Inspiration

That’s what I’m looking for as I stare at this blank screen! Its that time of year when the riding has slowed down a tad (well certainly in the frozen North anyway) There are still some good days but the cold means it’s a different experience than those idyllic summer days out on the Norton with minimal gear enjoying the sights and smells with a grin on your face.

Now its different, more gear on than a astronaut heading to the moon, wrapped in that many layers that you actually walk like an astronaut on the moon (but definitely without the weightlessness) its now a time to still enjoy motorcycling but watching out for the ice, the frozen leaves, the excess salt piles thrown out by our over exuberant gritters, the mud on the road from the late Autumn harvest and of course the car drivers who seem even less aware in the Winter than they are in the summer. Its still fantastic to get out there though.

I’ve had a few good runs on the Nortons since the last newsletter. All of the problems I mentioned in the last newsletter have been fixed and the fleet is all running fine now.

We had an impromptu meet in Comrie at the end of last month, a check of the forecast for the Sunday said it would be cold but dry so I sent off a few texts to the local riders to meet there for lunch, apologies for the last minute approach and for those who couldn’t make it, you missed a pleasant (but very cold day) we had seven people turn up on five bikes, sad to say my fastback was the only Norton though.

Last Saturday I had a great day out in the Scottish borders on the Roadster, the sun was shining and despite the maximum temperature being around 5deg C and my fingers feeling like they might drop off it was an enjoyable experience.

Sandy Bloy who’s Norton was burning oil like a two stroke on the long run to and from Spain in the summer thought he’d better lift the head off to investigate the oil burning and the lack of power. He called me to ask about the oiling arrangements in the cylinder head, after a discussion he went to check it out then called back to say that on his head there was no oil drain hole from the Inlet rockers, the drain had been drilled from the top but not from the bottom. So for the last 33 years this bike has been slowly but surely digesting its own oil, the strange thing is that since Sandy got the bike he has been to Portugal as well as some other long distance UK trips and the problem only showed up this year. I think its one of those stories that could keep us theorising for several hours in the bar! I gave him a hand to strip the motor as the cam was looking a bit poorly!

So a freshen up, new cam and followers, oil drain properly drilled and hopefully it will be ready for another 33 years.

The only thing to have changed on the bike this year is a bigger gearbox sprocket, how would that effect the oiling to the head? Something for you to discuss at your clubnights!

Another cam to add to the 3 lobed cam pile!

End of season Event, last chance!!

Killin Hotel, Killin November 27^th

I’ve negotiated a deal with the hotel for £45 Dinner Bed & breakfast PPPN which is excellent, in order to keep the price down single guys (or girls) may have to share.. Please book direct with the hotel on 01567 820296, quote either the NOC or my name, bookings will be required to give debit / credit card details to hold the room.

The Hotel is first class and they looked after us well last year so make sure you book now before all the rooms are taken!

Next year…

As we all know next years rally is in the USA, the UK club seem to be a bit slow with details so I’ve decided after some arm twisting by my Dutch friends to put my name down with them to go.

But that leaves us with a quandary, where do we go in Europe next year? We will be running a meeting somewhere in Scotland next year (still to be decided) Hopefully this week we can pick a date then look for suitable venues, As soon as I know any details I’ll E mail all on this list. For those of you who are looking for somewhere else to go rather than Bonnie Scotland can I suggest the excellent British bike meeting in Vezio (Switzerland) on the 17-18-19 June http://www.bbvezio.ch/ This is the 25^th year so its sure to be a good party. A stunning part of the country and friendly people its well worth a visit.

Bauke Steinfort sent me these details on the Dutch organisation for next years INR

Come and go with us to the USA.
The annual International Norton Rally 2011 will be held from 18 till July 22 at the Brookside Campground, Catskill, NY-USA and is located about 180 km northwest of New York close to Woodstock. For this great and beautiful adventure to become a reality and still be affordable, we will open up registration for members of the Norton Owners Club. It is all about attracting kindred souls. If you are indeed interested in this trip, we will organise a meeting to discuss all the details. We hope we will be able to convince you that this very special trip will totally be wicked.
One container will hold 20 motorbikes.
Return shipping Rotterdam - New York Bayonne per motorcycle € 795, -
Transport insurance costs € 160, - (with insured value of € 4000, -)
The motorbike will be anchored in a special motor transport frame (see picture)
Oil and gas do NOT need be drained. Tents, sleeping bags and other luggage can also go in the container. You will take your personal luggage with you on the plane of course.
There is a weekly departure from Rotterdam with a crossing time of 12 days
This offer includes the provision of import and export papers.
Insurance U.S.A. is based on current data € 185, -.
This brings the total package to approx. € 1145, - This does not include your own flight.

Are you interested in this fabulous trip? Please contact Bauke steinfort. O0316-21689506 – mail address: steinschip@yahoo.com or Bert ven der Burg 0031-174 516806 - mail address: gcmvanderburg@gmail.com

Norton News

First they now have a slightly different logo so that they can no doubt protect the trademark, also from this month it appears engine assembly is being done in house at Norton’s shed in Donnington. Hopefully that will help speed up the bike building process and get the bikes out their new owners quicker! Have a look on their website for details.

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/

Plenty to think about for next year, so what are you waiting for, get out and get that Norton prepared!

The Small Print

The views and opinions contained within this publication are not necessarily those of the NOC or of the branch but are probably mine as I wrote it.

No one accepts any responsibility for anything, if you have a good time don't say I didn't warn you.

Gino Rondelli

November 2010