Classic Motorcycle Workshop Vlog 5 - Norton Dominator road test etc

In this classic motorcycle workshop video log we catch up with Dave Mitchell (from Mitchell's Classics) and he updates us with the projects he's got on the go in the workshop. The highlight of the day today is the road test on the Norton Dominator which has had a full engine rebuild.
At present Dave is working on Matchless G11, Norton Model 99 Dominator, Triumph Tiger Cub and a Scott motorcycle and sidecar.
// FOR ALL CHANNEL ENQUIRIES (INCLUDING SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING) please contact Alex Rollings - [e-mail]
// ABOUT THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CHANNEL
The Classic Motorcycle Channel is for people who love classic, vintage and antique motorcycles. We are passionate about classic motorcycles and produce high quality motorcycle profile videos, restoration videos, restorer profile videos and also anything that takes our interest.
// CHANNEL PARTNERS
John Oakes. John is a classic motorcycle enthusiast, rider and restorer and works closely with us on all our video content.
Instagram: @classicbikeman
Dave Mitchell. Dave owns and runs a classic motorcycle workshop called Mitchell's Classics. His workshop is based near Maresfield, England.
Website: www.mitchellsclassics.co.uk
// A BIG THANK YOU TO
Dave Mitchell for taking the time to film with us on the day.
Website: www.mitchellsclassics.co.uk
#classicmotorcycles
#theclassicmotorcyclechannel2
#classicmotorcycleworkshopvlog

[@kdsowen2882]

You know your Old-Brits . 750 Atlas was my first 'big-bike' in the 70's , followed by many-many-more (52-3 all-up), Triumphs, BSA's , Ducati's Laverdas (with Japanese '4's' in-btween) and now , back to twins again . TX650-cafe, yam TR1, xv1000 and a modern w650 . All are amazing well-sorted machines (now!) and so-much fun to ride . Dave NZ

[@robertmackie7242]

Dave it was great having my Norton Dominator back your hard work and dedication paid off, i have been out on my bike and enjoyed it for the first time in years. i would recommend you, it was very professional the way you kept me informed by pictures, and your videos, which were easy to follow. thank you keep up the good work.

[@alan1340]

This is why the average owner needs to get professional help to find and sort out these minor problems before they become major problems. An excellent video clip Dave and thank you for educating us.

[@paulfowell5253]

The motorbike version of Tyrrell's classic workshop. Spot on. Regards.

[@richardgriffiths5920]

You are so impeccable in your work Dave and I've thoroughly enjoyed this video which has pinpointed many problems that owners can experience with older bikes. The way you have explained major issues have been extremely honest and this is what I noticed and wondered why so many other mechanics are capable of keeping a blind eye and have either given up, or made made temporary repairs hoping they'd last. I would certainly trust your professional judgement and this video is proof of your prowess in the field you excel in.

[@duckysan]

Dave, I really enjoyed your detail and investigation into the bearing failure and lubrication. Really easy to follow and highlights well the need to confirm everything on a machine without detailed history. Keep up the good work!

[@tomhill3262]

The Norton 600 an underated motorcycle .Handling ,smoothness and reliable one of the best .6 volt coil and battery best change to 12 v.

[@rodintoulouse3054]

Thanks Dave for your very valuable time. I can’t understand why you don’t have more subscribers. This is top drawer content. It would be great if in the future you could give an idea of the work cost.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel2]

Hi Rod, this is our second channel which we’re building up. As you know we also have our main channel too. I’ll float the idea with Dave regarding cost next time we shoot, good idea, Alex

[@rodintoulouse3054]

@@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel2 i am a fan of both channels, of course! On the other one I like to dream with your auction reports.

[@alistairbernard9574]

Super interesting story Dave. 👌 Excellent work on the Dominator. I am waiting to see the G11 Matchless completed and running. Such a Beautiful bike though very underrated. Cheers

[@maxstarbuck4594]

Hi. I’ve only just found the channel and enjoy your clear commentary and work explanations. I was surprised at your comment that the 99’s brakes were only satisfactory, l think l did notice that the brake lever on the front brake was level with the pivot at rest, when pulled on would then be at a mechanical disadvantage. I had, around 1955/6, a new featherbed Inter, after some work at Bracebridge Street, new linings, turned and fitted to the hub, the brakes were first class. The bike of course may have been lighter because the fame was 531 tube bronzed not welded. Flattened offside top tube to make room for the cam box, now looking back maybe rose tinted a little. Love the videos please keep them coming. Oh by the way have your viewers seen any of Michael Waller’s video’s.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel2]

Hey Max, thanks for your comments. Alex here, I produce all the content. Not sure on the Dominator comments, that's Dave's department but he does read the comments. Yeah, I'm sure our viewers are aware of Michael Waller's @BritanniaMotorcycles excellent videos, if they're not they should check him out :)

[@rosewhite---]

Dommie 99 from 1963. Full throttle out of car park with no goggles. Life was good back then.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many Thanks Dave & gang. That was a really interesting and enjoyable video.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel2]

Nice one Mike, glad you enjoyed it! Alex

[@jjrider6758]

Great video Dave - I've always had AMC singles but never twins so it's interesting to see inside a twin engine, I always knew they were a bit 'unconventional' with separate cylinders/heads and the central crank bearing web but I'd never seen that eccentric valve adjustment before, It's genius ! - The poor old G11's engine is in a real state, hope you can find a decent replacement crank because it will be a massive amount of engineering work (and a fair amount of money !!..) to get the original crank back to serviceable, but if anybody can get the old girl back on the road (minus the blue cloud..) you can ! - Good to see the Dominator sounding healthy, it's obviously running like a sewing machine now and will only get better when it's run in..

[@miketownsend927]

Great to see the dominator. I had one in 1969 and rebuilt it with atlas clutch springs and SS cam and followers and 12v lighting with zener diode. A 100 on the clock flat on the tank. I remember a mate had similar wideline and when the wheels were rebuilt they used the wrong rims and the spokes were at the wrong angle which put a slight curve in the spokes. This caused flexing of the rear wheel at speed on long fast corners and threw me violently of the seat at 80mph with massive tankslapper. The wheels were rebuilt correctly and all was OK.

[@timparker9235]

another fascinating video - I was engrossed. thank you!

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

Great, love watching these videos , thanks

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Nicely done👍

[@sr-vx1cg]

video ancora una volta fantastico,anche se mi piacerebbe vedere piu tuoi video durante le lavorazioni anche se so che e' molto difficile

[@tdub5776]

Dominator ride starts at 29 minutes for those who read the title looking for the dominator.

[@gerrypowell2748]

Interesting video and good tips✌️

[@stephenwilliams926]

Any chance of seeing the scott engine in pieces when it's done. Would love to see the internals compered to modern 2 stokes . Well the ones from the 1970's.

[@mickgerard6696]

Appreciate your dedication to quality repairs and not compromising on your repairs for the sake of economy. Just good honest values Dave. 🌞😎

[@shingerz]

Great video shame about the engine rebuild previously notice your wearing a high viz vest I do to b ut people say I look daft I don't care I want people to see me

[@peterturnham5134]

When young I rode matchless, now I'm a Norton Specialist. Your whole bottom end is a mess and it was already a weak point of that motor.. In preference "new" second hand crank. Alternatively metal spray and regrind the crank. What I would do first is take that crank assembly to Russel Motors at Clapham junction London. In my time they were THE AJS Matchless specialist worldwide.

[@rotax636nut5]

Rings on upside down?

[@skymningforelsket1302]

indeed! I've bought-- I lost count--- 7 or 8 pre-1970 British motorcycles. Every single one had missing parts , damaged threads, this odd end or another that was damaged by somebody that came before me. A 1955 T110 I discovered the support spacer on the primary case that goes on that shaft that goes through was missing. Some yutz then proceeded to tighten everything down, and this caused the clutch basket to make metal-to-metal contact with the inside of the primary case b/c the primary case was actually cocked off center. Another goodie-- a 1969 Daytona T100 had the wrong size header pipes and inserts installed (too small). These header pipe inserts (steel, too small) had rattled around inside the head's (aluminum) exhaust port and mashed out the threads. Another yutz had put 1970 forks on a pre-unit bike. The 1970 forks didn't have the tabs that stick out on the lower triple clamp to keep the forks from swinging too far around. So the fuel tank was dented on both sides where the forks turned too far and hit the fuel tank. Yet another -- yes!! Somebody painted the oil tank on one of the bikes with the filler cap not blocked off. The paint got inside of the oil tank and it was full of loose, gunky, cloggy, slimy paint chips. These bikes don't suffer fools gladly are are not tolerant of abuse. It's hard to find one that hasn't been mucked up by somebody.

[@johnmartin6854]

Doesn't say much about the last person that so called rebuilt the motor?

[@Jaysqualityparts]

Bottom end chewed itself to death.

[@simonbirt6121]

Really interesting as always, great to see these old bikes kept on the road and ridden.

[@ronvalente65]

I had a 1960 Speed twin 5ta for 9 years, I had bought it of someone that didn't like the Amanth red so he painted it in 21 Blue, I promised myself that if and when it went wrong I would strip it and repaint it Red, I didn't ride it everyday it mostly got ridden at weekends and dry days to work in the week, I sold it still in the blue! in 9 years it never let me down, I should never have sold it.

[@mack_titan]

Send me the thickness of the fly wheel etc, I have tons of flywheels(various sizes), pumps etc etc..I will list it online. FYI, Im in USA, so shipping can be a pain.

[@paultaylor1850]

Great video Dave, nice to see something more unusual with the Machless. Interesting fault, Were there any other tell tales apart from the smoking? Bottom end noise for example as the big ends and at least one main is shot. Keep up the good work, I've recently started running a brit bike (Super Rocket) and your videos have given me the confidence to get stick in, thanks.

[@MegaTubescreamer]

great job on the Norton Dave, sad that the matchless had created its own grinding paste .and the domino effect on the softer white metal bearings good luck with it and we`ll look forward to seeing it back in good health.

[@bilbottles1339]

Thanks Dave, John and Alex - these vlog vids are the best

[@tomallyne6359]

Not having been blessed with an abundance of mechanical ability, I am enjoying your detailed explanations on these classics ! I had a 69 Tiger which I picked up from Harvey Owens, if I recall, toured around the Isles, and Europe camping out, for 6 weeks, and had it shipped back to the States. Exchange rate was such that I finally sold it for about what I paid for it. Loved that bike, but could never have maintained it like you do. I drone on. Thanks for dragging us along on these rebuilds.

[@michaelfirth1075]

Dave is a perfectionist.

[@boboshop55]

Excellent video! Looking at a '66 Domi whose frame was butchered in the '70s to chopper. Ugh, wish me luck! 😄

[@nealkeith299]

Good show old boy! I'm running in my 69 Trident top end job now, fairly well on, have to check the timing as it's not wanting to make power over 5,500 rpm.

[@steveadams8799]

Another cracking video Dave. Many thanks.

[@Cobra427Veight]

Is it really cold in your shop? wearing leathers for work !

[@roberymcgoff1904]

Exellent as usual. RMM

[@bignasty3274]

I've loved every (nearly every) old British bike I've had. I enjoy the building of an old neglected basket case of a bike into a running functioning machine that you can enjoy riding for pleasure. There is still fun to be had with a good British twin (and triple) in my case. My 850 Norton and my T150 can easily keep up with modern traffic and get admiring glances when it's stopped.