MotoService Log
Norton 16H (side valve)
Example photo: El Pollock, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Norton · British single, girder fork (1928-1949)

16H (side valve)

Library entry covers 1930-1954

7 factory 64 guideline

Published source

Norton 16H Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book (military WD 16H), Weekly and Periodic Maintenance p.5, Data p.4, Lubrication Chart

Factory service manual. Covers Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book for the WD 16H (490 cc side valve, solo, military issue, WWII era); intervals in miles.

Open the source

71 items for a 1930 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)
Engine cycle
Four-stroke
Engine lubrication
Dry sump (separate oil tank)
Oil filtration
Mesh screens / strainers only
Valve gear
Side valve (flathead)
Ignition
Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging
DC generator with regulator
Battery
Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system
Single carburetor
Cooling
Air / oil cooled
Primary drive
Chain in oil-bath case with its own oil
Gearbox oil
Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control
Hand lever, cable
Final drive
Chain
Front suspension
Girder fork
Rear suspension
Rigid (hardtail)
Front brake
Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake
Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels
Spoked, tubed
Sidecar
No sidecar
Maintenance schedule

1930 Norton 16H (side valve)

On the road: every 300 km

1 item
  • Check engine oil level
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 500 km

3 items
  • Check lights, horn, brake light switches
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Check tire pressures
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Lubricate drive chain
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 800 km

2 items
  • Grease girder / springer fork links
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Grease gun on every nipple until clean grease shows. Touring days add up fast.

  • Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 1,000 km

1 item
  • Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 1,600 km

1 item
  • Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

Every 1,600 km or 1 month

1 item
  • Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

    Wet-cell batteries on old machines need regular topping up, more in hot weather.

Every 1,600 km or 6 months

8 items
  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate manual advance / retard control and cable
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Adjust front drum brake
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Check spoke tension and wheel true
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

Every 1,600 km or 12 months

2 items
  • Change primary chaincase oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Grease saddle pivot, check saddle springs / seat post
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 1,600 km

1 item
  • Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums
    Brakes
    Factory

    Manual: Brake cam spindles: grease front and rear (do not over-grease). Factory: Periodic Maintenance p.5

Every 2,500 km or 6 months

2 items
  • Clean / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.

  • Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)
    Final drive
    Guideline

    Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.

Every 2,500 km or 12 months

2 items
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 3,000 km or 12 months

1 item
  • Check girder fork spindle play, adjust friction / hydraulic damper
    Front end
    Guideline

Every 3,200 km

2 items
  • Change engine oil
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Oil tank: drain oil tank and engine sump, refill three-quarters full. Factory: Periodic Maintenance p.5: also drain crankcase plug; on new or reconditioned engines first at 250 miles, again after a further 1,000 miles

  • Clean oil strainers / mesh screens
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Oil tank mesh screen filter: clean when tank is drained. Factory: Periodic Maintenance p.5

Every 4,800 km

2 items
  • Check generator drive belt or chain
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Workshop: check and correct magneto chain tension. Factory: Periodic Maintenance p.5

  • Check / adjust primary chain
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Workshop: check and correct primary and rear chain tension, clean out primary chain oil bath, tighten nuts inside chaincase. Factory: Periodic Maintenance p.5: also test for lift in gearbox mainshaft carrying clutch

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

14 items
  • Check engine mounting bolts and plates
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Check throttle cable(s) free play and return
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Check / set ignition timing
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Oil / check generator bearings (where an oiler is fitted)
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Grease and check center / side stand and springs
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 6,500 km or 12 months

1 item
  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 8,000 km or 2 years

1 item
  • Check cylinder head bolt torque
    Engine
    Guideline

    Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 8,000 km

2 items
  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Gearbox: drain completely and refill to level of filler plug. Factory: Periodic Maintenance p.5: new or reconditioned gearboxes first at 1,000 miles

  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Manual: Wheel hubs: grease hub bearings through center nipple. Factory: Periodic Maintenance p.5

Every 9,500 km or 12 months

5 items
  • Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.

  • Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Inspect generator brushes and commutator
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Inspect girder fork links, springs and spindles for wear or cracks
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

    A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 9,500 km or 2 years

3 items
  • Check engine breather and oil return
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate and check automatic advance unit
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 13,000 km or 3 years

1 item
  • Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)
    Engine
    Guideline

    Period practice. Leaded-era valve seats may need hardened seats for unleaded fuel.

Every 16,000 km or 2 years

1 item
  • Compression test (or leak-down)
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 16,000 km or 3 years

1 item
  • Repack / replace steering head bearings
    Front end
    Guideline

    Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.

Every 16,000 km

1 item
  • Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)
    Final drive
    Guideline

Every 19,500 km or 3 years

1 item
  • Replace points and condenser
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 24,000 km or 5 years

1 item
  • Inspect clutch plates and springs
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 24,000 km

1 item
  • Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 40,000 km or 10 years

1 item
  • Magneto overhaul / re-magnetize, replace capacitor
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

    Weak spark when hot is the classic symptom. Old capacitors fail with age, not miles.

Every 6 months

1 item
  • Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item
  • Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

    Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items
  • Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item
  • Replace fuel lines
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

Every 6 years

2 items
  • Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.

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Other 1930 Norton models

All 1930 Norton
Norton CS1 / International (OHC)
1927-1958
CS1 / International (OHC)
Guideline
Norton ES2 / Model 18 / Model 50
1930-1966
ES2 / Model 18 / Model 50
Factory