Norton 750 Commando head removal

A short video on removal of a Norton Commando cylinder head, also valve seal issue that can occur. Always use genuine valve seals from a reputable source!!!!

[twotubefamily]

Good to see your apprentice is keeping up with you Fiona !

[TornadoCAN]

Good work!
I've actually done seal replacements on my '850 Commando without needing to remove the head. There is a write up on this method on the AccessNorton forum. It involves remove the rocker spindles (with heating of the head), replacing the spindles with a smaller diameter rod or bolt to give more freedom of rocker arms to move out of the way. Then you need to support the valve from dropping. There a home made tool for this but I use the old "rope" trick...stuffing some rope into the cylinder via sparkplug hole until the no more would jam inside...this is enough to hold the valve up. Then release the spring collets/keeper....I used a homemade tool of a bit of metal stock, bent into an upside down "U", secured into the rocker arm end with a nut and bolt, Winding it down so it presses on the valve spring cap to compress it. Have since tried an easier way....using a large socket fitting on the spring cap, stuff a small magnet into the socket...then a wallop or two with a big 1-3 lbs hammer to compress spring...collets release and are grabbed on magnet worked a treat. Once seal is replaced, to fit collets again, stuff paper towel or bit of sponge rubber foam into socket (no magnet) and position collets either side of valve. Wallop or two and the foam forces collets in to correct location. Remove the rope, button it all up.

[stancoleshill]

Should come off nicely if you are using a copper head gasket.

[terryosmond]

Hey Gina just found your video on you tube, good job.

[briankent]

Class plain and simple well done folks

[stephent]

Fiona is the mutts nuts. Keep up the great work.

[simonknine]

Back when i was young lad i can remember there were two police Norton commando at the bottom of the road..Me and my mates
were looking at them and talking to the cops..I thought one day i will own a commando..
There was a guy who worked at local garage and he own a Z900...Same again i thought i would own one of these, ,

I have owned lots of bikes since then but not a commando or never say never.

[drjohn]

Nice idea and a female conducting the work is excellent - but (Dad) get some practise of using a camera, with focusing and positioning to not have your hands and body in the way of what you are describing... but a great effort and you did get the point acrross, especailly the head seperation.

[rsbharley]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. Cheers

[andyb.]

Note, the design allows for regular removal of the Head. I ran Nortons for years, raced & won on them. 10k miles maximum between full Rebuilds. It's a cheap 1940's design, vibrates like a demon, bloody awful things 🤗

[nmoriss]

Hi Gino - Love your vids! I have a 75 850 here in Tokyo. Shortly after my Mikuni manifold vibrated loose and then a 20 mile ride home - after tightening it up it went great for a few miles - then started going on the left cylinder only - finally I found the reason is there is zero compression on the right side. It's not a ring problem as when I poured oil in the cylinder it made no difference. In & out valves appear to be moving as they should when I crank it over. At the risk of sounding like an idiot.... can this only be a damaged valve or not seated right or a head gasket (doubtful I guess)? This is my first Norton - (I'm more use to working on Ducatis) so am not familiar with their many quirks! Any help appreciated!

[georgemoskal]

Well done Fiona but you're dungarees are too clean.

[Nrman]

Any chance of doing a video of the valve clearance adjustment ?

[rafaelpelizza]

Buenisimo saludos de Argentina mardel plata. Rafael.

[johnhatch]

Gino, have you ever heard of "focus"? The video is fine until Gino gets behind the camera and then it all goes wrong. Can't see what the valve spring compressor is doing. Can't see what Fiona is taking out with the magnet. And then the real hard bit, removing and installing new valve guides, you don't show that at all! Give it up, man.

[charliebrown]

Taken one of these heads off many a time. They must have been the worst designed head ever.