Mar 1969 fireflake red 750 S rebuild
- Thread starter ILLF8ED
- Start date
Richard Tool
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2019
- Messages
- 1,604
Nice illfed - good to have another build to follow !
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2003
- Messages
- 3,688
The shipment from Andover Norton arrived. Usually takes less than a week from placing my order.
Gearbox was already in very good shape. Some typical pitting on the gear faces, but I have never been concerned about that on a Commando. The bushes were all good as was the main shaft bearings. As a matter of course I replaced the layshaft ball bearing with the roller upgrade - may as well if you’re in there. Also finished installing new rubber parts in the front and rear isolastics. Again straight forward, no problems.
As I don’t intend to ride this one much I’m not doing the swing arm shaft mod, at least not this round. Shaft and bushes still in good shape.
I had some not too bad fork legs from my ‘72 so will replace the pitted ones that came with this ‘69. New fork seals of course.
Gearbox was already in very good shape. Some typical pitting on the gear faces, but I have never been concerned about that on a Commando. The bushes were all good as was the main shaft bearings. As a matter of course I replaced the layshaft ball bearing with the roller upgrade - may as well if you’re in there. Also finished installing new rubber parts in the front and rear isolastics. Again straight forward, no problems.
As I don’t intend to ride this one much I’m not doing the swing arm shaft mod, at least not this round. Shaft and bushes still in good shape.
I had some not too bad fork legs from my ‘72 so will replace the pitted ones that came with this ‘69. New fork seals of course.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2003
- Messages
- 3,688
I should have mentioned that also...zero play here.
Richard Tool
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2019
- Messages
- 1,604
Nice progress - looks like you’ll be done in no time if you keep this pace .
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2003
- Messages
- 3,688
Bottom 1/4-20 bolt behind the alternator holding the inner primary case to the drive side crankcase is stripped. Gotta wait for Amazon delivery of a helicoil kit. My wife won’t let me out to buy it locally. Piston order arriving Tuesday. Cylinder bore is in good shape and still standard. The head is going to need a few new parts.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2003
- Messages
- 3,688
Helicoil arrived. Making more progress. Silver lining with this Covid bug, lots of garage time. Silver flake taillight cowl was lightly sanded and clear coat added to bring back the gloss. If you zoom in on the left handlebar...scored a genuine Wipac Triconsul switch.
- Joined
- May 28, 2003
- Messages
- 2,591
Hey Dave
Any idea when early code 7-solid signal red was active? The early pix I've tried to scrutinize and 2 fiberglass roadster type tanks on my shelf are solid signal red from the gel coat with not a hint of paint or overspray. One still has some residue from the Norton decal.
and only later were "metalic candy coat red" on steel tanks
15-candy apple red-no trim
15-interstate red (I'd believe metalic red)
152-candy apple red-silver double line trim
Not implying what you should build other than what you want.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2003
- Messages
- 3,688
Hi Dave
I have not seen a signal red ‘71, however in the one page I have there are six that were red. Build date Oct 7, 1971 151674 was the earliest red on this page. As ‘72 models were on the line in Oct ‘71 with 200xxx could be some of the late ‘71 got these.
850s had the candy red metallic. Early Commandos like my ‘69 750 S had a heavier flake size .004” in both red and blue. Not sure it was called fireflake at that time, but the blue used for the earlier ones seems to be the same as ‘71 - ‘72 fireflake. By the time steel tanks came around all the colors necessarily change.
I can see how Norton made only silver metal flake in the gel coat then painted transparent red, blue, burgundy, purple, green, gold or clear over to make all the different metal flake colors for fiberglass tanks and side covers.
I have not seen a signal red ‘71, however in the one page I have there are six that were red. Build date Oct 7, 1971 151674 was the earliest red on this page. As ‘72 models were on the line in Oct ‘71 with 200xxx could be some of the late ‘71 got these.
850s had the candy red metallic. Early Commandos like my ‘69 750 S had a heavier flake size .004” in both red and blue. Not sure it was called fireflake at that time, but the blue used for the earlier ones seems to be the same as ‘71 - ‘72 fireflake. By the time steel tanks came around all the colors necessarily change.
I can see how Norton made only silver metal flake in the gel coat then painted transparent red, blue, burgundy, purple, green, gold or clear over to make all the different metal flake colors for fiberglass tanks and side covers.
- Joined
- May 28, 2003
- Messages
- 2,591
Thanks I'll keep poking around.
Now that you mention 200000+ bikes, So far I had not seen any prior to Nov and Dec of 71, also these 71 dated 200000 bikes had vin plate pn 06-1441.
Only when the MFG date on the tag changed to 72 the VIN plate change to pn 06-2347. Does not seem to match the books...More research needed.
What's the round thing on the pix?
Now that you mention 200000+ bikes, So far I had not seen any prior to Nov and Dec of 71, also these 71 dated 200000 bikes had vin plate pn 06-1441.
Only when the MFG date on the tag changed to 72 the VIN plate change to pn 06-2347. Does not seem to match the books...More research needed.
What's the round thing on the pix?
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2003
- Messages
- 3,688
My first Commando a ‘72 combat was Oct71 build on the plate. 201123. That said I see on the build sheet several 200180 to 200239 built between Dec71 and Feb72. These all were delivered to England so maybe a delay while machines were prepped for US delivery. I wouldn’t put my head on a block for any of this. Seems there wasn’t much for numerical sequence for what went out the door.
