As a result of studying pictures of 1940 16Hs, I've come to the conclusion that I've been riding round with my end cap wrongly orientated (Oh the shame of it !)

It appears that they were usually fitted with the terminals at the two O'clock position and mine had been at ten O'Clock.

Resetting the cap is straightforward enough but apparently the oiler holes are drilled dependent upon a left or right hand application and my oiler dust cover is now pivotted below the oil hole (which is at the top). I can't quite see if this is correct on any period photos, but I suspect not.

Anyone know for certain if they should hang down to cover the oil hole, and perhaps have a decent spare that they could miss ?

Shocking absolutly shocking, call yourself a counter of rivets?

hand in your snaps and dollies and go to the naughty step.

I threw my dollies out of the pram a longtime ago, Ken

I can't believe how badly I slipped up here...apparently I might have an M20 end cover. Perhaps I should take a service revolver and do the decent thing ?

My cover is moulded to be interchangeable but only one oiler hole has been opened up. Could this be related to dynamo direction (the Norton is anti-clock on top of the clockwise mag)...and if so, is oiling compromised by using the wrong hole ?

...I dare say Henk will tell me that there is no such thing as the 'wrong hole', simply 'the other' hole'...

Hi Rik..Can you post a picture of the one you have?...Ian

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

Ian, this is my cover, fitted as it was, with the terminals at ten o 'clock. Now that I 've taken off the cover and fitted it on the alternative dowel location (at two o 'clock), the brass cover for the oil hole is pointing uphill.

I suspect that the easiest solution might be araldite and re-drill the cover. On the other hand, I really quite like the sound of 'needing ' something at Netley.

%%htmlItem_1%%

I reckon your advance retard cable is on the wrong side too

and there no rubber dofer on the terminals............




[possibly]

Rik I have pondered deeply, consulted canonical works and must conclude that your confession relates a mortal sin. So grave is this that I cannot give absolution. This Orientation is so dark a matter that only his holiness in person can absolve you and wipe away this stain. Therefor you must make pilgrimage on a pink BSA Bantam Bobber to Bere Alston and there seek forgiveness.

Cheers Pat

Ken, the left hand A/R cable is correct for 1932-'47 Nortons with the inlet cam driven from the exhaust (and thus clockwise mag), assuming that the standard tight-wire advance is maintained.

%%htmlItem_1%%

As far as I can tell, the terminal-protector johnny first appeared on the post war long dynamos. They certainly don't seem to have been around in 1940, but I'm open to correction.

Rik ,

Wonder if You could please let Me know where You managed to trace the transfer /decal on the battery please ..looks great !

Hadnt realised the battery was painted green also ?

Thanks in advance ,

Steve ...

That's not a decal on Rik's battery. It's one of Ian's repro WD batteries. the lettering is cast into the moulding and Rik has picked it out in white. And yes the batteries were painted green, brown or sand according to period/campaign.
Ian will sell you one with any date you want...as long as it's 1940 or 1944.

Rik that is not the ugliest bobber in the world! This is! If the owner watches this site......You should be ashamed of yourself Ron

%%htmlItem_1%%

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Thanks Ron ..have to get Myself one of those then !

Have You any "bad day" this week if I post out Our "secret weapon" ?

I will be home most days & hope to get a chance to catch up with things ..

Steve ...

I'm home a lot Steve, but usually down the workshop when the postman calls. But I can be around if I know when. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I didn't realise Norton were so misinfored as to use tight wire advance? much better to have slack wire advance that way no chance of it retarding itself.

then again I do ride Matchless

As far as I can tell. The only slack wire WD bikes were Royal Enfield WD/CO's. I agree it's a much better idea. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

['God's Teeth I loath bobbers !']....

I think the bloke that owns it thinks so as well Rik....Look what's on the rear mudguard..the dreaded text speak...'4 sale'...though this might be an early example before text?...

I won't be able to look out an end cover for a few days..I have a cellulitis infection which is f*****g painful to the extent I cant use the affected leg...I've been given a 7 day heavy duty antibiotic course which hopefully will clear it up..If not it's into hospital for intravenous A.B..Poor old leg...it's the one I that broke the ankle on and that hasn't fully cleared up yet...Ian

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

Well spotted Rik, I hadn't noticed that on pictures before but now you've pointed it out it's even on the WD motorcyle film as well. Mine is also at 10 O'clock, I'll try not to lose any sleep over it like you, as I've also got my mag changed to slack wire advance and a post war wire cover.... oh the shame.... I'll understand if you don't talk to me again

P.S. The post war horn has been changed now

%%htmlItem_1%%

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

yes all it needs is to change the mag end casing to change to slack wire advance

I'm used to tight wire advance. Both top levers pulled back for normal running seems logical. If I changed it to slack advance, I'd have to convert the choke to tight wire to compensate...far more difficult.

Here's mine Rik, all original from what I know..

%%htmlItem_1%%

Couldn't resist not having the rubber cover!

email (option): ferrarakias@hotmail.com

Blast! I'm also in the 10 o clock position!

But so are Alexander and Michel, cannot see it on the Original pictures, as the sidecar is in the way!

How are the other makes?? maybe it's a prewar/wartime/postwar thing?

Anyway, not going to loose sleep over it!

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbxxx.net

Oddly enough Lex, the 'Stilltime' pictures of C399031 with the body removed seem to show it at 10.00 o'clock (and with the clamp screw at the front !) However, the QVR kit inspection picture (and the depot shot with the 16H show them at the rear).

Phew, what a relief! At least one picture will do for me! Never thought of looking at those, but then, too bizzy with more important stuff!

Lex

email (option): welbike@wel•••.net

More important, Lex ? These end covers have a rivet on ! What could be more important than counting them and checking that they're fitted correctly.

If I had to guess, I'd say that someone hanging upside down over the demo outfit put the whole lot on wrongly ! It was at that point that he took off the sidecar body to make it a bit easier...