Norton Nemesis V8 Rebuild - Episode 1

This Norton Nemeses is a pre production prototype that was made in the late 90's with claims of a 200+mph top speed from its 1500cc fuel injected V8 engine.
As far as I'm aware, this is the only bike that has survived but if any of you know of other bikes please leave a comment. This bike is owned by the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham UK has been on display as a non running exhibit for many years.
I have already worked on the bike last year getting the engine to run after a few rudimentary checks, new oil and batteries for series 12 of Henry Cole's "The Motorbike Show" where Henry rode it for a few miles up to 50 mph, but it wasn't running very well and was leaking a lot of oil and coolant.
Episodes of "The Motorbike show" can be seen on itvx player on line and some shorter edits are available on Henrys KZbin channel.
Over the coming months I will be stripping the bike to sort out a few issues with the V8 engine and hopefully make it run and ride how it was intended 25 years ago.
This video captures some of the work I carried out on the front end to get the brakes and forks working correctly.
Hope you find it interesting
Regards
Allen

[@seanbissett-powell5916]

I can just picture the board meeting at Norton. "Right chaps, we want to make every single maintenance job as tricky and over-complex as possible, and every component as different as possible to anything that has ever been done before.".

[@talltom1129]

And then ring up Millyard and ask him to write us up a service manual

[@daleolson3506]

Now they work at gm and ford

[@ProSimex84]

The real casualties of the death of the british motorcycle industry @@daleolson3506

[@petewood2350]

Yep they learned how to make a difficult task harder at BL@@daleolson3506

[@cathalphelan6699]

Pretty sure some of them work at Triumph now. Setting the timing on a 675 isn't from the world of motorcycles....for no good reason.

[@MrJulianneave]

Calm talking, no annoying music or cuts every 3 seconds. This is what I want from KZbin, good work Allen.

[@AllenMillyard]

thankyou

[@mtbworld3904]

Just perfect

[@markthompson9914]

Most relevant comment mate 👍

[@jonpaul1437]

The clock tick I could listen to for hours - genuinely soothing!!

[@lasskinn474]

@@AllenMillyard thanks for making these. the style is just perfect.

[@joseywales3789]

I'm Proposing that Allen is put forward for a Knighthood! He's a British National Treasure! Sir Allen and Lady Tracey Millyard has a great ring to it and he's got more reason to be on the Honours List than most of the idiots that are awarded an Honour! "In recognition of his amazing Motorcycle Engineering Skills and Abilities."

[@gegwen7440]

Certainly better than many of the crooks & shyster they give the award to (remember BHS)

[@BlueJazzBoyNZ]

So many lesser have. Allen is the soul of Britain.

[@4418CARLOU]

@@gegwen7440 For some unknown reason Lenny Henry is a Sir???

[@andrewprettyquick2070]

Race for kingdom and county. No silly stuff.

[@user-by1cq5ty6e]

As a Canuck, I agree….Knighthood should seriously be considered. Jim from Alberta.

[@benronayne]

Allen, I work as an Engineer, but after watching nearly all of your videos I feel as though I might aswell be playing with lego sets...... You've really inspired me to up my game professionally but more importantly spend more time in my garage making and repairing stuff not to mention learning new skills. Very best of luck to you and all your future projects. I'll be trying that cake recipe too so please send on thanks to Tracy for it. Ben in Ireland🔧🔧🔧🔧

[@gerry343]

This says a lot for your reputation, Allen, that you've been called in to refurbish such a unique bike.

[@jaakkoiswatching6437]

Also half of the screw heads on the Norton are named after him.

[@austinmatthews347]

Could allen be the best home engineer in the country

[@stevenkelby2169]

​@@austinmatthews347*best in the world perhaps.

[@austinmatthews347]

@@stevenkelby2169 quite possibly anyhow whether thats true or not his skill is without question what a guy

[@zweispurmopped]

Fortnine threatened #45 with being replaced, "We may get a Millyard!" they said!

[@keithfarrell3370]

To be picked to carry out this project shows how much Allen is respected in the bike and engineering world.

[@tjroelsma]

And quite rightly so. I can't imagine there are that many people who are going to be getting hired to get a one-off bike running and, having seen what Allen is capable of in previous videos, probably hear him saying "I can take it apart and rebuild it so it runs properly, no sweat."

[@paulketchupwitheverything767]

It is a compliment to Allen but, and I might be projecting with this, I didn't think he sounded as enthusiastic in this video as he usually is with his own projects.

[@keithfarrell3370]

@paulketchupwitheverything767 I think he'll be more enthusiastic when he starts stripping the engine. Plus I'm sure hes not doing it for free, bills have to be paid....

[@colindowd3892]

The museum should be honoured to have Allen working on this machine. The work that this man does is borderline alchemy and genius, at the very least.

[@Thayandanjika02]

What a calming background environment for the master engineer to be working in: tick tock, tick tock, tick tock.

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

that front fork and wheel design mighty be the silliest thing ive ever seen, and a nightmare for service lol...i bet it cost 20x a normal prototype fork/ wheel setup too

[@travisray139]

A real Nemesis to perform any kind of fork, caliper, tire maintenance tasks.

[@jasonphillips3865]

If it were easy, anyone could do it.

[@FFVoyager]

You have to wonder what the brief was? What problem were they trying to solve with that design?

[@daniels.2720]

When your Norton R&D Engineer was obviously not a Mechanic... in the practical sense.

[@Pesmog]

If they made something like the front fork and front brake so weird and complex, then we will likely be in for some jaw dropping moments with the rest of the bike.

[@rogerthecabinboy]

Norton seems to have invented a way to hold the front wheel that doesn't need reinventing You Sir are a gentleman and a genius.

[@john-r-edge]

Having watched a number of channels who do disassembly of car and motorbike engines, I realise there is something that almost all other mechanics use - but Allen never does. A lot of other mechanics do so much of their work with an impact driver gun to remove bolts etc - but Allen never does. So his work seems more peaceful, more Zen!!

[@philiphigginbotham3775]

Yes, I noticed that too. It's the difference between carefully dismantling a machine and "tearing it down"

[@fredfarnackle5455]

@@philiphigginbotham3775 I agree, it makes me cringe when someone says they are going to "tear something down" 🧐

[@camokoy]

​@fredfarnackle5455 the worst is when they then put a heavy metal guitar solo over some guy with a ten spanner.

[@davids2350]

Have you never read ‘Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance’. You’ll see why it works 😁

[@stephenscholes4758]

Allen doesn't work in a professional environment where efficient use of time is everything

[@SpiritintheSky.]

My eyes almost popped out of my head when I read "Norton 1500 V8". What a treat we have in store. And who better to give the bike to, to bring his expertise to bear?

[@billienomates1606]

The magic you perform with motorcycles is just on another level to anyone else, RESPECT.

[@BrianJacobsen-lc3fe]

He's at the top of Isle of Man Mountain.

[@Stephen.C.]

Maintenance wasnt a priority, clearly, when this thing was designed.

[@stanleydenning]

I have never seen a motorcycle engineered like this one. It is truly unique. They could not have picked a better man to do the job of restoring it. I am looking forward to seeing future videos about this bike. Or any other videos from Allen Millyard.

[@RReese08]

This is the most mental thing I’ve ever seen about a motorcycle. It’s a miracle that you didn’t encounter any fasteners or parts that were rusted, corroded, fused together, damaged or stripped. Looking forward to watching the next chapter in how you bring this creature back to life.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

it has been in a museum. Never ran until Henry Cole got hold of it

[@jamesmoncur5495]

Thanks Allen, I've been waiting with anticipation for the next part of this saga since James Hewing gave you the challenge, can you just imagine this bike at the TT ( with tyre changes etc) all the best taking it to 140mph.😮😊

[@gurtsmunta1]

What I find amazing is your ability to see a complicated engineering prototype and understand why and how it was done ,genius.

[@delukxy]

Not sure if those brake pads were supplied by Hovis or came from Tracey's kitchen! This series is going to be epic. Git-R-Done Allen.

[@totalutternutter]

It must be an exceptional honour to be trusted to restore such an iconic prototype and quite a relief for the museum that Allen agreed to take it on. I'd bet they threw a party when he said yes. What a palaver just to get the wheel out.

[@Robdutton91]

Pretty much on par with getting Fred Dibnah to agree to rebuilding your steam engine. Well done Allen

[@johnsnowdon2939]

Even if it had actually gone into production, it would have never competed at Le Mans with a design like that, would it? :D

[@wrstew1272]

Another trip down the “amazing engineering “ universe. This is already a masterpiece, a design that takes a couple of hours to change brakes! Whooda thunk?

[@garyronaldgray4978]

If anyone can fix this bike and make it better than new, Allen can he’s a motorcycle genius and a gentleman to boot. Roll on the next part can’t wait

[@tho4747]

This is just so great. I remember reading about This V8, and I felt so sorry when Norton collapsed once again and the V8 project was halted. You sir, are a true engeneering god!

[@jayknight850]

Absolutely the most complex front fork, brake assembly ever devised. Can’t imagine what the advantages would be. Thanks for undertaking such a interesting project!

[@razor1uk610]

As the tailend of the NVT>Norton collective, I'd guess the attributes chiefly were... uniqueness, cool factor looks, very large spindle, and manufacturer level management bagging rights whilst pissed/drunk at an event saying (allegedly)... _'You know that lovely (hic) assembly of parts cost £35k to (hic) design, cast, machine & (hic) assemble....'_

[@everTriumph]

As extreme a stiffness as you could hope for from a cantilevered, sliding assembly.

[@razor1uk610]

@@everTriumph ..torsionally?.. Yes, with regard to the locator pegs/dowels & clamping bolts where a fork 'brace' would be, and the massive spindle, just hope the actual fork leg oleo's were also of a material specification & wall thickness to work well with that additional torsional rigidity & weightier unsprung loadings, likely not by much, as since only one or two were built, the oleo legs are probably the larger/largest size Norton had immediately available to them to cut some costs & corners, versus the stressed engine & main frame being their IMHO chief priority. But I am just musing guesstimatingly.

[@arthurmiller-vl6sw]

If you watch the “making of” series on the Nemesis they had plans to have the entire suspension computer controlled to dive the front and raise the rear during acceleration to get more force on the rear wheel. I can only imagine all the passage ways etc were with that in mind. I’m not justifying it, just pondering.

[@AmbroseB1900]

My late father was a huge fan of Nortons with their TT successes in the 30s and 50s but I think he would have watched this in complete disbelief that they could have designed this with such complications. I seem to recall from Henry's show that when NMM challenged him to achieve a certain speed on the bike he believed the prototype had never been properly run and had been pushed downhill to get some publicity shots. So it's completely untested. If anyone can sort it AM can, his work is of the highest standard and comes from within his own genius, somewhat reminiscent of Frederick Henry Royce. I love your style and methodology Allen and look forward to seeing the finished result. Thank you for videoing your progress for us.

[@robertbaylis9714]

I love the tranquility in your shed with just the sound of the ticking clock !

[@gdfggggg]

Me too

[@bakulaw63]

Its calming,innit?

[@Wil_Liam1]

Always a great day when Allen posts up a video !!

[@andypughtube]

The first time i saw the Nemesis photos when it was first shown I thought to myself "But you can't get the front wheel out!". Gratified to find that I was right and not missing something.

[@lassikinnunen]

Lol yeah nice that they made the forks simple to remove. But changing the rubber needs them to come off so...

[@MarkGFRex]

A new Allen Millyard video, just perfect on a Saturday evening. Absolutely amazing, I'm really pleased with that. This has all the hallmarks of another enjoyable strip and rebuild. I can't get enough of these relaxing videos without music, just pure engineering eye candy.

[@leedove7255]

Norton in name only of course by 1988. Designed by (or for) a fashion designer Al Mellng. What a horrendous piece of engineering, looking forward to seeing some more of it.

[@Mike40M]

Allen, you're absolutely the right man for the job to get this bike running properly. With all experience you have of building bikes that most of us regards as impossible to make without unlimited resources.

[@splodge5714]

I'm really looking forward to this series. It must be a joy to get the chance to work on this one off V8 engine. Thanks for taking us along.👍

[@TonySims888]

One of the great joys of my short life in the UK (2 years) was visiting the National Motorcycle Museum. I remember seeing the Nemesis and marveling at the audacity of the thing. When this video popped up, all I could think was "Of course Allen is going to rebuild the Nemesis -- who else?!"

[@jamespurchase4035]

Where else can I come for mechanical excellence and cake recipes. Truly a man after my own heart. Thanks for another great vid. Can't wait for the next installment. V8!!! My word!

[@CMillz884]

Perfect viewing for a Sunday afternoon with a brew. Thank you for the upload Mr Millyard and thank you Mrs Millyard for the cake recipe!

[@richardt.4224]

This says every thing, when The NMM entrusts a rare bike like this to Allen Millard. I look forward to watching the following episodes. I'm so glad there are still men and women around who can do work like this. THANX Allen.

[@johnbutterfield7585]

The engineering on this bike looks like a series of solutions looking for problems! Top job, Mr Millyard.

[@mrcraighew1]

Great video Allen, Tracy's cake was a bonus too. Looking forward to the next one (video and cake... :-) )

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

Strange, but really cool bike. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Good to see you back, Mr. Millyard!

[@saltyreesescup3104]

Just When There Is Nothing To Watch...The Doc Drops A Vid...! 😁🧂

[@markturner7459]

And a new one from This Old Tony...perfeck!

[@stevec-b6214]

That is just another example of the maestro at work. LOVE it.

[@oldninjarider]

Maintenance was never a consideration when it comes to this bike. It's a great concept but you're the better man for taking on restoring it.

[@user-cd6hk9mq8v]

Технические решения за гранью добра и зла, но выглядит крайне необычно. Истинный гость из 90х, времени безумных проектов и идей. Бриллиант для любого музея! Спасибо, Мастер!!!

[@boag46]

Legendary man.

[@deathmetalsl]

Just in case anyone is wondering; the boiled fruitcake is a vital part in the Nemesis' restoration. No joke. I've missed these videos so much, Mr. Millyard! It's so good to follow this along.

[@888jackflash]

Enjoyable. Calm, collected, concise... and quirky. So very English! Thanks Allen; you're a treasure, mate.

[@davidmotoman4956]

what was Norton thinking :) that would have to be the worlds most complicated front end ever . BUT being different is what it is all about . thank you for showing this Allen , looking forward to the rest. Cheers Dave from Australia

[@Scratcher2860]

This is going to be a great series. my Dad loved Norton's. He passed away in January and watching your video's with him is one of the things I really miss being able to do.

[@rogerwatkinson6633]

Solving engineering problems that had been solved in a much simpler way decades before... I'm surprised they didn't re-invent the wheel! :D Excellent video as always. I love the calm, the clock and the kitchen intermission...

[@MadAlhazred]

The cake engineer is the most important part of the team, brings it all together.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

Great to see Allen working on such a unique bike, but what a lot of work to change a front tyre. Norton literally did reinvent the wheel with their Nemesis bike.

[@andrewbalfour9373]

Absolutely brilliant.. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@MH-sl4kv]

Christmas has come early! A Norton V8 in Allen Millyard's garage... No, I changed my mind, sorry - this is much better than Christmas.

[@garrethayes4083]

The bike is in the perfect pair of hands. Happy to see you Allen 👌🏍️

[@GlideYNRG]

Well, least it's a 17" wheel. Intriguing design wotk. Thank you for letting us tag along Allen.

[@kristopherorrell9586]

Me and my dad love your videos on bike restorations and creations, never fails to give us inspiration when doing our own projects 😂 granted our bikes are nothing compared to what you make Mr Millyard.

[@ianrobertsonRR1]

To be assigned to, and trusted with, this bike project just shows what a very high regard Allen is rightly held in. Respect mate and keep us all updated as you progress.

[@Jestersson]

Good to see you back Allen and working on this beautiful bike. Can’t wait to see the rest👍

[@m1cky6]

An excellent surprise to wake to a new Allan Millyard video! Awesome, really looking forward to future instalments. 👍

[@JamesOStanworth-Wang]

The legend that is Allen Millyard. Engine next - great.

[@paulwalton7820]

It's amazing how some peoples brains work. How does someone know so much and make it look so easy.

[@dennis38y]

Brilliant Allen as always ! Your genius knows no bounds. A testament to your skills that they entrusted you with the overhaul of such a machine. Thanks for sharing.

[@glebshein3697]

Incredible! Very commendable for museum to trust Mr. Millyard. Best of the best.

[@peachy3143]

Love this guy … great film and what a bike that is .. everything about it is a nightmare but he’s just so chilled … engineering genius…

[@KarriKoivusalo]

I have to say, integrated fork spacer/mudguard/shock tube/brake caliper is a WILD concept.

[@tonycamplin8607]

Just shows how much your skills are appreciated to be given such a prestigious bike to work on. Really pleased to see Tracy's red spoon back in action, we hadn't seen it for a while, thought that it'd been replaced.

[@dvk11111995]

Every time i see a upload from Allen my day gets a lot better, thanks for making these amazing video's !

[@nickhellen6303]

Amazing! Soon as I saw I had an Allen Millyard video to watch, my withdrawal symptoms disappeared. It’s been too long.

[@timbrindle7743]

This motorcycle gained my initial interest as a teenage lad. This type of mechanical video is one of a kind to me. So words , I've such, wow, . I can't articulate the other words that I should be saying. I can say I am amazed. Thanks for the information A

[@mikelaradesigns]

This is brilliant. I cant yhink of anybody more suitable to to be the care taker for this amazing, quirky and drop dead gorgeous peice of british engineering history. Thankyou Mr Millyard for sharing this with us. From a big fan and humble fabricator/ bike builder.

[@chriskneale6475]

Can't wait to see the rest of the Norton restoration. Watching you work is zen . Tracy is a great cake engineer. This is far superior to any TV programs, good luck. Looking forward to seeing the first ride.!

[@leaflee2066]

That front end looked like it was designed on the bring your child to work day, by a kid who had no concept of unsprung weight!

[@scottcates]

So much unsprung.

[@razor1uk610]

True, aren't those brake discs from a Buell ?

[@2ane]

Buell uses a similar design for the brakes but they only put one disk on the front. Because you just don't want unnecessary unsprung weight.

[@kevinwood3630]

Brilliant! Looking forward to the rest of the resto! Thanks Allen!

[@wadehampton4499]

I'm no biker but I just love Allen's videos, he approaches everything in his calm and measured way and makes even the most tricky issues look eminently possible. Well done. That said, that Norton has to be just about the most bonkers complicated thing I've ever seen. Looking forward to engine video(s)

[@leecottrell1]

Nice to see you back on youtube allen with another fantastic project. Cannot wait for the engine strip and rebuild. Fantastic video as always, keep up the good work.

[@timothypywell2511]

Thank you for the video it great to see how complicated the bike is.

[@chrishill5166]

Wonderful to see you on air again Alan. Can't wait for number 2.

[@glynprice3815]

Looking forward to the next episode. This is going to be amazing. The best man for this job

[@richardhooper2883]

good practice when using threadlocker - keeping the stuff to the bolt shanks only to avoid 'hydraulicing' and stripping of the female threads - lovely video .....with cake and a smashing tick from that clock!! Well done Allan!!

[@robertprice7246]

I absolutely Love the wrenching and cooking on these videos

[@HowardLeVert]

Boiled fruit cake - that brings back some very happy memories of a much-loved and much-missed great-aunt of mine, who used to make these and send one up to my mother for us when she did :)

[@1234567marks]

This series is going to really interesting, thanks Allen P.S. have you worked out any advantages in that seemingly heavy and complicated front end over a more conventional set up?

[@AllenMillyard]

It’s far from ideal in practical terms but is certainly interesting

[@jameslangston3903]

When I was 20 I bought a new 1984 Honda VF400F the first of the legendary V4 400cc bikes. It had Honda`s Inboard Ventilated Disc. Now I thought then that they were the most difficult and over complicated front wheel set up, covered discs made taking the wheel out to fix a puncture really tricky but compared to the front end on the Nemesis the Honda was easy!!! Nice work Allen looking forward to this series.

[@georgejohnson7591]

I'd forgotten about those brakes, a pretty dumb design as I recall!

[@jameslangston3903]

So had I until I watched Allen take apart the Nemesis front end. To be fair to Honda in the wet the VF400F stopped better than my mates bikes !! But as we have seen with Oval Pistons, Fuel Tanks under the engine and Hub Centre Steering Honda don`t always get it right!!! @@georgejohnson7591

[@jbenn43457]

Yes, had twin setup on my cbx550.

[@basoncivicsi]

I remember back in the late 90s reading news in a motorcycle magazine about this particular bike. It's so exciting to see an example still in existence. Thank you for sharing this Allen! I was 18 when I read about this bike. Now 45 its still so exciting!

[@howardjones2330]

Fantastic Allen This will be a great series You are one of the greatest motorcycle engineers in Britain Thank You A***** Top Man - Howard Jones

[@luddite6239]

Fascinating! I remember when you started work on this during Henry's Motorbike Show and I wondered what had happened since. Can't wait for the next installment!

[@_Bram]

Yes! A new video, I missed you!

[@robertklein1316]

It's amazing that Traci's oven is so clean after baking Allen's treats during every episode. This has to be the absolutely convoluted tire change every.

[@AllenMillyard]

No cooking in ep3

[@snowgorilla9789]

From Canada am over 60 years and have known of this mans mechanical wizardry for years and years. Nice to see in person sort of.

[@timothyallensiemssen6242]

most excelent to see you post again brother, love your content.

[@weatheranddarkness]

I hadn't realized this project went as far back as '91 did you say? Nor was I prepared for just how many parts of the project they got creative with. Glad I clicked.

[@neillambton4065]

Amazing engineering they used to build such a monster, but so difficult and timeconsuming to do basic brake pad replacement. If the bike had mad it into production, they would have had to employ a more normal way of building the front end. I like the idea of the rim mounted discs, Eric Buell did exactlt the same, but only used a single dic. I think the idea was a single disc caliper, meant less weight, yet more braking surface due to a much larger rotational braking surface. Great vid Allan, and looking forward to seeing the rest of the series. Thanks for posting it.

[@shadowred1980]

Thank you for posting this. Looking forward to the engine, although I suspect it's just as mad as that front end setup. :)

[@ChumbahNutz]

As always Allen, a pleasure to watch you work.

[@ramishrambarran3998]

There should be only one bike like this in the entire world ! Great going ! Regards. Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.

[@SatansSpatula]

What an absolutely BONKERS bike! I vaguely recall seeing this, probably in Performance Bikes Magazine, back in the day. It's a great lesson in why sometimes there's a good reason that the boring, established designs are chosen by manufacturers.

[@taxalterror]

Nice one Allen, top job as usual, What a weird design, but very clever, am looking forward to more. Thanks.

[@patrickgroenewegen]

Was just thinking of you yesterday Allen and here you are today with a video for us. I am well pleased! Thank you for sharing! Your videos are very inspiring to this dairy farmer/ motorcycle enthusiast/ amateur machinist.

[@stevechandler5006]

there is no one on Earth but you to do this bike justice.

[@leeedwards9043]

oh heaven 😅bikes cake and a mug of tea😂 so calming watching Allen work 😊pure genius 👍🇬🇧

[@rickster4455]

That fork is insane! Exotic engineering, looks like aircraft landing gear.

[@chrisaris8756]

Seeing that insane fork design I know why Norton keep going broke!

[@AllenMillyard]

You wait until you see the engine 😳