Identifying this Norton Bitser? Need help please.

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stompbox

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Hi all, I'm in Sydney Australia, and I'm new here. I'd like to say thanks in advance for being a part of the forum :)

I need some help identifying the Norton in the links below.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/78630549/Norton%201.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/78630549/Norton%202.jpg

The bike belongs to my partner's step dad and she has learnt he wants to move it on. I've been doing my research but of course there will be others here with much greater knowledge than mine. So how much do I have right....

Slimline feather bed frame?
Commando motor rigid mount?
Commando forks?
Commando wheels?
Pre MKIII front disc?
MkIII kick start?
Atlas instruments?
Non Norton oil cooler?
Dunstall or other aftermarket tank, seat & tail?

Not knowing what we've got here is driving me bonkers. My brother runs a slightly tricked up Thruxton and I would love to get my hands on this as a long term resto/cafe rebuild.

The gent in question got the bike maybe 20 years ago in lieu of monies owed to him and never got around to doing anything with it.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Cheers.
 
What are the numbers on the LH side of the engine cases, the frame head under the handle bars and on top of the gear box ?.

It kind of,,,, looks like and 1971-1972 era bike, bolt up rear hub, disc brake on the front, newer style center stand, atlas or similar frame.........

It is well salvagable, if you decide against it, give the owner my number :).

Who ever did that to a Commando needs a kick in the nuts.
 
Welcome to the forum.

I think your assessment is fairly accurate except perhaps for the MkIII kickstart-as it isn't an 850 MkIII kickstart?

The engine appears to be 750. The serial number stamped below the barrel flange should identify the year.
The frame number (stamped vertically) and model code (stamped horizontally above the frame number) will probably be found on the gusset plate just above the swing arm pivot on the left hand side? With that information you should be able to find the original model and year of the frame.

http://www.bmh.com.au/norton/index.php?id=modelnum
 
Slimline Featherbed frame

Commando frontend and wheel M2 73-74 maybe

Commando gauges

Commando motor 750/850 can't be sure from the pics, solid engine mounts

Atlas rear wheel or early Commando

Maybe Dunstall tank and seat

I buy it if its for sale.

Hope this helps.

Ashley
 
G'day Stomp and welcome. That's got the makings of a nice little cafe racer. Bit of work ahead, but you'll find plenty of help here.
 
Hey thanks to all for your replies, he's away from the bike for a few days but sais he'll find the numbers for engine and frame.

@ashman, i've been reading a few of your threads and posts it's been great and @Josh Cox too, yeah I obviously want to try and get it for myself but if I can't I'll let you know :) The problem is that reading through the threads is just firing me up bigtime.

Again thanks for the help and good vibes, I'll keep you posted.

Stompbox.
 
If done right a well set up Featherbed/Commando will be one of the best handling and power to weight bike on the road, I have had mine for so long now and I still get off every time I ride it with the way it can be pushed through the corners, even better when going on tight winding mountain roads and over taking jap bikes and leaving them for dead, but the motor has to be built right for the Featherbed, plus add a few good modiforcations to the motor and exhaust it can't get better, I did my 850 Featherbed 32 years ago now and it was the best thing I ever done to my Norton, and if you decide to do it, I would be happy to give you advice as well help when needed, mine is such a fun bike to ride, short, handles great and very fast.

So I say go for it, it will be one of the best thing you will ever ride, it mite take a bit of money, lots of time, but will be worth the troubles and the best part is you will have lots of fun on it as I have had 32 years of fun on my Featherbed/Commando.

Ashley
 
An attempt to "Dunstallize" a featherbed using Commando bodywork. I wonder how well the " 'lastic " part of the project was done?
 
stompbox said:
Hi all, I'm in Sydney Australia, and I'm new here. I'd like to say thanks in advance for being a part of the forum :)

I need some help identifying the Norton in the links below.

Identifying this Norton Bitser? Need help please.


Identifying this Norton Bitser? Need help please.
Click to expand...
 
worntorn said:
Clip ons and skinny flat seat are making Dave cranky again! :roll:

Glen
Click to expand...
Identifying this Norton Bitser? Need help please.

A well padded seat....priceless.

It's unfortunate I'm too far away. I'd help you build that just for a ride at the end.
 
Its a Dunstall Depravity . :P ( with chopper forks , " SHORT " roadholder definately not , Cafe / Manx set up , is SHORT )

Pic of L.H. of engine would help , early is breather & 20M3S no. Late is protudeing boss , breather aft . 70/71 , 72 on , ish .
 
This bike has been rebuild from various Norton bits, as stated elsewhere it’s a slimline frame with a Commando engine that has been slanted forward- the Atlas engine was slanted backwards.
Command disc front end, if tank is fibreglass then it may be a Dunstall. But don’t bet your shirt on it.
 
Thanks to all who've contributed their knowledge and thought's on this Norton abomination. I'm still waiting on the frame and engine numbers. The bike is about 14 hours from where I am so I can't just get them myself which is frustrating cause I'm chomping at the bit.

Anyway cheers to all, it might be a while but I'll keep anyone interested in the loop.

Stomp.
 
Finally got some numbers for the bike. These are what the gent who has it has found in his worlds.

"030026 on frame

Motor on plate 140705

Just in front of that on the motor is 20M3 I can't see the last letter or number ".

I'm thinking it will be an S after 20M3?

I'm looking for clues as I write this but once again any help is appreciated.
@ashman, how's the bike mate?

Thanks,
Stompbox.
 
stompbox said:
"030026 on frame
Click to expand...

That isn't a standard frame number for any Featherbed (or Commando) model?

Where is the stamp mark? (Coincidentally, "030026" is a Commando lower yoke casting number)

stompbox said:
Motor on plate 140705

Just in front of that on the motor is 20M3 I can't see the last letter or number ".

I'm thinking it will be an S after 20M3?
Click to expand...

140705 is a late '70 or early '71 Commando. There shouldn't be any plate? The complete number: "20M3S/140705" should be stamped on the L/H engine case immediately below the front of the cylinder barrel joint.
 
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