Norton Villiers Commando 1968 Re commissioning an adventures at 30

norton_rider said:

What side of the headstock does the loom usually run up guys?

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Seems to be on the left according to pictures in the '68 factory manual and Haynes manual but do whatever works the best.

Thanks mate

norton_rider said:

Thanks lab im wondering if he had incorrectly routed something I'll have to lay both the looms across the frame and see where it all goes. What side of the headstock does the loom usually run up guys?

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Check the saddle part of your fuel tank to see if it is relieved on one side or another to allow for the loom . I fitted a Dave Taylor type headsteady and it influenced the route of the loom as well so keep that in mind .

Thanks Richard that's a really good tip I'll double check that

Finally had a spare few hours today to get back onto some progress with the Commando.

Spent the first part re running the wiring harness after figuring out the routing with the horn an making some extension leads in case it fails (save me having to remove the darn thing)

All went well then I had a it of a hunt in the boxes for the Premier carbs I took off the 650SS and tomorrows job will be re jetting them for the Commando while I wait for some new carb insulators are you commando guys n gals running a gasket either side of the insulator or insulator straight to the head.

Next things to do is make the loom longer for the new location on the coils and finish the headlight wiring which is nearly done.

The petrol tank is gonna be a big issue to sort as up to now I've not found one that's accurate to the 68 tank what's everyone else doing for a solution.

Just wanna say a big thanks to Gaz at Norvil who gave me a heads up on the Fibreglass tank an the Ethanol averted a potential disaster.

Over the weekend I'm gonna try get the chaincase all back on with the clutch should be looking like a Commando again then!

Only thing that's gonna really hold me up is the oil pump as I can't afford a new one at the moment pretty much just that new fuel lines and a new spin on oil filter assy to get an shes ready to rock!

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norton_rider said:

are you commando guys n gals running a gasket either side of the insulator or insulator straight to the head.

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I am using paper gaskets on each side of the insulator at present. Previously I used sealant (Wellseal, Hylomar, etc.).

Cheers Lab that's how I usually do it on the 650ss

Looking forward to getting out on her again once I can fund the last few bits been a long time coming.

Pictures for those that asked about the Indian tank I got the badge holes are recessed which is a real shame as it stares you in the face but not curved front studs are a bit to short but will do the profile of the top of the tank is nice though, seat, fuel cap and, petrol taps all fit with no messing so thats good.

Guess it's the case of making the best of whats available

Little bit of progress today got the Primary inner chain case setup right and fitted job tomorrow is fitting the carbs n airbox an then day after I'll do the clutch alignment to the front sprocket steadily making progress.

Got some great info today regarding colour from Gaz at Norvil was sorting a few bits out for the flat tanker and he called his supplier for me who currently makes 68 tail units the same one that made them for Norton the guys now in his 90s but confirmed that they have only used the one shade n it's British Racing Green.

Know there's a fair few versions of BRG so probably gonna try dark Brunswick Green for now which looks similar ish and then when I'm in the position buy one of the tail units from Norvil. Great bit of info though which ties in with what my dads eldest bro said last night who had a 68 New when they very first came out.

N I saw a 71 Norton colour guide that mentioned BRG although it as very low res on here.

I reckon who ever sprayed mine at some point used the light Brunswick green which is totally wrong.

I did see an old mix from Google but obviously don't know how accurate it is

Imperial Chemical Industries, Belco Car Finishes, Colour Mixing Book 1953, as used on Jowett Cars 1948-1953

British Racing Green, Code 284-8120: Light Brunswick Green 71%, Middle Brunswick Green 19%, White 7%, Black 3%.
Connaught Green, Code 284 - 97: Deep Brunswick Green 40%, Light Brunswick green 32%, Black 28%, Yellow Oxide Trace%.

Is a great reference picture part way down on the news page on the Norvil site obviously this depends very much on monitor calibration room light etc light when photographed *switches print brain off* but is handy as a guide.

I've also been looking at pics of Locos all day which were in Dark Brunswick green looks quite decent for now also popped an email to HMG Paints who I've used in the past to see what they have on file as they have been going since the period n do stuff with Jag etc.

Bit more progress on the Commando

Got the clutch back together today n found that the Stator is toast.

One good thing at least I caught it now an not on the road. Got to be said one advantage of a Commando that's been put together totally wrong in the past is the learning experience an I'm learning loads.

Bit more progress today

Rejetted the carbs and cleaned the idle circuit having the removable pilot jet on the Premiers makes it such an easy job.

The original Stator has bit the dust suprised it lasted all this time lucky escape really that I spotted the issue with it.

Got to sort an issue with the rh stud mounting that's making the stator hit the rotor so when I get a new one gonna end up having to reduce the thickness of the studs or drill the holes on the Stator.

Just incase you don't know you will need to bolt at least one of those inlet manifolds to the carburettors before assembly
Cheers

Thanks mate

So at the moment I'm pretty sure I'm gonna use Jag BLCV254 DAR44524 NBRG

Was studying the original tank badges and didn't realise they actually sat flat from the outward appearance the only problem being the inside of the badge hole on the tank from India being to small an outside diameter.

Anyone that's used one from over there who did you use to make badges that fitted ?

On another point I was looking at a few different pictures and noticed there was a few different style of badges on the 68's mines one of the first 100 so does anyone know what the earliest style is?

Many Thanks,

Tom

Hi everyone sorry I've been so quiet the shoulder injury kept me out of action alot longer than I intended.

Made some progress on the Commando few more wiring jobs,

Gonna need a new stator as its toast where the wiring goes into the body on it one of the wires is broke at that point, what else need to paint the tank and finally oil pump, spin on oil filter an shes good to ride again really exciting.

Progress is Progress ,whether it's a lot or a little, the bike is looking good. Shoulder surgery is no joke, I had my right one operated on back in May..( 4 pins and cables to cinch it back up together). Only just finished my physical therapy this month, and was signed off by the Dr. as able to return to work 100 %. still taking it a bit easy on it though, but no more sling.

Glad to hear you are on the mend to CJ mine still gets a bit stiff every now an then but it's way better than it was. Just gotta save up for the oil pump an the new stator.

Least the finish line is in sight with her now can't wait to get back on the road with her an do some touring

Been a very emotional day today firstly watched the remembrance Sunday stuff lest we forget that they gave their futures for our today and continue to do so. Which allows peeps like me to work on old classic bikes in Saftey.

Spent today working on the 1968 Norton Commando tidying up a few lil jobs on her that I'd not done.
All that remains is to get a Stator/Rotor. New Oil pump and sort the steel tank out into some paint I also need to look at replicating the badges but to fit small into the holes on the Indian made tank which are slightly the wrong diameter.

Popped the original tank on for some pics although it's no good to use now.

Does anyone have a picture of the original 68's in period in colour relating to the tank badges I saw a picture of some that looked holographic almost but wasn't sure where I saw it mines one of the first 70.

Norton Commando Classic Motorcycle Restoration, Rebuild and Diagnosis.


Hi team in this video filmed over a four year period I show the journey both my Norton Commando and I have taken from purchasing the bike, taking the first few rides aware of a possible fault. Some may say why did I still buy it even knowing with the limited knowledge I had back then that there was a possible fault. Simple my dads eldest brother raced a 1968 Gus Kuhn Classic Racing Motorcycle in the late sixties and early 70s. I always since I was little dreamed off owning and restoring a 1968 Commando and most importantly riding it on adventures of my own forging my own memories and journey with Norton Motorcycles.


I cover in the video riding clips that lead to me taking my first Norton engine apart and the learning journey that takes me on the wonderful people I meet along the way who help me on my Journey are to many to list from all the wonderful people in and on the owners clubs and Facebook groups who've helped out along the way and people like Gaz and Les at Norvil Motorcycles, Ashley at Andover Norton, Pete Lovell who helped sort my cylinder, Seager Engineering who spun my cylinder head round for me and finally the Legend the one and only Norman White who helped with my 1968 Norton Commando frame that had missed its warranty recall. Jigging it adding the later type frame support and making it safe for me to ride and enjoy for many years to come.


I also cover my rebuild that I did in true Norton style in the footsteps off those that come before putting the engine together with my own hands in my Bedroom.


finally I show the current update to my Classic Motorcycle restoration filming the Indian made tank and the difference with the badge roundels that I Need to address I hope you all enjoy this 4 year journey aptly a 40 minute long video. Thanks again to everyone thats been a part of my journey.

Quite a journey you have there. Obviously a lot of sentimental value also.
I happen to think of a 68 BRG fastback with domed covers as one of the coolest Commando's.
I know you've had a some professional guidance, a couple of comments from a layman.
1. What did you do with the flywheel? Did you at least magnaflux for cracks?
2. The crack in the stator wires is probably just the outer sleeve. They get hot, brittle take on a shape and then crack when handled.
Chances are high the inner wires are still good. If so, handle carefully on reassembly, then dress out the cracked area with some high temp silicone.

Cheers and Carry on....