Basket Case 69' Norton and new member

RedLetter said:
oh my, oh I love that people are getting into gusseting the frame and down into the crunchy details about mono shocks.
That gives me more to consider.
I won’t copy them cause I want to go more original with some concepts. But I like the idea of gusseting!
…scribble notes… I love these ideas.
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You'll get along just fine.
 
more details & pix on the SSS job

1971 Single sided swingarm fastback (2011)

I asked the question and the only swingarm I could find similar to what he is using was a hawk 650 gt that had the top mount ,all the other were link based for the vfr's.Either way he has done a great job of it.If you use a hawk swingarm you can convert the spindle to take the VFR wheel.
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For front end ideas, you can start from easier knowns with easy available info, like GP did a xs650 front end swap that mighta involved a bearing change, to more customized elaborate whatever.

The xs650 alone offers easy available parts & options, lots of it new, double discs, spoke, mag then also a ton of easy available front end swap info

For easy back end options just starting with wheels, GP fitted an early cb750 airhead wheel that i think was mostly a bolt in for the drum brake deal, that required a fitting for 1 end of the torque arm. Tons of wheel options out there for that model including disc setup options


A swingarm swap starts with with going over how the stock parts look & fit, then measuring & going from there. I think the stock (there is an oversize) spindle diameter is ~ .870-5 or 7/8"
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Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.
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Welcome RedLetter! You'll get plenty of input from this crowd for sure. I see that you want to make some changes. All good but do pay close attention to the swingarm and pivot. The MKIII cradle setup is the way to go in my opinion but there are other ways to go. Contact me off the list and I'll see what I can conjure up for gauges. Best of luck with your project!!
 
Also good to know there are (dunno exactly so i'll say) ultra rare alum cradles out there. You would prefer going with updated quick adjust engine mounts vs pia (xcept 75up) originals, which are prob also shot.
 
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I like the idea of quick adjust!
I assume you meant transmission mounts for adjusting the primary chain tension?
Or you talking quick adjust isolastics??
 
RedLetter said:
I like the idea of quick adjust!
I assume you meant transmission mounts for adjusting the primary chain tension?
Or you talking quick adjust isolastics??
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Perhaps Vernier Isolastics (RGM or Andover Norton) which mean adjustable externally over the stock shimmed method with disassembly to do so.
Some folk add another gearbox adjuster, one each side of the cradle.

Basket Case 69' Norton and new member
 
Mart UK said:
Probably I'm boring, but I've not seen one as good as they came from the factory in Roadster or Interstate trim. Especially in candy red. I love the long and low look and gentle curve of the stock seats above the rear mudguard.

I'll go back into my cave.
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Feeling guilty. Didn't mean to seem discouraging. I hope you enjoy mapping out what you're going to do and post plenty of photos.
 
Mart UK said:
Feeling guilty. Didn't mean to seem discouraging. I hope you enjoy mapping out what you're going to do and post plenty of photos.
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No worries!
I’ll be posting photos as I make progress for sure!
We are having a whiner winter storm and all the guy I’m buying parts from have hunkered down and shipping has basically stopped. so I’ll be out of new photos for a bit.
 
here's all the fun you'll be missing

Norton Commando rear isolastic replacement without removing the engine or trans



You also need to look into crank breather setups, good start here

Crankcase Breather

There have been some good topics on this. This is very neat and tidy. And the one Jean did. Gotta admire anyone who can mill using a lathe. :D The idea I had was to use the whole intake assembly from a small bike (you'd just need to flip the reed valve over) and see if it would offer up...
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If no one chimes in on this then easy to start up a specific thread for 69 but best results come from looking it up first. You want to take or consider all the advantages that can be taken with an already out engine deal, even if it means splitting the cases.

It also looks like the KW setup has info with a 1 time/person particular setup, far from stock, to go from.

Another critical choice you'll be making is a head steady, but that's down the road.

Not much beats having a solid detailed build thread if/when sale time comes

Front end swap for Command resto-mod?

I'm restoring and considering doing some modern mod work to a '72 Commando 750 this winter and interested in successes other builders have had with suspension swaps. Haven't had much luck with Google. My primary concern right now is a front end with a disc setup that will still look cool without...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
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Oo yes I’ve been looking over head steady ideas. I had not considered the breather at all. That’s a really good point.
I’ll be starting a list of cost and the build I want to end up with. I’ll post it as I go and get photos once I hear from this guy in Delaware I’m getting a front end from. Apparently the storm there is awful and he isn’t able to sell it to me yet.
 
So, got the cross tube welded for the comstoc valve spring engine support. Welded the bracing for the rear swing arm, then sending it off to be aligned.
It was bent in the first place.

I have had to change plans to get the front end together and going with the somewhat stock setup for now until I score a deal on a modern front end. So!

I am Looking for an 850 ang upper triple tree with post. Anyone want to sell one? Andover is a bit high priced for me right now.
I found a stock front w/single leading shoe and rear wheel. New tires and front axle for 250$. Can’t pass that up. Gonna try the controversial brace too!

I am trying to understand if the space between the bearings is normally 5 1/4? The tube we had was only 5 5/16. So it didn’t fill the gap between the upper and lower bearings of the steering head. Anyone know?

No changes to the motor until I get the frame rolling and can take her to and from home with me to my buddies where we work on her.
Also going with the red tank and gonna work from there, everyone has black and gold. I don’t want her to look like everyone else’s.

Photos coming.
 
Forgive if it's already been mentioned earlier in your thread, but there is a side stand up grade that Oldbritts used to sell that you could weld on to your frame to allow for fitting a latet model side stand. Fred and Ella used to have pre-cut gusset plates to add support to the frame at the upper shock mounting locations.
 
RedLetter said:
Is this years side stand pretty bad?
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The upgrade replaces the weak '71 stand lug but as the cross tube has been welded to your frame then you could fit it (and later stand assembly).

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Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
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cjandme said:
Forgive if it's already been mentioned earlier in your thread, but there is a side stand up grade that Oldbritts used to sell that you could weld on to your frame to allow for fitting a latet model side stand. Fred and Ella used to have pre-cut gusset plates to add support to the frame at the upper shock mounting locations.
Click to expand...

I bought that lug off Ella thinking it was an Old Britts part but it came in AN packaging. (but was more than happy to have been able to buy something off them (Fred and Ella)

Part # 06.3049
andover-norton.co.uk

Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Andover Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.
andover-norton.co.uk

With the 1971 update bracket that can be easier due to the 1971 stand being hard to find (on the side of the road perhaps after the pin failed)
I got the bracket and later stand (The bike had no side stand at purchase and a bodge repair at the original bracket)

As far as the earlier main stand location, moving it to the cradle seemed odd.
Is that cross member being retained also.
 
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RedLetter said:
I have had to change plans to get the front end together and going with the somewhat stock setup for now until I score a deal on a modern front end. So!

I am Looking for an 850 ang upper triple tree with post.
Click to expand...

Hello. Unless you intend to change the rake of your headstock, make sure you know the difference between 750 style and 850 style ("ANG") triple trees.
You may want to review the frame section in the workshop manual, which shows the early and late frame geometry.

-Knut
 
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