Securing battery

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Neil NICOLAO

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Does any one have a better way of securing the battery on a 72 Commando other than the standard set up?
 
Neil NICOLAO said:
Does any one have a better way of securing the battery on a 72 Commando other than the standard set up?
Click to expand...

Two long zip ties (11 inch) hooked together!!
 
Or you could try what I did with pieces of angle and threaded rod using the original lower metal clips from the rubber strap, welded into the slotted studs. Some other pieces of angle to retain the battery sideways, at the base and one hooked over the raised area between the filler caps to stop the assy sliding off. See if these pics show OK.......
http://www.photoworks.com/servlet/GetTh ... =&svr=web9
http://www.photoworks.com/servlet/GetTh ... =&svr=web9
http://www.photoworks.com/servlet/GetTh ... =&svr=web9
 
I finally did away with the stock hold downs completely after losing and replacing straps in that hokey setup for 36 years. I used a very thick rubber battery strap for an older Harley model (eBay $4) and made my own ends for it out of aluminum flat stock. I drilled and tapped the end pieces for two screws each which fasten to the stiff wire formed ends on the Harley strap. The other ends of each aluminum end piece have screw heads sticking up slightly with 2 jam nuts. The screw heads fit into the holes in the battery box where the original straps hooked in.

The Harley strap goes across the entire top of the battery along the axis of the bike and really holds it down well. Worked great for me all summer and not viisble to the correctness police. I can easily replace the strap itself (which is not modified in any way) some day if I have to.
 
Gee, that device makes me feel like a wimp. I just made an alloy piece that holds down a Velcro strap like you use to tie skis together. With a bit of rubber under it or vibration it is pretty simple.
 
Neil NICOLAO said:
Does any one have a better way of securing the battery on a 72 Commando other than the standard set up?
Click to expand...

For years I used a big rubber band cut out of an old inner tube, secured with hooks made from coat hanger wire. Not pretty, but it worked real well.
 
I use the stock cross bar (or make one) and drill the slots to accept a wheel spoke. I have a can of old spokes with right angle hub ends (Triumph I believe) that fit nicely into the holes for the original rubber straps. Cut these to length and roll new threads. Use the nipple to hold it down.

Cheap and it works! Two of my favorite things. :lol:

It's also a good way to recycle those chrome chopper 16" Hog wheel spokes that seem to be on every project bike. :roll:
 
I used the same setup as Ron - works like a champ! The spoke ends fit nicely in the battery box holes, and the slot on the nipples lock onto the stock metal angle, preventing them from vibrating loose.
 
Keith, I can't see any of the photos.

Kommando, do you know what that Norvil piece sells for? It looks interesting.
 
This is the only picture I can find of the battery hold down, taken just after I installed the battery:

Securing battery


If you look carefully, you can see the spoke and nipple holding the factory bar at the back. Spoke fits into the mounting hole for the stock strap.
 
I use a couple of long skinny o-rings - just hook them over the tabs on the tray and loop them over a piece of aluminum angle that sits on the bat like the stock bar. Filed notches for the ring to sit in on the bar. I replace the rings every couple of years. Cheap, light and easy.

You can see one of the o-rings on the right in the pic below.


Securing battery
 
Thanks for the part price Keith but the photos still say temporarily unavailable. That Norvil piece is high priced.
 
I use a velcro strap. This topic brings out the creative side of Norton ownership! :wink:

Fastback: I am still using your link page to get to this site because I have always liked to see your fastback transformation. I wish that I liked Italian scooters as much :wink:

Mike
1970 Fastback 750
 
That Norvil price is a lot, hence the comment about reverse engineering, from memory it is £20+ which for a few bent pieces of rod plus 2 spring tubes is a bit much.
 
By the way I started using Velcro for a lot more stuff when a guy who worked at NASA with my nephew told me they used it to hold electronic packages in satellites.
I have the amp in my BMW M Roadster mounted with Velcro and it works fine. I've now used it in several of my motorcycles.
 
The spoke idea is a great one, no need for any welding of fixings like I did. Apologies for the non pics lets try Photobucket.........
Securing battery

Securing battery

Securing battery
 
kommando said:
this is available from norvil but could be reverse engineered

http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/848484SS.htm
Click to expand...

I seem to like complicated looking devices so I'm really drawn to that Norvil piece. Too bad I don't know where to find one in Canada or the US. It looks kind of cool but I bet it's pricey if had to be obtained from the UK.

I think 1 British Pound is equal to $100 Canadian dollars. :(
 
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