Thinking of building an english style cafe racer aka like a triton except with an Iron Sporty motor

have been told that the motor will fit in

anybody have any info on doing this?

Its called a 'Snortster'....yes you can do it....it will require building your own motor mounts and flipping the Norton rear brake assy so that the chain is on the right side.

I've owned and built several Nortons over the years...but not a Sporty motor in the featherbed frame...although I had considered it a couple times and actually had info on doing the conversion. Doubt if I could find the literature now...but I'll look thru some of my old M/C files to see if I have anything.

By the way...check out my photos...I built a Norton Chopper years ago using a lot of Sporty parts I had laying around the shop...I kind of went the other way on this bike from yours.

Of course what you need to do first is get a Norton frame.....lay it on the ground and place your Sporty motor in it to get an idea of fit and the required fabricating of motor mounts. Keep in mind that the Snortsters I've seen were using Sporty Ironhead motors...if you plan on using a late model evo, you may have additional clearance problems due to the evo's taller cylinder/head combo.

Early Norton featherbed frames go for good money. Try not to destroy them by cutting them up and save them for the guy looking to restore a featherbed model Norton.

Instead....Look for a frame that's straight, but may have a problem or two....example; sometimes the old guys would cut off the rear fender support and footpeg mounts when they turned them into 'Choppers' or 'Bobber's in the late sixties/early seventies. These frames would go for less money. You can get replacement rear fender mounts thru the Norton supplier websites.

If you start the project..take some pics...I'd like to see how it turns out. :smoke

PS.....If you type in 'snortster' on the web...you'll get a couple pics of guys that have already built one.

There's a Sportster/Norton at the Barber's Motorsports Museum with a "Goodman" name. Right next to it was a NorVin with a Vincent motor in the Norton frame. Both looked like very nice bikes. Next time I go, I'll try and get pics.

Dear chaps,

You may consider using a new Featherbed frame from http://www.unityequipe.com/html/products.html as this saves butchering a perfectly good genuine Norton frame.

See http://www.classicbikeguide.com/archive/sept05/ft1.htm for one article (OK its a Trumpet engine). OR perhaps have a look at Metisse http://www.metisse-motorcycles.com/home.asp who make a Metisse frame for a harley Sportster. The Metisse is a re-work of the Rickman frame of old. Personally I want one....

Hope this helps.

Whiffi

I've seen pics of what they called a Sporton but couldn't find any yet.
Here's some other hybrids that are pretty cool if not whacky:D

Cushster
Duc 250cc mini
Noriel square 4
and a Lincoln V-12!
http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/315/600sportengine5sl.jpg

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/6370/600ducmonkeybike3oh.jpg

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/3413/600scan4ik.jpg
http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/7100/600v12lincoln4be.jpg

Of course you could call it a Sporton http://www.ozebook.com/sporton/sporton.htm
Whiffi

A better view of how to use a Featherbed.
http://www.dresda.co.uk/bikes2.asp?CAR=40
Whiffi

thanks for all the advice

liked the dresda pics

as for the name it will have Hardon painted on the tank sounds a lot better and bound to upset Triton purists most of whom hate HD anyway

The bike in those Dresda pix are too much. I just had an impure thought and I have to go clean up now.

I am not even going to touch the Hard on thing.

Oh, I guess I just did. haha

Kong

Visited Barber's again this week, snapped some crappy pics with my phone. Here's the Goodman with a description.

I've got access to a whole shitload of rare Norton parts including a Druin blower if interested.

If you would like to do a Caf`e, try this link here.

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/Harley/prodhar.htm

It's called a Nortley Fartster. I used a 1200 evo to build mine, probably not much heavier or worse vibrator than either a Norton twin or an iron sporty, but relatively oiltight and far more reliable. To fit it in, you need to cut a crescent out of the left side frame gusset, which eliminates one swingarm pivot. I made a super heavy duty rear engine mount which incorporates a swingarm pivot, then scratch built the swingarm using an old IH engine block for a platen. Dresda's machines are pretty enough and I'm sure they work just fine, but look at the sledgehammer work on the lower frame tubes. Cut, bash, yer takes yer choice. My frame had already been butchered- story was it once held a Honda 4- so no purists need weep. It was also nickel plated so my bad boy looks like a pimp's pistol. I'll be glad to share pictures. buck48 AT eoni DOT com, here in the usa