1969 Norton Commando model R or S?

Hi L.A.B.
Re your: "How many Hyde fork braces do you see? :? :?: "

Just one. Can you see more???
Ta.

needing said:

Hi L.A.B.
Re your: "How many Hyde fork braces do you see? :? :?: "

Just one.

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That's good. I did wonder why you said: "...and the fork brace, I suspect" when dynodave had already mentioned it"? :?

All good L.A.B.
Evkin (op) has confirmed that it is a Hyde brace.
I'd still like one.
Ta.

ok so thats what a Type S oil tank looks like, should be easy for me to check. I'm out of town working so will have to check (and get more photos) when i'm back. oh and the 850 Norton is a 1973 (not 1972) as Rohan pointed out. Really appreciate the help guys.
Cheers!

Actually that oil tank worked for the S and Roadster through 1970.

Finally brought the bike home so I can start to work on it. Took the seat off to check the oil tank type, different than the photo DogT posted. VIN on the engine is definately 20M3S131589 so it was an S not a 5 in the VIN. VIN on the headstock just says 131589. I believe its a cam driven points assembly?

On a side note I have the bike running and she fires up and idles beautifully. Anything I should be concerned about/check with a bike that wasn't run for approx 15 years?

Ekvin said:

Finally brought the bike home so I can start to work on it. Took the seat off to check the oil tank type, different than the photo DogT posted. VIN on the engine is definately 20M3S131589 so it was an S not a 5 in the VIN. VIN on the headstock just says 131589. I believe its a cam driven points assembly?

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It is almost certainly a 1969 'S' type then, but with several modifications already mentioned plus parts from later models (exhaust system, oil tank, 850 Mk3 timing cover, kickstart lever, grabrail, chainguard)

Ekvin said:

Anything I should be concerned about

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The rear brake cable needs re-routing over the Z-plate (as in the photo below) instead of underneath it.

I wonder why someone would go to the trouble to put a newer style oil tank on? It's not like the early ones don't work. The chain guard I can understand, they wear out if the chain gets loose.

Thanks for the help guys. Thought the bike was mostly original other than the Hyde parts and the carbs, didn't realize so many other parts had been changed. Does this mean the exhaust was changed as well, as the S has the exhaust on the same side?
LAB thanks for pointing out the rear brake cable, I checked it and it is rubbing on the frame so I'm glad you caught it.
Cheers!

Have we discounted the possibility that it could be a Roadster? In which case the exhausts could be original. Does the serial number predate the first Roadsters?

Chris T said:

Have we discounted the possibility that it could be a Roadster? In which case the exhausts could be original. Does the serial number predate the first Roadsters?

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Yes, the serial number (131589) would be too early for it to have been a Roadster.

I thought I was missing a decal on the side of the oil tank but now realize that I am actually missing the side cover itself. I want to track one down if possible, thinking by the shape of the oil tank that I need a Roadster cover?
Anyone know where I can get one?

Ekvin said:

thinking by the shape of the oil tank that I need a Roadster cover?

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Yes, although the Roadster cover that fits the 1971-on side oil tank is a different shape to your '69 LH cover.

DogT said:

Yes, I have 132031 and it's April '69 production. Here's what the 'S' type oil tank looks like.

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Camera angle ? but this frame top tube looks bent?

It's definately a nice looking bike with a mixture of parts on it. It is odd that it's an early frame and engine, but the oil tank is late model... Maybe the previous owner didn't like the central oil tank because it's harder to drain the tank completely when you change the oil. I like the addition of a late model front disc brake. My '70 commando has a late model disc brake too. The hyde fork brace is a nice addition, as are all the braided lines. From the looks of it, someone cared for this bike in the past.

I wonder if the late model timing cover means the bottom end was rebuilt with superblends. It would be nice to know if that's been done. I would try to find out by searching the previous owners out and contacting them if possible. Cool bike, You may have to modify an early right side cover to fit over the oil tank to match the early model left side cover. It might be a pain in the ass and take some creativity, but not really a hard job. I modified my left side cover to be held on by a dzues clip like the right side one was, so they would both be "quick release" without using tools so I could get to the battery terminals or both side cover pouches more easily..

Ok thanks for the comments and the tip, I will try to locate an early oil tank cover and mod it to fit so it matches the Left Hand cover. I believe the previous owner mentioned that the bearings had been done along with a Boyer electronic ignition upgrades prior to him buying it. The only thing he did was add the braided lines and the grab handle. I should try and track down the original owner.
Cheers,
Ekvin

The 69-70 RS panel has a pocket to hold the tool kit. It might be if you removed that inside piece that forms the pocket it would go over the oil tank. Not sure. Last I heard on getting those panels was from the NZ distributor, but AN may have them now. I know OB doesn't carry much for the early bikes. I see them on evilbay once in a while. Be prepared to work on it. Mine both cracked in the middle from the FG shrinking. I filled it with bondo and repainted them.

As far as the bend in the main tube, yes it's always been like that, it's a bit exaggerated in the picture. I assumed it came that way from the welding shop. Everything fits and measures fine as near as I can tell. The bike never showed any signs of being wrecked. I can't imagine what it would take to bend it just there. I got it with 4K miles on the tach and it seemed reasonable when I broke it down at 12K miles. There wasn't much in the sludge traps and the big end shells only had a few unremarkable scores in them. With no oil filter too.

Evilbay ha I like that, going to check and see if there are any oil covers on there. Thanks DogT.

john robert bould said:

Camera angle ? but this frame top tube looks bent?

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AFAIK all Commando frames show a little "kink" in the top tube as result to the welding process of the two lateral and the horizontal tube.


Tim