retrofitting tank and side panels

I am struggling a little trying to decide on how to get my old pal ready for trips outside my Aviation gas range. This is a 1969/70 Commando S with roadster pipes (I have originals) and original fiberglass tank and paint. A few years ago, I bought a very nice steel tank and side panels painted beautifully in metal flake burgundy and painted letters ($850). I think these parts were from a '72 750. It is an excellent paint job although non original color. I'm OK with the color, however, at the time I didn't realize the mounting of the panels is entirely different from my '70 and they are somewhat smaller than on the "S".

I am considering either 1) fitting the '72 stuff I bought, or 2) selling the '72 stuff, buying another used tank and getting both the new used tank and my original panels painted.

For the first option, I am wondering how the newer panels are fitted. Are any of the brackets with the pointy tabs that fit through the grommets in the panels interchangeable with 1970, and if so, what do they look like? I would also have to move the ignition switch if I use the newer parts. How does that mount, and are brackets available? I can probably make up some of this stuff, but I would like it to look relatively "Norton-ish" (and I would like to still be able to access my square oil tank). Are there any photos out there of the brackets (both sides) for the 1972 parts? Also tank mounting (mine had a big rubber band at the rear).

Thanks

I'm thinking the different battery tray which on ours mounts the lower panel holes is somehow different on the 71, but maybe someone can really answer your question.

What are you doing to get away from the avgas?

Are you willing to share your number, mine is 132031.

Dave
69S

Fitting '72 panels on a pre '70 bike is an issue. Post '71 (ish?) the RH sidepanel bolts to the oil tank, which is very different to the early centrally mounted ham-can type, and the LH panel did away with the ignition lock mount, which went to the battery tray.

So........ to use the later panels you'd need the later battery box, oil tank & hoses :roll:

The steel tank should go straight on though! :wink:

Another consideration: the 'S' pipes run close to the sidepanel, and if you want to re-fit them the later side panels stick out further, reducing the clearance to the pipes - a challenge I'm currently facing with my PR build (using Fastback stuff may work, but I haven't tried it yet)

Steel Roadster tanks are fetching big money these days. :cry:

B+Bogus said:

the LH panel did away with the ignition lock mount, which went to the battery tray.

Click to expand...

I take it you mean the mounting for the L/H panel and not the ignition switch mount bracket, fixed to the air filter backplate?

B+Bogus said:

So........ to use the later panels you'd need the later battery box, oil tank & hoses :roll:

Click to expand...

Also the air filter backplate, as the "S" (and '70 Roadster) backplate is the front wall of the central oil tank.

Mine is 134059. I think Dave added me to his list some time ago.

Relative to the Av-gas, I am assuming that once I replace my fiberglass tank I will be OK with crappy modern premium fuel and some lead substitute additives? There is a central Ohio classic bike meet in August that I would like to go to, but its about 90 miles away which is clearly over round trip range. I suppose I could find some airports along the way or carry a few gallons, but I'd really like to refuel at a gas station again.

The 72-73 tank and side panels I purchased a couple years back are too nice to separate-- that is, I doubt I could repaint my panels to match the tank anyway, and I certainly don't want to paint over the tank to match my panels. So I'll probably sell the tank and panel set, or take a steel tank in need of paint as partial trade for the set. Anybody interested? I'll post a couple pictures. Its great paint if you like burgundy.

Ted

You're right, I just didn't have your whole name for some reason.

I think you will find that if you use premium gas not from Sheets or WaWa, but a name brand, you will most likely be good to go. I wouldn't worry about the additives, but yes the avgas can become addictive.

Thanks,
Dave

Do any of the Octane boosters work ? Tululene was used , toxic but effective . If youre running 28 deg. ign. shouldnt be a bother , but 31 likely would .
If it pinked excessively , you would have to pull the ignition timeing back - or suffer lowered compresion from holed pistons . :x

might be worth carrying some harder spark pplugs ? at least not broad heat range el cheapos . Maybe NDs . :shock:

Ted,

Fabricating a custom set of sidecover mounts will cost a lot less than your current "Plan B". The only drawback will be possibility of criticism from rivet counting concours judges and purists.

I would be thinking about painting my early side covers to match the newer tank, or maybe just black for contrasting combination.

Russ