Just Bought My First Norton

Hobot · Jul 5, 2014

I learned my lessons the hard way over last 15+ yrs so *highly suggest* ya bite bullet & take it down to the wheel, stem, crankhaft and tranny bearings-bushes and work ya way back up to last clear coat waxing. A decent fully fettered process like this should cost below 10grand unless going with the many upgrades away from real Norton parts, some which are very wise to do so. Just spoke with a buddy in NY state whose followed my advice on Roadholders fork and isolastic taming links and just fit some Thruxton 13" shocks and had to call me early this am he was so excited he was ready for The Dragon and about to head out into NY Mt twisties for a joy ride even though he said the Commando is now his daily work ride a few hours a day holiday. He has other asian cycles famous handlers he's set up for get go but now prefers his slightly modified '71 750. A Commando could be your last cycle as may have to sell others to pay for it and then just can't get same level rod life satisfaction on appliance type cycles even if faster and less maintenance.

Chris T · Jul 6, 2014

The side panels do look original; as do the shrouded springs and the seat also looks original; which is great. As LAB has said the paint is not original and the "commando S" is wrongly positioned - it should be parallel with the bottom of the side plate. A nice looking bike.

aceaceca · Jul 6, 2014

Nice looking bike. You did good. Enjoy the ride and the mechanical fun. Not that it will need much doing to it.

DogT · Jul 6, 2014

Yes, correct angle for Roadster and 'S' side panels.

David B · Jul 7, 2014

DogT said:
Yes, correct angle for Roadster and 'S' side panels.

Yeah, the incorrect placement of the text and the mislabeling of the bike as an S is going to bug me.....

David B · Jul 7, 2014

few more pics of the bike including the hacked center stand and the wonky tail light fairing:

[album]446[/album]

[album]445[/album]

[album]442[/album]

[album]440[/album]

David B · Jul 7, 2014

Looks like it has the correct rear hub:

[album]441[/album]

auldblue · Jul 7, 2014

David

What is wrong with your centre stand, where has it been "hacked".

Puzzled from Portsmouth .

1up3down · Jul 7, 2014

a good guess is that your center stands's mounting holes are worn oblong, hence forward shift

if so you could take it to a welder

or say the hell with the damn thing banging up and down, take it off and buy a Pit Bull rear stand for all your rear end servicing

boz · Jul 7, 2014

Make sure those three bolts on the rear hub are kept snug. You don't need them shearing off and spoiling your day.

David B · Jul 7, 2014

Isn't the end of the "lever arm" (for lack of a better term) where you press down with your foot cut off at an angle? In the picture I'm referring to the part that points to the rear wheel and is parallel to the ground. I very easily be mistaken and that's how it's made!

David B · Jul 7, 2014

boz said:
Make sure those three bolts on the rear hub are kept snug. You don't need them shearing off and spoiling your day.

Will do. Thanks

L.A.B. · Jul 7, 2014

David B said:
Isn't the end of the "lever arm" (for lack of a better term) where you press down with your foot cut off at an angle? In the picture I'm referring to the part that points to the rear wheel and is parallel to the ground. I very easily be mistaken and that's how it's made!

DogT · Jul 8, 2014

There's a 'toe tab' that you can put your foot on when raising the bike on the center stand that's been cut off. Probably because it was hitting the frame. Mine did the same and the holes aren't worn, so I just glued a piece of rubber hose on the frame where the tab hits. I suppose the correct way to do it is weld material on the frame stop or the stand so it won't hit.

Yes something doesn't look centered with that rear light fairing. You may be able to play with it to get it centered. Plus it's been painted black. It may be the rear frame loop is bent, mine is but doesn't look quite that funky.

I suppose your rear mudguard is mounted with a bracket off the frame web at the end of the main tube? Mine is mounted off a bracket between the shock top bolts.

Oh, and there's supposed to be a "locator" spring off that pin that sticks out, but I could never get it on.

Dave
69S

Chris T · Jul 8, 2014

Plus it's been painted black

Dave, I think that for the 70 roadster the tail light fairing was black; I can't give support for that assertion right now, but I know that I have looked at that issue in the past. Certainly mine is black, and appears always to have been so.

auldblue · Jul 8, 2014

Hello

I don't believe it , looks like my stand has been knobbled as well. It is an awkward thing with the low cigars to get your foot on the peg last week I was wearing an old pair of timberland boots and when I pushed down with my right foot the stand went through the sole and my foot was stuck to the stand. I nearly peed myself and just about dropped the bike laughing, never short of daft stuff with old bikes.
Just watch taking the light bracket of the bolts/studs can be corroded and break out the housing.

Cheers

Canny believe my centre stand.

L.A.B. · Jul 8, 2014

06-1295 locating spring that fits over the pin.

auldblue · Jul 8, 2014

Hidden on page 37 on the 1968 spares list supplements for 69 and 70 ( pages 36 to 47 ) how are you expected to find that !

Torontonian · Jul 8, 2014

It's black. The early centerstand on my 70 I felt was an invitation to tip over, so narrow, glad it's gone.

L.A.B. · Jul 8, 2014

auldblue said:
Hidden on page 37 on the 1968 spares list supplements for 69 and 70 ( pages 36 to 47 ) how are you expected to find that !

Well, you found it, didn't you? :mrgreen:

Just Bought My First Norton

Hobot

Chris T

aceaceca

DogT

David B

David B

David B

auldblue

1up3down

boz

David B

David B

L.A.B.

Moderator

DogT

Chris T

auldblue

L.A.B.

Moderator

auldblue

Torontonian

L.A.B.

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