MotoService Log
Norton ES2 / Model 18 / Model 50
Example photo: Thruxton, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Norton · British single, girder fork (1928-1949)

ES2 / Model 18 / Model 50

Library entry covers 1930-1966

16 factory 56 guideline

Published source

Norton Maintenance Manual and Instruction Book, Models 50, ES2, 88, 99, 650 Sports Specials, 750 Atlas and 750 Scrambler (Norton Villiers Ltd, Publication P106/P), Lubrication Chart p.8

Factory service manual. Covers Norton Villiers Publication P106/P covering Models 50 and ES2 (featherbed-era singles), mid-1960s; earlier Model 18 not covered.

Open the source

72 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
Overhead valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
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 ES2 / Model 18 / Model 50

On the road: every 200 mi

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

    Manual: Every 200 miles: oil tank, top up. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

On the road: every 300 mi

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 500 mi

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 600 mi

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

On the road: every 1,000 mi

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

Every 1,000 mi 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 1,000 mi or 6 months

5 items
  • Lubricate manual advance / retard control and cable
    Ignition and electrics
    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

Every 1,000 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Grease saddle pivot, check saddle springs / seat post
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 1,000 mi

4 items
  • Change primary chaincase oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Every 1,000 miles: primary chain oilbath, top up. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8: chart also lists drain and refill every 10,000 miles

  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Every 1,000 miles: gearbox, top up. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

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

    Manual: Rear chain: remove for cleaning and lubrication. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8: book says say every 1,000 miles

  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Manual: Every 1,000 miles: oil control cables, control levers and brake cable 'U' clip. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

2 items
  • Clean oil strainers / mesh screens
    Engine
    Guideline

    Often done with every oil change on old machines.

  • 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.

Every 1,500 mi 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 2,000 mi or 12 months

2 items
  • Check / adjust primary chain
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check girder fork spindle play, adjust friction / hydraulic damper
    Front end
    Guideline

Every 2,000 mi

4 items
  • Change engine oil
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Every 2,000 miles: drain and refill oil tank. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

  • Lubricate and check automatic advance unit
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Models 50 and ES2: oil contact breaker driving spindle through screw on housing. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

  • Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Manual: Every 2,000 miles: grease brake pedal, oil brake rod jaw joints. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

  • Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Manual: Every 2,000 miles: grease speedometer gearbox. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

13 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
  • Check generator drive belt or chain
    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
  • Grease and check center / side stand and springs
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 3,000 mi

2 items
  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Sparking plug: clean (para. 135). Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8: book says clean periodically, say every 3,000 miles

  • Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Every 3,000 miles: oil magneto contact breaker rocker arm and cam ring. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 5,000 mi 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 5,000 mi

2 items
  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Every 5,000 miles: gearbox, drain and refill. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

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

    Manual: Every 5,000 miles: grease brake cams, cam spindles and shoe pivot pins. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

4 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

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Check engine breather and oil return
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 6,000 mi

1 item
  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Contact breaker: check gap. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8: first after 500 miles; lubricate and clean every 6,000 miles

Every 8,000 mi 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 10,000 mi or 2 years

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

Every 10,000 mi 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 10,000 mi

3 items
  • Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Change fork oil
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Every 10,000 miles: front forks, drain and refill (para. 100). Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8: also at the first 1,000 miles

  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Manual: Every 10,000 miles: hub bearings, repack. Factory: Lubrication Chart p.8

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item
  • Replace points and condenser
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

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

Every 15,000 mi

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

Every 25,000 mi 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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