classic motorcycle forum

You can buy basket case or project Veteran bikes for a lot less than that 5.5 million Euros !
Good ones, even....

We diverge, but how do we know even a ballpark figure for what MotoMorini will bring at auction ?
Always sad when someones pet project of reviving a name goes belly up - but they were priced above Ducati equivalent models, more or less, so no great surprise. The Corsaro Veloce models appealed - but folks wondered why they were 87 degree v-twins, what happened to the other 3 degrees ??

As well as tired old magnets, this also sounds like the classic Dud Condensor Causes Difficult Hot Starting syndrome.

Old condensors (buried inside the windings) weren't the best when new, and over the decades will likely have deteriorated - work OK, just, when cold, when hot are a no-go. Old wiring also deteriorates, as does the shellac doing the insulating - cold the spark still goes where it should, when hot goes awol.

A newly bebuilt magneto makes you realise that a new magneto is a wondrous trouble free device.

I know pics don't help much, but this 750 must be pretty close...

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww227/Veneeshun/DSC_0123.jpg

If 850, will have twin fine pinstripes on the tank, and black instrument covers.

hth.

Not Brough.
A name everyone thinks of, but very few could afford...

Every man and his dog back then made v-twins, JAP supplied engines to dozens of manufacturers, usually in a number of models and engine sizes too.

New Imps most definitely made twins, very reminiscent too of that overall shape and design, with front brake its just a matter of pinning down what year in the 1920s it is.

hth

Interesting questions.

In 1937, Smiths 80 mph and 120 mph speedos were listed as optional extras, for all Nortons. Not shown fitted to bikes in the brochure either.
(A brakelight, and whichever model of horn you wanted were also listed as optional extras)(As was a big long list of other extras)
(A magdyno was an extra on an Inter).

In 1938, what appears to be speedos are shown (fitted) in the brochure pics - but are still listed as extras. Speedos shown look like artists impressions though, and look to be about 2".

No idea of Smiths speedo model - anyone ?
When did speedos become a required fitment ?
WD Nortons all? had 80 mph Smiths chronometrics, usually with brass bezel.

1930s Nortons don't appear to have had rev counters. The drive on the maggie drive chaincase or off the cambox is a dead giveaway, and racebikes don't seem to have them. Although one or 2 later 1930s race bikes maybe have a tacho in the pics ?

Opethiselps.

From your initial description, and also being a bit of a pessimist, it sounds like you have/had a sticky exhaust valve.

This is where the valve sticks partly open in its guide - and you lose compression - and, depending on the engine, the piston can in some cases clout the valve. Not good. This is about the only scenario where the exhaust pushrod can escape. Doesn't sound like your valve was clouted, however, we can but hope.

Don't know about the cam side of things, but the follower could just sit there once the pushrod was not returning it.

Sticky valves are usually just a gummed up valve in the guide, and a clean will cure things. Rarely will they fix themselves, better to whip the head off and investigate. If its not gummy or even dirty, you'll have to investigate further.
Doing nothing is not a good option, reliability and not being stranded being at stake.

You running petrol with ethanol ?
Your tank got a liner/sealer in it ? Still all intact ?
This does sound a little like some of the odd things folks are seeing.

Sticky valves go back into the dawn of motoring though.
Your engine burn a bit of oil ?

The stud spacing and crankcase mouth size both look much larger on the J ?
RE seem to have deliberately made such upgrades difficult.

If can fight my way to some spares, should be able to compare, be a bit later on.