N15CS Thread

BillT said:
I think the heavyweight Teledraulics from the '60s are comparable to Roadholders. They're both 1-1/4 fork tubes and have a similar damper assembly.
Click to expand...

Bill, this is incorrect. Teledraulic forks as used on G80CS and P11 models had 1-1/4in as you state. This equates to 31.75mm OD. The Roadholders are quite a bit stiffer as their fork tube ODs are at least 1.3575in (34.29 mm). This makes perfectly sense. The G15 series was a much heavier and powerful motorcycle, hence the need for stiffer forks and better brakes giving the bike the "road holding" it deserved. Cost savings by component standization was an additional bonus.

-Knut
 
Last edited:
Hey hey I've been looking at the N/15 thread for a while
And thought I'd chime in... I'm in the process of getting a early 1967 N/15 CS SN# 118177 it's got the Lucas mag and is a beautiful machine,it's on the way to me from Chicago as I write this post,as they All do.... This one has a great story.it came to the previous owner a hideous green with pull back ape
Hangars... Long story short the
PO saw fit to do a proper restoration and had some good
People helping with it too,it's my understanding that the reason it's been sold
To me..... It's a bear to start,apparently as this gentleman is aging....as we All are it's become difficult to kick over.... I've no reason to doubt the story as this guy is a well respected member of the CNOC and the documentation provided supports a substantial
Amount of engine work..... Again by a well repspected shop....anyway I pounced on the opportunity to own the bike, don't know if I'll have any more of a easier time staring it... We shall see.in any event like you folks... I just think these machines are so cool and their story so unique and all that,so I'll keep every one posted and when it gets back east I'll try And get some photos up,any advise,hints or tips will
Be greatly appreciated I'm certainly not a stranger to the norton brand.... Having owned several mid 60's atlas's and
Many commandos,currently have a 72 750 and a cnw machine that's it from me for now,I was kicking around the idea of playing around with some P11 trim.... Without making any permanent changes,such as fitting it up with the high scrambler exhaust,short seat and front skid plate,any thoughts,feedback or advise.... Oh yeah,I've seen pictures of these machines with triumph bonneville style mufflers fitted up too and they look super nice on this machine.... Again any feedback is welcome
Jeff
 
I have a 67 N/15 CSR ( early 67 W/ magneto ) very nice motorcycle.... The sidestand is kind of scary ,anyone know of a retro fit to get the bike more up right and less of a lean angle
 
In 1968 I purchased a new n15cs s# 116917. IN 1971 I traded it for new yellow 1971 commando. Three years ago I decided try and find the n15cs.
I found it and hauled it home. It is terrible mess but I will make every attempt to restore it.
 
zefer said:
I have a 67 N/15 CSR ( early 67 W/ magneto ) very nice motorcycle.... The sidestand is kind of scary ,anyone know of a retro fit to get the bike more up right and less of a lean angle
Click to expand...

The frame, not being the f/bed, is a Plumstead made one.
Even the Norton f/bed frame a side stand only came as an optional extra. …….
you could try welding a smallsection of metal on the foot :idea:
 
<----obtained a 1965 G-15CS from the original owner last year; it was sitting in storage while I was working elsewhere. It's been repainted an opaque red with non-standard striping and had a few interesting tweaks throughout its life; little rusty but it's still solid. Certainly not a show bike, which suits me fine, and at this point I'm just trying to get it running reliably. Tried to fire it up but got no spark, and found the carb slides seemed poorly-fit to the bodies, so I had the mag serviced and the carbs sleeved. Hopefully I'll have it fired up soon, but I'm going to need to wait on a few replacement gaskets and such. Apologies in advance for all the dumb questions you're going to get...
 
dave schultz said:
In 1968 I purchased a new n15cs s# 116917. IN 1971 I traded it for new yellow 1971 commando. Three years ago I decided try and find the n15cs. I found it and hauled it home. It is terrible mess but I will make every attempt to restore it.
Click to expand...

AgentX said:
obtained a 1965 G-15CS from the original owner last year... Hopefully I'll have it fired up soon, but I'm going to need to wait on a few replacement gaskets and such. Apologies in advance for all the dumb questions you're going to get
Click to expand...

I encourage you both to start project threads that everyone can refer to when searching for help in the future. You will than be valuable contributors to the forum, not just asking questions.

By the way, the only "dumb" questions are the ones that aren't asked!
 
Will do...I have been working on it, but taking pics as I've been working on things has been tough. I think I'll take a pause and shoot some pics today and initiate the thread.

I think in my case, documenting the bike's documentation is a pretty amazing aside for the bikes. Boxes and binders of old parts catalogs and paper correspondence neatly filed, sketches of proposed mods and tweaks, all the owners' club newsletters and membership stuff... My wife kinda wants to make a project of all that.

It also came with a bunch of old Norton tin and spares of various sorts which will definitely come in handy for horse-trading down the road.
 
AgentX said:
... My wife kinda wants to make a project of all that (documentation).
It also came with a bunch of old Norton tin and spares of various sorts which will definitely come in handy for horse-trading down the road.
Click to expand...
Both excellent and valuable points.

Let me give you fair warning in advance: It ends up costing more than you think, to build a bike starting with leftover spare parts; even when you have most of the main/core components!!!

No need to ask HOW I know this...
 
Hah! Yes, a lesson also well-learned from my Enfield. Thankfully most of the old Norton stuff is for bikes other than mine, so I will just use it for trading value.
 
N15CS Thread
I drug this project home last winter. 1967 N15CS, matching numbers and clear title. The motor turns over with compression. Appears to be a Commando head? What do you think? I'm looking for the left battery cover, brought home 2 trailer loads of british bikes.
 
Looks to have a commando instrument pod too, so its had some contact with a Commando sometime.
Can't help with the cover, but they appear on ebay now and then, if you don't track one down.
You'll need something to bolt it to ?!

And welcome here.
We look forward to seeing pics of progress.
 
Oh, yes. I did find the battery box, less the cover. Thanks ks for the welcome. I've been told the front end may be Commando also.
 
Yes, those fork tubes do look to be hard chromed, so that would likely be Commando.
That would make them ~2 inches shorter in the fork tubes ?
Might be no bad thing for road use.
Yokes look like they are Commando too.
 
I agree with Rohan, the whole front end looks like Commando to me. I'm not convinced that these fork tubes will allow the bike to handle properly. The triple clamps should be the older style clamps with the stem in the bottom clamp and a screw on ring underneath to facilitate fork gaiters, there should also be longer chrome fork seal holders and some other bits and pieces like headlamp ears and one-piece instrument holder. The rear mudguard also appears to be from a Commando.

The left side battery box and cover are quite hard to find, although they are now making repros in India, there is also a separate battery bracket which fits inside the cover and bolts to the frame with it's own mountings. This looks like a very nice project. My own G15 project was less complete than this but I managed to get all of the parts with a bit of patience and scouring the internet.
 
Yes, Commando head and look like Commando forks.
The rear wheel may be Commando, too. The CS had very heavy spokes, thicker than Atlas, and 18 inch rear rim. The G15CSR had the same size spokes as the Atlas.

Rear fender looks to be Commando, too. On a G15 there's a bracket that supports the leading edge of the fender by bolting it to the vertical frame member.
N15CS Thread

Bracket is sort of 'J' shaped and can be seen just at the bottom of the fender, bolted to the timing side of the frame. Also notice how heavy the spokes look on the wheel.
With the Magneto, I assume its an early '67? Change to distributor and concentrics came mid-year at bike number 121007 (the first P11).
 
Serial number 118735. I pulled the rear fender out of a heap of fenders, so it very well may be the wrong one. I will do some more digging. Thanks so much for the replies.
 
Interesting , I have a 1967 N15CS with a G stamped under the N . Now I know why. Also have a G15CSR basket case. Missing many parts , but I have all serial numbered parts.

Chuck
1969 "R"
1967 N15CS
1966 N15CS project
1967 G15CSR project
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top