What to look for when viewing a 1960 Norton Jubilee

[casperboat]

Hi. I'm after a nice classic bike to ride around and also take to shows, my Dad says he's seen a Norton Jubilee which, he says, is immaculate. It's the type with the full fairing  and the sweeping from mudguard. He's nagging me to look at it as he likes it so much.
If I can get over there I hope to look at it this week, but wondered if anyone had any tips on what to look for. My first query is the colour, this one is black and white/cream, but the only thing i've found to read about them says they were all green, blue or red?
I don't know if a Jubilee is too small as i'm 6'2" and about 15 stone..
Thanks.

[iansoady]

Jubilees weren't noted for their design or build quality but quite nice little bikes. The front forks and brake were a bit weedy, coming as they did from a Francis Barnett or similar. I take it the fairing you mention is the bit over the rear wheel?

I'd say it may be a bit on the small side for you but go and have a look by all means.

[mini-me]

Personally I'd look for another bike.
With your build you'll find it  disapointing at least, as they were gutless to start with.

I have other concerns over the Jubilee as well, since I once went round a corner to see a whole set of front forks and wheel in the middle of the road, and an unconcious rider and the rest of the bike  a bit further on.

These cycle parts are originally for a Francis Barnett and a frame breakage around the headstock was common; I certainly would not trust a 50yr old version of unknown provenance with my life.
Brakes were crap even for Fanny B performance
The Navigators were hardly any better.
I think black and white could have been an option.
There are better bikes to choose from.

Bear in mind that you'll pay a  premium for the Norton name on it; only those who did not know them new enthuse about them, the new crop of "classic" experts and  amateur dealers for one.

You pays your money and takes your pick . All down to you.
If dad likes it so much let him buy it. Personally, my very biased opinion is they were crap.

[casperboat]

Thanks. I was wondering if they were really that bad, as the only other things I can find about them are rather negative too.. I ideally was looking for an older, more vintage bike. The last bike I had was a 1949 Bantam trials bike, now that was slow....

[mini-me]

All depends on your budget, and do you want to ride it or just drag it around shows? What is your idea of vintage?

personally I think a good 350 ticks all the boxes and gives a lot of choice.

Ariel
BSA
Matchless
AJS

all made good bikes in that class.

For gods sake stay away from the old french tat the market is saturated with.

[casperboat]

All depends on your budget, and do you want to ride it or just drag it around shows? What is your idea of vintage?

personally I think a good 350 ticks all the boxes and gives a lot of choice.

I was initially looking for a Matchless or AJS 350. I do like the look of the single saddle type seats, but for riding on the road a 50's duel seat may be best. I would take it to shows but would want to be able to ride it about too.

[Rex]

Actually I've revised my previously bad opinion of Jubs and Navigators in the last few years.
I know a few people who've got them as second/third bikes in the collection and they swear by them. Uprate the brakes and electrics and they're good little bikes. Never going to set the world alight, but then at 15 stone nothing small is, if you'll forgive me for saying!
I actually wouldn't mind an Electra, but the prices are rising!

[rgsjohn]

Ariel
BSA
Matchless
AJS

all made good bikes in that class.

Even better still a Douglas MK V, I won't add an 80+ or 90+ to the list because they are highly sort after and the price reflects that. Mind you Draganflys are O.K. too. Won't set the world alight, but well built and reliable, and all are just that bit different to make them interesting.

[Rex]

Not really an entry-level classic though, is it?

[cardan]

Both the Ariel Owners Club and the Douglas guys have excellent, active forums and are very welcoming and enthusiastic. No doubt other makes do too, but what a great help these specialised forums are, particularly for the "new" enthusiast.

In my opinion the "trick" to buying a bike is to buy one that has proven reliability as a rally bike in the hands of an experienced enthusiast. So many "immaculate" bikes are actually rubbish mechanically, and the combination of beautiful paint and plating with improper mechanical restoration is difficult to sort out.

Good luck!

Leon

[Rex]

I think that's a good point for any buyer really.
When the ads say "only done ten miles since restoration" you've got to think that  it may be shiny but must be crap to ride, or that it's been slung together for resale purposes.
You can always repaint and rechrome a good runner (if that's your thing) at your leisure.

[mini-me]

Yes exactly the reason why 'as found' and "barn find" bikes are fetching  a premium.

[rgsjohn]

Not really an entry-level classic though, is it?

Rex, it all depends on how, or what  you would define an entry level classic as being. I no longer own a Douglas, but as 350s were mentioned I thought that including a Douglas to the list of options might be a worth while addition to the list of alternatives. I always found that the Douglas horizontally opposed twins handled and rode well, and that they were easy and straight forward to work on. Everything was easy to get at unlike my present A10 (re-fitting the rocker cover for instance). If you are thinking of a basic motorcycle then a BSA C11 is nice and simple. It is also very durable, the only snag is all old Brits are becoming very expensive to buy (much to the detriment of our hobby) and it is therefore becoming ever more difficult for newcomers to join us, and that is a great pity. What I find depressing is how so often when I am out and about on my bike someone will usually make a comment like " I bet that's worth a few bob" That is totally missing the point. I love my bike for what it is: An old brit bike that I enjoy riding. I do not in any way regard it as an investment or any thing like that.

[mini-me]

When I get that tedious " I bet that's worth a few bob" comment my answer is always 30p a kilo or whatever the going rate for scrap metal is.

Like you, I find the value of my bike irrelevant.

[casperboat]

I went to look at this Jubilee, but it seems that after my Dad looked at it they have been working on it. Last tine he saw it they had removed the panels and the seat and were messing with the engine. Looks like they had done trouble getting it going...