RacingNorton Newsletter No.47 : Summer/Autumn 2025
As I write this Newsletter update in mid-October– and only about 3 months later than I intended to get it done (no surprise there!), I am able to reflect that the last 8 months have been quite productive from a manufacturing and re-stocking perspective and therefore, before talking about anything else going on, it is probably worth giving an brief update on what’s been going on, and what’s in the pipeline for the coming months – if I can continue to get suitable time in the workshop:
Cheesehead Screws Update:
I had been reporting in the last two newsletters that I had a new batch of stainless steel (bar turned) cheesehead screws in progress – but in truth, they took much longer to make than I expected. This was because of the sheer volume of screws I had to make – and I forgot how time consuming the setup can be – due to all the numerous lengths and thread differences, and the limited time I am able to get at the moment on my CNC machine each week – particularly as I now have to share granddaughter babysitting duties with my wife, while Steph is processing online orders.
As I was a couple of weeks (on and off) into the process of manufacturing these screws – and had remembered many of the little idiosyncrasies associated with making them – I had taken a couple of videos of the process of making them on my CNC, with the intention of doing a short workshop article. But as always - other events quickly took over from a work perspective - so I guess that short video (Youtube) will have to wait.
Anyway, the result is – we now have full cheesehead sets available again for SOHC (cammy) engines, as well as for 1938-47 OHV and SV models, and also upright and laydown Norton gearbox types (albeit in limited numbers for some types – as I was running out of stainless bar, and realising if I did not stop sometime – I was in fear of never getting them done! See the Newsletter sections below for an update on these.
Bearings Update:
I know that I am often repeating myself in these Newsletters when I report back on the difficulty of finding original UK manufactured (mainly Imperial and difficult to find) Norton single cylinder bearings – particularly those from top quality manufacturer – RHP (originally Hoffmans), and even more so when in the looser ‘C3’ fit, most commonly fitted inside Norton engines.
Well again in recent months – we had ran out of the special (infamous some would say) self centering twin row bearing specially fitted to SOHC (and earlier DOHC) engine vertical bevel castings.
I know the price of these is eye watering . . . but as I have said before, just trying to find them in new condition is a real challenge. So at the end of August I was able to source another batch from the same specialist supplier as before – again an expensive investment, but was able to negotiate a price on a batch only fractionally more than the last batch 18 months ago – so these are now in stock again, along with a few other original RHP bearings I was able to find at the same time.
Incidentally – although I may report in a Newsletter that - finally – all stocks of a particular obsolete RHP Norton bearing now seem to be exhausted . . . it does not stop me doing the same ‘trawl’ of specialist suppliers I always go to . . . because occasionally a new batch does surface from some warehouse or maybe an old supplier shutting down. So occasionally – as per one of the bearings covered in the update below – I am able to buy just a few more.
Walter Moore CS1 and 1930’s/40’s OHV/SV Timing Case Parts:
In the last two years I have had an increasing number of owners of OHV and SV Norton models of the 1930’s, through to the 38-47 models, asking me about timing case and pushrod parts.
Walter Moore CS1 and OHV/SV (Various) Timing Case
Parts - 1930-37 and 1938-47 Engine Types - Work In Progress
As you can see from the picture above, we are manufacturing the complete Walter Moore CS1 BigEnd quill assembly, using original CS1 examples (and a kind customer who did drawings from his original model). There is quite a lot of work (for such small numbers we will be manufacturing) - so they have taken some time to do . . . but hoping they will be available late October.
Email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk if you want more information or to reserve an assembly
I had manufactured the parts for two types of the actual pushrods about 3 years ago – and actually am shortly going to need to manufacture more of these – but I have also been asked about BigEnd quills, the quill holders and pressure release parts.
But then about 4 months ago, a couple of owners asked me if I could offer any of the special Quill parts for the Walter Moore CS1 engine? – the first Norton cammy engine type of 1927-30 age. Again, a few years ago I took dimensions for a number of CS1 parts for future reference from a friend who had a dismantled model, but unfortunately not the quill assembly – his timing cover was missing these parts. So as I was already about to embark on a batch of 38-47 Big End quills at the time anyway, I did some calling around and was very fortunate that a well-known father and son with a huge amount of cammy Norton expertise were able to lend me a genuine 1920’s CS1 quill assembly, in good enough condition to get all the required dimensions to make drawings and write CNC programs etc. In parallel to this – another kind Norton CS1 owner in Australia (I don’t normally like to give out names because of data protection etc, but thanks Ian!) – was also kind enough to share dimensions of his CS1 assembly, and email me an excellent hand written drawing, which confirmed most of the dimensions of the patterns I had been lent. The one difference between the two was the quills themselves – so either there were two types or one is a later modified type. I have gone with the type that looks to be original and looks as per the tiny drawing in the 1928 Spare Parts Manual!
Although as I write this article in early October 2025, not all the timing case/quill parts are finished – the majority of the ones I wanted to make this year are – including some special quill and pressure release springs, so you should see these below as well.
Another part I get asked about in this area is the flat lever type cam followers fitted to most Norton OHV/SVI models through the 30’s, and particularly I remember them because – having raced a fast but fragile 38-47 OHV type engine for some time – these followers had a reputation for wearing badly and often snapping – hence why it was not uncommon to find 38-47 timing covers with the central pressure release casting boss broken off – often caused by the broken end of the cam follower bouncing around the timing case like an errant pinball machine!
Unfortunately these cam followers are not an easy item to make – they were originally a casting, with a hardened foot and pushrod recess at one end, and a bored hole for a hardened pin at the other end. To have patterns made and castings done (suspect they were not forgings originally) is prohibitive – and they were known for snapping anyway!
However, I have now at least spent some time doing engineering drawings of the 500cc OHV type – with the view of having them milled from billet and passed them to my main CNC people to see if a smallish batch of these are feasible. I have not had the results yet . .. but it would help to know numbers of people interested – as I suspect they will be a difficult job due to the unusual shape and dimensions. As always, email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk if you have an interest.
Racing Norton Seat Covers and Bum Pads
On a different subject, a couple of months ago I was asked about availability of a Featherbed DOHC Manx Norton (humped) seat cover kit I had offered about 5 years ago – which had been copied from an original (steel base type) Manx seat I had from early/mid 1950’s period. These kits were beautifully reproduced by a UK based upholsterer and sold out relatively quickly – but the original maker declined to make any more, being too busy with modern racing car seat covers . . . whom I gather pay better than us old bike folk!
Anyway, after a few emails from this customer, who already had a base – but was desperate for a cover, I contacted my other established vehicle upholsterer – and after an initial discussion – and then sending over my ‘Master Version’ for unpicking and template making – we have now had another batch made. Again, the quality of workmanship is very high (this being a long established UK specialist), but do not expect them to be cheap. Although they are supplied as a kit for the cover, foam and rivets – I also supply pictures and two A3 drawing sheets, giving enough information to fabricate a steel or aluminium base as per the original mid 1950’s Manx Norton seat base this cover was fitted over. And finally – as it was this maker that made our special ‘Moseley Air Cushion’ type pre-war competition bum pads previously (now also sold out) – I took the opportunity to have a couple more of those made as well (also shown below). Once they have gone, this item will be Special Order only.
And on the subject of racing seats - see also the update on rubber Trials/competition saddles below.
There are lots of other parts I have in the pipeline over the next year (as well as restocks of parts we already make, but constantly go in and out of stock), but rather than list them here – why not scroll down this Newsletter and as well as those items now back in stock . . . at the bottom of the newsletter is a section detailing those Items that are either already in the pipeline – or I am considering for the future.
As always, I hope you find something in this edition of our Newsletter that is of interest to you!
BTH Platinum Points:
Final item update before I cover a bit on my own projects update - BTH Platinum Poiints. I know a recently said I had managed to obtain one final btach of platinum points from my now retired Points manufacturer - but once they are gone - they are gone etc . . . well not suprisingly they went!, quite quickly in fact, given they are definitely not cheap.
Back then, a few months ago, seeing how quickly they were depleting - and having given some considerable thought to their manufacture - I made enquiries to purchase a small quantity of the very special Platinum alloy material the points are made from (they are not pure platinum you know, but actually the Platinum is the cheaper base metal, the other key material in the alloy is almost twice as expensive!). After contacting two or three specialist suppliers - the quotes I received back were frankly - eye watering. In fact so much so - that I realised just the material cost for one set of points on the quote I first received would be more than the cost price I was currently getting them supplied to me fully manufactured for was!!
I can only surmise that this is becaue the cost of precious metals has risen so much in the last 5 years - but eventually, I realised the small quanitity sizes I required would just not be feasible for these specialist manufacturers I contaced to make (they were talking thousands GBP for a smal rectangle of the required platninum alloy plate).
However - the (albeit short term) good news to this update is - as part of these discussions, I was talking to my original manufacturer (now retired) - and I must have touched a heartstring - as he told me he may be able to supply me one further batch of points. I am not sure if this entirely finishes off his available material - or if he is holding any more in reserve - but I can only tell you what I know . . . expect once this batch are gone, there wont be any more!
Norton 1932 Trials Engine - Gets A Blast Before Work Begin
Loosely assembled trials engine after vapour blasiting crankcases barrel and head.. Although the crankcases could well be 'New Old Stock' and only had the normal discolouring you might expect from 80 year old alloy - I was amazed how good they looked after vapour blasting - this must be how they looked when they first came out of Norton's foundry in the early 1930's!
And below is possibly the task I have been dreading most about this engine build - trying to weld on all those missing alloy fins. As I write this - some have been done, but still a long way to go - see the seperate article link in the main text
I think it goes without saying now that you should not expect any two consecutive Newslletters I produce to offer continuity of a single bike project - i.e. actually finishing something I started in the previous Newsletter - and this months update is no exception!
In the last two Newsletters I have talked about getting both my Vincent Black Lightning replica and my 1919 Douglas TT Rep up and running. Well both have had some work on them since the last Newsletter - but neither are properly running yet!
So we will leave them both for a future update.
But two of the current projects I am working on are both engines I have been meaning to get started on for some time - so although progress is not fast, it is great to be finally doing something with both of them - the first is an early (1932'is) alloy crankcase 350/500cc hybrid engine reserved for my pre-war Trials project and the second is the original pre-war magnesium crankcase 350cc Model 40M 'Round Fin' Manx engine, which has been sat on my Workshop floor for the last 12 years - as I was intending for it to replace the later 'Square Head' Manx engine currently in my 1938 Big Plunger Manx, as it was this 350 type engine the bike would originally have had fitted, and at some point in the near future it would be nice to do a couple of meetings on it - or even put it on the road.
1932 Trials Engine Progress:
As reported on before, this engine is a bit of a hybrid - the crankcases I believe being an early 350cc pair of approximately 1932 vintage (they do not have provision of an oil filter bolt in the lower bevel assembly which I believe came about in 1933-34.
However, I bought them about 35 years ago from a well known Norton cammy expert - along with a set of 500cc flywheels which had been cut down to fit erm 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
And . . .
Early 350 Manx M40 Engine - Stripdown Starts
An engine I have had in my possessioin for around 20 years - but never having stripped it in that time is this lovely time-warp 1936 350cc 40M - i.e. one of the first magnesium crankcase SOHC Manx engines to be built. It is reserved for my 1938 Big Plunger Manx, which currently has a 500cc 'Square Head' Manx engine in it - but this is the correct spec engine that bike would originally have had fitted. As you can see above - head and barrel are already removed and crankcases are just about to be split.
In the photograph below - progress has been made, the crank has been removed, to reveal a pair of really nice condition crankcases (pheww!), and here I have just completed the always worry'some task of removing the oil pump. Notice the special pullers.
I will try and do an article on this engine strip at some point in the future
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1936 M40 (i.e. Early Manx) 350cc Engine Progress:
And another long term engine build project is this lovely and very early 1936 M40 engine, which has been sat patiently under my engine workbench - waiting fo rme to finish my prevouls engine build - that being the 1938 500cc M30 engine (using our own made magneisum crankcases) that was finished last year.
I purchased the main parts for this engien about 20 years ago - and know it is the correct specification to go in my 1938 Big Plunger Manx (currently fitted with a square head 500cc engine) - but have been meaning to strip and rebuild it for a long time. I have finally started the first step of that process - stripping!
But rather than going into any more detail in this Newsletter about the progress made on these 2 engine builds (which as I come back to this section, having finally filled out all the online catalog updates below . . . and realising it is already far too long for a Newsletter!) . . . I have decided instead to turn the updates into my next RacingVincent 'Article'.
And you can find the article here:
Two Pre-War SOHC Engines Update
But because the Newsletter itself has taken me so long to write (it is almost the end of October now - and need to get the Newsletter published!)
I have not got very far with the article yet (I am just about to publish the Newsletter now, in the last week of October 2025) - but I hope to add to it in the next 4 weeks, and am expecting to have it finished sometime around the end of November. You can click on the link now - but please dont expect there to be more than one or two paragraphs at this time - but I will get ti done as soon as possible
Just a few other short updates about our Online order website and recent changes, please be aware of them before placing an order, thanks:
- Online orders to the US: As most US customers already know - your president (I will allow you to each think whatever thoughts you have about your own president . . . I doubt they are much different to what I think about our own encumbent UK government members!) . .. has imposed further import tariffs on anything coming into the US. Because of this - fyi - we are now emailing customers of any orders to the US of over £100 to confirm the conditions we work to and a disclaimer of anything outside of our control. And if the customer is not comfortable with this, then regretfully we will not be able to carry out the order.. Sorry - we really appreciate our US customers - but we are not responsible for any restrictions or charges your own government has imposed on you . .. we have enough issues as a small business just trying to carry on our business with our own governments lack of help!
- Order Timescales and Email Replies: Just a further update from my previous Newsletter - as most customers know, our small family business is just myself and my daughter Steph (who processes the online orders part time). I just wanted to re-iterate that our average timescale for getting to an online order, once placed, is normally 3 weeks minimum. Sorry if this is too long for some people - but I think it is fair to say that this is not likely to change in the immediate futurre. Particularly - as Steph's daughter (a lovely bundle of joy called Nova) is now approaching 2 years of age - to allow Steph to process orders will normally require either myself or my wife (who also works part time) to 'babysit' our grandaughter. Although I have to admit that this is no hardship - it does mean that while looking after grandaughter - I am not able to do much on the business myself . . . and that is just the way things are, hope you all understand.
- Current Email Enquiries for Parts out of Stock: And with the above in mind - I just wanted to reiterate to customers who may be waiting for long term out of stock parts to become available again - by all means you can email us at any time for an update (if you email us on our sales email, Steph will forward the email to myself - but email again in a week if no reply . .. we get more emails than we can answer and miss a few). However, please bear in mind - I only have limited time manufacturing - and cannot give commitment to any timescales . . . the message is - I am happy to give an indication . . . but dont push me to commit to a timescale, because you may be disappointed. However, I will give a best guess estimate. I am finding the same with my own trusted CNC manufacturers (all UK based) as well - I am having to wait longer for my parts, as less small CNC companies seem to be making parts for businesses like ours, and costs continue to rise
Sorry if this last update soounds a bit like Doom and Gloom - it is not intended to .. . and actually, I am heavily involved with further stock updates at the moment - so hopefully the updates below will be of interest to you (and I have more to give, as soon as I start the next Newsletter)!
If you need a status update on an order, we have now reverted to our normal sales email again: sales@racingvincent.co.uk ,
My daugther Steph is now back in the office (normally working Monday to Wednesday), but as she has a small daughter to look after now, these working days may change from week to week - but she will answer order queries and pass any technical queries over to myself
ps - one final point about this Newsletter - and partly the reason it has taken so long. Although it is an old style format I have used for a long time (i.e. it is not responsive - it does not resize to your mobile device, unlike the new article format I came up with last year) - it is at least familiar to me, so I can just add to an new Newsletter easily when I get time. However of late I have realised the text seems to come out quite small on some browsers - and as we are all getting older . . . I decided to update its format to make it a slightly larger width and font/image size. Unfortunately this actually meant a lot of work to all my web formatting style sheets and photoshop image sizing programs, but hopefully it is now a bit easier to read. Anyway - it is done now, so hope it makes reading the Newsletter a bit easier on the eyes.
Best wishes
Paul Norman
Late October 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 too now. . . so it is actually parts that have come in in the last 6 months!)
As always - I have been out on the hunt with my specialst bearing suppliers, as a number of our bearings had either ran out or were running low.
Where I can I have restocked with original RHP (best quality UK bearing manufacturer), or similar high quality makes, but also - as is inevitably the case with many of these obsolete bearings now - the best quality offshore alternatives we can find:
Back in Stock - Item 0005
SOHC Vertical Bevel Housing (Top or Bottom) Double Row Bearing
These special twin row 'self-centering' bronze caged ball bearings are the nemesis of hte SOHC engine design - having been responsible for more brokien bottom bevel gears (as they will occasionally drop a ball) than any other fault.
Unfortunately they are a necessary evil - as the self centering effect allows the cambox to be moved slightly off vertical when removing from under the frame top tube on Rigid and Plunger framed models. Therefore, never move the cambox off vertical more than absolutely necessary when doing routine servicing - to lessen this risk.
Now the rarest of all Norton bearings - and therefore very difficult to source, I have just been able to obtain this new batch. As always - these are the genuine bearings. Price only marginally more expensive than when last obtained 18 months ago.
Back in Stock - Item 0242
OHV/SV - 1930's-1950's Maind Drive/Timing Side Main Bearing
- Genuine RHP C3 Fit (Original Fitment)
Likewise to the SOHC vertical bevel bearings on the left, while doing my normal hunt for bearings - I was able to obtain a small quantity of genuine C3 fit (i.e. looser fit) RHP main bearing - as fitted to all OHV/SV engines from the 1930's - 1950's.
Although non-C3 fit bearings were often fitted by owners (normally because they did not realise the looser 'C3' fit bearings were original fitment) - it is always best to fit 'C3' fit bearings if you can get them - particularly if you crankcase bearings housings are showing signs of heavy greyness or scoring - indicatng a bearing may have spun in the past and reduced the interference fit. Again, only a small batch of these available - as normal - once they are gone, they are gone!
Back in Stock - Just a Few Available : Item 0020 : SOHC Aluminium Crankcase Type (i.e. Inter and CS1) Timing Side Twin Ball Bearing
And another now rare bearing we have managed to find just a handful of - the SOHC aluminium crankcase (Model 30/40 and CS1) timing side bearing in orignal RHP C3 fit - but am guessing these may go quite quickly as only a few available
New Item - Item 1290 - SOHC Drive Side Crankcase
Distance Piece Shim
A new item we have just listed is this distance piece washer/shim, that normally found fitted behind the outermost Drive Side Main ball bearing - i.e. between the rear bearing housing crankcase wall and the bearing outer ring. Interestingly - this distance piece was never shown or listed in Norton Spare Parts Lists (or none that I have seen!), but they are commonly found fitted - and I am guessing the intention was - to ensure the inner race of the bearing did not foul the backwall of the crankcase bearing housing - click on the picture above to see the listing for more information
This is just a part selection of the bearing re-stocking we have undertaken in the last 8 months - although many of the now obsolete/original fitment RHP or similar quality brand bearings are now unavailable - We have continued to search and have found a few - and where they have been unavailable in original highest quality brands - have tried to ensure a lesser (but branded) offshore bearing alternative is made available.
If you cannot find the bearing you are looking for you can email us at sales@racingvincent.co.uk
As reported in the summary section above - I have now finally managed to complete the task of re-stocking our Cheesehead Screw Sets - particularly those complete SOHC engine cheesehead screw sets - which have been showing out of stock for the last 18 months. Sorry these have taken so long - but I only get limited CNC machining time these days . . . and post-covid material and machining price increases meant - going out to one of my partner CNC machining services was just too expensive as these are time consuming to manufacture (i.e. relatively small quantities - but many setup variations)
These screws are all CNC machined from stainless steel bar - but with the correct Norton head profile (which is slightly wider than most commericial cheesehead screws) and the correct thread profile and 'blank shaft' length for each application - with original Norton cheesehead screws used as the pattern for each screw type. Most have the distinctive 'shallow curved' head used on Norton single cylinder models from the 1930's - 1950's, but some of the gearbox varieties have a flat chamfered head - i.e. the laydown Norton gearbox type which were normally flat headed.
We also supply with each set - the correct red fibre backing washers that was originally fitted behind most Norton cheesehead screws at this time. If you are restoring an original Norton engine for the first time - look carefully in the recess of the old covers first to ensue an old original washer is still not lodged in place before fitting the new one!
Back in Stock - Item 0091
SOHC Engine Cheesehead Screw Set + Washers
This is the complete bar turned cheesehead screw set fit all SOHC (Arthur Carroll type) engines from 1931 to late 1950's. It consists screws for the inner and outer timing cover, crancase screw, front bevel cover and rear cambox cover and comes complete with red fibre washers
Back in Stock - Item 1000
OHV/SV - 1938-1947 Type Crankase and Timing Cover Stainless Cheesehead Set
Likewise to the SOHC vertical bevel bearings on the left, while doing my normal hunt for bearings - I was able to obtain a small quantity of genuine C3 fit (i.e. looser fit) RHP main bearing - as fitted to all OHV/SV engines from the 1930's - 1950's.
Back in Stock - Item 1001 1938-47 Rockerbox Stainless Steel Cheesehead Screw Set
To go with Item 1000 - which is the 38-47 engine type lower engine set, this set covers the rockerbox set for the OHV engines only (we sell them as two different sets - as the Side Valve type do not require these screws!). We also sell the Tappet Cover screws and washers on their own as Item 1002 . . . possibly the longest cheesehead screws Norton ever made and not as easy to make as you would think!)
Item 0113R - Norton Upright Gearbox Cover -Stainless Steel
(barturned) Cheesehead screws - Curved Type
I have found over the years that the majority of the Dollshead type inspection covers are normally fitted with flat head screws (see lower left) - as per the later Laydown gearbox screws. However I have also found a few fitted with the curved head screw - and there were definitely a couple of variations on the cover - where the screw recess was shallower - and a curved head cheesehead blended better with the outer radius of the cover - so we made a batch of these as well as the flathead variety
Item 0113 - Norton Upright Gearbox Cover -Stainless Steel
(barturned) Cheesehead screws - Flat Head Type
These are the Dollshead gearbox inspection cover screws - in the more commonly fitted - flat head variety. A popular sellar, and when fitted in conjunction with our lower domed head stainelss steel gearbox cover nuts (Item number 0099) and original type selector spline greasing bolt (Item 0671) and Filler Plug Nut (Item 0998) - really set off the cosmetic cover of an upright gearbox - and of course, will not turn rusty with age!
Back in Stock- Item 0996- Complete Norton Laydown Gearbox
Stainless cheesehead/filler plug/lower nut Set
And finally - another item back in stock employing our stainless steel cheesehead screws - the complete cover set for the Norton laydown gearobox type - which is suitable for all Norton single and twin models employing this type of gearbox - and includes the special square end (and slotted) filler plug fitted to this engine type
I was intending that in our last Newsletter we would be able to report that all our most popular nickel plated Norton oil and breather pipes had been renewed - and that all those showing previoulsy out of stock where now back abailable.
However - having spent much time and effort re-manufacturing a large quantity of pipes - and having sent them off to one of our specialist plating companies just before Xmas . . . it is sad to report that the whole batch failed to return to me in the week before Xmas - when the courier that my plater uses diecided they were going to lose them all instead! (or as I more cyncally believe . . . they had employed some dishonest asswipe who decided they were going to nick them instead!.
Apart from losing a huge amount of money (it turned out the plating company had not insure the package correctly and the courer company ducked and dived - ultimately . . . I did not get a penny) - it has taken a lot of time to re-manufacture all the pipes (not to mention the increase in the cost of copper pipe in the intervening time!) - but I am glad to report that all pipes are now back with us (sent this time to my other plater - also capable of satin nickel plating) and we also have a couple of new types in this most recent batch.
Back in Stock - Item 0629
Norton SOHC Models - Cambox Oil Feed Pipe Assembly
This cambox oil feed assembly is made in the style of the type normally fitted to competition SOHC models - i.e. it has a rubber length in the middle, making it less susceptible to fracturing - but also meaning the length can be adjusteed slightly to fit all model variations.
We supply the assembly with each end already crimped with the traditional racing lockwire method (which looks very period and pretty) - but also supply a spare length of stainless lockwire, in case you want to shorten or amend the positioning of the pipe to suit your own bike.
Back in Stock - Item 0630
Front Crankcase Breather - Long Breather Pipe
Most competition SOHC engines were fitted with a Breather union at the front of the crankcase, on the drive side (not One Way valve by the way - they were only fitted on the main bearing housing). This pipe was copied from an original 1940's Manx Norton model and looks period and purposeful. If need be, it can be easily shortened by an inch or two - but I like the full length version.
Item 0681 : Norton Single Road Models - One Way Valve / Primary Chaincase Breather Pipe
I know this breather looks just like an odd piece of bent pipe, but it is actually one of the more complex to make - and we have a special template for making it.
It is the pipe that fits between engine and the primary chaincase on roadgoing Norton singles - and is copied from an original pipe, with a weird little compound bend, so it does not fould the crankcase or inner chaincase
Item 0635 - Norton Competition Singles - One Way Breather Pipe
Serving a similar purpose to Item 0681 on the left - this pipe allows oil mist from the Mains one way valve to drain - although please remember if going on the track - they should always have a rubber pipe fitted to a catch-tank. This shape is more suited to a competition bike that will often have a full Wrapround oil tank and oiler, which is likely to be foulded by the normal shaped breather pipe
Item 00628 - Norton SOHC Bevel Chamber Breather Pipe
This is hte pipe that fits at the rear of the SOHC Crankcase vertical bevel platform and feeds behind the magneto chain timing cover.
Having a nice tight curve - it is one of the cosmetic focal points when looking at the SOHC engine, so nice to have a nicely finished one - rather than old battered piece of copper pipe!
Item 0682 - SOHC Oil Tank Top Breather Pipe
Similar to the breather on the left, but with a much larger curve radius, to fit the SOHC wrapround tank and clear the rear frame tube.
I also have an original OHV/SV pattern original of the same era (they normally attached from underneath that I will be offering in the next few months when we do the next batch
COMING SOON - Norton OHV and Side Valve Engine Oil Pipe Sets (i.e. Feed and Return)
- 1930's to 1947 and 1948 to @1951 (i.e Upright Gearbox) Type -
Although not fully finished and made up yet - I am just in the process of making up complete OHV/SV Oil Feed and Oil Return pipes - similar to those shown in the pictures below.
There were numerous variations of the same basic pipe patterns over the period from the early 1940's to the introduction of the Laydown Norton gearbox (in approx 1951-52) - but I am intending to make the type with rubber distance piece in the top half of the pipe - in both Feed Pipe (which has a larger 3/8" BSP fitting to the main oil tank gauze filter, shown as part 41 in the line picture below), and the Return Pipe which employs the 1/4" BSP fittings both ends.
I am fortunate to have kept back (some since the 1960's!) 3 or 4 original Norton oil pipes with the original fittings - some shown in the photograph top right, whcih will have allowed us to replicate the pipe bends and fittings just as the originals - and although there were original variations which were a one piece pipe (without the rubber piece) - I do not intend to offer those .. . as it is difficult to get them to fit all customer models (as even an extra thck oil tank base washer can result in the oil tank fittings mot matching up - and risking fracture. Hence the addition of a small rubber pipe allows a small amount of movement either way - and is still an original specifcation
1948 -1951 Oil Feed Return Pipe . . . Rubber T- Piece Now Available:
There are some parts that give me a real sense of satisfactoin to be able to offer - and this particular part is definitely one of them!
If you are one of those that own an OHV Norton with the 1948 onwards (i.e. the Edgar Frank designed OHV engine introduced in 1948 - with the addition of a seperate oil feed direct to the rockerbox) engine, and upright gearbox - you may be fortunate to still have fitted the original 'T' Type rubber connector - shown as Part 40 in the original 1948 Spare Parts line drawing below. However, if it just as likely that the oriignal T piece has by now perished (normally around the area where the offshoot connects to the main rubber feed) - and you have had to replace it with something that looks similar, but maybe not quite the same?? I have been holding back a couple of Norton originals I have been holding back of this most useful T piece - one of them being a genuine 'New Old Stock' example . . . and a couple of years ago, I thought I would check to see what was commercially available and similar? I was amazed to find, I could not find an original style T piece anywhere - so in the end I decided it might be a good idea to bite the bullet and have the pattern moulds made to replicate the original Norton design in modern oil reistant Nitrile Rubber.
I tested an early prototype 3 months ago - and although all the key dimensions were perfect - I notice they had not included the tiny mould 'dots' that the original Norton type had . . . so asked for the mould to be modified to include these - which it now does. I know this might seem a bit anal, but if we are going to all the trouble of having the original 1940's Norton type replicated - we might as well get it right!
The result is - a lovely quality T-piece, which we have tested against two originals, and has just the right dimensions to fit the original copper pipes and just allows the outer ferrules to be squeezed over, before crimping. Sorry - they will not be cheap . . . all the work of drawings and then having high quality moulds made costs a lot, vs the small quantity I am likely to sell - but hopefully you would prefer I make them available to not, and they may well fit other model marques that have similar oil feeds.
For the moment - I am still in progress trying to make tooling that will replicate the original and distincitve 'crimping' found on this era of Norton oil pipes - but in the meantime, if you just require a Rockerbox oil feed 'T-piece, we will also sell these seperately on their own
(By the way - Norton changed their oil pipe feed to OHV engines with the introduction of the Laydown Gearbox in 1950/51 - identifiable by the main oil pipe gauze filter bolt exiting the oil tank diagonally, instead of the prevous vertical exit type. At the same time they amended their feed to the rockerbox to adopt a banjo fitting that lopped over the main gauze bolt thread - not this earlier type. Sorry, no plans to make that banjo yet, although I may bite the bullet and have castings patterns made for it if enough interest, in the future
.
Coming Soon -
Norton Upright Gearbox - Oil Pipe Feed/Return Oil Pipe Sets
- To Original Norton Design:
Pre-Orders Now Being Taken
This is the complete bar turned cheesehead screw set fit all SOHC (Arthur Carroll type) engines from 1931 to late 1950's. It consists screws for the inner and outer timing cover, crancase screw, front bevel cover and rear cambox cover and comes complete with red fibre washers
OHV and Side Valve Upright Gearbox Oil Pipe Sets
- Coming Soon
A couple more pictures of original 1930's/1940's original OHV and Side Valve Oil Pipes (now very fragile . . . as the rubber pieces are semi perished - but wonderful patterns to copy from ) - and next to them - some examples of the new versions we are in the process fo manufacturing - notice particularly the specia 'T-Piece' rubber fieed pipe to the OHV rockerbox on 1948-1951 models . . . a piece we have have had moulding patterns made for.
Below is special tooling we are currently making to replicate the original Norton crimping pattern used on this type of original ferrules
NEW ITEMS - Item 1305 and 1304 - Nitrile Rubber T-Piece
As copied from original Norton OHV T-Piece fitted to 1948-51 Upright Gearbox Feed Pipes to OHV Rockerbox
Although our complete OHV Oil Pipe Feed/Return sets are not avaialble yet - we can now offer the special Nitrile Rubber T- Piece on its own - complete with ferrules for crimping (or Item 1304 below, without ferrules - if you prefer to use lockwire or have your own ferrules).
We have had the moulds manufactured for these, using an original Norton 'New Old Stock' T-piece in my possesion for many years . . . possibly the last original 'New Old Stock' one around! Therefore the newly manufactured ones are just as per originals - we have even included the original Norton mouldings 'dimples' into the pattern!
Also - COMING SOON (i.e. when I get CNC Machine Time!)
Norton SOHC Original Type 'Wire bound' Oil Pipe Sets
(and another batch of wire bound fuel pipes - as shown in last Newsletter - as that batch now all sold out)
And as I previously reported on - In the near future I will also be making complete sets of the larger bore SOHC engine oil pipe sets, the type that fhad large parrallel ferrules and were wire bound. I have had the special stainless steel wire coils made already - see above, but have not had opporunity to make a batch of the fittings yet - realistically still a few months away given current backlog.
And in the last Newsletter I showed a new batch of the equivelant wire bound fuel pipes - they all sold out very quickly and I need to make a new batch of them as well
We are continually re-manufacturing those special Norton single cylinder engine and gearbox parts we offer, as they run out of stock - below shows some that we have now put back in stock since the last Newsltter in February.
Note - if you see an item in our catalog with 'Red Bar' next to it, saying 'Not In Stock' - you can always email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk to get an update on if the item will be back in stock in the near future? For many items we have them in a long queue - and will eventually be available again . . . although there are some items are becoming inreasingly difficult to get re-made (see the Shim update in the sections that follows)
Back in Stock - Item 0569
Norton Upright Gearbox - Full Top Bolt Adjuster Assembly Kit
- Stainless Steel
This is the complete upright gearbox assembly top adjustment bolt - all manufactured in stainless steel, and as you can see - looks very pretty as well as being functional.
These assembly bolts are critical to good location of the gearbox and ensuring the primary (and secondary) transmission do not lose adjustment - and worn assemblies are a common issue on upright gearbox Norton models.
We now have a limited batch of this complete assembly back in stock
Back in Stock - Item 0568
Norton Upright Gearbox - Top Bolt Frame Adjuster Assembly Kit
- Stainless Steel
We sell the top adjustment bolt on its own - as this is normally the bolt and plate that wear the most on original bikes - particularly if the gearbox top bolt is not fully tightened - it normally damaging the thread on this bolt - which is then very difficult to replace.
The adjustment bolt itself is manufactured in two components with the end hex being a seperate component threaded (and riveted) onto the shaft, after the lasercut stainless steel plate is fed on - then the head is silver soldered onto the thread and the Norton styled curved hea is final profiled back on the CNC machine
New Item - Item 1292 - Norton Gearbox Mainshaft Clutch Nut and Spring Washer (High Tensile)
We have recently machined a batch of the correct form Norton gearbox clutch nuts, as fitted to all Norton models from the early 1930's through to the late 1950's.
These high quality nuts are CNC machined from high tensile EN16T - and because high tensile imperial Hex bar is no longer readily available - we manufacture these from solid round bar - and then perform a second op on them - to machine the correct (Norton type - Reduced Hex) imperial Hex spanner size of the original item.
We also supply the correct narrow profile heavy duty spring washer that would originaly have been fitted with this nut. This nut is copied from an origianl Norton item
Items - Norton Upright Gearbox Cover -Stainless Steel
(barturned) Cheesehead screws - Curved Type
In truth - I am not sure if I covered these in a previous Newsletter (sorry - losing track!) . . . but as they are still in my folder of photographs to go into the next Newsletter . .. please accept apologies if you had already seen these! . . . However, for owners of earlier (mainly 1920's) Norton models - fitted with Sturmey Archer gearbox's - in the second half of last year, we were able to extend our range of kickstart spring covers to cover 4 variations - to go with springs we already produced.
Clickong on the photos above and below will take you to the correct gearbox page of our catalog where the different variations - and there most likely gearbox fitments are described
- A Difficult Problem Shortly To Be Resolved - But Please Read
Regular customers may have noticed that in the last 12 months many of the special Norton engine and gearbox shims we have manufactured for us havie been showing either as 'OUT OF STOCK' (and a red bar will be next to this update if it is out of stock) - or the listing shoiwng with a yellow bar - to indicate we are close to 'out of stock'.
Most notably - both top and bottom SOHC bevel casting shims (which are essential for shimming the bevel gears on all SOHC engines) have been showing out of stock for many months - and although I was fortunate to find a limited stock of the bottom bevel casting type some months ago (when looking through some stock boxes I had not checked when we gave up our rented office a year ago) - these too are now almost gone, and the top bevel shms have now been totally out of stock for many months now.
So why has this become such an issue?? - well apart from the normal large outlay required whenever we have a new batch of shims manufactured (as we have to have them made in multiple thicknesses and reasonable volumes for any manufacturer to want to take them on) - when I went back to our normal shim manufacturer 6 months ago for a repeat order . . . the quote I received had risen by a multiple of almost 3 times the cost of our last batch - back in late 2021!!
In recent Post-Covid times this situation seems to have become quite common in the UK - and seems to be a combination of hugely inflated material costs, massive rise in heating and service costs - and a reluctance for large companies to want to now deal with smaller UK businesses such as ourselfs (despite always being a prompt payer!).
Unfortunately - going out to other similar specialist shim cutting companies has only resulted in receiveing even more expensive quotes!! - in fact in the case of our special bevel casting shims - the unit price I received from one manufacturer for a single shim I thought initaly was a quote for that shim in all 4 thicknesses we offer - I couldent believe when I checked and found that was the cost per shim!!
Anyway, I am pleased to report that after 4 months of careful negotiation and a fair bit of legwork - we are now able to offer all our most commonly requested shims again - including the all important SOHC Bevel and Crankshaft shims - which are essential to esnure a correctly shimmed crank and vertical bevel gear assembly. Sorry - but prices have risen considerably since the last batch - but nowhere near the uplift I might have expected when
first started the replenishment process 6 months ago!! And as always, we offer shims in 4 thicknesses, and cheaper when bought as a set
Back in Stock - Item 0262 (individual sizes) and 0262-S (set of 4)
Norton SOHC Drive Side Mainshaft Shim
Here is the first of a number of our SOHC (and early DOHC) shims back in stock. These are those fitted to the SOHC driveside mainshaft and are available in a pack of 4 thicknesses (shown above) or as a single shim (shown below). Most of our shim types for engines follow the same format - i.e. a pack of 4 or a single shim. In practice it is normal to keep numerous shims of varying thicknesses - to allow you to measure accurately as part of the shimming process, before finalising on which shims are finally needed
Back in Stock - Item 0263B and 0263
Norton SOHC Timing Side Shims
(Alloy Engined Models - i.e. International and CS1)
And similar to the driveside shim on the left, this is the shim that was fitted on the Timing side of the crankcase on alloy crankcase type SOHC engines (i.e. Internationals and CS1). If you have a M30/M40/Manx model - see Item 0265 below.
Note: As part of the re-stocking process of shims - I decided it might also be useful to update the listings with some useful information on the SOHC (Crankcase and Bevel Gear) shimming process - you will find these in the detail listings for each shim type - I hope you find the information useful
.
Item 0265B (Set of 4) and 0265 (Sold Individually)
Norton SOHC (and LS DOHC) Timing Side Shims
(Magnesium Engined Models - i.e. Model 30M/40M and Manx)
Similar to the Timing Side International (alloy crankcase) models shown above/right are the same shims - but to fit the Magnesium crankcase (competition models) whch were fitted with a slightly different (twin row) Timing side main bearing. Again, available as a set of 4 shims - or as singular shims - in 4 different thicknesses
Back in Stock - Item 0855B (set of 4) and 0855 (sold individually)
Norton OHV/SV Crankshaft Shims
And finally (as far as crankshaft shims are concerned) - our OHV and SV shim sets. Although not as essential a process on the OHV and SV models as the SOHC engine - it is still good practice to shim the crankshaft in the crankcase on OHV/SV models - to ensure the conrod is centralised.
These shims (sold individually or as a set of 4 thicknesses) can be used on either Driveside or Timing side on all OHV/SV Norton models produced from early 1930's through to the late 1950's - as for all these shim types - read the detail listing for more information on fitting
2. SOHC (and L/S DOHC Manx Type) Bevel Shims
(i.e. those shims required to shim the vertical bevel gears - an essential SOHC and DOHC task)
Please Note: Availability of Vertical Bevel Shim and Timing Side Bevel Shim Sets of 4
As I finish this Newsletter in late October 2025 - I am still waiting for one of the 4 sizes of vertical bevel casting shiims and timing side bevel shims to come from the manufacturer - so although we normally offer these shims in a Set of 4 (with the listing number below - but with a 'B' after it) - as at this date I have just shown the individual shim listings.
If you do not see the full bevel shim sets avaialble when you go to the online catalog section - you can email us for an update on what is available on sales@acingvincent.co.uk . .. but I am hoping they should also be availabe as sets of 4 by mid-late November 2025
Back in Stock - Item 0326
Lower Vertical Bevel Shims - Various Thicknesses
We now have these large and distinctive lower verical bevel casting shims back in stock - in various thicknesses.
If you are on the waiting list for these - we should be contacting you shortly - but please email us if not sure (just in case we miss you!).
Back in Stock - Item 00264
SOHC Mainshaft Bevel Case Shim (Various Thicknesses)
And in conjunction with Item 0326 (on the left) for setting the lower bevel gears - we also have the correspoinding special mainshaft shim, with woodruff key slot (see listing for information why) back in stock - in various thicknesses.
If you are on the waiting list for these - we should be contacting you shortly - but please email us if not sure (just in case we miss you!).
Back in Stock - Item 0327
Top Vertical Bevel Shims - Various Thicknesses
As per the lower bevel casting shim - we also have back in stock our top bevel casting shims - please read the listing for more information about them, and we have also added shimming information for customers in all these bevel shim listings.
Again - for customers currently waiting for these to come back into stock we will be contacting you shortly - but please email us if not sure (just in case we miss you!).
Back in Stock - Item 0328 and 0328-S (sets of 4)
SOHC Camshaft Bevel Gear Shim
And of course - the final shim in the 4 shim types that are used to shim the bevel gears are the camshaft bevel shims, that are fitted in conjunction with the 0327 shims on the left - these particular shims being fitted in the position shown in the picture above - on the shoulder of the camshaft, which holds the large bevel gear, and slides up to the inner face of the front cambox bearing..
These are available as individual shims (above), or as a set of 4 shims (below).- note, these are available as a set of 4 now.
Check our Bearings Section to see all our SOHC Shims shown together
3. Gearbox and Other Shims - Back In Stock
Back in Stock: Item 0405-S - Norton Upright Gearbox
Mainshaft (and 30M/40M Layshaft) Shim Set - Set of 8 Shims
A useful item that has been out of stock for some months - we are now able to offer Norton gearbox mainshaft shims again, and now in 4 different thicknesses - and 2 of each in a set, with 8 shims in total.
These shims are useful if you have slighthly mismatched gears - or particularly excessive end float on the mainshaft, that can result in (most commonly) a dragging clutch.
Note - if required, these can also be fitted on the end of 30M/40M/early Manx gearbox's - not fitted with kickstarts if fine shimming is required
Also sold individually (Item 0405).
Item 0851 (and see also Item 0852)
Norton Gearbox (Upright and Laydown) Selector Pawl Shims
One of our most popular shims we sell - this shim fits on the selector mechanism and is very often missing. It is supposedly quite important to smooth operation and better gear changing . . . so worth checking if present the next time you are stripping your gearbox selector mechanism. It was fitted to both upright and laydown gearbox types.
We also sell a similar shim - Item 0852 - which sits on the other side of the selector pawl (just visible in the photograph above) - which is not listed in any of the spare parts lists - but I had found fitted to at least one original Norton gearbox in the past
To find any item in our online catalog - click on photo, in these Newsletters - or enter the 4 digit number in the search facility - but be sure to put the leading zero in - i.e. '0852'
Item 0851 (and see also Item 0852)
Norton Gearbox (Upright and Laydown) Selector Pawl Shims
One of our most popular shims we sell - this shim fits on the selector mechanism and is very often missing. It is supposedly quite important to smooth operation and better gear changing . . . so worth checking if present the next time you are stripping your gearbox selector mechanism. It was fitted to both upright and laydown gearbox types.
We also sell a similar shim - Item 0852 - which sits on the other side of the selector pawl (just visible in the photograph above) - which is not listed in any of the spare parts lists - but I had found fitted to at least one original Norton gearbox in the past
To find any item in our online catalog - click on photo, in these Newsletters - or enter the 4 digit number in the search facility - but be sure to put the leading zero in - i.e. '0852'
New Item 1290 - Norton SOHC Main Bearing
Rear Spacer Shim
I know this has already been mentioned earlier in the Newsletter - but as this section describes all the different shim types - worth showing it again. Worth fitting when you replace the driveside main bearings - this shim fits behind the outermost SOHC ball bearing - and seems most likely it was intended to stop the inner race of that bearing from rubbing against the outer crankcase wall - see listing for more detail
Item 0854 - Norton Gearbox
Pre-war Outer Type Main Bearing Shim
And finally on the Norton gearbox shims - this shim is listed pre-war as 9666 and was sometimes fitted outside the main bearing - i.e. between the bearing and the gearbox shell. However it can also be used as an alternative to the similar shim used on the inside face of the sleevegear if required (Item 0853). Click on the photo above to go to the listing to read more about this shim type
Item 0179 - BTH Bearing Housing Shim
Available in 2 thicknesses - 4 and 8 thou
A very important shim if you are overhauling your BTH Magneto - these shims fit behind the bearing housing as in the photo above, and allow you to correctly set the end float on the armature shaft.
Should fit all BTH magnetos and available in 2 thicknesses - either 4 thou or 8 thou
Item 0870 - DOHC Featherbed Manx Norton Type (i.e. Early/Mid 1950's steel base seat type) -Seat Cover Kits (New Batch Available)
If you are one of those customers who have been visiting the site (or subscribed to our Newsletters) for a few years - you may remember that about 5 years ago we had made a lovely reproducton of the genuine factory Norton Featherbed Manx Norton seat cover - the type and style that were fitted to earlier Manx Nortons until approximately the mid (or possibly late) 1950's - of the type that had a steel seat base and large rounded hump (rather than the later DOHC Manx Norton type, which had a shallower/sharper rear hump and are more commonly seen these days on restored bikes).
So although the later type are well liked for their purposeful and aggresive looking appearance - they are not strictly speaking correct for earlier (i.e pre 1956-57'ish) models, whcih in period were more likely to have this type with a more rounded and larger looking rear hump..
These seat covers were copied from a lovely 'Time Warp' original Norton seat of the early 1950's type, I had in my possesion - which still had the original seat cover in place (complete with the original red piping), but was in terrible condition. At the time - I wanted to restore this seat for one of my own projects anyway, so decided to take it to one of my specialist UK automotive upholsterers where the original cover was 'un-picked' to provide all the correct panels, from which I had made a small batch of new seat covers - in the correct original high quality material, including the red piping! To go with this - although the original foam was also in very poor condition, it was good enough to provide dimensions and thickness that allowed the original foam pattern to be replicated as well.
Finally with this 'Seat Cover Kit', we also supplied a full set of the original (large head upholsterey type) pop rivets -and I have also created 2 A3 sized drawings that give the major dimensions and layout of the original seat base - again to the original dimensions - so if a restorer does not have a seat at all - they can fabricate their own seat base as per the original in the photogrphs - and then use the seat kit to cover it.
Finally, I also include a CD in the kit that has a selection of photographs of the original seat, as it was in its unrestored guise, as well as the finished item, to help anyone, in conjunction with the drawings.
A final point - these seat covers are made in the UK, and by a specialist and well established UK auto upholsterer. But like so many specialist manufacturers - these are not cheap items for us to have made (we get no discount for larger quantities) - in fact we have only had another batch made now, because of demand from customers once our previous batch had sold out . . . but hope you will appreciate - the price is not comparable with a mass produced offshore item
Back in Stock - Item 0870
DOHC Featherbed Manx Norton Seat Cover KITs
This is a lovely and accurate reproduction of the red beaded seat cover fitted to early to mid 1950's Featherbed Manx Norton models (although it would not look out of place on a sports style roadgoing wideline Featherbed model).
It is of the type that had a large bulbous rear hump - and had a stitching style particular to the genuine Manx models of that period - which we have replicated here, using an origianl cover as the pattern.
See listing (click on any photo) to see more information and pictures of the original Norton seat this was copied from
Item 0870 - DOHC Seat Cover Kit -
Manufactured To The Original Featherbed DOHC Manx Norton
Pattern (Using an Original Manx Norton Seat As The Pattern)
Below is a picture of my own 1955 500cc DOHC Manx Norton (ex John Surtees actually), and these seat fitted to this bike is of the same original design - and it looks lovely and correct.
The seat used for this cover kit was copied from another genuine DOHC Manx Norton seat I was able to obtain - that was very rough - but still had the original Norton seat cover fitted when I obtained it.
That seat cover was carefully removed, stripped down to the individual cover components and each was then used for the pattern for the new covers we offer here. You can see in the photo above the complete 'Cover Kit' just before packing - which as well as the cover, includes the correct foam components plus a pack of fixing (large head) pop rivets and drawings and CD with photos of the origianl seat on it
Rubber (replica Dunlop) Competition/Trials Type Saddles Kits - New (or - Back in Stock if you have a long memory!)
- But please read the update below first!
Up until about 5 years ago we used to offer a really nice reproduction 'seat kit' of the larger Dunlop rubber type saddle - fitted to many competition and some road models in the 1930's - 50's. Unfortunately this kit is no longer available - and I was actually considering having the specialist moulds made for the rubber type cover myself. Unfortunately the cost of this was prohibitive and it was looking unlikely
However, we are still able to offer the Trials/Comptetition type rubber covers on their own (i.e. without frames or riveting kit) that were fitted to the slightly smaller Dunlop competition/trials type saddles - and it was this type that was most commonly fitted to SOHC Norton (road and competition) models
pre-war and have also been a popular seller.
But the good news is - in the last few months - the same supplier/manufacturer that supplies us with these rubber 'Dunlop Trials' type covers (which we still sell seperately - see Item 0618) have now started offering complete saddles - using the original frame design and the covers already riveted to the frame - i.e. a complete saddle, ready to fit. These are now listed seperately - as Item 0679B - see below for the link and more information
The frames of these saddles look well made and the cover is already attached to the frame using the original method - two fixing screws at the front and a seperate frame piece at the rear which is riveted to the rear lip of the rubber cover. However, I suspect the actual manufacturer (who may be offshore) did not fully appreciate the design of the original Dunlop sddle - i.e that the frame should hold the cover in tension - so the cover is nice and 'taught' over the frame once assembled. These saddles can be fitted just as they are supplied - but we have actually prepared a small kit of parts that may improve this tautness and strengthen the nose area of the cover (and by the way - original rubber saddles always eventually split and perish around the nose area - that is just a drawback of this type of saddle).
To find out more about this item - and particularly, to ensure you are comfortable about using as is, or a bit of further fabrication - click on any of the photos to take you to the listing itself where we share more information. However, hopefully like myself (who also like to fit this type of saddle) - the fact the saddle/kit are available again in some form is a great benefit - as these are still a very popular and in demand item
Back in Stock - Just a Few Available : Item 0020 : SOHC Aluminium Crankcase Type (i.e. Inter and CS1) Timing Side Twin Ball Bearing
And another now rare bearing we have managed to find just a handful of - the SOHC aluminium crankcase (Model 30/40 and CS1) timing side bearing in orignal RHP C3 fit - but am guessing these may go quite quickly as only a few available
Item 0113R - Norton Upright Gearbox Cover -Stainless Steel
(barturned) Cheesehead screws - Curved Type
I have found over the years that the majority of the Dollshead type inspection covers are normally fitted with flat head screws (see lower left) - as per the later Laydown gearbox screws. However I have also found a few fitted with the curved head screw - and there were definitely a couple of variations on the cover - where the screw recess was shallower - and a curved head cheesehead blended better with the outer radius of the cover - so we made a batch of these as well as the flathead variety
Other Saddle and Bum Pad Additions or Back in Stocks:
Item 00618 : Rubber (Trials/Competition Type) Saddle Cover
Kit (Similar type to above - but cover only)
As you can see in the listing above - we can now offer a version of the complete rubber saddle - already mounted on the original design frame..
However, we had previously been offering just the rubber (replica Dunlop Trials type) seat cover on its own - and actually, because the complete saddles had only become available a couple of months ago -
I was laready preparing additional sheets to supply with our saddle covers - that would include diagrams, dimensions and pictures of the frame - as taken from a replica version of this seat that used to be offered by a well known trials parts supplier many years ago.
As I had already done the legwork to revise the listing for this Item - i.e. the rubber cover, and plans on how to fabricate the frame - I will still continue to offer this alongside the full saddle above
Item 1099 - Pre-War Type Moseley (air cushion) Competition Type
Racing Bum Pad (Back In Stock)
In a previoius Newsletter I reported that (as these were now out of stock) - due to them being a very expensive item to manufacture - they would become Special Order. However, as tney are manufactured by the same specialist UK manufacturer that made our DOHC Featherbed seat cover kits - so I took the opportunity to have a couple more of these lovely racing bum pads made at the same time.
Not cheap - but a lovely reproduction of a rare style of racing bum pad fitted to many competition bikes pre WWII (and were standard fitment on Velocette KTT models in the late 1930s)
Item 1177 - Small Squab/ Bum Pad (Back In Stock)
And another popular Bum Pad that is now back in stock is this small squab/sports style bum pad - which looks excellent on older sports bikes i.e.1920's and 1930's bikes.
Although this bum pad is manufactured offshore - it is still very well made and represents excellent value for money (and obviously - is much cheaper than the specialist UK manufactured items)
New Item - 1302 - Chromed Saddle Springs To Fit Nortons Singles (normally 16H & OHV Models) With Side Mounting Saddle Lugs
- i.e 1940's Rigid and Plunger Frames - (Price per Pair)
This is a new addition to our range of seat and saddle accessories - these were the type of saddle springs fitted to those Norton single models where the seat lug on the frame tube came out sideways - rather than vertically - i.e. many Side Valve and OHV models both pre and post war
Nice quality chromed springs - per pair
Back In stock - Item 0301 - Barrel Type Saddle Springs (Normally OHV and SOHC Road Type - Chromed Version
And similar to the springs on the left - we also have these popular chrmed barrel shaped springs back in stock - which are for the vertical frame saddle mount models - most commonly OHV and SOHC rigid and plunger framed models.
We also sell a similar 'black satin' coated barrel spring (which we get manufactured for us specially) - Item 0879 - which strictly speaking is more correct if building a competition pre-war model - as black satin barrel springs were most often fitted with Dunlop ruber saddles in period
As reported in the summary section above - I have now finally managed to complete the task of re-stocking our Cheesehead Screw Sets - particularly those complete SOHC engine cheesehead screw sets - which have been showing out of stock for the last 18 months. Sorry these have taken so long -
New Items (But limited availability)
Item 1281 and 1282: Norton Pre-War Girder Fork
Braced Handlebars (Ready for Brazing/Welding) - 7/8" or 1" Size
We are now able to offer handlebars in both 7/8" and 1" diameter handlebar size - with the original type Norton 'brace' (as fitted to many Norton girder fork models with rubber mounted handlebars in the 1930's) - whereby the brace is an exact copy of the original Norton design (we have them lasercut) - and then we have used our special press tooling to press them to the correct form around the handlebars - ready for the customer to either Braze or Weld them to the handlebars, in whatever position they require. The handlebars are proprietary handlebars (of the type we sell seperately, i.e. already chromed), but we have lightly linished them in the central area, in anticipation of the welding being required.
Please ensure you read the full Item Listing and fully understand what will be required to complete them - before ordering.
Note - only limited quantities of these available (over half the batch has sold already since we listed them about 6 weeks ago - but if they are showing as Out Of Stock when you try to order, send us an email - as I will be making another batch in the next 6 months - they already seem very popular.
By the way - we also sell the correct 'rubber doughnuts' that are fitted on either side of the brace on this type of handlebar - another very popular item - see them in both sizes in the same section as handlebars
New Item 1294:- 1938-39 Norton Spare Parts List - A4 Format Facsimile
(The only parts list with 1938-47 OHV/SV Model pictures)
I am very pleased to be able to offer this nice quality A4 format facsimile - as it is a particularly rare pre-war spare parts catalog to find - and to my knowledge - the only catalog that Norton produced that shows parts pictures of the popular 1938-47 OHV and Side Valve engine type models - of which we produce a number of parts for already.
This facsimile catalog is reproduced from an original copy, as always, but much effort has been spent to remove yellowing and blemished, fingerprints etc! It is also reproduced on high quality paper in a larger A4 format than the original - to make the pictures clearer to see
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Back in Stock - Item 0577
Classic Lucas Range - Battery box modelled on PU7D Type
Back in stock is this useful black rubber/plastic battery box - which has a hollow space inside to accept solid state batteries, but is identical on the outside to the PU7D type fitted on many postwar type Norton models - as well as many other marques
Back in Stock - Item 1114
Hexagonal Push/Pull Type 1/4" BSP Petrol Taps
A modern reproduction of the hexagonal Enos type Push/Pull petrol tap - commonly fitted to many Norton models both pre and post war (i.e. CS1, OHV and SV models) - these popular taps have been out of stock for the last couple of months - but we now have a new batch available
Watch out for a soon to come update on the special large bowl type petrol taps that were fitted to most Pie-Crust SOHC International models - which should be in the next Newsletter
Back in Stock - Just a Few Available : Item 0020 : SOHC Aluminium Crankcase Type (i.e. Inter and CS1) Timing Side Twin Ball Bearing
And another now rare bearing we have managed to find just a handful of - the SOHC aluminium crankcase (Model 30/40 and CS1) timing side bearing in orignal RHP C3 fit - but am guessing these may go quite quickly as only a few available
Item 0578 - None Ball End 7/8" Clutch and Brake Lever Set
These are nice quality versions of the typical 7/8" handlebar lever sets as fitted to most Norton single road models (and many other marques) in period - i.e. before the advent of ball ended levers.
We have also re-stocked numerous other lever types and fittings - which can be viewed in the same Handlebars and Controls section
Item 0180 - BTH KD1 HT Pickups- Competition Vertical Type
An ever popular and hard to find item (and for those that still have original bakelite versions - be very careful with them - they become extremely brittle!) - these replica type in black plastic but with the original type brass internals are far more durable in service!!
New Item - Item 1286 -Lycett Saddle Badge
I may have covered this already in the last Newsletter . .. but to go with the general saddle update in this Newsletter - we have recently intrdocued this Lycett saddle badge
I am considering looking to have the correct 'Dunlop' badge made at some time in the future - to go with our replica Dunlop rubber saddles
Back in Stock - 0444 Chromed and Baffled Meggas
We have recently bought in a new batch of these nice proprietary megga's - in case you have a sports Norton on the road (either cammy or a 'sports' type ES2 in cafe racer style) - and are looking for a reaonable baffled silence that resembles the original Norton racing Meggas (and incidentally - the immediate pre-War racing Norton megga had a far shallower cone than the post war versions - very similar in profile to this cone. Nicely made wtih decent cone and adaptor rings to fit various exhaust bore diameters
Back In Stock 0419 - Norton OHV Finned Exhaust Nut
We have recently had a new batch of these pretty exhaust nuts back in stock - to fill all Norton OHV single cylinder models from the early 1930's to the late 1950's. These are nicely cast and machined and closely match the original exhaust nuts.
Back In Stock 0288 - Norton SOHC Finned Exhaust Nut
And as well as the OHV version, we also have a new batch of the longer SOHC variant - again a nice reproduction of this distinctive nut - that always seem to get knarled on the original nuts
Item 0420 - Norton Dominator Exhaust Nut
This is just a little shout out on something I rarely evern mention in our Newsletters - i.e. - that we do sometimes stock a few items for the Norton twin cylinder models - i.e. these very well made and pretty Norton Dominator Exhaust Nuts.
I mention this now, because actually we wee doing a stock take of one of our stock areas recently - and I realise we have been stocking these nuts - which incidentally are very nicely made . . . and II am not sure we have ever sold a single one! So as part of updating the Item Listing and photograph (new one shown above) - it did make me think . . . although we only sell a few items that are specific to Dominator models only - maybe we need to create a new Item section for thsoe twin bits we do offer - but for the moment: BTW - we do sell these!!
Back In Stock 0333B - 1" Handlebar Grips and Other Control Items
And a final note . . . we have restocked many of our control items recently - including these popular longer length 1" handlebar grips, which were commonly fitted to pre-war motorcycles.
As you can see from earlier in this Newsletter - we are now offering 1" braced handlebars again (although limited quantities at the moment), but can also offer a number of other handlebar control items in 1" handlebar diameter
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. . . And Finally - Stuff Coming Up or on the 'To Do' List . . .
Parts In Progress - Or Being Considered For The Future
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 (October 2025)
I will endeavour to include all the other parts - along with those currently in progress in the next 4 sweeks or so . . ..
1920's Walter Moore CS1 (and 1st ES2 type) Big End Quill Assemblies
Now close to being ready for sale - I have spent much time over the last few months looking at the manufature of the complete Big End oil feed and quill assembly to fit the Walter Moore CS1 type engine (1927-30).
As you can see from above some of the parts are already complete - but Within the next 4 weeks I expect to have the whole assembly - including original design bronze quill - available as a complete assembly - Watch this space and email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk. if you want more information or to reserve an aseembly (5 parts)
. . . And 1930s/1940's OHV/SV Timing Cover Parts - Quills and Pressure Release Assemblies
In a similar vein to above - I have at the same time being manufacturing the quill holder assemblies and pressure release assemblies for OHV/SV models for the 1931-37 and 38-47 type engine models. Again more information on how these are progressing in the next Newsletter
Norton Gearbox - Selector Plate Bearings and Positive Stop Bearings - each as a pair
These have now been out of stock for almost a year - and I have had lots of emails asking when they would be back.
It is only my lack of CNC time - and the other items shown in this and the last Newsletter that have prevented me getting to these in a very long queue of parts to re-make!!
They are now almost at the top of the queue . . . and i hope to be getting to making them again towards late November
I needent have worried - because over the years we have sold hundreds of them and they are a very popular item (comparitively!)
By the way . . . we also make the slightly different Sturmey Archer selector plate bearings - as fitted just before the Norton type (pre-34) - those are still in stock, see Gearbox Section of our catalog
Not actually an Update on an Item Listing -
Just a picture in response to head gasket questions I am often asked . . .
. . . And finally - as I often get asked this question about SOHC and OHV engines - here is a picture that hopefully may assit"
- First of all . . . In answer to the question - 'what head gasket should I fit to my SOHC engine'?, or likewise to owners of Cast Iron head/barrel OHV engines?? - well (unless someone want remind me of a model I have missed!) - Norton's did not normally fit a head gasket on SOHC (or DOHC for that matter) engines. Neither did they fit them to OHV engines with a cast iron barrel and a cast iron head
- Secondly - For these models - where no head gasket is used, it is best practice to 'lap' the heads in with grinding paste - and I usually use rough grinding paste on the outside and fine grinding paste on the inside, so the inner spigot face 'touches' evenly all round, just before the outer face touches.
So for a customer recently who asked if I could describe this - I did the photo shown above - which I hope some may find useful
Coming Shortly - SOHC (i.e. Pie Crust Petrol Tank) Petrol Taps
- With modern Ball Valve taps fitted
In the last 5 years I have been asked lots of times if I am intending to make another batch of the original design SOHC (Wine Glass Type)
petrol taps???
Well unfortunately - just as per the original design (which were notorious for leaking from the conical shaped lever assembly) - the process to manufacture these and ensure they do not leak is extemely difficult and time consuming.
So last year we looked at a an alternative (and hopefully very practical) soluition - which was to manufacture a revised design that replicates the top half of the original design (and we used our original pattern CNC programs to achieve this) - mated to the modern proprietary lever petrol taps we already sell seperately.
The result is shown above and hopefully you will agree - they too look very pretty and very little different to the original design!
I have not had time yet to list these - but email us on sales@acingvincent.co.uk if you would like to reserve one or a pair or require more information.
We may also have a handful of the original design available (which we already list in our petrol tank section - but have been showing out of stock for the last 5 years) - but do not expect these to be cheap!