Based on an email from Matt.
Sunday 12th of August was a fine sunny day so what could be more pleasant and relaxing than a ride out with friends from the club?
Tea on a village green was was the plan for today after a meander around the countryside....HOWEVER we never made it as instead we tried a roadside barbeque on the back lane from Cottesbrooke to Naesby, unfortunately the barbeque involved my Model 7 Norton catching fire.
The bike's in front stopped suddenly causing me to stall the engine. To restart, I tried kick starting several times whist still astride the bike before eventually getting off and putting the bike on its stand. Next I tickled carb a bit too much and like old Amal carbs do, it flooded. Undeterred I continued to kick but now with the fuel taps off and with the throttle wide open until a dirty great flame shot out of carb igniting all residual fuel vapours resulting in flames everywhere.
We could not extinguish flames and as they started lapping round the tank, which of course I had just filled. I suggested we best leave it and I would have to make an agreed value insurance claim, but then the flames started to die back slightly so long green grass from the verges was stuffed everywhere and fire extinguished. As we stood and wondered what to do next a chap pulled up in his car apparently he had seen the fire at its height had raced home to pick up a fire extinguisher and returned to help…there are still knights on the road.
Being in the back of nowhere with electrics fried, battery box melting, carb and magneto so hot they presented a risk of re-ignition, and smoke still coming from seat, we again pondered what to do next. Postponing thoughts of an insurance write off claim, I as an eternal optimist decided to check the Norton over. Despite semi melted HT leads I discovered there still a spark (well two actually as it's a twin). The fuel lines were still intact, luckily copper, so I tried to start her and she fired up albeit with the carb slide stuck due to different expansion of brass float and ally chamber. After a bit of messing about and freeing carb float, she started again. The decision was made I would try and get it home and think further about making an insurance claim after a cup of tea.
Accompanied by my helpers, Rod,Trevor, and Short Legs there followed a relatively uneventful 20 odd mile journey home which ended with a rather forlorn looking Norton on my drive. THANKS GUYS!
Matt.
At home with the bike on the bench and the tank drained I think providing I can clean up the tank then I will be starting a rewire etc.
An insurance claim will effect both future car and bike policies for at least three years.
Does anyone know where I can get the oil tank re-sprayed and possibly a replacement carb?
Like I said you really missed "a flaming good ride".
Matt
