This is for a set of 4 lower bevel housing shims to fit later DOHC type housings that are fitted with 'coarse' bevel gears - these having a larger central hole than SOHC and early DOHC engines.

Essential when rebuilding your engine to ensure that the lower vertical bevel gear has the correct backlash and position in relation to the crankshaft bevel gear, these lower bevel shims fit between the timing case housing and the lower bevel housing - Fitted in conjunction with the timing case shim, the ideal positioning is acheved when the gears are in line and there is a just perceptable gap (backlash) between teeth.

We also sell the more normal SOHC lower bevel housing shim (fitted from 1930 to the mid 1950's to all SOHC engines and early longstroke DOHC engines, but later DOHC Manx Norton engines used coarse bevel gears and had a housing with a larger hole.  These shims have that larger hole - this being a fraction larger than  51mm.

It was also not unheard of for earlier SOHC or DOHC crankcases to be modified to fit a later 'coarse bevel' housing, indeed it was for this reason that we originally had these shims made - I found a housing to fit an original SOHC Manx enginethat had been modified to take this larger hole.

If you are not sure what type of lower bevel housing you need - you can email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk for more detail.

This set of shims consists of 4 shims in the following thicknesses:

This is for a single lower bevel shim of the type fitted to later DOHC type housings that are fitted with 'coarse' bevel gears - these having a larger central hole than SOHC and early DOHC engines.

Essential when rebuilding your engine to ensure that the lower vertical bevel gear has the correct backlash and position in relation to the crankshaft bevel gear, these lower bevel shims fit between the timing case housing and the lower bevel housing - Fitted in conjunction with the timing case shim, the ideal positioning is acheved when the gears are in line and there is a just perceptable gap (backlash) between teeth.

We also sell the more normal SOHC lower bevel housing shim (fitted from 1930 to the mid 1950's to all SOHC engines and early longstroke DOHC engines, but later DOHC Manx Norton engines used coarse bevel gears and had a housing with a larger hole.  These shims have that larger hole - this being a fraction larger than  51mm.

It was also not unheard of for earlier SOHC or DOHC crankcases to be modified to fit a later 'coarse bevel' housing, indeed it was for this reason that we originally had these shims made - I found a housing to fit an original SOHC Manx enginethat had been modified to take this larger hole.

If you are not sure what type of lower bevel housing you need - you can email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk for more detail.

We can supply this shim type in the following thicknesses (please state which thickness you require when placing your order:

This listing is for a single shim which we can supply in the following 4 sizes :

0.5mm//0.3mm0.2mm/0.1mm. Note - shim steel is now supplied in metric thicknesses, but these are offered in the nearest equivelant to the old Imperial sizes that were commonly used - i.e.

- 0.5mm = 0.021" or 21 thou (for some reason the actual thickness is 0.53mm which = 21 thou) 

- 0.3mm = 0,012" or 12 thou 

- 0.2mm = 0.008" or 8 thou

- 0.1mm = 0.004" or 4 thou

Packed in Duck Oil to protect from rusting

This is for a single lower bevel shim of the type fitted to later DOHC type housings that are fitted with 'coarse' bevel gears - these having a larger central hole than SOHC and early DOHC engines.

Essential when rebuilding your engine to ensure that the lower vertical bevel gear has the correct backlash and position in relation to the crankshaft bevel gear, these lower bevel shims fit between the timing case housing and the lower bevel housing - Fitted in conjunction with the timing case shim, the ideal positioning is acheved when the gears are in line and there is a just perceptable gap (backlash) between teeth.

We also sell the more normal SOHC lower bevel housing shim (fitted from 1930 to the mid 1950's to all SOHC engines and early longstroke DOHC engines, but later DOHC Manx Norton engines used coarse bevel gears and had a housing with a larger hole.  These shims have that larger hole - this being a fraction larger than  51mm.

It was also not unheard of for earlier SOHC or DOHC crankcases to be modified to fit a later 'coarse bevel' housing, indeed it was for this reason that we originally had these shims made - I found a housing to fit an original SOHC Manx enginethat had been modified to take this larger hole.

If you are not sure what type of lower bevel housing you need - you can email us on sales@racingvincent.co.uk for more detail.

We can supply this shim type in the following thicknesses (please state which thickness you require when placing your order:

This listing is for a single shim which we can supply in the following 4 sizes :

0.5mm//0.3mm0.2mm/0.1mm/0.05mm. Note - shim steel is now supplied in metric thicknesses, but these are offered in the nearest equivelant to the old Imperial sizes that were commonly used - i.e.

- 0.5mm = 0.021" or 21 thou (for some reason the actual thickness is 0.53mm which = 21 thou) 

- 0.3mm = 0,012" or 12 thou 

- 0.2mm = 0.008" or 8 thou

- 0.1mm = 0.004" or 4 thou

- 0.05mm = 0.002" or 2 thou (but see note below for these)

Put a note stating which size you require when placing the online order.  We also sell complete sets of 5 shims (see listing 0326B)

Note: We also have a limited stock of 3 thou/0.05mm shims of this type, but as we can longer obtain them in this thickness - we also sell them with the SOHC lower shim sets, and stocks may be limited of this size.

This is dished (lipped) washer that fits under the Lower Bevel (twin) ball bearing on all SOHC bottom bevel castings. Designed to capture any errant balls that should drop from the bearing (a very common fault) and an absolute essential to fit. Price is each.

This washer has a slight dishing in its central part, and is designed to be fitted in the machined bearing recess in the SOHC lower bevel casting, just before the double row ball bearing is dropped in (this best being done when the casting is heated).  The special twin row ball bearing had a well earned reputation for shedding its balls and often when they do - they can drop down in to the bottom bevel case where they can break the teeth off the lower bevels.  I heard from an old friend that was in the trade when Norton's still made the SOHC model - that Norton's service department were pretty much kept in business by those balls dropping and the damage they subsequently did!

Although not totally foolproof - this dished washer is an essential fitment in the lower bevel (under the ball bearing) - as if balls do drop from the cage, they  will hopefully sit on top of the dished washer, instead of dropping into the bevel chamber below.  When stripping your engine, and removing the bottom bevel casting, you should always carefully check that none of the ball bearing balls have dropped and become trapped in the dish washer area (and obvsiously if they have - remove the balls!)

April 2021 Update:  Apologies, these have been out of stock for some time, but we are pleased to say we have just had a new batch manufactured and they are now in stock.  If you have been on the waiting list for these - Steph, will be contacting you in the next 2 weeks.  Apologies price has risen - but I noticed price had not been amended since 2009 and was very out of date!

This set consists of the special ' Reduced hex' nuts fitted to Norton SOHC upper and lower bevel castings, along with studs and spring washers - all in stainless steel.  Set consists of 8 nuts, 8 studs and 8 washers.  They are made to the same dimensions as original Norton items - but as everytihng is in stainless steel, and the nuts have nice crisp faces, they also look pretty as well. 

Price is per set of 8 nuts (Item 0010), 8 studs (Item 0009) and 8 stainless, thin form spring washers (Item 0102).

All items can be bought individually as well, but fractionally cheaper when purchased as a set.

This set will allow you to do one engine (i.e. the upper and lower bevel castings). 

(and although it should be obvious - the large stainless gland nut in the photo is not included in this set - but is available seperately as item 0014!)

These are the 5/16" BS Cycle Studs, fitted to both crankcase and cambox to retain Bevel Castings, manufactured to original dimensions in stainless steel.

Four (4) of these studs are required per bevel casting. Price is each.

Manufactured just as per original, except in Stainless Steel.

Note: As per originals, one end of these has a fractionally longer length of thread than the other. Over the years Nortons' manufactured the vertical bevel casting with different flange widths, that meant the studs can sit at slightly different heights in relation to where the reduced head nut sits when fully tightened. These studs are made with the widest normal flange in mind (i.e. so the nut should always have full thread contact with the stud - but as each end has a slightly different length, you can try both ways and one of them should work out about right!

The correct (reduced head) 5/16" BSC thread nut, used to retain both top and bevel castings, 4 nuts are used per casting.

Our nuts are CNC manufactured to the original 'Reduced Hex' Norton dimensions but are in stainless steel, and the hex faces are milled - so they also look very pretty, which is important as they are a particularly prominent and visual part of the SOHC engine

As a background to these nuts - 'Reduced Hex' means that the Whitworth hex size (spanner size) is smaller than would normally be available for a 5/16" thread - and they did this because space is so limited around the bevel castings.  If you own a Norton single already - you will know that this was common practice for a lot of the engine and and chassis bolts on Norton single models . . . but meant that many of the original Norton fasteners were 'specials', made specifically for a use on a particular Norton model - like these nuts.  However, we think making the effort to fit the correct style of nuts and bolts (particularly in stainless that does not rust, unlike originals), makes the difference to a final detailed restoration.  I use these nuts myself on all my SOHC engine builds (see accompanying photo).

As a final point when fitting these - even with their reduced hex head, they are a fiddly and tight fit  (particularly the rear nuts)- so when fitting, dont rush and make sure the thread is well oiled before fitting - then try and spin them down by hand as much possible first.  If you are happy to 'donate' a ring spanner, it is worth considering grinding the outer face of the ring spanner (or socket) so they will fit over the nuts without fouling the castintgs - but regardless, you just need to be careful not to scratch the castings when final tightening, as space is limited!

Originally these nuts were fitted with similar ' Reduced outer diameter' washers . . . and we do sometimes make batch's of these (Item 0011) in stainless steel - but actually - I have found it better to use a special form of stainless spring washer (Item 0102) - as these look just the same when fitted, but also help retain the nuts, if vibration loosens them off slightly.  These are used in the photograph of the nuts/studs/washers fitted to a magnesium (pre-war) Manx engine shown in this listing.  

These 'Reduced Width' stainless steel spring washers are of the correct profile as used on all Upright and Laydown Norton gearbox covers and also the SOHC Vertical Bevel Housing Studs.  These are in stainless steel and of good UK quality, price is for a pack of 10

This type of washer was used on the front cover of all Norton Upright type gearbox's - whereby on the 'Dollshead' type, it also stopped the special nuts from fouling and scratching the cover.  They were also used similarly on the three similar nuts under the kickstart boss of later Laydown gearbox's.

The same profile washer was also used on SOHC Vertical bevel housings.  Originally Norton's fitted plain washers in that location - but they are not commercially available and prohibitively expensive to make - while this type of stainless spring washer look exactly the same when tightened down, as they have the same profile - but have the added benefit of helping to retain the vertical bevel housing nuts - which are sometimes difficult to fully tighten, as spanner access is difficult.  Therefore we fully recommend using these as a beneficial altenative to plain washers for bevel housing studs.

Priced as a bag of 10 - which is enough for a full set of vertical bevel housing washers or a full gearbox set.

Vertical bevel housings were originally fitted with 'Reduced width' plain 5/16" washers - so they did not foul the bevel housings. 

Update May 2022: Because of the difficulty obtaining these washers, we have been recommending people to use Item 0102 (our reduced width spring washers) for the last 3 years, when fitting to the SOHC Vertical Bevel studs . . . and actually they look just the same when fitted, however, our specialist washer supplier has managed to provide us with one more batch of the correct 'reduced width' plain washers shown here .. . I suspect this will be the last time we are able to obtain them.

These are also for other applications where 5/16" fastenings are used, but you dont want a wide washer fouling confined areas

Manufactured from seamless and ground polished stainless steel polished tubing - these SOHC bevel tubes are manufactured with exactly the same pressed flange as the original items.

These items are the standard length for 350cc SOHC (and Longstroke DOHC engines) - and the open tubing on one end allows for slight flexibility of length, useful if fitting compression plates - the flanged end is fitted into the top bevel housing in the cambox.

Maunfacturing Background:

Original tubes were normally chrome plated steel - but most get dented and the chrome flakes and pits - re-chroming normally costs a lot and often does not get the pitting out. 

These stainless steel items - particularly when fitted in unison with our own CNC machined Bevel Tube Nuts totally transform the look of the SOHC engine, and look really nice.  They are also durable and do not rust. 

The tube is special seamless/ground polished stainless (and very expensive!), and we then press the flange using purpose made hardened press tools to form the correct flange profile.  Because of the toughtness of the thin wall tubing - this process is more complex than you would expect, requiring rough pressing first, then final profile flanging - to avoid the lip splitting. 

Once the tube flanges are pressed, the tubes then go back on a lathe (with special jigs to avoid damaging the tubes), where we final linish/polish the stainless, to ensure no residue marks from the flange pressing process remain.  We then cover with plastic tubing to avoid scratching in storage

Therefore -- apologies these tubes are not cheap, but hopefully you will understand from the complexity of the above process why this is - they are very labour intensive to manufacture.

Latest Update 2022: We have just manufactutred a new batch of these tubes - and the cost of the special seamless tubing (which is only availabe from one supplier in the UK) has - like all non-ferrous steel material,) risen by a large amount since last made - but they are now at least back in stock!

Price is per tube.

Manufactured from seamless and ground polished stainless steel polished tubing - these SOHC bevel tubes are manufactured with exactly the same pressed flange as the original items.

These items are the standard length for 500cc SOHC (and Longstroke DOHC engines) - and the open tubing on one end allows for slight flexibility of length, useful if fitting compression plates - the flanged end is fitted into the top bevel housing in the cambox.

Maunfacturing Background:

Original tubes were normally chrome plated steel - but most get dented and the chrome flakes and pits - re-chroming normally costs a lot and often does not get the pitting out. 

These stainless steel items - particularly when fitted in unison with our own CNC machined Bevel Tube Nuts totally transform the look of the SOHC engine, and look really nice.  They are also durable and do not rust. 

The tube is special seamless/ground polished stainless (and very expensive!), and we then press the flange using purpose made hardened press tools to form the correct flange profile.  Because of the toughtness of the thin wall tubing - this process is more complex than you would expect, requiring rough pressing first, then final profile flanging - to avoid the lip splitting. 

Once the tube flanges are pressed, the tubes then go back on a lathe (with special jigs to avoid damaging the tubes), where we final linish/polish the stainless, to ensure no residue marks from the flange pressing process  remain. 

Therefore -- apologies these tubes are not cheap, but hopefully you will understand from the complexity of the above process why this is - they are very labour intensive to manufacture.

Latest Update 2022: We have just manufactutred a new batch of these tubes - and the cost of the special seamless tubing (which is only availabe from one supplier in the UK) has - like all non-ferrous steel material,) risen by a large amount since last made - but they are now at least back in stock!

Price is per tube.