What's with my crooked Norton?!

Pete, on this bike the items that matter, seat, tank, bars and front forks are all on the same centre line as the wheels . The frame top spine actually worked out better for building to be shifted a bit to the right of centre in order to line up with the head bracket assembly, so that is where it sits. It is parallel to the wheel centreline but not on it. I could have also built it with the top spine out of parallel with the wheel centreline, but that would only be added complication for no gain.
In any case, the offset frame spine is all accounted for.
As long as the engine crankshaft is at 90 to the wheel line and centred on it, pretty much anything goes with the frame.
I had to get my head wrapped around this as it seemed wrong at first. When I started looking at and measuring an original Vincent it really made me rethink things. Phil Irving has a way of doing that to you!

With the Commando though, you can't go wrong getting the wheel centre line on the frame centre line, that is how they were intended to be.
Glen

Glen,

I would have to say your build is entirely different than a standard Commando. "Standard" in this case meaning steering center and frame backbone on same center line. I still think we are in agreement with center line of wheels, steering and 90 degrees axles are the key to a true running bike. Just so happens the Norton backbone is on that same line so it something that is easy to measure against without total dis-assembly, a granite block and a whole lot of measuring tools. Like I said earlier it's a down and dirty way to check wheels and rim offset. I image you had to come up with some interesting ways to check your frame dimensions.

Sorry Neilsen I think I may have taken your thread off track a little.

Pete

hobot said:

Yup only thing owner can do is tweak on spokes for wheel centering [unless shifting cradle for wider tire].

Click to expand...

shifting cradle?

A few racers like Ken Canaga shifted cradle/power unit ~14" to LH so chain cleared a wider tire - so another example of asymmetry w/o handling upset, nay improved traction and times. My hick approach to next Peel was starting with drive chain sprockets in line first - then made hub and axles spacers so hub and disc rotor lined up then spoked rim in line with front tire and spine. I hung Peel's bones from shed rafters till spine vertical with tranny mounted then used chain as its on plumb lline to build to suit.