Hello, just in the last months of 2011 i purchased a 1971 Commando a US import to New Zealand not sure what model it was when new, So the problem is I cant make sense of the engine,frame,gearbox numbers. The numbers all match (# 146666) but it has the older style yokes and this matches the early frame ?. Problem is just about all 71s I have scene in photos seem to have later style yokes. I don't want to start the restoration till I can ID the bike correctly. Thanks.

Welcome kiwi46

kiwi46 wrote:The numbers all match (# 146666) but it has the older style yokes and this matches the early frame ?. Problem is just about all 71s I have scene in photos seem to have later style yokes.

Yes, a 1971 model would normally have had the later yokes with the stem as part of the upper yoke assembly. This change was supposed to have occurred at serial number 141783.
http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Norton% ... &Plate=011

If you decide to look for another set of yokes then you need a matched pair suitable for a 750 frame. Fitting 850 yokes (marked "ANG" on the underside) to a 750 frame will alter steering geometry.

post a photo, there are a number of changes between 70 and 71, where are you based?
Al

Hi thanks for the replies guys, I'm in Invercargill, Thats in the mainland of New Zealand , I will post photos of the bike asap, but have just found this minute I have lost all the photos of the post strip down photos of the bike and piece by piece photos as I disassembled the bike and I'm not happy with myself, I put alot on having the shots I took to help with the build of the bike. Bugger.

Sugest you join NZ norton owners club we have several members in Invercargill, I'm in sh-shakey Christchurch.

Hi here are some pictures, enjoy.

Yoke Number


Yoke style


Gearbox Number


ID Tag (1)


ID Tag (2)


Frame Type


Engine Number

Looks like series one lower tripleclamp,
the ' Dominator ' headlamp clamp type .

Someone here will I.D. it through the lower frame brace / centerstand mount , though .
Cant see the breather on your cases , l.h. cam end . Could be the rear ' Mag ' position
Ignition system/ Tacho drive on timing cover type ? ? ?
Probably wrong on all counts , looks like the second series cases .
Looks nice and straight .

Is it a Fastback , ' S ' , Roadster or Wot ??

kiwi46 wrote:ID Tag (2)

The frame appears to be the '69-'70 type with the bracing tube below the gearbox and centre stand mounting lugs-which might explain why the yokes are 'pre-'71.

http://www.nortonproject.org/1969.htm

The lower yoke part appears to be the 69/70 type, not sure about the upper one. I can't see if you have the tapped holes in the upper one for mounting the halo headlamp holder though. Here's mine.



The frame is for sure 69/70 with that centre stand arrangement.

Dave
69S

Numbers Date as 71 but frame and forks apear to be 69-70 what oil tank? rear guard? headlight mounts? also 71 and later had alloy levers and switch blocks, Pre 71 had steel levers etc.
Al

kiwi46 wrote:Hi thanks for the replies guys, I'm in Invercargill, Thats in the mainland of New Zealand ,

Real Mainlanders don't drink DB

72Combat wrote:

kiwi46 wrote:Hi thanks for the replies guys, I'm in Invercargill, Thats in the mainland of New Zealand ,

Real Mainlanders don't drink DB

Or is that pretend mainlanders drink lion red?

My 71 (also april) and 103 bikes before the numbers above has the newer frame without the bottom brace

AH , but if they stacked all the frames in the frame shed , the last ones out would be the Oldest , if it didnt have a Back door

Here are some more pictures of the 71? .

Engine L/H side


Handle bars


Rear guard


Front end


Yokes

Theres a few drwbacks and limitations to doing a ' back to stock ' Resto . Like looseing those brakes !

Quite a few ' rat ' bikes are years of development and refinement by someone in touch with its limitartions ,
and a fairly logical set of priorities . Checking it over for a freshen up might be a less expensive and more
prctical option .At least dont right off the guys endevours as worthless , its obviously been done to be riden .

Strip & clean of the running gear , checking it FIRST ( The Swing Arm Pin comes to mind ! ) and budgeting
the build would be the go , if you want it on the road for next summer . Of course some people prefer pulling
things to bits to rideing them . If theres the Norton Crowd down there , it might pay to get a few observers in .