> /Steve.
Sure,,,,,,, First of all, a fastback tailpiece *Should* fit a regular Commando, Im not aware they were any different as far as the rear loop of the Frame, but i could be wrong.,
What i HAVE found is that Norton had rather loose tolerances, Close enough is good enough seemed to be the mantra. So its possible your frame is just off enough not to fit? You werent specific about why its not fitting.
However, I note that a number of people over the years have adopted frame alterations. I live close to Kenny Dreer, and used to stop in at his shop frequently back when he was "Vintage Rebuilders" and then subsequently when he started doing more and more Nortons. (initially they used to work on all kinds of Brit bikes)
At one point, Before they started making their own frames.. they used to buy up Used Commando frames and Kenny had came up with a list of Modifications, they went out to a local fab shop, put on a jig and a number of mods were made,
ie: gussets, modified mounts, tabs etc etc..
But for a long time he really liked a custom cafe style tail piece,, kinda Corbin Gunfighter slash Bumstop seat style. He had the seat bases made up initially in fiberglass, then later in a plastic. Either way, he had the rear loops cut off just aft of the shock mounts, slugs fabricated and new rear loops fabbed.
these rear loops necked down a few inches just aft of the shock mounts and more closely matched the width of the rear fenders plus the rear of the custom seats also closely matched the rear custom loops. It was a very tidy and attractive modification, and people really seemed to like it,. This styling exercise was continued when he had new frames of his own specs/design made.
The new frames were manufactured because as with all things Norton, its hard to find good cores, and the market is limited with large volumes of used parts. Plus some of the used frames were just plain Knackered.
The new design incorporated his custom Isolastic mounts, tabs for accy where he wanted them, a Oil bearing spine frame, and some other tweaks, But the rear loop modification/styling was carried over to the new frames. Find an old pix in cycle world or online of his earlier C-Do variants such as the VR880.
(he used to get a LOT of ink from Cycle world, guess it didnt hurt that he built custom spec Nortons for editor David Edwards)
to make your own loops or parts you can make a Jig fairly easy, sections of Telephone poles or trees work well, best if a Hardwood, You can also make a jig on a work bench or table if you make dowells from hardwoods and or Steel.,
practice a bit on scrap tubing, it can be done cold, or bent with a torch heating the tubing, each method has its pros-cons, I believe mandrel bent cold , with seamless tube is best.
the key is quality welds, TIG is optimum, especially if filling the tubes with inert shielding gases, it can be done with a gas torch, or a buzz box welder, but a skilled Tig craftsman is ideal,
unsupported Butt welds are unacceptable, slugs, and plug welds, and full penetration welds of all seams and joints.
be careful as you can look sideways at a C-do frame and tweak it...
