I just got this 66 Norton Atlas last night. It has some kind of frame, a feather bed..or down frame, or slim line wing frame, I'm sorry, I don't really know much about it. Anyway I was in the garage and I was cutting the neck on it to chop it out and I think I messed it up. Is anyone out there better at welding than I am? I really hate to think that I cut this thing and can't finish stretching and raking it. Thanks!

I hope this is a joke, but.... I'll be the first to chime in on this. Whattttttttttttttttt!!!!! Stretching and raking. A few things, pictures are better than words. Your location is helpful. If you will do a search of posts you will find the general concensus is against chopping frames. We are not purists by any means, but several botched choppers have been saved here. I myself have resurectiod one.

bwolfie wrote:OK, I'll be the first to chime in on this. Whattttttttttttttttt!!!!! Stretching and raking.

I came back 3 times to read this over again, couldn't think anything but; TROLLING .....knew someone would bite ...... God I pray this is a joke!

With new Repop frames going for $2500 to $3500 WHY ruin an original?

I am hoping it's a joke. If not it's going to be a long ride!

Wow, congratulations on your new purchase - should make a sweet chopper. Don't worry if you can't get a good weld on the frame. An old trick that I've seen is to weld some solid bar along side the downtube and run a good weld along with an arc welder. Then cover it with bondo and mold it nicely, should come up pretty good. Another problem you might encounter is fitting your custom tank over the twin top tubes on the featherbed frame. Are you using a coffin tank or a mustang style? You might want to try chopping out the two tubes and replace it wth one - a piece of 2" steam pipe would probably do the job. All the best with it. Looking forward to seeing some photos real soon.

Do I really have to bondo it? I was thinking of wrapping them in duct tape and spray painting it. Of course I am kidding. I would never cut up a beautiful Norton slimline feather bed frame. What do you think I am? A Harley rider or something? My name is Michael and I live in Marion NC (Asheville). I picked up an original 1966 Norton Atlas last night. She only set me back $800 so I figure I did ok. However I have been riding Triumphs for about 17 years now. I have had a 67 Daytona, a 96 Adventurer, a 95 Speed Triple, a 97 Speed Triple, a 03 Speedmaster, and even a 73 BSA. However I have NEVER owned a Norton. My buddy turned me onto this site when he picked up his Commando the other day. We have both been die hard Triumph riders for years and have now been biten by the Norton bug. His Commando (71) is in pieces, and my Atlas (66) is barn fresh. Any advice or tips for us would be greatly appreciated. Since we are both married and in our "ah hem" late thirties, we are seriously committed to making these bike run, and run well. So any links, sources, advice, etc, would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for installing terror in a few hearts here, but at least I know now that the board has a since of humor.

Well after that opening statment you will fit right in. There is a wealth of information here. Watch out, 1 Norton is not enough.

Tell me about it. lol I already have my eye on another 850 Commando basket case. I am trying to talk myself out of it and that I only need project at a time. lol I just sold my 78 BMW R100/7 Cafe this evening so I could get some money for the restoration.

Nice choice on the bike I'm in my late thirties too, and planning on doing much the same as you. I'm in a slightly different position, but will be posting up as I progress. Pics are a must!!!

A picture is worth a thousand words!

For another $ 800 you could probly get youre mate down the pub and gett him so pissed , that when ? he sobers up ,
he doesnt realise youve dropped his Commando engine in youre Atlas. Theres a few other bits'l fit too .

Youll save a lot of money , if you do it this way .

LOL but I may just lose a friend. Then who would I ride with? So a Commando engine will fit in it? Is that a superior engine? I know people put Triumph engines in them, but I am not sure I want to do that. What other bits will transfer over? Everything is original, however I do want to do a cafe on it. (Dont worry, not going to cut the fenders) but I am looking at replacing them. It also has all the original glass/Lucas wiring. I was thinking about trashing it and rewiring the whole bike lights and all. Any advice, approx price, or suggestions. The engine is locked too, and I believe I am going to do that myself, so any advice on that end would be greatly appreciated as well.

britbikemike wrote:LOL but I may just lose a friend. Then who would I ride with? So a Commando engine will fit in it? Is that a superior engine? I know people put Triumph engines in them, but I am not sure I want to do that. What other bits will transfer over? Everything is original, however I do want to do a cafe on it. (Dont worry, not going to cut the fenders) but I am looking at replacing them. It also has all the original glass/Lucas wiring. I was thinking about trashing it and rewiring the whole bike lights and all. Any advice, approx price, or suggestions. The engine is locked too, and I believe I am going to do that myself, so any advice on that end would be greatly appreciated as well.

You can put just about any engine in there you like, for my next one Id like a vincent 1000.

There is only minor differences [improvements] between an Atlas and 750 Commandos if you have a matching numbers bike best it stays that way.

Caferider wrote:You can put just about any engine in there you like, for my next one Id like a vincent 1000.

You and me both, brother...