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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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 Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 1:02 am Post subject: Centre Stand Spring Replacement |
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What is the BEST method of replacing the centre stand spring on a 1972 & on Commando 
I have edited this to read 1972 & on instead of 1971 & on.
Last edited by nortonfan on Thu Oct 28, 2004 3:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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norbsa48503
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 1034
Location: Flint, Michigan
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 4:42 am Post subject: |
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Even if the stand is new pull it off the bike for this mod. The hole in the cross bar needs to be built up. Find a piece of steel pipe that fits snug over the top of the cross bar. Cut a small section of the pipe that will cover half the tube. Pre-drill the spring hole through the new patch line up the hole weld on the patch. Fix the paint however you like.
Now hook the spring to both ends with the stand bolts still out. than pull back on the stand to line up the bolt holes. Best thing for a 71 stands center and side is to retrofit later model stands. I have done the ball bearing convertion to the mounting holes spelled out in the tech digest to brand new stands it works well. norbsa |
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debby
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 898
Location: Boulder, CO
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 7:05 am Post subject: |
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That brings up a question I have, what to do about the (lack of) sidestand on my 71. The original pop-off-while-riding stand was discarded by a PO years ago. I do have a 72+ stand that came with the bike but no way to mount it.
I asked at Isles Motorcycles, the denver brit shop, about having a bracket welded to the frame. He said that would make the frame break unless the tubing was cut apart and reinforced internally. That of course would require removing the engine etc. He said a clamp-on mount would also break the frame.
Was he being overly conservative or was he right on? It would be so convenient to have a side stand, e.g. when I need to park on a non-level surface and there's no wall nearby to lean the bike against.
Debby |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:12 am Post subject: |
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The bearing mod sounds like a good move. As this is may be the final commando I own, it would be a good idea.
But why the extra bit of tube over the cross bar ?
What does that achieve ? Do you have a photo of one you have done ?
I would like this 850 I am building to be the best commando it can be.
The CNW maroon bike "build 36b" really knocked my eyeballs out.
I am copying that bike.
The frame & other parts are off to the powder coaters this week. So I will delay until I do this bearing mod you have reminded me of.
I suppose I should really try & get one of the INOA tech digests before I start rebuilding it.
Thanks for the reminder norbsa. |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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Debby,
Some time back I gave you the contact of where to buy a new sidestand lug. I am sure you must be able to get one in the US.
I would not think that the frame tube has any reinforcing inside where the lug is welded on. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong here.
I recently "converted" a 1969 frame to 1971 -1974 type myself.
It was no big deal. Replaced the cross piece under the engine where the centre stand used to mount. Welded a new 1971 & on sidestand lug.
Drilled a coupla holes in the gearbox mount to use a later type centre stand & there you go, instant later model setup.
I also drilled the holes to mount the 1972 Oil Filter setup. The hardest thing about it all is accurately marking where the holes have to be. Also you need to get the "angle" x 2 right for the sidestand lug. I just "tacked" it in place, tried the sidestand with spring attached & voila !!
The other thing I had to change were the yoke stops as I have 1971 fork yokes. The pump lugs I left on, you never know, someone may want to change it back one day. Some other holes for wiring etc were a little different but nothing mattered there muchly.
That frame has since been powdercoated & ridden around, no problem.
Only nuts like us at the forum would know any difference.
Can u weld ? Just do it. You won't be looking for a wall anymore
If you are carefull, you may not have to take the engine out !!
Disconnect the battery etc. |
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debby
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 898
Location: Boulder, CO
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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Well, that confirms my opinion. I don't see any big deal about welding a new bracket to the frame. I'll just have to find someone willing and able to do it. Welding is not in my skill set!
I think Norvil or RGM sells the bracket, don't remember who now. If nothing else I can order one from England.
Debby |
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Ron L
Joined: 27 Feb 2004
Posts: 1147
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:46 am Post subject: |
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Debby,
If memory serves me correctly, the only difference in the actual side stand between the 1971 stand and the later ones is the 1971 did not have the "bump stop" that rests against the frame. The 1971 frame of course had the plate welded inside the frame tube and crossover tube with the pin (the one that always broke) welded through this junction.
A friend's '71 has this affliction and after looking at it, it seems reasonable that with the engine out you could drill/plasma torch the rest of the pin out and replace it with a new pin or even a grade 8 bolt. This might be easier than fabricating a new lug on the outside of the frame.
I have to admit, this is the reason I usually pass up a '71 baket case unless it's really cheap. |
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norbsa48503
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 1034
Location: Flint, Michigan
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 5:21 am Post subject: |
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| Reg, the spring will pull though the thin walled tubing very quickly if you ride it a lot. This doubes the depth of the hole preventive maintanace if you like. norbsa |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:23 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks norbsa, a valid point. Reg. |
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dynodave
Joined: 28 May 2003
Posts: 139
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:30 am Post subject: |
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Last edited by dynodave on Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:38 am Post subject: |
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Dyno dave, my belief has been that:
Some time during 1971 the frame changed to what you have just stated happened in 1972.
The yokes also changed to having the "allen heads" in the bottom yoke.
Check out the photo of the yellow SS in the "Wild Bunch" 1971 brochure.
This photo shows it quite clearly as do some of the others.
The extra "sidestand extension" is not there yet though. |
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debby
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 898
Location: Boulder, CO
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:20 am Post subject: Re: 71 sidestands |
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| dynodave wrote: | The 71 is a one year only frame.
It has a fixed pin that is inboard of the frame rail. IIRC the side stand is retained by a circlip.
The 72+ is an outboard bolt.
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yup, fixed pin on the frame with a circlip holding the stand in place. From what I'm told the circlip tended to pop off, resulting in the stand falling off while riding with potentially severe consequences. That's why the guy removed the stand from my bike and threw it away - he felt it was dangerous to ride with the stand fitted.
Plus the stand was extremely difficult to use anyway. I test rode another 71 before buying my bike. It had the stand fitted. It was shorter than the 72+ stand, didn't have the extension, and didn't have the bump stop. Basically impossible to operate by foot. I had to reach down with my hand and grope around by the hot exhaust pipe to grab the thing and flip it out. It's an incredibly poor design.
Debby |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:33 am Post subject: |
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Whatever year norton truly started putting the later type sidestand on, this is the one you should have Debby.
The cross piece under the engine needs to be moved forward to the "later" spot also as the sidestand "lug" is partly welded to it.
The idea being the crosspiece gives you extra support at the sidestand mounting point. You would have to pull your engine out to do this properly.
BUT, you could pull your primary off and weld around most of it for now. While the primary is off, you could weld the "later" sidestand lug on.
Clear as mud ? |
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dynodave
Joined: 28 May 2003
Posts: 139
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:27 am Post subject: |
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Last edited by dynodave on Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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The outboard type (as dynodave likes to call it) sidestand was released for the 1971 model.
Some had the earlier crappy type & some had the later type.
The ones with the crappy type, my guess is, where the factory just used up old stock.
Simply a fact, if you do some research/homework you will discover it for yourself.
It is a bit like the "discussion" people have over the "beehive" tail lights. They were put on the earlier 1973 850s before they only put the square shaped one on them.
Friendly discussion is welcome ! |
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Norton Commando Forum by Corporate Pages Web hosting using phpbb
The Unapproachable Norton Commando
At the end of 1967 the Norton Commando was announced.
The Norton Commando was greeted with a certain amount of scepticism because on first sight the commando appeared to comprise of the old Norton Dominator twin cylinder engine mounted at an inclined angle in a set of new cylinder parts.
It was not realized that the new Norton Commando Isolastic method of engine suspension damped out all engine vibration and produced a machine which had uncanny smoothness for a vertical twin. In due course the critics were silenced and the Norton Commando had the distinction of being regarded as the first of todays so called superbikes. There can be little doubt that the original design concept of the Norton Commando has proved correct, since comparatively few modifications of any real consequence have been made since production commenced during 1968.
Now nearly 40 years later Norton Commando riders like us are a breed of our own, and as far as we are concerned its still more fun to go for a blat on the old Norton Commando, and fast. As a Norton Commando owner and enthusiast, my goal here is to promote and give credit to those who keep the Norton name going.
It is more deserving to give credit to the Commando itself, for after all these years it continues to be respected. The original Commando designers like John Favill are those who deserve the credit for developing this incredible motorcycle.
The Norton Commando Roadster and Interstate of the late seventies, never died. Although the Norton Villiers factory dispersed the tradition lived on. Today Kenny Dreer in the USA is developing the new 952 CC Norton. What a great looking bike this is, and its engineering is still based on the original layout. It will be interesting to see how the new 952CC Norton does in todays tough motorcycle market. One thing is for sure, I would own one if I could afford it.
