Project Norton ES2 This is getting complicated…
Among the boxes of bits our 1956 Norton ES2 came in the form of, the bottom end basics seemed in one piece. I got knowledgeable friends, Neville and Hutch, to feel the con rod for big end play and mains bearing noises and they declared it fit, with just the side play to check. Great, I thought; one less thing to worry about so I could get on with repairing the head, sorting the frame and so on.
As this is a total rebuild, everyone agreed that we should still strip the bottom end, and while inside it would be prudent to replace the bearings so we would know the belly of the beast is fit and
