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CUSTOM BUILT MONOSHOCK NORTON CAFE RACER |
Born Again Bikes |
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Born Again Bikes' 1974 Norton 850 Monoshock Special Engine 1974 Norton 850 Commando, vertical air-cooled OHV pushrod twin, dry sump Flat-topped .020 oversize pistons and rings, OEM 850 cast iron cylinders Norton 850 crankshaft, flywheel & connecting rods, skimmed RH10 head (10:1) F.A.G. "Superblend" main bearings, Rowe valves & bronze valve guides "Combat Clone" SS re-grind camshaft with resurfaced cam followers Norton multi-plate clutch system with Sureflex clutch friction plate set Amal 32mm concentric carbs, tapered / matched manifolds OEM Norton 850 engine covers & inspection caps, mirror polished Right-foot-shift, 4-speed OEM gearbox, inverted shifter for 1-down-3-up pattern Horsepower: 65 (approx.) Top speed: 125 (approx.) Weight: 420 lbs. Chassis 1974 Norton 850 Commando Mark III frame, modified for upper monoshock mounting Born Again Bikes custom fabricated monoshock swingarm with rising rate linkage Mark III stainless steel vernier adjustable isolastic rubber mount system Rose joint type engine top (Taylor) & front (Eads) steadies for zero lateral engine movement (Chassis can be restored to original condition by simply replacing swingarm & rear shocks) Wheels & axles Excel 18" aluminum rims laced with stainless steel spokes & nipples by Buchanan's Suzuki TL1000 front axle with custom sealed bearings Kenny Dreer dual disc front hub & rotor spacers, with custom built axle spacers Tires: Avon AM26 RoadRider 100/90x18 Front & Rear Suspension & Brakes Suzuki TL1000 Fork yokes, stem turned to fit OEM Norton steering bearings Front: Showa 41mm fully adjustable (compression, rebound & damping) inverted forks Rear: KYB fully adjustable, gas charged reservoir rear monoshock Front: Dual 6-pot Tokiko calipers, 298mm T.A.W. full-floating rotors, Nissin master cylinder Rear: OEM Norton Mark III skimmed & drilled disc, Lockheed caliper, Nissin master cylinder Cycle Parts Lyta "Sprint" aluminum fuel tank, Dreer VR880 seat/tail, upholstered in leather OEM Commando fiberglass sidecovers & tail unit painted metallic Silver NEW exhaust system with "peashooter" mufflers, Reynolds 530 chain Rearset footpegs, clip-on handlebars, standard Commando oil tank Electrical Equipment Sparx electronic ignition with dual Bosh 6 volt coils Lucas alternator with Tympanium solid-state regulator/rectifier Born Again Bikes hand-wired electrical harness system, AGM heavy duty battery Notes This bike was patterned as closely as possible after my "Blue" monoshock Norton with all of the rare Dreer prototype bits that has been featured on several websites including TheKneeSlider.Com, BikeExif.Com, PipeBurn.Com, and MotorcyclePictureDaily.Com. No question it'll keep up with modern sportbikes in the twisties, and it's sure to draw a crowd anywhere it goes. |
The "Dreer Tribute" bike was sold in 2010, and has since appeared in Cafe Racer magazine, and in the BritBike.Com & Norton Owner's Club 2011 calendars |