I'm sure I had a rear light when I set off......

[iansoady]

I've now had a couple of longer runs, totting up 60 miles or so and the Norton is running very nicely. It'll hold 60 very easily and I've seen nearly 70 without trying too hard. The plunger suspension is actually far better than I'd feared although the handling gets a bit interesting on bumpy bends.

I remember someone (on here I think) suggesting that Nortons attracted a premium price solely because of the name on the tank. Not true - the ES2 performs far better than the Matchless G80S I had a few years ago and I consider it even holds its own with the Venom although that would have gone on to a higher top speed.

A couple more photos in blur-o-vision:





The eagle eyed will notice the lack of a dynamo - it needs new brushes and Tony Cooper has some in the post to me.

<edit> why won't the first pic come out in portrait?</edit>

[mthee]

Thanks for posting - especially the photos 

[Propellor]

Lovely looking lump o metal 😁

[themoudie]

Aye Ian,

Nice bit of kit and pleased to read that it is getting regularly aired. As for the 'stealth mode' rear light, stainless lock-nut or a blob of 'nut lock' will probably solve the problem. Both SRX's and the Duke are fitted out with these and there is also wiring up with stainless lock wire, if all else fails.

Good health, Bill

[Smithy]

I bet the instant your rear light fell off it was 'found' by a great big lorry tyre!

I remember going to change gear on my Tiger Cub way back only to find there was no gear lever. As I was on a quiet road I traced my journey back on foot and fortunately found it about half a mile back. I didn't have the same luck when the number plate fell off my CZ trail bike and only found out when a police car stopped me. The officer was a decent sort and understood that I had lost it without my knowledge so let me continue the mile or so home with no ticket.

I suppose as thumper lovers we just have to get used to the odd component jumping ship.

Love the Norton by the way Ian.

Ian

[xbally]

This thread reminds me when one of the side panels fell off -well vibrated off my C15 on the way to a Wishbone Ash concert in Birmingham circa 1978. Went back the next morning and found it in the central reservation-a bit battered but still useable. About 20 years later the keys flew out of the ignition switch as I descended a steep hill on my Kawasaki KH250-never found them despite walking up and down the road several times. And a few years after that a silencer fell off my Zephyr 1100 when rounding a country lane bend to be run over by the heavy bike and never seen again despite a thorough search.Such is life....