Chip's '72 Combat project

Paul
as per our conversation, if that is the fix that is settled on I could take a nice ride over to the shop and deliver a pair of collars as he is just up the road from me and gives me a reason to get out

windy aka bill

Yep, I dropped you an e-mail with his address info, Ironhorse Werks in Dade City.

Thanx a ton!

Ron L said:

ML said:

That series of frame, with the front lower cross brace incorporating the side stand gusset and down facing mounting pin, - it had its own particular steering top and bottom yokes.

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Really?
The '71-'73 750 yokes have the same part number (061915/061916) changing with the 850 (064080/064078) when the steering head angle was changed in the frame (yokes were re-angled to maintain wheelbase). And of course the earlier models (061133/061131) with loose ball bearing were different to allow for bearing adjustment.
I was under the impression that the steering head angle on all 750 frames was the same, as was the wheelbase.
How can you distinguish '71 yokes from '72-73 750 yokes? I have a couple sets of 061915/061916 yokes and would like to know what they are.

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I do seem to remember reading something about a change to the 750 yokes.....somewhere (not the 850 ANG yokes) , but I haven't been able to find where I read it yet?

IIRC there was a change from the early 750 with a halo head light but I don't think it involved the front end geometry.

windy

IIRC there was a change from the early 750 with a halo head light but I don't think it involved the front end geometry.

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Yes, up until 1971 they used loose balls in the steering head and the yoke stem was adjustable from the top. 1971 on they used the sealed ball bearings and the non-adjustable stem was now fastened from below the steering head. The halo headlight was used for the '69-70 'S' and the '70 Roadster.

It was my understanding also that the geometry of these were identical.

Well, thanx to Windy / Bill, the last of the niggles should be sorted on Chip's bike real soon.

It looks like I totally missed a step on the oil sump modification and the cases will have to be split to properly modify the timing side pickup for the oil pump.

Thankfully, Windy is reasonably close to Chip and willing to do the work in exchange for a set of freshly laced wheels from Buchanan's. There's no way I can pass up a favor of that magnitude, and I have to say it never would have happened without this forum!

So, my second major lesson in 4 years will end up being a lot more of a PLEASANT memory than the first one was (the result was positive, the cost was tremendous).

Bottom line: RESEARCH and step-by-step follow-through is key, no matter how well you think you know the subject, or how many times you've done it in the past. Oh, and "honesty is the best policy" is a truism, not a platitude.

What about the wiggle - instability though? Did the swingarm collars fix that?

when I was where the bike is at the swing arm was loose so yes the collars will have this problem solved.

Will????? have it solved? Please post when it is definitely fixed then.

grandpaul said:

Well, thanx to Windy / Bill, the last of the niggles should be sorted on Chip's bike real soon.

It looks like I totally missed a step on the oil sump modification and the cases will have to be split to properly modify the timing side pickup for the oil pump.

Thankfully, Windy is reasonably close to Chip and willing to do the work in exchange for a set of freshly laced wheels from Buchanan's. There's no way I can pass up a favor of that magnitude, and I have to say it never would have happened without this forum!

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Hi Forum members...just wanted to post an update on Windy's (aka: Bill here on the Forum) progress.

Windy has completed the oil sump mod and the enginge's back together and sitting patiently in the frame. I traveled to the Orlando area last week to visit with Windy and check things out up close. The "kit" has been installed on the swingarm assembly resulting in very little detectable movement in the swingarm. We're still waiting on the new rim from Buchanan's shop before the bike will ready for road testing. The rim is expected this week, so next weekend should see another Norton coming back to life!! Any questions regarding this round of work should be directed to Windy as this guy lives, breathes, eats & sleeps Norton motorcycles!!

The highlight of my visit was Windy's very kind offer to take his Combat out for a spin. Windy's machine is awesome...you could have seen my smile from a mile away when I got back to his driveway after a several mile loop!!

chip thanks for the kind words. The LITTLE play you felt was in the mounts as I have not done the final adjustment. hope to have a better date on the wheel tomorrow afternoon.

I'll chime in with a few notes:

1. Chip is the kind of client ANYONE would want, regardless of your line of business. Straight up, patient and understanding.

2. Windy is the kind of a guy you won't find in every shop you visit; in fact, you'll meeet VERY FEW that'll give you the shirt off thier back and ask if you need socks, too. He knows his stuff from A to Z, including A1, A2, A3, A3a, A3b, B, B1a, etc...

3. The front wheel with slightly narrower new rim should be back on the bike by next weekend and it will all finally wrap up.

UPDATE:

Windy has completed all the rehab, and the bike is now where it should have been 7 MONTHS AGO!!!!

Anyway, it's in excellent shape now, a few choice mods, and shake-down runs progressing with nary a drop of oil or wiggle in the back.




It's been a long road; Chip should be out and about racking up brisk miles this weekend.

A great looking bike.

chip came over this morning to pick up his bike and also brought over a set of rear sets for me to install. after about an hour to install the rear sets I lead him for a ride on a nice curvy piece of road for a short test spin. WELL to say he was happy is an understatement. after we got back I went over a few things to watch and stuff to consider buying to help out on maintenance he was off for home.
I will have to say Paul has been a stand up guy for letting me do what ever it took to make it right and see to it that Chip will be happy with his new ride.

I just have to thank Windy for being a true friend in time of need, and Chip for being a patient and understanding Nontonphile. "Good things come to those who wait" is a true statement.