Norton 880 long-term project

Great looking bike.....

The Dreer Prototype uses a Dave Taylor heim link at the top, and Windy's heim link at the front.

I'm still scratching my brain trying to come up with a simple, bolt-on rear/lower link to complete the triangulation.

As far as handling, my bike handles COMPLETELY different from any "traditional" Commando due to the monoshock rear suspension and Inverted forks. Geometry is different, and handling physics are different.

Bottom line: it's FAR superior to my MkIII by a HUGE margin. Identical engine, basic frame & adjustable isolastics.

...we won't even talk about the brakes...

grandpaul said:

The Dreer Prototype uses a Dave Taylor heim link at the top, and Windy's heim link at the front.

I'm still scratching my brain trying to come up with a simple, bolt-on rear/lower link to complete the triangulation.

Click to expand...

I came across this link while wasting time looking at the ebay ad for the alloy Dreer 880 and looking back iun time....

https://web.archive.org/web/20030410141353/http://www.vintagerebuilds.com/mtrmnts.html

"Motor Mounts
The VR880 utilizes the latest style front and rear motor mount system. The rubber mounts have a softer durometer rating than the originals, permitting the vibes to dissipate earlier. The threaded vernier collar makes adjustment of the mount a five minute task instead of an all day affair as with the original shim type. All mounts incorporate molybedium filled nylon washers, no messy lubrication necessary.

Iso-Max
This is truly the masterpiece of the VR880’s handling. Simply put, it works! The ISO-MAX mount, fitted between the engine plates and secured to the bottom frame tubes, gives the power-drive unit the ability to shake in the vertical plane (just like front and rear mounts) but absolutely eliminates torque flex in the lateral plane. It works so well, that the top racing style mount we have previously used has been eliminated!"







Note the cross-brace between the front down-tubes - "A little bit of help for the frame, comes by way of a tubular brace welded in place between the two front down tubes. Simple, but extremely effective in controlling the “walking” of the legs when the VR is pushed hard." No heim link needed!

Once you introduce the concept of welding on the frame, there are more than 6 ways to skin the average cat.

Bolt-up stuff that can be retrofitted in-situ, and is well proven, is the better solution for the AVERAGE rider. Racers, and people with refined riding skills that typically ride at the upper end of the performance envelope will already be in the crowd that has decent welding equipment and even machine shop equipment.

Whole other worlds...

Back to this thread again. I have my '71 750 stripped for a rebuild and had the side stand lug welded in along with the extra gusseting for the upper shock mounts. I want to put the cross brace between the down tubes as the Dreer 880's did too. Can someone tell me where it should be placed? It kind of looks like it's placed midway between the neck and the front ISO.
So, what is this sensation of the front tubes "walking" when pushed to the limits? I've heard of hinge effect in older Japanese super bikes of the 70's, but never heard of frame walking. I'll admit that I''ll probably never stress this to the point that I'd need the rigidity, but now's the time to put in all the known fixes. Maybe future generations will appreciate it

It appears to fall close to alignment with the exhaust ports. My guess is that very near midway between the steering neck and the front iso mount would be good.

Thanks for pointing me to this thread grandpaul. I can see where the look of the 916 came from but your bike has a much classier look to it. A fantastic looking bike.