Af spanners.

[zeppelin builder]

Indeed, profit over quality every time. So many opportunities to develop new bikes but the attitude was one of take-it-or-leave-it. There was a real problem with Bracebridge Street and the Commando. The cylinder borer dated back to around 1900 and, I've been reliably informed, it was virtually impossible to maintain any degree of parallelism between the two bores on the earlier engines. Of course the flexible crank and main bearing failure was also another classic. Why did these problems not manifest themselves in development and testing?

A well sorted 750 cmmando is a real back roads weapon i remember the late Jack Gow whupping tony rutters **** on(works ducati pantah) riding a john leach prepped commando at beveridge park
the early motors were called combat engines high compression and hot cam ,and had to be fitted with barrel face roller bearings to let the crank flex a bit
the racers used to fit the barrels with a smear of jointing compound only as the original gasket compressed during a race allowing the barrels to move and take out the lh crankcase flange

go to any classic race meet and you will be sure to see a few seeley framed commandos even reliable 920 cc mainey ones not to mention the unbeatable AXTELL flat trackers of the 80s

 

[ronan]

I don't know why Norton persevered with the bolt up crankshaft though, especially with the cast iron flywheel, once that hit a certain amount of rev's (8,000 ?) it used to explode. But like you say Zepplin, i have seen really hopped up commando's, a particularly nice featherbed special with jap usd forks etc, sweet.

 

[mechman]

I wonder why cast iron Was preferred against cast steel there was plenty of options in them days. cheapness.?

 

[zeppelin builder]

I don't know why Norton persevered with the bolt up crankshaft though, especially with the cast iron flywheel, once that hit a certain amount of rev's (8,000 ?) it used to explode. But like you say Zepplin, i have seen really hopped up commando's, a particularly nice featherbed special with jap usd forks etc, sweet.

because of the typical bowler hat managment thats still nurtured in U K today did you know that norton race shop made an inline 4 but managers said that wont ever catch on
never mind in a couple of years we will be all riding francis barnetts with villiers engines we will show these krauts
how about bringing back the crusaders( royal enfield)of course, now BSA m 20 that was a winner wasnt it, and the spitfire

 

[ronan]

because of the typical bowler hat managment thats still nurtured in U K today did you know that norton race shop made an inline 4 but managers said that wont ever catch on
never mind in a couple of years we will be all riding francis barnetts with villiers engines we will show these krauts
how about bringing back the crusaders( royal enfield)of course, now BSA m 20 that was a winner wasnt it, and the spitfire

I haven't bought a classic bike magazine in years but i bought "The classic motorcycle" this month as i was waiting around a shopping centre and was bored. The fact it had a Bsa Golden Flash on the cover swung it for me. But in it was an NSU Super Max, it was light years ahead of the british made stuff in fit, finish and design. It even had indicators ! Looking at the earlier British bikes, 1900-late 1930's, they were much more daring in their designs, especially the small factories and guys building stuff in their sheds.

 

[mechman]

Talking of AF spanners, I worked in AMECs rig yard(an old ship yard) on the Tyne many years ago, It was still run on ship yard mentality, I.E tools etc,I needed a 65mm or 75mm spanner whatever, I had to draw it on a piece of card take it to the platers shop and they transferred it to a profile burning machine, cut it out and quenched it.( There yi go yill git nowt betta thin that son). Oh the tool kit (ha ha ha) I was issued with consisted of a small metal tool box(more iron oxide than metal) The contents of said tool box were, an old file (no handle) a rusty hack saw (no blade) a 2 lb hammer with a knacked shank. I asked, is there any chance of a tape measure, Answer= you'll have to wait son, two weeks later I got one, it was the old round 6 foot silver metal one made in Mexico, I could go on, they were supposedly leading edge rig constructors at the time. I Kid you not on all of the above.

 

[Shox Dr]

Bought a set of AF a while back. Made by Signet, nice in the hand. About 40quid

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Car boot this morning there was a stand with nothing but imperial spanners. From the odd one to complete sets.

One set, marked Morris Garages, (MG) complete in a leather roll was for grabs at £40.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Car boot this morning there was a stand with nothing but imperial spanners. From the odd one to complete sets.

One set, marked Morris Garages, (MG) complete in a leather roll was for grabs at £40.

How did you manage to resist...or did you?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@slim_boy_fat
PM sent.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@Beeezer
Drop me a PM. With what sizes you are looking for.
At Men in Shed we may have some for a suitable donation.