of this profile this time - and I know they are almost sold out.
However, as I say in the description on the left - the 87/88 profile are similar (just a slightly more aggresive version) and were themselves often fitted to Road Inters
Back in Stock - Item 0051
500cc M30/Longstroke Manx Type cams - Per Pair
And to go with the 500cc Cam profiles - we also have a new batch of the most popular 350cc cam profile - i.e 64.66/63.89.
And just a reminder to CS1 owners - these are slightly more mild cam that were sometimes fitted to 500cc CS1 models
Item 0054 - Roller That Fits Between Cams
Just a reminder that when buying cams - always a good idea to buy a couple of spare rollers, as very easy to loose on the workshop floor on aseembly!
New batch of these in stock as well
New Item 0051E - 115.88 Exhaust Cam (sold seperately)
FYI - with this most recent batch of cams - we had a few extra 115.88 M30 type Exhaust cams available.
Therefore (as these ae sometimes more susceptable to damage from sheared woodruff keys) - we have a few of these that are availble seperately
DOHC Cams - Genuine New Old Stock - Limited Quantities Only!
I have recently had the chance to obtain a small batch of original Norton DOHC cams that are 'New Old Stock' (NOS), yes, gneuine Norton!
They came from a serious collector and builder of Norton race motorcycles and have been in his possession for well over 40 years . . . I have often seen them when visiting over the last 20 years! Now with this collector in his latter years, I recently had the chance to purchase them.
Like any old 'New Old Stock' parts - they came with a layer of dried oil and dirt on them - I have spent some time cleaning them (and spraying them in Duck Oil as shown in the photo top left, below) - before carefully catalogging each cam profile available, and rating them on conditino.
They are mainly a collection of mid 1950's Shortstroke cam's - Inlet and Exhaust and both 500cc and 350cc. However, there are also a few Longstroke cams and oddities . . . but as you would expect - it is first come, first served - and once they are gone they are gone!
Condition ranges from 'A1' - which means that after cleaning and oiling - there are no notiecable marks or corrosion on the cam surface at all. Then through A2 and A3 - to what I have classed A4 - whereby, the cam surfaces have had some level of light corrosion. Thse may still be usable (and all corrosion has been removed), but some light pitting is evident. It is up to the customer to decide if those are still of interest and worth fitting - and altough they should still be haredened, it may be worth nitriding them, or using as patterns for the cam profile.
Howeveer, rather than showing every cam seperately - I have created a new Item in our SOHC cambox section to list these cams - and the Item Description contains a list of the types of cams available - but a photograph will be sent to the customer of each individual cam before purchase, and of course - if the customer on receiving it, decides they dont want to fit it - they can return for a refund.
If you wish to en uire for more detail - email us on our sales@racingvincent.co.uk email - titling the email DOHC Cams
DOHC Cams - Genuine Norton 'New Old Stock
Both Longstroke and Shortstroke - Various Profiles
Probably the last time you will see this many genuine Norton ('New Old Stock Cams together!)
Click on Thumbnail aboue to take you to the listing
Shortstroke and (a few) Longstroke Cams available
Above are 'New Old Stock' DOHC Shortstroke cams in lovely original - still new condition. We also have a few odd DOHC Longstroke cams (notice the lip around the circumference - which look to be a noticeable difference with Longstroke type) - unfortunately the few of these we have a mostly in a slightly lesser condition with just slight shop soilling or faint pitting - but most still usable
1255 - Original Design Norton Centre Stand Sprig
Rigid and Plunger Models
These springs are the correct springs in size and shape as the original springs fitted to centre stands on both rigid and plunger Norton models, and as can be seen in the photo - clip between the centre stand and the specially designed lipped bolt that is fitted to the bottom of the gearbox.
Note that we also sell the correct spring for the earlier rear stand on Norton singl models
Item 1271 - Norton Girder Fork Speedo/Rev Clock Bracket
Another one of our lasercut and then pressed items - these brackets are copied from an original speedo bracket pattern - and are of the type fitted to the top spindle housing on Norton Girder Forks.
Supplied painted in primer
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Item 0113R - Norton Upright Gearbox Cover -Stainless Steel
(barturned) Cheesehead screws - Curved Type
We are just in the process of manufacturing a new batch of bar turned stainless steel cheeehead screws - including uprgiht and laydown cover screws (the later type normally being fine thread with a flat head.
However - altthough flat head screws were most commonly fitted to this pre-war type cover - I notice that a number of the covers I have seen have quite a shallow recess, where the traditional Norton curved head screws look better - so I made a small batch of them as well - as shown here.
More cheesehead updates in the next Newsletter
Item 0393 - Renolds Magneto Chain
- Back in Stock
Since Covid occurred, I have noticed it seems to take longer to obtain genuine Renolds chain - particularly the magneto chain.
Our SOHC magneto chain had been showing out of stock for a while, but we have now had a new batch in and they are back on sale again.
We also stock both pre-war and post-war magneto chain for OHV and SV Models (each have a different length).
Note: magneto chains were always originally supplied with a 'rivetable soft link', rather than a split link (which is not considered the best practice for this application). We supply all magneto chains with a genuine Renolds soft link (which I am told they now only make to special order), but we can also supply split links (or even half links) if required
Re-stocked and New Carburettor Parts
04458 - Copper Floats to Fit Original Amal TT/RN and Amal 76/276/289 Type Carburettors - New Batch Back in Stock
Approximately 2 years ago we were able to offer this copper float bowl of the same design and manufacture as the original Amal floats, as fitted to pre-Monoboc Amal 76/276/289 type carbs and racing Amal TT and RN carbs - manufactured by ourselves as shown here.
That first batch sold out some months ago - and we have now manufactured a new batch (a tiime consuming job requiring some specialist techniques) - which as you can see here are looking very pretty. These floats are manufactured to the same design as the originals, and are each tested against an original float needle before we pack them. As can be seen - we wrap each in bubble wrap and a small box to ensure they are not damaged in transit
Item 0294 - Internal Thread Pre-1934 Amal TT Bellmouths
- CNC Machined From Billet Alloy
This is an item I am undeniably really pleased to be able to offer again - as it is the culmination of a lot of CNC machining work - as well as multiple trial runs - with help from a very helpful cusomer who was able to trial fit my early attempts to his own Inter (shown below) - these being the internal thread type bellmouths that were fitted to the earliest Amal TT10 carbs (i.e. pre-1934) - before they moved to the later type which screwed into the carb body, and were retained by a lockring (which we also offer - in various bores and lengths - see our Carb sections)
Many years ago we were able to offer a steel version of this distinctive shaped bellmouth, but that manufacturer no longer makes them - but I kept back one original - and have been meaning to make a batch for many years . .. . but knew they would not be easy - and eventually I decided to bite the bullet and CNC machine tfhem from solid alloy billets. This took many attempts to get correct (and a huge amount of waste alloy swarf - as approximately 80% of the billet got machined away!!) - but the result is a really nice looking bellmouth that accurately reflects the original Amal (spun type?) bellmouth.
Click on the photo to take you to the listing and find out more about this bellmouth and the original carb type they were fitted to
!
New Item 1278 - Pre-War SOHC (and Works) Type Black Rubber
Petrol Pipes - (Stainless Steel) Wire Bound - Per Pair
We have been making (ethanol proof) black rubber petrol pipe sets for many years - but recently we had the tooling made for making the original dimension spring coil that was fitted to pre-war SOHC models (and Works bikes - click on the thumbnail below to see a 1935 Works 350 fitted with similar fuel pipes). Above is a set being modelled on my 1939 Gardengate Manx project
COMING SOON - Norton Oil Pipe Sets
To go with the listing on the left - I have been asked lots of times over the years if we are intending to make the special 'Wire Bound' Norton SOHC Oil Pipe sets?
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
Other New And Re-Stocked Parts: Some Norton and Some Generic
- Including Magneto Parts
We have recently restocked or remanufactured many of our most popular parts - in fact, more than are shown below . . . but I will save the other parts for the next Newsletter - so I can get this Newsletter out now (mid Jan 2025.
I will endeavour to include all the other parts - along with those currently in progress in the next 4 sweeks or so . . ..
0128 and 0129 - Norton (standard type) Petrol Tank Rubbers - lipped (top) and none-lipped (bottom) - BACK IN STOCK
Some of the most popular parts in our catalog are our Norton petrol tank fittings - and particularly the lipped and non lipped rubbers which were fitted to the majority of Norton petrol tanks (i.e. almost all non-Bolthru Manx) tanks from the 1930's to the 1950s. The lipped rubber fits above the frame casing, with the lipped part fitting into the hole in the casting. The bottom rubber fitts snugly into the dished washer - and we produce a very popular stainless steel version of this, that transforms the look when fitted all round.
We have these rubbers specially manufactured for us from a very firm and oil resitant nitrile rubber - and are of the best quality
Now back in stock
BACK IN STOCK: - Item 0131 and 0132 - Norton ((Manx Type) Bolt-Thru Petrol/Oil Tank 'Top Hat' Rubbers
Many years ago when we invested in the patterns to have these special Top Hat rubbers made - I was slightly concerned that we might not find that many owners that required them.
I needent have worried - because over the years we have sold hundreds of them and they are a very popular item (comparitively!)
These are exactly the same as Norton originals - the smaller top rubbers fitting in the top of a Bolthru petrol tank with dished washers (and also used on the bolthru oil tanks), while the larger top hat rubber fits under the petrol tank.
Back In Stock - tem 0187 BTH KD1 TT Cover Screws
We have recently made a new batch of our popular stainless steel hex and slotted BTH KD1 competition cover screws in stainless sweel (with washer)
Back In Stock - tem 0189 BTH KD1 TT Housng Screws (for Lockwire)
And similarly - we have also made a new batch of the BTH Housing screws - which are milled with correct hex, slotted for screwdriver and also cross drilled for lockwire, with conical rear head. Not cheap - due to multiple ops to make, - but look very pretty!
Back In Stock - tem 0860 - Lucas Competition Magnetos Housng Screws
Slotted Hex version with Lockwire Holes (Stainless Steel)
At the same time as the BTH Housing Screws - we also made a new batch of the Lucas equievelant - these being the housing screws for Lucas competition magnetos like the NR1 shown here, but also KVFTT, K2FC etc. We also sell Item 0861 wihich is the same housing screw but none slotted - both being copied on original patterns - see listing detail for both
NEW ITEM 1254- (Edwardian Veteran Models) - EIC Magneto
Conical Type HT Pickup Screws (stainless steel)
And finally while listing magneto parts - here is a realy unusual and hard to find part! . . . these being the original design HT pickup screws, that were fitted to the EIC type magneto . . . these screws being conical in profile - and therefore almost impossible to source if you hapeen to own one of these 100 year old magneto's and it is missing its original screws - as they often are. These EIC magnetos were most commonly fitted to early Douglas models from about 1916 (previously Douglas had fitted Bosch magnetos .. . . but no suprise that they became unavilable shortly after the start of World War One!. I dont mind admitting - the main reason for manufacturing this small batch - the original screws on the EIC magneto on my own Douglas were a bit scraggy and I was worred I would be stuffed if I lost one!
New Facsimile Tax Disk Year - 1944 - WAR SERVICE TYPE
The latest facsimile (UK type) tax disc we have introduced into our range is the 1944 Tax year.
And as this year was when World War 2 was in progress - we have also produced the variation that was provided for those vehicles being used for official purposes - which had the words WAR SERVICE overstamped over the normal disc - i.e for WD service motor vehicles or Doctors etc.
FYI - We are always happy to update the text on these tax discs to say Car or Ambulance, and whateever make of vehichle you wish to have inserted
New Facsimile Tax Disk Year - 1944 (Normal Type
And here is the same tax disk if you wish to have it in the normal format for hte 1944 year
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. . . And Finally - Stuff Coming Up or on the 'To Do' List . . .
Norton Front Fork Brace Type Handlebars -
Available Shortly
Since our last Newsletter I have managed to make progress with these special Braced Handlebars - as fitted to those Pre-War girder fork models which were fitted with the 'rubber mounted' top yoke (we also sell the correct doughnut rubbers in both 7/8" and 1" handlebar sizes.
I have recently made a batch of handlebars - where the brace has been pre-pressed (using our own press tools - it is not possible to get the correct shape without those) - but for this batch we have removed chrome from the central part of the handlebars, but left the brace for the customer to weld or braze to the handlebar, once they have found the best postion to suit them.
As I finish updating this newsletter in early June 2025 - I have not had time to finalise the new listing yet . .. but numbers for this batch are limited - so if you are interested, email us quickly - as I am expecting they will sell relatively quickly
For more information Email me on: paul.norman@racingvincent.co.uk
OHV/SV Oil Pipes - Upright Gerabox Models
In the next Newsletter I will give an update on new batch's of oil and breather pipes we have recently been manufacturing (and issues outside our control that has delayed this until now!) - but I also wanted to give customers with OHV/SV models that we shortly be introducitng two variations on the OHV/SV/CS1 oil pipes (feed and return) fitted to upright gearbox models (1930's to late 1940's). Shown in the photograph is the Post 48 type that have a seperate oil feed to the OHV rockerbox - and FYI - we are currently having the moulds made to reproduce this special rubber 'T' piece from an original 'New Old Stock' Norton pattern - as they have been unavailable for years and most originals are perished or missing. More updates on progress on these in hte next Newsletter
Bar Turned Cheesehead Screws - SOHC and 1938/47 OHV Models
This has turned out to be a far larger job than I was expecting - simply because these are very time consuming to make and I only get limited CNC machining time these days.
However - the good news is, I have now finished machining and just need to sort the different tupes into sets and bag them . . .
I am hoping Cheeseheads (particularly the SOHC Cheesehead set shown abvoe) will be available by early July 2025
1930 - 1937 OHV Pushrod Tubes and Fittings - Now in Progress
Another task more difficult than we expected was manufacturing these pushrod tubes from high quality stainless steel tubes. However a small batch of tubes have now been completed . . . but it may be a while until I have a slot in the queue to make a batch of the corresponding Hex bottom nuts (but the stainless imperial Hex bar is now purchased - reassuringly expensive!)
Some of the other parts expecting to remake in the next 3 months:
- Item 1051: Norton Gearbox Camplate and Quadrant Bushes -Summer 2025 (Revised plan! - but metal bought and next to machine now!)
- Item 1059: Norton Upright Gearbox Selector Front and Rear Bushes - Ditto Above, will be done at same time
- Item 0533-0534 Wrapround Oil Tank Oilers - Small batch to make - Was hoping to have these ready for sale in Jan 2025 . . . but over the Xmas period a courier managed to loose a large (and very expensive!!) box of manufactured parts on the way back from plating! - Aggghhh! . . . now having to remanufacture many of these parts - including oiler parts - (update June 25: Parts now back from plating - need to assmeble - email if required urgently)
- Item 0875 : SOHC Girder Fork Crown Main Nuts - Sorry still in queue, and a while off yet, but OHV/SV type is available (i.e. non Andre Damper type, for standard Norton bakelite damper)
- SOHC Shims (all types) - Currently talking to manufacturers for the next batch .. . touchwood - next 6 weeks.
- Douglas Parts - Aware we are showing out of stock on many parts - to all my Douglas customers, apologies - but as soon as I get the list above done, I will be attempting to make new batchs of most parts currently out of stock
Email us on paul.normanpaul.norman@racingvincent.co.uk@racingvincent.co.uk if you wish to reserve anything or need an update on availablility