All pictures above are as the bike was on it being delivered. 21 12 13 Not a pretty sight, but great potential.

Ok looks like we have a genuine 1955 Norton Dominator 88 de lux, 500cc. Same frame and engine numbers, all major parts are original. Needs a re spray in proper colours, tank need a re-chrome, rims are alloy should be steel. Bike is in a bit of a state, used for traveling to work most of it`s life 54,728 miles on the clock. First thing is to get it apart and re spray it.

Old Featherbed Manx type wide curve loops and Manx shaped swinging arm, all made by Reynolds in the same jigs as the Manx was made in, but with thicker tube( not 531) and gussets at the headstock, for road use, very nice frame always wanted one.


This is what it looked like when it left the factory. So quite a bit to do.







Above, all rust spots and defect were filled in with bronze welding, after grinding back to bare metal.




This is what it looks like with the engine removed. Just waiting for paint to arrive. Tested primer on top rail looks right.

Bike came with a load of spare parts and tools.

The Armstrong units above were on the bike when it left Norton at Bracebridge Street, I know the are normally 1956, but I will re-fit them once they are re-chromed.


Don`t know if I will fit the old levers or not.


To cut a long story short,since there were signs of rust under the paint work, I decided that the best way would be to get the frame shot blasted and powder coated, so that is what I did as shown below, very very nice. No more rust for the rest of it`s life and it is easy enough to spray over the powder coating to get the Norton colour required.


Belay that last remark, it took me forever to get the colour right and cost a fortune.





Above right I also got some new silencers sent from Austria.


The previous owner had the engine overhauled including all bearings valve guides valves and other necessary renewals and only used it occasionally since. I note from the invoices that came with the bike that he had the old guides drilled out and bronze inserts put in. Apparently they last forever , or at least are better than the old cast iron ones. I listened to the engine when I first got it and it sounded fine. I had a look inside and it looks right, so looks like nothing to do here with engine. I guess we will find out when I get to ride it. At lease if it needs work it will be a clean job to get it out.




























If anyone doubts the wisdom of powder coating, jusy have a look at the before and after shot above, inside of the headlamp.
Worth every penny, just to have it perfect. Better than when it left the factory.





Engine timing spot on at 31degrees before top dead centre.




Front end reconditioned and re fitted. Fork legs greased with Castrol grease before fitting shrouds.
No rust when the new owner takes it apart in 2165.

Good old Castrol, long term sponsors of the TT. Best sponsor I ever had.Free lubricants, Castrol R, High melting point Grease, petrol, even a technician. This tin of Castrol high melting point grease was given to me in 1965,in the island, nearly all gone now. I doubt I will ever get another.

Also you can see the powder coating on the underside of the mudguard, never rust again. That front end has about 100 pieces in it, takes along tine to get it together correctly, but it looks sold as a rock, Unbeatable Norton engineering.



Now for the nice part, putting it all back together and making everything as it should be.
Or better, without any loss of originality.
I do have some chrome wheels, but the alloy ones are ok for now.










Note the little parking light under the headlight, cute or what. Also got some original trim around the console.


Managed to get a few original parts to repalce the none original ones on the bike, horn, rubber tank mounts, sado.




Even managed to get some Norton rubbers, not from india.


I had to get the seat re covered, but it is the original seat that came with the bike and it did have the red and black trim as shown, so I got it put back exactly as it was. This bike came out of the factory with 56 Armstrong units on the back, so I guess I will have to put some on here ASAP.


Front end is looking good, it had none original sliders on it, but they are back to original now.


The bike is factory fitted with Norton rubber mounted handlebars, not too easy to re assemble, but got there in the end.
I see a big round hole in the centre nut, looks like it had a steering damper in there at one time. I will re-fit one, I think I have an old Norton Bakelite knob somewhere.


The handlebar stuff it at least old, period, near as I can get at present.


Steering damper fits in with the old school look that I want on this bike.








Original tank kickstart and gear lever are away being chromed, will be fited when they come back.



Here it is all done, rides just like it should and sounds wonderful with those old style cans.
























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