Featherlastic!

Jeandr said:

I wouldn't ask the DMV for anything, just stamp the same number that you have on the motor, they have never seen one before so how would they know it was modified or not :?:

"It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission" Grace Hopper

Jean

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Too late. I called them on Friday to ask inquire on what they needed in order to get everything squared away before I began my build. They asked if I had notarized bills of sale for the motor and frame (I do) and the corresponding numbers for both. I gave what I had and left it at that. They'll probably come look at it, stamp a new number on the frame, and all will be well.

No need to stamp anything in the frame because I'm sure it will be fine as-is. There's no evidence of any numbers being scraped away and the frame is rusty which tells us all it's been sitting for quite some time. Who would go so far as to steal a rusty vintage frame? Not saying it wouldn't happen, but it's not as suspect as, say, a 2010 Snarley frame with no numbers. /Shrug

They may rivet a metal tag to the frame. Pita, cuz you gotta mask it to paint the frame. Cali highway payroll put one on my custom frame bonnie. I hated it. Glued and riveted. Too thin to peel off and stick back on after paint. Hope it works out better for you.

caddy chris said:

They may rivet a metal tag to the frame. Pita, cuz you gotta mask it to paint the frame. Cali highway payroll put one on my custom frame bonnie. I hated it. Glued and riveted. Too thin to peel off and stick back on after paint. Hope it works out better for you.

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If they say it's all good to go, I'm going to request that they allow me to sandblast/powder coat before they stamp it. I can't see why that would be a problem.

We'll see.

Everything should be good to go. I need to figure out the mounting situation with the Commando setup (not sure if the cradle will work or not?) to determine if those welded-on brackets are going to work or if they need to be hacked off with new mounts installed.

I'm still a bit hazy on how this is supposed to be configured. Most of the "featherlastic" bikes I've looked at don't really seem to be using the Commando isolastics??? I don't really get it...

Anyway, I guess my project will be titled as a 2011 (or whatever year it is when it's finished), but so long as I have notarized bills of sale for the motor/frame, I should be in good shape. I was told to go ahead and start the build. They'll put their own stamp into the frame when it's all done and they're satisfied that it meets all requirements to be street-legal.

Looks like it's time to do some looking over the project to determine the best route to take with it.

only problem is as a 2011 bike you're going to be paying 2011 new motorcycle insurance not vintage antique insurance

pelican said:

only problem is as a 2011 bike you're going to be paying 2011 new motorcycle insurance not vintage antique insurance

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Yep. Since it will be an and/or title, though, I'll let dad worry about that.

Anyone know if an oil tank from a '70 Commando Roadster (the center-mounted tank) will fit in a slimline frame?

At this point, here's my plan for the project:

frame: Norton 650SS Slimline
engine: 1968 Commando 750cc w/ factory mag
transmission: later-model Commando (1973-ish) or donated from a '70 Commando
gas tank: alloy Manx-style, alloy Manx "Sprint" style, or stock steel Atlas
front forks: Donated from a '70 Commando
triple trees (and halo headlight mount): Donated from a '70 Commando
Isolastic cradle & swingarm: Donated from a '70 Commando
rear hub: Donated from a '70 Commando
rear shocks: Likely from a '70 Commando, or new half-shroud NJB shocks from Clubman
front/rear wheels: Donated from a '70 Commando (TLS assembly front, non-cush rear drum, both on stock 19" rims)
oil tank: Donated from a '70 Commando (if it fits) or alloy center-mount

Anyone see any issues with any of this, and more specifically with the triple trees, forks, or the oil tank? None of this is set in stone, I'm just trying to get some ideas going. I need to gather all the parts that need powdercoat to get them sent off..

-Jordan

KSUWildcatFan said:

Anyone know if an oil tank from a '70 Commando Roadster (the center-mounted tank) will fit in a slimline frame?

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Not really - I have that combo in my "dungeon" and just did a trial fit. Looks totally crap and will give a hell of a problem with the carbs. My advice: Forget it and get an aftermarket oil tank. And should you like to turn some of the 1970 Roadster stuff into money please let me know - my bike is missing some vital bits.

And Commando suspension bits are longer than Dommie stuff, both front and rear. This will give a rather funny looking bike which will act worse than both its donors.



Tim

Aftermarket center-mount oil tank would be fine.

As for suspension I certainly don't need to use the commando rear shocks (I just happen to have them). Is there any easy way to modify the forks to be the same length as the shorter roadholder forks? Does it just involve cutting the springs (and possibly using domi tubes) or is there a lot more to it than that? I certainly don't want to create a bike that will ride like crap. Kind of voids the whole purpose..

-Jordan

If its just fork lower sag height you want, just cut spring which stiffens whats left till it sags to level ya like with you on it and put in a solid or weak spring spacer to take up the slack. Will not affect stock ride nor improve any faults factory left in.

If shortening the Commando forks will result in an OK height and overall ride, then that will be fine. I don't particularly have enough money to round up Roadholder forks, at least for the time being, but I could go that route if I had to. It would mean I couldn't use the halo mount/trees from the '70, though.

Either way, I'm just lining up options and trying to make sure I have the bits I need for the project once I get it rolling. I still need to identify all the metal parts I intend to use (slimline frame, Commando cradle/swingarm, etc) so I can get them powdercoated ahead of time. Other than that, it's all just wishlisting for the future..

I fit up an early model center-mount Commando oil tank to my Slimline Triton and it's going to work great with the Triumph lump. Don't know, but I'll bet it will work with the featherlastic...

I could be wrong, but I did some comparing on my '70 Roadster frame to the featherbed frame and the neck looks VERY similar. They even measure the same damn length! I'm really thinking I should be able to use the triple trees/stem from the Roadster on the featherbed. The forks may be a bit longer but I could also possibly make some of that up by bringing up the ride height in the rear? Just a thought. I have the option of running a stock 19" rim or a 16" rim which could make for an interesting look.

Either way, I'm thinking this could really work out, mating up some of the '70 parts to the featherbed. They almost look like they were made to go together!





-Jordan

Whoops. Second pic is kind of blurry. Damn cell phone.

Hi

I run my whole Commando front end on my Wideline frame it all works good and no need to modified and run Commando size shocks on the rear this has been this way since 1980 and have had no problems with this set up, but my next project featherbed has a standard Roadholder front end and it will be set up for road racing but on the streets HeHe as for a oil tank I have a round Alloy tank behind my motor on my Wideline frame, it goes from side to side and looks great with side filler on the right side, got it sent over from Lowbrows in Ohio and is well made $220 US, these guys are very good to deal with.

Ashley

ashman said:

Hi

I run my whole Commando front end on my Wideline frame it all works good and no need to modified and run Commando size shocks on the rear this has been this way since 1980 and have had no problems with this set up, but my next project featherbed has a standard Roadholder front end and it will be set up for road racing but on the streets HeHe as for a oil tank I have a round Alloy tank behind my motor on my Wideline frame, it goes from side to side and looks great with side filler on the right side, got it sent over from Lowbrows in Ohio and is well made $220 US, these guys are very good to deal with.

Ashley

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Thanks for the information, Ashley! That's very good to hear. I think this should all work out pretty well. As for the tank, I'll have to look into Lowbrows, thanks!

-Jordan

Hi Jordan

Lowbrows has a web site they are a mail order mob but deal strait with the manufactures at a cheaper price, all their parts are on there web site, they mostly deal with Triumphs but do get Norton parts as well mostly after market, you wil llike the round oil tank with moon face ends and its the same shape as the round part of the Featherbed frame, I also got my Joe Hunt maggie through them $20 cheaper than Joe Hunt sell them, I also got my mufflers, battery elemenator and a few other bits and peices, I don't run a battery so I save that area for the oil tank it bolts under the seat tray and thats where all my wiring sits as well, I can send you picks of my Norton if you want to have a good look at them any time but will send them by email just PM me anytime.

I'm very happy with the way my oil tank is mounted and it gets a lot of cool air all round it and don't take long to cool down .

Ashley