Triumphrat

McQueen

So I got a new bike. Sold the Hinckley, and on to new...er...older things.

Norton N15. Monoblocs...Lucas mag...

It's running, but needs a few things for "roadworthiness."

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jimmy bush

That's one good looking bike.

daveforty

That is a nice piece of machinery, I'm envious. There were several versions of the AMC / Norton hybrid, most were for export to the US hence they are rare bikes over here and suitably expensive. The Matchless street scramblers were particularly pretty bikes, high level exhausts etc etc. In case you havent already found it here is a link with some history; http://www.ajsmoc.com/hybrids.html

GrandPaulZ

McQueen-

Gorgeous bit of kit, that bike right there!

I have one like it, only scruffy, in my shop right now. My client and I are nailing down final details before the tear-down starts on a total restoration with one or two modern upgrades.

Relatively rare bikes, these...

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McQueen

Thanks everyone. I am very stoked on this bike. I'd always wanted a Norton. And after much deliberation, I opted for a hybrid. I know they're not as valued (here in the US) as a FB-framed Atlas or a Commando, but I like the exclusivity.

Now, since I've been a spoiled Boyer and RITA brat, getting on top of this Lucas mag is going to be interesting. But hey, it's another thing to learn about the bikes I love.

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LJ3

mcqueen, nice bike, very nice. don't fret the magneto. if its set up correctly its idiot proof. way better than the later coil setup in my opinion. if the mag gives you any trouble: hard starting or dying when hot get it looked at by a specialist. if you're going to do any serious street riding do yourself a favor and get a later twin leading shoe brakeplate with the stiffening kit. it might save your life. also I'd ditch the monoblocs and use concentrics. keep the monoblocs around along with the single leading shoe brake because they are original but for everyday use why mess with them if there better/safer parts that bolt right on? also the bike would look ALOT better with Matchless badges on the tank.. just my opinion.
another thing to watch is the head and head gasket. the nut on the back of the head (between the carbs) will allow blowby if it comes loose. this nut is a b?tch to get at you might have to grind down a wrench or socket to even reach it. the AJS/Matchless owners club has tons of parts and info on your bike, it was made at Plumbstead Road, London. it really is a Matchless with a few Norton parts, motor, forks and wheels. I've got the exact same bike except mine has a 650 Matchless twin engine. if you need any parts or help let me know. I've got a TLS brake setup. good luck and be safe.

McQueen

LJ3,

Many thanks for the info! For authenticity's sake, I was going to try to get the monoblocs running well. But I may just forgo the headache and go the concentric route. Think a pair of AMAL 930s do the trick? And I will look into the TLS upgrade. Thanks for the heads-up.

This bike, like my others, will be a rider. I have no interest is being a collector.

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retrobiker

That bike has 'class' written all over it. Enjoy!
Haven't seen pipes like those before.

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LJ3

mcqueen, the monoblocs will work fine IF they aren't worn out. the only reason I'd switch to concentrics is your bike will be ridden not parked. you seem like the kind of guy who will use his bike for daily transport. the last thing you need is to be broken down on hiway 17 some sunday morning because you lost a float bowl outer cover. the 750 Norton engine tends to "unscrew" things. concentrics have fewer parts to fall off. I'm sure you can go over to Rabers and find a couple of 930s. I rode my Matchless 650 for tens of thousands of miles without much problem. I lived on Haight street a few doors down from the Toronado bar. to this day you can still see the oil stains in front of my old flat. its funny, my old place is now the Vapor Room, a large med. ganja dealer. 20 years ago it was a brit bike hangout/workshop. we could drive right through the front door and onto the street! those were the good old days. never a shortage of beer, bikes or babes. we took the zeitgiest from a gay/cowboy bar called the rainbow cattle co. to the best biker bar on the planet. now I'm in the middle of nowhere Iowa surrounded by fields but I still have a fridge full of beer, MANY MORE bikes, and I got the best girl out of the city. if you're ever going down I-80 let me know, I'll meet you at baxters, that place will blow your mind.

McQueen

LJ,

I hate to be the dark cloud, but ol' Zeitgeist has fallen prey to tight-pants, coked-up hipsters and fixie riders. It's sad. So we've moved down the street to the Ace Cafe. New little joint that is probably like Zeitgeist in the early days. Just a bunch of moto heads hanging out drinking beer.

Yes, I ride every day. So concentrics, it is. The PO has another Norotn hybrid that he rides often. He has the 930s on it (as well as a joe hunt mag). Plus, between my Bonnie and my Daytona, I'm fast becoming a concentric tuning guru.

Cheers!

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