1.b Norton SOHC Bearings

Norton SOHC Bearings : Information on the bearings covered in this Section 

Click on this item to give further detailed information about the specialist imperial bearings listed in this section.  Note: I spend considerable time searching for correct spec British bearings, most now obsolete.  Prices reflect this rarity

- This is the very important twin row, self centering bearing that was originally fitted in both top and bottom bevel housings in all International and early Manx engines. These are new old stock/original RHP make (now unobtainable and very hard to find) and essential fitment in any SOHC Norton engine

- Single row (fixed race - not swivelling) RHP bearing, that can be used as an alternative to the original type twin row type (Item no 0005) on the top bevel housing only.  See detail description for this item and description for item 0005 before purchasing

- Single row ball bearing - Fitted to the outer of the two driveside mainshaft bearings in the crankcase on all SOHC engines, both International and early Manx.  This is the correct C3 (loose tolerence) type, from top quality manufacturer RHP - *** 8/3/19: See Note In Detailed Description

- Single row lipped roller bearing. Fitted to the inner of the two driveside mainshaft bearings in the crankcase on all SOHC engines, both International and early Manx.

 

- Single row lipped roller bearing. of the same overall specification and fit (i.e. C3) as original - but high quality RHP/non-lipped type.  Original fitment  was 'lipped' variety - see detail description.  Can be alternative fitted to the inner of the two driveside mainshaft bearings in the crankcase on all SOHC engines, both International and early Manx.

 

- Single row ball bearing. Fitted to timing side Model 30/40 (International) SOHC engines, in correct RHP C3 (loose tolerence) type, from top quality manufacturer. Now becoming a very difficult bearing to source

Twin row caged ball bearing. Fitted to Model 30M/40M (Manx) SOHC engines. This bearing as it was originally manufactured (with bronze cage) is now obsolete and unobtainable in original '3 spot' specification. The C3\3-spot version is really an essential specification, as this means a looser tolerence than normal bearings - very important on Norton engines to ensure the bearings do not spin in their housings. I offer the modern version of this bearing, which is still by a top specification bearing manufacturer - NSK (originally Hoffman) in correct '3 spot'\C3 version, however, it is now manufactured using a nylon cage. Although high quality, care must be taken with these when fitting and soldering the bearing retaining plate over them, to ensure the cage is not melted. Other than that, they are just the same as the originals. I will also be fitting them to my own Manx engined bikes in future - I dont think there is much option (Note - one way of lessoning the risk is to lightly solder bearing plate and screws before fitting them, then less heat is required to join them, as they are already 'tinned') January 2011: I now have this item back in stock with a limited quantity - not sure if they will make any more once these are gone.

Twin row caged ball bearing. Fitted to Model 30M/40M (Manx) SOHC engines. This bearing is now obsolete and unobtainable in original '3 spot' specification with bronze cage. — Dec 2010: Now sold out, sorry.

- Countersunk screw used to retain securing plates for both main bearings in the crankcases and front camshaft bearings. These are the screws that are soldered over their heads once fitted, to ensure they dont work loose. Rather than trying to clean up th

- Countersunk screw used to retain securing plates for both main bearings in the crankcases and front camshaft bearings. These are the screws that are soldered over their heads once fitted, to ensure they dont work loose. Rather than trying to clean up th

- This is the plate that stops the camshaft bearing from rotating and coming adrift in the main cambox casting

- Single row ball bearing. Fitted to all SOHC engines, both International and early Manx. 12/6/12: Now back in stock

- Single row caged roller bearing. Fitted to Model 30/40 (International) SOHC engines. These are either RHP or Hoffman (Hoffman became RHP) - both best quality and in correct and very difficult to find C3 fit. 

 

Cambox Bearing - Camshaft Back Roller Bearing : as fitted to the Model 30M/40M (Manx) cambox backplate - identifiable from the standard International type, in that the Manx backplate is in magnesium. These are correct RHP versions in correct C3 fit - now very rare

- Large shielded single row ball bearing. This is the main bearing fitted to all upright and laydown Norton gearbox's from the 1930's - 1950's gearbox's. This is a good quality American bearing It is of the fully shielded variety (most originals were shielded on the outer side, but then used a seperate shielding ring on the inner side). It can either be fitted like this, or if you prefer, the shield on one side can be easily removed (email me for more details). 12/6/12: Back In Stock Again

- Single row ball bearing. Fitted to all upright gearbox's mainshafts and Manx model layshafts on the right hand side

Single Ball Bearing to fit all Norton upgright gearbox's - single row ball bearing

Set of 13 rollers to fit all Norton pre-Amc mainshaft sleevegears (+1 spare)

- Single row ball bearing to fit BTH KD1 competition magnetos (as fitted to Norton camshaft engines). I believe this bearing also fits other similar BTH single cylinder magneto's, i.e. standard KD1 and MH1 models

3 screw mainshaft bearing securing plate, to fit all Model 30 and Model 40 International (and CS1/CJ) engines. This pressed steel plate was used to retain the main bearings and ensure they did not 'walk' under heavy use. The plate was secured by 3 screws (sold seperately), which were soldered to the plate after tightening, to ensure they do not come lose. This plate is copied from an original item. Note: this plate fits all International crankcases after approximately 1932. before that time a shallower plate was used. If you are not sure - measure the lip of the main bearing housing ( see second photo), if it sits approx. 0.225" above the crankcase wall it is for this plate. If it measures approximately 0.175" above crankcase - then the very early securing plate is required (see Item no 0287). The late type crankcase is on the left in the 3rd photo

4 screw mainshaft bearing securing plate, to fit all Model 30M and Model 40M magnesium engines. This pressed steel plate was used to retain the main bearings and ensure they did not 'walk' under heavy use. The plate was secured by 4 screws (sold seperately), which were soldered to the plate after tightening, to ensure they do not come lose. This plate is copied from an original item

Single row ball bearing used on all Single Cylinder models (pre-full width hubs) on the plain hub side front hub and also on the brake side for pre-featherbed conical (SOHC Manx) front brakes. They are also used on all rigid\plunger\non-conical rear hubs on the non brake drum side. As always, this bearing is a high quality named brand bearing (i.e. not a chinese bearing!)

Twin row ball bearing used on all Single Cylinder models (pre-full width hubs) on the brake hub side of single sided front hubs (although strangely not used on SOHC conical front hubs. They are also used on all rigid\plunger hubs on the brake drum side. As always, this bearing is a high quality named brand bearing - NSK (i.e. not a chinese bearing!). This twin row bearing was always much more expensive than the single row fitted to the other side, and is now getting quite difficult to find - but as at the end of 2012 I have managed to get another batch!

Proper felt bearing washers, as was original fitment on both sides of all rigid\plunger hubs (except conical brake side for some reason)

I am very pleased to be able to offer this very distinctive steel cup, which is pressed into the end of both front and rear Norton hubs on the brake side, and retains the felt washer, to stop grease escaping into the brake drum. As I am sure many of you have found - even if you have one of these available on your own hub, chances are it will be in bad condition if it has previously been prized out and punched back in, when the wheel bearings were last changed. This pressed cup is high quality and identical to the Norton original that was used as the pattern. To fit, place it above the recess on the brake side of the hub, then use a small punch (or screwdriver) to push it into the recess. If your hub recess is worn, you can also put a couple of additional punch marks on the rim of the hub, as per the plunger hub shown here in the second photograph

Imperial thread grease nipple, as fitted to Norton headstock bearings, Norton Gardengate rear plunger alloy sliders, and Norton brake pedals. Nice quality and in the proper silver colour (not gold tinted, like many modern nipples are - I have to order specially to ensure this)

Imperial thread grease nipple, as fitted to Norton headstock bearings, Norton Gardengate rear plunger alloy sliders, and Norton brake pedals. Nice quality and in the proper silver colour (not gold tinted, like many modern nipples are - I have to order specially to ensure this). This is for a pack of 6, slightly cheaper when bought this way

Imperial thread 60 degree grease nipple, as fitted to most Norton wheel hubs, but can also be retrospectively fitted to Norton girder forks, at greasing points to fork spindles. Nice silver finish, as per originals (not the goldish finish often used on modern grease nipples - I have to order these specially to ensure this)

Imperial thread 60 degree grease nipple, as fitted to most Norton wheel hubs, but can also be retrospectively fitted to Norton girder forks, at greasing points to fork spindles. Nice silver finish, as per originals (not the goldish finish often used on modern grease nipples - I have to order specially to ensure this). This is for a pack of 6, slightly cheaper when bought this way.