Norton Nemesis V8 Rebuild - Episode 14
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- In this video I will be continuing with the rebuild, b briefly starting the engine on the bench for the first time then putting the engine back in the frame and getting it up on its wheels.
Note: All parts will be thoroughly cleaned before final assembly, so any debris , swarf dust of dirt seen under macro cinimatography in this video will be cleaned off before the final assembly..
The Norton Nemeses is a pre production prototype that was made in the late 90's with claims of a 200+mph top speed from its 1500cc fuel injected V8 engine.
As far as I'm aware, this is the only bike that has survived but if any of you know of other bikes please leave a comment. This bike is owned by the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham UK has been on display as a non running exhibit for many years.
I have already worked on the bike last year getting the engine to run after a few rudimentary checks, new oil and batteries for series 12 of Henry Cole's "The Motorbike Show" where Henry rode it for a few miles up to around 50 mph, but it wasn't running very well and was leaking a lot of oil and coolant.
Episodes of "The Motorbike show" can be seen on itvx player on line and some shorter edits are available on Henrys RUclips channel.
Over the coming months I will be stripping the bike to sort out a few issues with the V8 engine and hopefully make it run and ride how it was intended 25 years ago.
For those that are complain about the slow release of this video... he is rebuilding a one of a kind engine (not to say the whole thing!), with a lot of best spoke part that, by the looks of it, wasn't really well put together when new and with no manual! Allen you are the MAN! Keep going!
Agree. Its easy to be critical until you try it yourself.
Wasn't he at the bike museum as well.
bespoke :)
I would happily wait a year.
Who here doesn’t already know this?
Motorcycles, nature and cup cakes...and watching a genius at work. What more could a man ask for to make his Sunday evening complete? Excellent, Allen. Can't wait for the next episode.
❤️ love this series, fascinating to watch the craftsmanship bringing the bike back to a much better machine than the original. Big thanks Allan for sharing this.
This is great work Allen! I really enjoy watching you work. You're the man!
Genius….not really. But certainly very talented.
@@hughjanus3378 He's a genius....a master of his craft.
@@hughjanus3378 Obviously, you don't kow genius when you see it. Look at the many custom machines he has built. Genius at motorcycles for sure!
Allen; Dutch bloke here. Love the video’s. Your work is an absolute inspiration to me. I was making wee sketches of motorbikes when I was a kid, tried to get 2CV engines into Laverda frames. It was in paper only. I couldn’t afford a motorbike till I was 20. By then I was too busy in University and etc. Now you are just doing what I dreamt of 40 years ago and I enjoy it through your hands and eyes. Thank you so much.
A 2cv (ugly duck) engine in a Laverda. Want to see that. Is someone good at photoshop?
@@Alexie3333 What about a Laverda in a 2CV. I was clever enough to not mix that up.
Similar experiences, condolences and appreciation here. (Expatriate Welshman).
Thanks again Allen. The motorcycling community owes you a debt of gratitude for the work you have done on this bike.
Thank you for taking us along, with this rebuild.
The title of this series is misleading, it’s absolutely NOT a rebuild. Allen is finishing the development of a badly neglected factory project. It’s a joy to watch a master craftsman at work.
Indeed it is more refined!
So true. The title is indicative of the modesty of Mr. Millyard.
Of course it’s a rebuild, any engine that is dismantled and built up again is a rebuild. Not a complete “redesign”but a reBUILD. Even so he has improved many of the poorly designed faults on this engine.
yes it was slung together and a lot of things could have been done a lot better, Mr Millyard is doing just that, can't wait to see it running again 😎
@@truxton1000, don’t quite agree with you. When one takes a worn out/worn-ish/broken engine apart and restores it to OEM specs, that’s a rebuild. When one optimizes internal specs, that’s blueprinting. If you improve/change specs for any reason, that’s modifying. What Mr. Millyard is doing is continuing the development of a lofty goal/half/assed execution prototype. Pity that the organizational expectations of the origin company were so fantastical…but without them, the one-of-one Norton V8 would not exist at all.
They talk about “national treasures,” but Sir Alan, well it should be, really is.I recommended, to a friend that he should watch Alan’s videos, and a text came back, he couldn’t stop watching them as they were so good.
One of many of my favourite things about Allen, is that he almost never uses power tools like these godawful electric impact wrenches that 99% of youtube "mechanics" use on literally every single bolt...
one of my other favourite things is his inclusion of all the wonderful curious critters in his lovely garden, just goes to show Allen appreciates the things that really matter! we could all learn something from this uniquely talented individual!
Just the lathe, buffer, food processor and oven
@@jbenn43457 It wouldn't be a proper Allen Millyard video without the oven and food processor. Or even the odd pilfered cup cake (or two) 😃😃
@@davidjowett8195 cup of tea, hedgehog....
Agree. Just spanners and sockets. No noise and perfect feel.
So rewarding to see the care, attention and patience in putting this motorcycle history together. That combined with our usual treat of internet cupcakes. Thank you so very much Allen Millyard, for taking on this magnificent task to make british motorcycle icon living agai - and at the same time sorting out the gremlings of the engine and erasing some of the welds from the Stevie Wonder School of Welding.
PS. We’re already spoiled as it is. Take your time and don’t let comments about the next video get to you. You’re an artist, a master of trades, and we have all the time in the world.
Thank you.
Such a shame that Allen wasn't around to work with the John Player Nortons with Peter Williams in the 1970's when they had the Cosworth twins to work with. A missed chance at the time mithinks.
It's quite amazing looking at this bike, the time, effort, engineering and materials that were invested in the split fork yokes and associated bearings and then compare that to the radiator mounting brackets it's difficult to imagine they belong to the same machine. The brackets look like something of an afterthought thrown together at 3.30 Friday afternoon by the unsupervised apprentice.
Quite agree.We are lucky that Alan goes to so much trouble to produce the videos.They are not only entertaining, but instructional as well.He also comes across as a nice bloke.What a man.
Nice, if only Norton had been so attentive to the important details.
I've said before, but this seems to me like it was fairly well designed and engineered to start with and then, someone said... "hey guys, we need this running for a show in 2 weeks" and they got it running in 2 weeks no matter what corners they had to cut.
Like the design of the front wheel assembly.
@@ChuckFickens1972 Some of the details also look like the engineers lost interest at the end and just called it quits. Like some of the very oddly placed bolts and brackets Allen pointed out. For some of them he even had to create special tools or cut down spanners to be able to reach them. It reminds me a bit of how Colin Chapman often called his projects done: he made brilliant engineering designs, that didn't always fit or even worked well. But by that time he had lost interest and moved on to the next project, leaving the fitting and solving what he would call "minor problems" like a properly working cooling system, to the factory personnel.
This Norton Nemesis seems to have been built pretty much the same way: solid engineering, but very sloppy and sometimes even careless work putting it all together, like the cooling system, the cobbled together brackets for the exhaust, the seemingly hastily cobbled up castle nuts for the rear swing arm mount and maybe the worst: the careless cuts and gauges into that beautiful frame just to make cramming in the engine and other parts somewhat easier.
Now I get that this was a single prototype and that some of those issues probably would have been solved when production was greenlighted, but then again look at how some brilliant British designs ultimately failed miserably due to simular careless lack of detail, like the infamous Triumph Stag's V8 for example, that self-destructed due to overheating because of a poorly designed cooling system. Or those weird chokes on the SU carburettors of the Jaguar inline-6's where over time fuel could leak onto the hot engine and catch on fire.
@@tjroelsma
But when the AEDs (automatic enrichment devices) (mini carbs) were fettled well...they worked!
Much better than the pathetic "bonded" pucks that were supposed to be the parking and emergency brake system...
True but looking at how much time he's put into this they'd have been about £150k each :-)
I doubt there are few others with the creative talent and engineering know how as AM. This engine was a major challenge. And yet, as usual, Allen resolved each issue perfectly. Bravo.
There’s a reason they choose AM to fix it master of his trade second to none
Allen, I am enjoying this rebuild of a one of a kind Norton. I believe they selected the perfect person to take on the task. Your attention to detail simply makes me smile throughout the video. I’ve owned a 71 H1, a 71 Norton 750 Combat (never should have sold that) so I have appreciated your amazing builds over the years. I wish I had such a wonderful baker in my life, you’re a lucky man! Wishing you peace and happiness. J.W. Across the pond in Massachusetts.
You can stop 'hoping we enjoyed it'. I assure you, everyone who watches these enjoys them greatly! It's sort of like being an apprentice to a grandmaster, without any of the hard labor or dirty hands :)
I really like that he takes the time to address asthetic issues, such as the cap screws on the top yoke, machining them to look nice. Perfection.
then arcs the ground lead onto the aluminium castings where the scars will be highly visible...
I'm an old git that remembers the teacher wheeling the school telly in so we could watch incomprehensible and incredibly boring programmes, usually when it was beautiful sunshine outside.
How we would have loved to see something like this series of engineering masterclasses. Allen, you were born too late. But we are the beneficiaries now. Keep up the good work sir!
*edit I should point out I was a country lad and we were all mad for machinery from an early age, so motorcycle programmes on the telly at school would have been bliss!😊
I remember those tellies: we only ever had black and white ones though, made by Decca if memory serves me.
@HowardLeVert saw the moon landing on it, we didn't have a telly at home.
Our school had the telly on wheels but as it was the 80's the school had a video player with the remote control attached by a wire
@cbrboy76 i remember watching Disney nature films from reels of film projected onto a screen school!
What a treat
Don't listen to anyone complaining. Your work is marvelous and you do a wonderful job with the videos. I am looking forward to seeing this bike on the road
To hear the clock ticking in background is calming and a reminder that time is something we can’t do anything about other than do the best of it.
Fantastic! When that engine burst into life on the bench - what a well-earned reward to all your hard work.
Well now my Sunday is complete with a new Allen Millyard video. Thank you Allen!
Your videos are helping me through a tougher time in life, Mr. Millyard. Sincerely, thank you so much.
Watching so many of Allen's videos makes me realise what we must do: crowdfund the purchase of Norton, and put Allen in as CEO.
Machining the screws. Makes a lot of difference. It's the little touches. 👌
Lovely to see that Hagon shock upgrade. A fine-looking piece of engineering - perfectly suited to this rebuild.
I wondered about the huge amount of spring preload that was already dialled in to the new shock.....
a very fine ad!
The final reveal has us all on the edge of our seats. This has been one of the most enjoyable series among the many you've published.
Mr. Millyard has more eye for detail than the whole design team that stood for the design of this bike.
After all those years the bike will become lovable ...
Nice!
Stunning that the tool made to fit the castellated nuts , has a better finish than the bike had . Beautiful attention to detail and as always amazing workmanship.
Beautiful to see! I am a newbie myself having a go at rebuilding all sorts of motorcycles on my channel. What an inspiration you are. Thank you
As if this one off one of a kind prototype would ever be left out in the rain!. I love your attention to detail!
Always a pleasure watching this one of a kind young man at work!! not to mention the wild life updates and cupcakes. Fantastic viewing Allen! "Thank You"
You are much appreciated. 👍
Young man???
Hi Allen,
,As a retired mechanical engineer, and life long bike enthusiast
I really appreciate your meticulous attention to detail,
and the "that will do" attitude just will not do
your calm and unfrustrated video presentation is great to watch and listen to
one item I found odd you did not tidy up the original design on
is the bottom yolk bearing lacking and cover from the elements
I realise this yolk is "upside down" but it must have niggled you to leave it like that
instead of machining a press on cover with an O ring incorporated
THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT A CRITISISM 👍👍
and I feel an affinity with your approach to a problem stay calm unflustered
like yourself In such circumstances I to, have a seat and a cup cake with cuppa in hand
and the solution the the problem facing you becomes evident
This series is absolute magic the bike enthusiasts and people involved in mechanical engineering alike
you are a delight to follow and an inspiration
Thank You
Jay Leno should give you a squillion bucks and have you flown over to California. Total legend Allen, the most British thing; engineering genius + garden shed.
May I say Alan you're one hell of a intelligent man all the best for the future
Who knows, at some time in the distant future, this machine may need to be overhauled again. For those undertaking the work, Allen's videos will be a wonderful record of what he did in 2024 and, indeed, of what it looked like beforehand. Here's hoping that those who work on this bike in the future treat it with the same respect and attention to detail as Allen has.
Quite extraordinary to watch Allen apply himself to something, that would break most people out into a cold sweat,with almost a casual nonchalance! As others have said,a true master at work!
Hard to imagine what a production version would have cost. This was a real labor of love.
Not to mention how crappy it would've been had they assembled it just like this one... A few thousand miles at the maximum before it grenaded and destroyed itself..
Could watch this man all day long his attention to detail is amazing . Thank for the videos Allen
"Well, there we go. I'm so pleased"
I'd be jumping up and down, fist pumping and screaming YES! YES! Then run and drag the missus into the garage and start it again. Several times. I'd make Dr Frankenstein look like he was at a funeral, I'd be so damn excited and proud. It's Alive!!!
Really pleased for you Allen.
Give my monster...LIFE!!!😁
He's too English to carry on like that, thank God. Though I'd imagine inside he may well feel that way.
Here's my two dull pennies worth about this project. The Nemesis ws dreamt up and built by a bunch of secondary school kids in shop class, and it's now being refined by the teacher. Stellar work sir. Thaks for sharing.
Hats off to you. Alan! Rebuilding a. One-of-a-kind mechanical piece Will never come with a manual. Maybe some notes. Your attention to detail is above reproach. Cleaning up and facing off the bolts that are right in your face is a must to show you care deeply about your work. ❤️
Thank you, Allen. To hear the engine run at least for a bit on the bench is amazing. Can't wait to see the bike complete.
Brilliant work Allen. I'm sure it was a lot more time consuming than we saw in the video - your attention to detail is an example to us all. I always learn from every video. Thanks for passing on your knowledge.
Loved the two little retainers and their little screws locking the castle nut onto the steering stem.
Aa you address all the many built-in issues, you’re adding a huge amount of value to this odd bike Allen. Thank you for sharing. Really looking forward to seeing it finally run properly.
Peace 🏴
Loved every second of it, amazing work Al
Dear Allen,
That's just a WOW. Thank you for your work. Fantastic watch start to finish. Every episode a joy.
Best Sunday ever watching a genius put this Norton back the way it should be,well done AM
Brilliant Allen .. worth the wait and me and hubby loved it.. many thanks ..
Great video! I could listen to this man all day....along with the methodical ticking grandfather clock....very relaxing!
Love the wildlife touches too!
Without having watched this yet I want to say how great these videos have been. I didn't think that I was looking forward to hearing it run but apparently I was fooling myself.
Oh, I've been looking forward to this one!
I'm in awe of your skill set Allen. Thank you for bringing us along for the ride
Was a bit sceptical that this old folly could be made into anything with the on paper performance.
But Allen, the ultimate engineer, has convinced me.
I can't think of a single person that has his combination of understanding and ability to create a solution ,plus make it himself.
I'm sure a lot of engineer s have benefited by watching this project.
The original was really an expensive prototype which could never have sold as a successful product.
I expect the millyard rebuild to do some of those numbers,though I hope he isn't the first test pilot.
All those nice homemade cakes must inspire. Big thank you to Mrs millyard 😊
my aim is to make it run and ride reliably for slow speed parades with a realistic top speed of 150mph, it will be nowhere near its claimed 225mph top speed !
Just a great relaxing, Sunday night treat.
Thanks for sharing.
Ride safe 👍
The more I see of the Nemesis the more I feel it was designed by people who didn't know much about bikes. That massive and heavy integrated front mudguard is contrary to any idea of unsprung weight needs. The upside down fork clamps? The fact that it ran amazes me. The fact that a bloke in his shed knows more and can do a better job than a factory is also bonkers.
coming together really well .Really enjoying watching an expert technician at work
Another satisfying video from the National treasure that is Allen,and it is his attention to detail that draws the viewer in,as always looking forward to the next instalment.
It amazes me to see in these videos just how badly this thing was built in the first place, but it's also amazing to see you undoing all the shoddy work and turning it into something worth showing (that a team of people seemingly couldn't be arsed to do in the first place)
Great work as always!
Totally agree.... but then you look at the effort that went in to the design of the yokes and steerer tube bearing setup, admittedly it's overdone, but compared to the utter crap that was thrown at the rest of the bike (cooling system, exhaust, etc) it's actually nicely machined and well fitting. I get the feeling that this was a prototype that was sent out to "bob" to do that bit, when it came back it was then shipped over to "fred" to do that other bit there, and then given to the apprentice lads to weld up the last bits and pieces. It's so inconsistent!
Allen makes this all look so easy. The true sign of a professional and an amazing engineer 👍👍
Great vid as per usual.
And I really love the sound of the clock in the background. Really soothing. Cheers. 🍻🥰
Allen doing his magic again, he makes these things appear so straight forward, you wonder why anybody should not be able to learn just as well as him!
Got to love the way that when a build gets to critical point Allen nips out for a cup-cake. What a guy 🙂
its a very good mindset to take.
theres no difference to taking a break half way through as a minute before completion... and those few idle moments may just wake you up to the fact you overlooked something critical. whereas pressing onwards to try and "get it done" before stopping invariably leads to failure...
"just another minute or two" is when the crucial bolt snaps, the thread strips, the hoseclamp fails, the crane collapses...
Allen, you are the man. You never disappoint with your methodology . I feel honoured to actually watch you rebuilding this and making a silk purse from the "sows ear". Looking forward to the next episode.
I always enjoy watching your videos. This time I was as excited as you were when the engine finally came to life. It really is a beast of a racing machine. As always, I am amazed at your careful and meticulous restoration work. Even though it is a prototype, the manifolds and pipes that distribute the coolant to the engine were very rough. I think it is wonderful that you found all these problems one by one and corrected them all in your rebuild. I am sure the people who hired you to do the job are very pleased with your meticulous work. I am looking forward to the next episode.
Nice work Allan 👏 great video. Listening to you speak reminds me of sitting there with my dad. Listening to cricket ❤ that's a good thing ☺️ thank you for all your time not only bringing us a bikes that most of us would never see but for the time and effort it takes to produce a video with the content yours has.. much love ❤️
This motorcycle is so peculiar, i've never seen something similar. Excellent unique piece!
A mate of mine made a twin engined Norton back in the early 70's. It certainly got some attention here in Sydney, Aust
That is so therapeutic, your measured diction, and the ticking clock in the background. Pure bliss.
Looking forward to the further progress. So very interesting to see how everything works. Thank you for showing it to us in so much detail. And to inspire us to make more cupcakes!
Don't worry about the length of time between videos, Allen. That is a MASSIVE project you are undertaking, & your are doing a fabulous job. Good things take time. 🙂
pure brilliance from Alan again
Everything about this is just perfect, and I don't use that expression to be clever but it is just the best way to describe it! As someone who also tinkers with bikes and dabbles with a GoPro occasionally I'm always amazed how you record and edit your videos so well - top job.
Your attention to detail is phenomenal and a true credit to yourself 🎉
Allen: you are in a very small group of masters of engineering! I would be happy to watch any vidio you put out no matter how long it takes, I know its going to be next level! from USA
love your work! I have owned a 1971 t100R triumph since 1982,11k miles, all stock, hasn't been on the road since 1983. reason is, you can't hardly find original parts for the triumphs. some clown dumped white paint in the street and I hit it around midnight, almost wrecked, had that paint everywhere! got pissed and walked it in the barn , covered it up, drug it back out 20 years later and reversed the damage! sits in garage with a blanket on it, safe and sound.
Thank Allen. Sat in ny Vdub camper Sunday night by the side of Ulswater Water watching this. Just Perfect...👍
The fact that Allen makes good parts that you’re not going to be able to see when it’s finished, sets him apart from your average engineer. An absolute masterclass in engineering to make what was a shoddily put together prototype into a unique motorcycle.
You are "the real Master" of building absolut Bikes!! Amacing!! You know what you do.
I can only try to imagine how much work this project has taken in addition to the added task of filming it for us armchair viewers.
Bravo to you for doing so. I have learned so much from watching this and other projects you have undertaken. Thank goodness your wife keeps you fueled up with delicious cup cakes!
Like a lot of others, can’t wait to hear this beast run properly for the first time 👌🏻😎 as a Norton fan, thank you Allen for taking on this project 🙏🏻
And again I am utterly flabbergasted by what you are capable of, thanks for bringing the Nemesis Back to life and for sharing it with us. I Love to watch.
Love the brief spring into life on that engine, sounded great. Such attention to detail and skill level. Brilliant. ❤
Lovely to watch. Taking an overly complicated, roughly finished bike and turning it into a magical piece of engineering. I wish I had 1% of Alan's talent - OR - he lived next door to me!
I love how you drilled the rain holes to drain the rainwater for if it's ever left out in the rain, as if it ever would be 😂
When Alan Millyard spends so much time on the smallest details to make this "Just Right" it is no wonder these videos are taking time to produce! I take my hat off to him for this level of detail. which makes him the genius he is!
rebuilding my first bottom end!! thanks for everything -
What a joy to see Alan getting all the development faults out of this bike it is real modding to make it a better engine and frame!!
2:45 That reminds me of first life after I rebuilt my 1966 Norton 650SS, completing in 1998 in time for the Norton Centenary run from the National Motorcycle Museum to Bracebridge Street. I had a tiny plastic bottle into which I put a small amount of petrol, connected to the carbs (monoblocs - I'm Amal-retentive) and kicked the engine over. I was so surprised that it fired up first gentle kick that I closed the throttle rather than opened it. Needless to say the easy starting was helped by having replaced the magneto with electronic ignition.
As a kid I flew control-line model aircraft, and getting the compression engines to start was a pain, until a friend showed me how to do it: he squirted fuel unto the exhaust port while shouting "Cheat holes!" and flipping the prop. It is interesting to see cheat holes still being used by professionals.
A patient genius at work, the complete opposite to myself in my shed… loving the journey thanks Allen.
Glad to see Tracey using those extra cherries, Allen - absoiutely my fave as well. Oh, nice engine by the way...
Nice as usual. Love it. I need to rebuild my carbs on my RG500. But now, I first need to listen to your Honda RC374 firing up. You're legend.
Nothing less than brilliant yet again.. For the first time ever I have just realised that Charlies face turns from "yellow" to "red" when he has a tipple
And smoke comes out of his ears
An amazing bike and nice to see it come together so nicely. I really enjoyed the start ups, the literal "icing" on the cake. Once again Allen , enjoyed thoroughly , cheers mate!
Another clinical intro into Allan's genius! Loved the video. Can't wait for the lst drive! Thanks, John.
Thanks Allen. Inspiring stuff as usual. Fits my evening “just perfect”
Nice build . Like to see Norton come back with a modern twin as well . Miss the good old days buying broken down old English bikes and putting them together again . Thanks for your videos Alan
This has been a brilliant series of videos. Thoroughly enjoyed all episodes.
That was absolutely worth the wait! I loved glimpsing the engine work with a test fire. Be fantastic to see the finished bike when it's done, knowing all the clever touches and solutions Allen has put in to bring it to life.
A pleasure to follow this story and those cupcakes look SO good!
Love the tick tock of the clock. Goes perfectly with the attention to detail of your work, Allen. Calming and utterly satisfying. Keep it up!
There’s nothing like watching the Master at work 👍👍.
He is so grounded and such a Genius. Can't tell you, how much I enjoy watching you...
Thank you for taking us along😀