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Feb 10, 2012 - 8:24PM

Cloth covered Norton cables

I'm after the original cloth covered cables for my Norton. Have already found some of them, but if anyone knows or has any to spare please let me know.

email (option): ferrarakias@hotmail.com

Henk

Feb 11, 2012 - 9:45AM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Some years ago I made one for my BSA airborne bicycle. I removed the plastic cover from the modern cable and replaced it with outside of a brown Dutch army shoe lace. These laces are pretty long and once coated with varnish they look amazingly good. I had one original cable and the repro looks just about the same. I am not sure if you could use it for the thick cables like for the clutch. It works for sure for the thinner cables like the throttle and the ignition cables as these are the same size as on my bicycle.

Henk

email (option): ahum@quicknet.nl

Ian Wright

Feb 11, 2012 - 3:01PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Good one Henk..You're an inventive bugger.. ...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

John o'Brien

Feb 11, 2012 - 3:45PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Yer knot wrong there ian

:-D

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Alex

Feb 11, 2012 - 4:25PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Yes, but why go trough all the trouble? these cables can still be found new on jumbles, bought another 10 at Kempton.

Also there's a German site that are remanufacturing them, you can buy any lenght and choose from 2 or 3 thicknesses, website is: http://www.kabel-schmidt.de/

They are not 100% the same, can send pictures, have some of them in the garage.

Hope this helps, ps, no family!

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbike.net

Ron Pier

Feb 11, 2012 - 4:59PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

What else can the Dutch do with shoe laces? Drill holes in clogs? Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Ian Wright

Feb 11, 2012 - 5:00PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Rik

Feb 11, 2012 - 9:34PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Ron Pier

What else can the Dutch do with shoe laces? Drill holes in clogs? Ron

Henk is a klompenvreter, not a klompen veter!

Lex, what is the difference between the Moffen-Bowden outers and the real thing ? I've found that a lot of the NOS stuff doesn't take kindly to being straightened out or bent.

I'd quite like to make a spare set up using all new materials.

Alex

Feb 11, 2012 - 9:49PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Rik, yes the N.O.S. stuff is prone to breaking, but you should not try to make 180 degree bends, then it's very good to use!! and always lubricate well!! it looks 1000% better then the modern vinyl stuff.

Anyway, will try to find the "Moffen" cables and take some pic's tomorrow.

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbike.net

Rik

Feb 11, 2012 - 10:02PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Lex, I never make 180° bends. I'm a sort of motorcycling Margaret Thatcher - "No U-Turns" !

My biggest problem was with an NOS valve lifter cable. No matter how gently I tried to unroll it, the outer surface lifted.

Unfortunately, a lot of the LV7/NC stuff was rolled up in the 1950s to fit into the smallest possible packaging by some disgruntled National Serviceman.

I quite agree on using the proper stuff though. vinyl cables are as bad a modern saddle covers - they completely destroy the period illusion.

John O'Brien

Feb 12, 2012 - 12:22AM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

It's all in German guys, what should I be looking for ?

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Henk

Feb 12, 2012 - 8:57AM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Some think that Dutch is almost German but I can't find / read it either John.

Some photo's would be great Alex. Maybe you can order 50 meters of the stuff

Henk

email (option): ahum@quicknet.nl

Sven

Feb 12, 2012 - 9:10AM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Gents,

Ask Chris about this item. He owns an impressive collection of classic British bikes and could help.
And for all you 'nationalists' you can choose your own language.......

http://www.cable-shop.nl/

email (option): snvosselman@hotmail.com

Alex

Feb 12, 2012 - 7:18PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Rik

Rik, glad you're not a Be***r, Didn't I give you that cable?? usually you have to cook them in boiling water, then unroll them, and lubricate very well, to replace the water with grease, and let dry slowly.

Will try to locate the cables, and take pictures, here is the link to the Kraut cables: http://www.kabel-schmidt.de/bowdenzughllen-c-31_58_60.html look at the bottom for the "baumwollumflochtenes" or something, my german is a bit rusty!

Lex

Cheers

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbike.net

John O'Brien

Feb 12, 2012 - 9:13PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

So is this cloth covering for the modern cable (sleeving) or is it cloth covered Bowden cable ready to be made into required cable lengths

Sorry to sound stupid again

??

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Alex

Feb 13, 2012 - 12:10PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

John O'Brien

So is this cloth covering for the modern cable (sleeving) or is it cloth covered Bowden cable ready to be made into required cable lengths

Sorry to sound stupid again

??

Job

John, no it's a complete Bowden cable, no sheating, ready to use, but you must add inner cable, and ferrules adjusters etc. and also the thin end caps to stop the cloth fraying.

Maybe they sell those too, and they do: http://www.kabel-schmidt.de/abschlukappen-bowdenzge-c-31_58_59.html

Seems the dutch guys only sell vinyl cable, but will ask them if i see them at the next jumble.

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbike.net

John o'Brien

Feb 13, 2012 - 7:31PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Thanks lex

I'd like to get some of this for cable making, fabric cover should blend in well with my well used bike

What sizes should i order for throttle / clutch / adv ret ?

Any ideas ?

Job

email (option): Jonnyob1@googlemail.com

Henri

Feb 13, 2012 - 7:35PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

http://www.jerrygreersengineering.com/part_view.php?part_id=10199&y=1941&m=741=0&p_group_id=051074141

email (option): unpob@yahoo.com

Alex

Feb 16, 2012 - 4:18PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Henri

http://www.jerrygreersengineering.com/part_view.php?part_id=10199&y=1941&m=741=0&p_group_id=051074141

Henri, that's a totally different sort of cable! much less flexible, and with a solid inner cable, big outside dia. not really suitable for brit bikes!

Here finally a picture of the German stuff, seems a bit "fluffier" although Blackadder says there's no German word for that!!

And a page from an old cataloque:

Hope this helps,

Lex

ps, try your local Halfords today!

email (option): welbike@welbike.net

Alex

Feb 16, 2012 - 4:21PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

John o'Brien

Thanks lex

I'd like to get some of this for cable making, fabric cover should blend in well with my well used bike

What sizes should i order for throttle / clutch / adv ret ?

Any ideas ?

Job

John,

Measure your originals!! clutch is always heavier then adv. ret. if you give me some time I will measure the dia. of my N.O.S. Norton cables in mm.

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbike.net

Alex

Feb 16, 2012 - 5:23PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Ok, found my callipers, and off to the shed, came up with these measurements:

Clutch, front brake and decompressor 7/32" or 5,5mm

Throttle, adv/ret. and choke 3/16" or 4.8mm

This is the same on Matchlesses

Now if someone kindly figures out what number that is on the above scan from the Halfords cataloque?

I just checked, and luckily the Krauts follow the same sizes!!

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbike.net

Henri

Feb 16, 2012 - 6:39PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Hey Lex, J. Greer sells only the cloth cover as well. And in the Model A suppliers, they provide the cloth covers for various sizes. No guts.

For the Brit bikes, I would use JJ.

email (option): unpob@yahoo.com

Alex

Feb 16, 2012 - 6:49PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Henri

Hey Lex, J. Greer sells only the cloth cover as well. And in the Model A suppliers, they provide the cloth covers for various sizes. No guts.

For the Brit bikes, I would use JJ.

Henri, do you mean J J Cables Ltd
Address: Hillfields Farm
Lighthorne
Warwickshire
CV35 0BQ
Contact: Mr Tom Johnson
Telephone: 01926 651470

They don't seem to have a website, or cloth covered cables?? that's what it all is about on the forum.

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbike.net

Henri

Feb 16, 2012 - 7:44PM

Re: Cloth covered Norton cables

Got the lever cables from JJ Cables Ltd and even asked to have them in OD covered. Not original but artistic freedom here.

On the Model A supplies, I use Snyder and their cloth covered cables are tarred and they look great enough for me. They sell the sleeves individually. I thought it may come in handy when working on part of the rear lightiing for the 741 and XAthey also have the plain cloth in various I know you can get these in a variety of places. They are always on display at the AMCA events.

email (option): unpob@yahoo.com