MkIII Rear Isolastic Gaiters

Hi, I'm new to this forum, I recently bought an 850 MkIII with very low miles, (5,000) but comprehensively ruined by poor storage and corrosion. Among the countless jobs that need doing, one of the rear isolastic gaiters has a split so I want to replace the pair. Having searched the forum I cant find anything that covers this for the MkIII. (doesn't mean it isn't there, just that I haven't found it) This is my 2nd Commando, but the last one was a 1969 bike and that was 20 years ago so I've forgotten most of what I learned, and this MkIII is very different.

I only plan to renew the gaiters, I will leave the isolastics well alone....the Z plates are already off as is the rear wheel, mudguard and horn.....I've read postings about jacking up the subframe sufficiently to remove the long bolt etc, but one of them mentioned that this would not work for the MkIII.....so can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Given that it's a MkIII I can't remove that large plastic airbox to aid access.....unless there is a method to do that without removing the engine?

Best........Mick......kettle738

I feel the iso gators are dirt and moisture collectors. With the gators in use there is always corrosion on the shims, collars and end caps. My gators are removed and the isos stay clean and dry.

Any Norton that is ridden will generally will have a nice overspray to protect from corrosion. :lol:

Hi, thank you for the reply and the point about moisture collectors is well made....I had given this a bit of thought and subject to what I see when (if) I get the gaiters off I was going to seal the new ones with a little rubber or silicone grease and use a hole punch to make a small drain hole which I would ensure ended up at the lowest point.

The question remains though.....can I get these gaiters off my MkIII with the engine in situ?....can anyone perhaps point me to a previous posting that covers this on the MkIII as I've looked but can't find anything.

Mick..........kettle738

You might be able to support the engine and work one side at a time. Maybe drive bolt thru with smaller bolt or large drift punch.? I left mine off for the same reasons already mentioned.

kettle738 said:

Hi, thank you for the reply and the point about moisture collectors is well made....I had given this a bit of thought and subject to what I see when (if) I get the gaiters off I was going to seal the new ones with a little rubber or silicone grease and use a hole punch to make a small drain hole which I would ensure ended up at the lowest point.

The question remains though.....can I get these gaiters off my MkIII with the engine in situ?....can anyone perhaps point me to a previous posting that covers this on the MkIII as I've looked but can't find anything.

Mick..........kettle738

Click to expand...

Yes, I am sorry. I hate it when people do that to me.
To answer your question, not being a mark III person, yes.
Anyways, when I change my rear iso's to the MK3 type, I recall put a jack under and raising the cradle to a point to where I could get everything out and back in. I might think that you could slacken off the adjusters enough to creat some play in there. It is not easy taking the gators in or out an even with the regular iso's, much less the V type.

Many thanks for that, I will post the result once I've tried it......I was looking at the bike today, it's sitting on a raised bench and wondering if I can lift the rear frame loop once the rear isolastic bolt has been removed, using a tie down strap slung over a ceiling joist.....the idea being that the centre stand and engine etc stays where it is on the bench and the frame pivots on the front isolastic mounts.

Just looking at it, it looked like a possibility as it wouldn't have to be raised too far....but I'll have a much better look before trying it.

Mick.........kettle738

If i recall, the headsteady must be removed.

Yes, I'm sure you are correct about the head steady....fortunately the head and cylinders are off anyway so I can give it a go.

My main bugbear has been that huge black plastic airbox.....unless I'm mistaken you need to remove the engine in order to release the airbox!



Mick.

If all you want to do is get the gaiters off, cut them off. That's what I did with mine after looking at CNW's website. Here is a quote from their site:
" ... we don't use a rubber boot to cover them up as this not only traps moisture and dirt but also hides these very 'trick' looking parts."
http://www.coloradonortonworks.com/catalog/frame.asp
Bill G

Bill G said:

If all you want to do is get the gaiters off, cut them off. That's what I did with mine after looking at CNW's website. Here is a quote from their site:
" ... we don't use a rubber boot to cover them up as this not only traps moisture and dirt but also hides these very 'trick' looking parts."
http://www.coloradonortonworks.com/catalog/frame.asp
Bill G

Click to expand...

+1 if you just need them off, cut them. Slice through with an Exacto knife, grab with a pair of needle nose and pull.