Born Again Bikes Offerings

grandpaul

Author, "Old Bikes"
DTT SUPPORTER
DTT BOTM WINNER
Born Again Bikes' offerings:

Total Restorations - vintage, classic, post-classic, any and all brands. Complete teardown to bare frame and crankshaft (or starting with existing basket case), 100-point evaluation, "not-to-exceed" quote, complete rebuild to OEM or client specifications.

Refurbishing - all makes and models; repair or replace parts as required, make-run, make roadworthy / road legal, etc.

Salvage rebuilds - extensive damage / collision repairs, including sourcing totaled parts and components, obtaining new titles, etc.

Overhauls - complete engine overhauls to OEM or client specifications including crating for shipment.

Custom Builds - unlimited custom building and fabrication. UNLIMITED.

Custom parts & components - AutoCAD designed parts and components including dual & monoshock swingarms, Triton (and similar hybrid) engine mounting plate kits, Norton Featherbed swingarm spindle conversions, Norton Commando positive crankcase breather kits, Commando "big bearing" swingarm spindle & transmission cradle conversions, and ANY and ALL other client-specified custom parts.

High Quality Subtrades - Paint, Upholstery, Powdercoating, Chrome, Cad & Zinc plating, Machine work, Polishing, and Wheel Building from trusted subcontractors with MINIMUM 10 years volume business with us (some 30+ years). ALL guaranteed work.

Motorcycle Transport (Domestic) - enclosed, bonded, insured motorcycle transportation from/to ANYWHERE in the continental United States. We have two flexible national carriers that have each done over 20 moves for us with 100% perfect service. We guarantee good communication, scheduling, and pricing.

Motorcycle Transport (International) - Roll-On, Roll-Off Service out of the Port of Houston, Texas is readily available with minimal lead time (or any client-specified port with related lead time). We also offer crating with new, treated lumber and sturdy tie-downs (forklift ready) as the client wishes or requires. Partial / Dismantling for smaller crating at additional charge.

AutoCAD design, drafting and drawing - Complete CAD services as specified by client based on verbal, draft sketch, or reverse-engineering of existing item(s). All original designs remain property of Born Again Bikes, (client designs remain the property of client)

"Old Bikes" book - Paperback technical guide to all motorcycles; covers finding, buying, fixing, riding, selling, racing, and exhibiting vintage and classic bikes. Written from over 45 years of experience with literally hundreds of motorcycles.
 
Norton Featherbed swingarm spindle retrofit kits

This is Born Again Bikes' swingarm spindle upgrade kit, suitable for any Norton featherbed frame.

It replaced the fiddle and flexible "Metalastic" bushings that ALWAYS corrode and freeze up the thru-bolt with solid, oiled, sintered bronze bushings. It also replaces the wimpy 5/8" and even wimpier 1/2" thru-bolts with a high grade 3/4" diameter SPINDLE; the spindle has bolt-up security end plates similar to BSAs. Rounding out the kit are two sintered bronze thrust washers and a pair of o-rings to seal in the heavy oil that keeps the system lubricated at all times.

Three kits, ready to ship.
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Assembly order.
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Installed
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(when tightened, the threads fill the nylon insert)

This spindle replacement solution is superior to needle bearing alternatives, and at a better price!
 
TriTon unit Triumph engine mounting plate kit

I make these 6061 alloy engine mounting plates with head steady, to mount unit construction Triumph big twin engines in Norton featherbed frames for custom TriTon builds.

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Kits include (2) rear plates, (2) front plates, (2) outer/footpeg mount plates, and a head steady assembly, with all hardware required to mount the engine in the frame.

These kits are priced significantly below similar kits from England which take months to arrive.
 
Norton Commando positive crankcase vent reed valve kits

Many (most?) elderly Norton Commandos tend to drool and dribble oil, "marking their territory". The crankcase ventilation systems employed by the factory are less than optimal, to say the least. I have devised a simple reed valve kit that mounts to the blank backside of the timing chest on non-magneto/distributor equipped Norton big twins. It is especially easy to install on the models that have the removable steel blanking plate; bare alloy (later) models must have the timing cover opened to properly drill and tap the backside and ensure that no shavings remain in the timing chest.

While this improvement will eliminate or greatly reduce MOST typical Commando age-related oil leaks, it CANNOT eliminate mechanical faults such as damaged mating surfaces, worn out seals, torn or missing gaskets, large cracks, etc. If your engine is overhauled and it still leaks oil, this breather SHOULD fix it.

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Norton Commando "Big Bearing" swingarm conversion kits

I bought the last of Kenny Dreer's VR880 parts, which included 2 of the 3 box section swingarms he built (one was for Dave Edwards). The box section swingarm includes upgrading the spindle fitment from plain bronze bushings to standard Norton steering head sealed ball bearings. The conversion also requires upgrading the transmission cradle to accept the bearings, and do away with the root of most classic Commando rear end troubles: the spindle fit into a plain steel tube.

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Here you can just make out the bearing retainer with adjuster holes, just behind the transmission-
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Transmission cradle mods involve removing the old tube, and welding in new larger tube and outer bearing retainer rings
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Block type chain adjuster / axle carriers
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