Side panel options for Mk2.

Bonzo said:

...like shortening the timing side rear tank mounting stud that currently sits on the oil tank bracket

Click to expand...

Exact same thing happened on mine. As Shane suggested I packed my tank up a little but with the Interstate tank you do need to keep a close check at the front to keep bar clearance so a bit of a balance.

marshg246 said:

Probably mistaken but I think the MK2 and MK2A use different oil tank covers...

Click to expand...

As I'd already mentioned, they are different (part numbers) but are the same basic panel shape only that the Mk2A (LH & RH) Interstate panels have additional cutaways at the front to clear the plastic airbox intake 'horns'.


The 2A panel on Bonzo's Mk2.

marshg246 said:

...and maybe the MK2A and MK3 use the same oil tank covers.

Click to expand...

Yes, the same (steel 06-4136) oil tank cover panel.

KiwiShane said:

Does it need shortening....or more cushioning in the rear....do you have good absorption padding to take some weight off the front mounts...?

Click to expand...

I'm not sure to be honest. I didn't tighten anything down, just offered it in place.

I tried 5 then 4, then 3 of the rubber rings over the front studs, trying to get more clearance at the bars (with 5 rubbers there was contact on full lock). also 3 or 4 rubbers sets the tank at a better height in relation to the coils etc.

Like I say, not quite there yet as the tank needs flushing as its been standing a while by the look of it.

johnm said:

Exact same thing happened on mine. As Shane suggested I packed my tank up a little but with the Interstate tank you do need to keep a close check at the front to keep bar clearance so a bit of a balance.

Click to expand...

Yep, as above, there was contact.

also, the silver Mk2A panels don't look too bad and fit really well, but I think I'd miss the convenience of the tool slot, and so with that in mind, I just ordered a set of these (currently 20% off - so coming in at £57.59)...


My thinking behind this is to try them out and see if they fit/look ok. If they do, I'd rather get these painted up in black as I feel a bit bad about adapting and repainting the originals. I'll move them on if the new ones fit so somebody can make use of the originals which may look better on an unrestored bike.

If the new ones are crap, I have a 30 day return option, so I'll go back to the originals.

I'll keep you posted how they fare.

Bonzo said:

also, the silver Mk2A panels don't look too bad and fit really well, but I think I'd miss the convenience of the tool slot, and so with that in mind, I just ordered a set of these (currently 20% off - so coming in at £57.59)...

SET NORTON COMMANDO INTERSTATE TOOLBOX & OIL TANK SIDE PANEL MADE IN STEEL | eBay

This high quality steel Toolbox and Oil Tank Side Panels Set is made in our dedicated production facility and quality checked prior to dispatch from our UK warehouse in Birmingham. Models: Commando Interstate.

www.ebay.co.uk

My thinking behind this is to try them out and see if they fit/look ok. If they do, I'd rather get these painted up in black as I feel a bit bad about adapting and repainting the originals. I'll move them on if the new ones fit so somebody can make use of the originals which may look better on an unrestored bike.

If the new ones are crap, I have a 30 day return option, so I'll go back to the originals.

I'll keep you posted how they fare.

Click to expand...

Those are Indian Bulldog branded covers, so the two top mounting holes will need repositioning on the oil tank side, you may be ok on the other side.

A number of years ago I replaced the ugly plastic airbox on my Mark IIA Interstate with the earlier style ham can version. To do this conversion I needed to make a bracket to support the left hand side panel. Also the ignition switch was mounted higher than the Mark IIA version, so I had to open up the ignition switch cutout in my side panel so it could fit. Fortunately, my side panel is made of fiberglass so this modification was fairly easy. If memory serves, I had to remove about 3/8 inch of material so that the panel would fit around the ignition switch.

The right hand side panel being made of fiberglass is thicker than steel and interfered with the top rear corner of the oil tank forcing the side panel to rub on the frame tube. I fixed that problem by reshaping the upper rear corner of the oil tank using a body hammer and then paint to match.

I later bought a pair of aftermarket steel side panels mainly because I liked having a tool tray in the left hand panel. Not surprisingly they needed a little work to make them fit. On the left hand panel I shifted the rear mounting holes about 1/4 inch. The tool tray itself shoved the front edge too far forward, so I had to shorten the tool tray a little bit. But at least the ignition switch cutout was in the right position. Also surprisingly, the right hand panel has the cutout for the plastic airbox, but the left hand one does not. After fitting these side panels so many years ago, I have yet to get them painted and installed on my bike.

I made a custom battery tray for my bike and made it so I could mount either the Mark IIA side panel or the earlier side panels by simply changing the side panel mounting bracket.

I happen to like the fiberglass side panels over the steel because they are quite a bit lighter weight. The only problem I had with the fiberglass side panel is that I have a bit of cracking in the gel coat on the top inside corner. It doesn't hurt it structurally, it just isn't attractive.

I also like the way that the left hand Mark IIA side panel is mounted. It's very easy to remove and replace by using just a coin as your tool.


Peter Firkins

Very helpful thread. I am still looking for OEM steel Interstate side covers for a MK2, non-black airbox, no Dzus. I did purchase a pair of steel covers from a vendor and the right side fit nicely after bending the pair of holes into the same plane so the bolts went through cleanly. The left side however required scalloping away a circular portion of the tool tray - very surprised I had to do this because this looks a lot like every other panel with a tool tray looks. I have a 4130 tube I can halve that I will silver braze to fill the scallop and clean up with a Dynafile. The arm to the slotted capture piece required a bit of bending but all fits together now and the Z plate orientation is good.

Jdub said:

Very helpful thread. I am still looking for OEM steel Interstate side covers for a MK2, non-black airbox, no Dzus. I did purchase a pair of steel covers from a vendor and the right side fit nicely after bending the pair of holes into the same plane so the bolts went through cleanly. The left side however required scalloping away a circular portion of the tool tray - very surprised I had to do this because this looks a lot like every other panel with a tool tray looks. I have a 4130 tube I can halve that I will silver braze to fill the scallop and clean up with a Dynafile. The arm to the slotted capture piece required a bit of bending but all fits together now and the Z plate orientation is good.

View attachment 111031

Click to expand...

The top of that tool tray comes up much higher than my RGM steel cover.

johnm said:

The top of that tool tray comes up much higher than my RGM steel cover.

Click to expand...

Jdub said:

Very helpful thread. I am still looking for OEM steel Interstate side covers for a MK2, non-black airbox, no Dzus. I did purchase a pair of steel covers from a vendor and the right side fit nicely after bending the pair of holes into the same plane so the bolts went through cleanly. The left side however required scalloping away a circular portion of the tool tray - very surprised I had to do this because this looks a lot like every other panel with a tool tray looks. I have a 4130 tube I can halve that I will silver braze to fill the scallop and clean up with a Dynafile. The arm to the slotted capture piece required a bit of bending but all fits together now and the Z plate orientation is good.

View attachment 111031

Click to expand...

Please enlighten me as to what is a 4130 tube
Thanks,
Mike

4130 steel is a high tensile grade of steel that contains chromium and molybdenum, and as a result, this grade is often referred to as Chromoly steel, chrome-moly, CrMo, CRMO, CR-MOLY.

4130 contains an excellent strength to weight ratio and is considerably stronger and harder than standard carbon steels.

It's a remnant of a 60cm Track bicycle downtube - Columbus. I no longer have access to framebuilding tools but I know some who do for a pizza.

A lot of cyclists are really into motorcycles but the subset of framebuilders who cycle always seem to be into classic motorcycles. My first Commando was purchased from one of several bikes in the owner's side shop to his cycle fab operation.

John: That RGM has a nice clean fold that anticipates the 45' tube from what I can see. This item I own is from India I am certain. Right side unknown but both thick steel stock for both.