Why did Norton put the oil filer cap under the seat on the Commando?

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The same reason manufacturers put screws in master cylinder caps, rather than twist off.
 
Nah, nobody will remember Nortons in 50 years; they will probably be talking about whether Tom Brady will win the 2071 Super Bowl! :D
 
Well they're a fresh wind 50 years after their inception and more folks clamoring all the time, so there's a good chance the old farts to come may recall them and interest a few youths with tales of dragons.
 
"Why did Norton put the oil filer cap under the seat on the Commando?"

Can't believe no one has mentioned this yet:
The cap was placed there to keep the blessed oil from spilling out all over the place!
;-)
 
I think Time Warp nailed it with Post #17, but it is more fun to continue with the facetious speculations ....

Because Norton ran out of all other places on the bike?
Because the tool kit storage place on the Atlas/Dommies was the least used and least necessary space on the bike, and thus eliminated on the next version?

Slick
 
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The horn takes the heat away from all other shortcomings on my list.... I still recall my WTF moment when first I discovered the location, and I've never forgiven the joke.
 
On my ‘07 Griso there is a dipstick on side of bike , manual say ,oil level must be checked with bike perfectly level .... no centre stand available ,so I guess some try to hold bike level with one hand on bars and somehow get dipstick out , wipe insert then remove and have a look all while balancing 530lbs with one hand while crouching .... I have never tried , first time check had Griso in wheel chock , got the oil where it should be , took bike out of chock put on side stand and had a look at dipstick , carved a full mark into with jack knife good to go , too bad that wasn’t done by factory .....
 
Craig said:
On my ‘07 Griso there is a dipstick on side of bike , manual say ,oil level must be checked with bike perfectly level .... no centre stand available ,so I guess some try to hold bike level with one hand on bars and somehow get dipstick out , wipe insert then remove and have a look all while balancing 530lbs with one hand while crouching .... I have never tried , first time check had Griso in wheel chock , got the oil where it should be , took bike out of chock put on side stand and had a look at dipstick , carved a full mark into with jack knife good to go , too bad that wasn’t done by factory .....
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Sound like the same difficulty level as trying to see the oil level on my modern Bonneville through the site glass. You must have bike dead level and then some how hold it there while getting donw on knees and head down to get eyes to site glass level. Usually a flash light is helpful to better see the oil level. I really appreciate dip sticks on older bikes! I'll take 'em wheres I find 'em!
 
jbruney said:
The horn takes the heat away from all other shortcomings on my list.... I still recall my WTF moment when first I discovered the location, and I've never forgiven the joke.
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Was chatting with a chap at coffee shop two days ago as he looked over my Commando. He incorrectly thought the horn in its burial ground location must. Be the electrical starter. I corrected him stating the whole bike is assembled around the structurally-integral horn unit. He didn't get the joke.
 
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I've often thought that it would be handy if manufactures indicated a point on bikes that is perfectly level when on a level floor so you can adjust your bikes stance as required for things like oil checking.
 
Cliff , on Ducati and Commando I assume when up on centre stand on level shed floor , etc. , good to check oil level , this does prove out on the ST3 as when I lay accurate level on fuel tank cap the bubble stays between the lines in all directions , I assume the Norton same , the Griso was just a pain in the arse until I thought it through and made my own mark on dipstick , actually guess I did similar on Norton dipstick as well , however that just our happy level to prevent me from over filling and making blue smoke ....
 
I used an 850T3 for a while. Checking the oil level was OK, actually pouring it in was another.... I 'moulded' a funnel against the left cylinder specially for the purpose.
 
My old GL 1000 has a tiny sight glass with a tiny internal wiper on the right side lower crankcase almost hidden from view, with #3 exhaust header partially blocking it, from which one can ascertain nothing as to the level of the oil within..... so don't complain too much about Norton brain farts of which I've yet to see one which could lead to meltdown like the GL.
 
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