A short video on removal of a Norton Commando cylinder head, also valve seal issue that can occur. Always use genuine valve seals from a reputable source!!!!
Good work! I've actually done seal replacements on my '850 Commando without needing to remove the head. There is a write up on this method on the AccessNorton forum. It involves remove the rocker spindles (with heating of the head), replacing the spindles with a smaller diameter rod or bolt to give more freedom of rocker arms to move out of the way. Then you need to support the valve from dropping. There a home made tool for this but I use the old "rope" trick...stuffing some rope into the cylinder via sparkplug hole until the no more would jam inside...this is enough to hold the valve up. Then release the spring collets/keeper....I used a homemade tool of a bit of metal stock, bent into an upside down "U", secured into the rocker arm end with a nut and bolt, Winding it down so it presses on the valve spring cap to compress it. Have since tried an easier way....using a large socket fitting on the spring cap, stuff a small magnet into the socket...then a wallop or two with a big 1-3 lbs hammer to compress spring...collets release and are grabbed on magnet worked a treat. Once seal is replaced, to fit collets again, stuff paper towel or bit of sponge rubber foam into socket (no magnet) and position collets either side of valve. Wallop or two and the foam forces collets in to correct location. Remove the rope, button it all up.
Nice idea and a female conducting the work is excellent - but (Dad) get some practise of using a camera, with focusing and positioning to not have your hands and body in the way of what you are describing... but a great effort and you did get the point acrross, especailly the head seperation.
Back when i was young lad i can remember there were two police Norton commando at the bottom of the road..Me and my mates were looking at them and talking to the cops..I thought one day i will own a commando.. There was a guy who worked at local garage and he own a Z900...Same again i thought i would own one of these,, I have owned lots of bikes since then but not a commando or Z900......But never say never.
Note, the design allows for regular removal of the Head. I ran Nortons for years, raced & won on them. 10k miles maximum between full Rebuilds. It's a cheap 1940's design , vibrates like a demon, bloody awful things 🤗
Ay.... They can try ones patience. However once everything is squared away ownership can be a rewarding experience. Few bikes are as much fun to ride and not many are better looking than a gloss black/gold trim Roadster.
Hi Gino - Love your vids! I have a 75 850 here in Tokyo. Shortly after my Mikuni manifold vibrated loose and then a 20 mile ride home - after tightening it up it went great for a few miles - then started going on the left cylinder only - finally I found the reason is there is zero compression on the right side. It's not a ring problem as when I poured oil in the cylinder it made no difference. In & out valves appear to be moving as they should when I crank it over. At the risk of sounding like an idiot.... can this only be a damaged valve or not seated right or a head gasket (doubtful I guess)? This is my first Norton - (I'm more use to working on Ducatis) so am not familiar with their many quirks! Any help appreciated!
Hi Niall, just home and read your comment again, I suspect you have a burnt valve? The manifold could have been leaking for a while? Only way to find out is get the head off and have a look, It's not a big job (But make sure you have the correct spanners and set of thinwall sockets in Whitworth) 1/4 whit for most and 3/8 whit for the rest (Depends on how standard it is)
@@mvd944l Gino - mine is a 75 Mk3. What’s the magic trick for getting the 5/8 bolt in the back side under the carb manifold off. Spanner, one and ring dont work nit does a relatively short socket !
@@nmoriss there is no trick, a spanner with a small offset should fit, not too much room but once you get it slack it should be easy. From memory it’s normally a 1/4 whitworth?
@@rafaelpelizza7898 Nos quedamos con "Pojo" como invitados, tiene una famosa casa de descanso para viajeros, luego fuimos a Tierra del Fuego y luego a Alaska. ¡Los videos están aquí!
Gino, have you ever heard of "focus"? The video is fine until Gino gets behind the camera and then it all goes wrong. Can't see what the valve spring compressor is doing. Can't see what Fiona is taking out with the magnet. And then the real hard bit, removing and installing new valve guides, you don't show that at all! Give it up, man.
Good to see your apprentice is keeping up with you Fiona !
Hey Gina just found your video on you tube, good job.
Good work!
I've actually done seal replacements on my '850 Commando without needing to remove the head. There is a write up on this method on the AccessNorton forum. It involves remove the rocker spindles (with heating of the head), replacing the spindles with a smaller diameter rod or bolt to give more freedom of rocker arms to move out of the way. Then you need to support the valve from dropping. There a home made tool for this but I use the old "rope" trick...stuffing some rope into the cylinder via sparkplug hole until the no more would jam inside...this is enough to hold the valve up. Then release the spring collets/keeper....I used a homemade tool of a bit of metal stock, bent into an upside down "U", secured into the rocker arm end with a nut and bolt, Winding it down so it presses on the valve spring cap to compress it. Have since tried an easier way....using a large socket fitting on the spring cap, stuff a small magnet into the socket...then a wallop or two with a big 1-3 lbs hammer to compress spring...collets release and are grabbed on magnet worked a treat. Once seal is replaced, to fit collets again, stuff paper towel or bit of sponge rubber foam into socket (no magnet) and position collets either side of valve. Wallop or two and the foam forces collets in to correct location. Remove the rope, button it all up.
Thanks, I was aware of this method but was wary of trying it. Might have a go in future 👍
Class plain and simple well done folks
Cheers
Good to see you both! Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it! cheers Toon
Brilliant work 👍
Should come off nicely if you are using a copper head gasket.
i never use copper gaskets, never managed a good seal with them no matter how much I prepare them.
Nice video, thanks for sharing. Cheers
Thank you! Cheers!
Fiona is the mutts nuts. Keep up the great work.
Nice idea and a female conducting the work is excellent - but (Dad) get some practise of using a camera, with focusing and positioning to not have your hands and body in the way of what you are describing... but a great effort and you did get the point acrross, especailly the head seperation.
Thanks, BTW i am her husband!
@@mvd944l Ooops my sincere apologies 🥺
Back when i was young lad i can remember there were two police Norton commando at the bottom of the road..Me and my mates
were looking at them and talking to the cops..I thought one day i will own a commando..
There was a guy who worked at local garage and he own a Z900...Same again i thought i would own one of these,,
I have owned lots of bikes since then but not a commando or Z900......But never say never.
Funny it was seeing the local police on their Commandos that got me into them, had one since I was 17. Just restoring a z1000.now, funny old world
Absolutely fab 🇬🇧
Cheers Paddy
Note, the design allows for regular removal of the Head. I ran Nortons for years, raced & won on them. 10k miles maximum between full Rebuilds. It's a cheap 1940's design , vibrates like a demon, bloody awful things 🤗
Ha ha that's why we love them 👍
Ay.... They can try ones patience. However once everything is squared away ownership can be a rewarding experience. Few bikes are as much fun to ride and not many are better looking than a gloss black/gold trim Roadster.
Good video Gino Alistair Pitlochry
Hi Ali, thanks
Any chance of doing a video of the valve clearance adjustment ?
If you think it would be useful? Is there no video on you tube of this?
@@mvd944l I can’t find one for a commando.
Well done Fiona but you're dungarees are too clean.
Hi Gino - Love your vids! I have a 75 850 here in Tokyo. Shortly after my Mikuni manifold vibrated loose and then a 20 mile ride home - after tightening it up it went great for a few miles - then started going on the left cylinder only - finally I found the reason is there is zero compression on the right side. It's not a ring problem as when I poured oil in the cylinder it made no difference. In & out valves appear to be moving as they should when I crank it over. At the risk of sounding like an idiot.... can this only be a damaged valve or not seated right or a head gasket (doubtful I guess)? This is my first Norton - (I'm more use to working on Ducatis) so am not familiar with their many quirks! Any help appreciated!
Hi, I'm touring Europe just now, I'll be home next week and try to help you, don't panic , nothing is too difficult
Thanks Gino - Have a great and safe ride! - Niall.@@mvd944l
Hi Niall, just home and read your comment again, I suspect you have a burnt valve? The manifold could have been leaking for a while? Only way to find out is get the head off and have a look, It's not a big job (But make sure you have the correct spanners and set of thinwall sockets in Whitworth) 1/4 whit for most and 3/8 whit for the rest (Depends on how standard it is)
@@mvd944l Gino - mine is a 75 Mk3. What’s the magic trick for getting the 5/8 bolt in the back side under the carb manifold off. Spanner, one and ring dont work nit does a relatively short socket !
@@nmoriss there is no trick, a spanner with a small offset should fit, not too much room but once you get it slack it should be easy. From memory it’s normally a 1/4 whitworth?
Buenisimo saludos de Argentina mardel plata. Rafael.
gracias, disfrutamos Argentina, estuvimos en una reunión de bicicletas vintage en Azul hace unos años
Mira que bueno una vez por semana voy a la ciudad de azul esta a 300 kilómetros de mardel plata
@@rafaelpelizza7898 Nos quedamos con "Pojo" como invitados, tiene una famosa casa de descanso para viajeros, luego fuimos a Tierra del Fuego y luego a Alaska. ¡Los videos están aquí!
Alloy cylinders? what capacity?
They were on the bike when I bought it, I believe they were from Fair Spares, through bolt like the 850 and so far pretty good 👍 (750)
Taken one of these heads off many a time. They must have been the worst designed head ever.
Gino, have you ever heard of "focus"? The video is fine until Gino gets behind the camera and then it all goes wrong. Can't see what the valve spring compressor is doing. Can't see what Fiona is taking out with the magnet. And then the real hard bit, removing and installing new valve guides, you don't show that at all! Give it up, man.
Thanks for your comments
I think you need a new cameraman.