This listing is for a SOHC Vertical Shaft, of the standard Norton type, fitted to most 500cc CS1 and International models from 1931-54, to accept normal SOHC Oldham Couplings.
Price is Each
It is CNC manufactured to a high standard of finish and accurate tolerance, using an original Norton International 500cc vertical shaft in excellent condition as a pattern. It is hollow through its centre (as per the original for oil drainage from the cambox), and the oldham coupling slots have been machined to a high tolerance, to accept the original size width and depth oldham couplings - to a size fit.
In the accompanying photographs you will see (one of our) Oldham Couplings fitted into the slot - and this was a very nice 'firm push fit in'. They are manufactured from EN36 steel to a very high standard.
Each shaft is checked before wrapping - to ensure that it slides on the special SOHC vertical bevel bearings (see last photograph) each end, and the couplings fit, before packing in a plastic tube wrapping, with Duck Oil sprayed in, to stop any corrosion in storage.
Please read detail listing before ordering to fully understand background and details of these shafts. Price is for the shaft only (oldham couplings sold seperately - Items 0683 and 0684)
Update December 2024: We made a small batch of these Vertical Shafts in 2021 and they quickly sold out. Due to material and manufacturing price increases since that time I have held off having another batch made until now, but we now have a new batch available:
There were many lengths of shaft made originally - but we have done some research and believe the most common 500cc Length supplied seems to have been : 8.690"-8.695"
Therefore these shafts have a 8.690"-8.695" overall length
Please ensure you have carefully checked the length you require before ordering (we cannot accept returns once a trial fit into an engine has been carried out, as it may mark the shaft).
Remember: when fitting oldham couplings and the vertical shaft - the lipped end of the shaft is the bottom, and the parrallel end is the top. The bottom vertical coupling should always be 3/16" width (our Item 0683), but the top coupling width should be carefully calculated if building a fresh engine - to ensure the correct thickness coupling is used (either Item 683, or various other thicnesses - i.e our Variable Item 0684). Email if more information on how to do this is required.
When measuring shaft/coupling distance - remember that you need to take into account the thickness of the bottom coupling (which should always be 3/16") and the thickness of your top coupling (which can vary - see our Item 0684 to see thicknesses we can offer) + a small amount of clearance (i.e. 15 thou).
Note: we also have just a few shafts made to a slightly longer length - these are special order, for more information: email me first on at paul.norman@racingvincent.co.uk to confirm details, price and availability
