1968 frame

VicG · Sunday at 10:17 AM

Hi, I bought a '68 750 fastback with a replaced engine: The points are on the inside of the case facing the middle. The tach and speedo cables come out of the casing to the headlight. There's no "Norton" symbol on the casing either. Everything else fits perfectly. I'd really appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks, VicG

kommando · Sunday at 10:48 AM

By casing do you mean Timing case ?

Details on timing case changes over the years.

Atlantic Green Technical Services - Norton, BSA, Lotus, Ducati, Drouin, Dunstall, Agts, Rita, British Motorcycles

VicG · Sunday at 1:56 PM

Yes, timing case on right side

kommando · Monday at 3:16 AM

Earls Court show bike

Points behind barrel, no Norton cast into timing cover.

VicG · 2026-08-08T11:04:46-0600

No Norton cast? What year engine what that cover? Thanks

kommando · 2026-08-08T11:13:32-0600

1967 earls court show, it's effectively a prototype and there were changes before final production but the Atlas engine which became the Commando engine tilted forward with some other changes did not have the Norton cast into the timing cover either, just a small badge unless it went into a Matchless and then no badge. So without any more info, a guess would be you have an Atlas engine or a Commando engine with an Atlas timing cover.

So do you have this small plate with Norton or two holes showing it was there at some point.

VicG · 2026-08-08T11:17:58-0600

Possible Atlas? I'm about to do the Boyer ignition. There's no sign of any holes on the cover Thanks

kommando · 2026-08-08T12:50:13-0600

All guesswork, until you post pics we don't know, but from past experience in the 80's when spares were in short supply desperate and/or novel solutions were found to keep bikes on the road for as few £ as possible. Just post the full engine number with X's instead of a few of the numbers and that would move things on.

VicG · 2026-08-08T14:10:00-0600

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention this is a 1968 Norton Villiers.

VicG · 2026-08-08T15:52:16-0600

I also got lucky and came up with the engine number: 20M3/126358. Is there any chance this is an Atlas? Thanks again

hybridracer · 2026-08-08T16:45:55-0600

20M3/126358 is a Commando engine from 1968

possm · 2026-08-08T16:49:08-0600

"20M3/126358. Is there any chance this is an Atlas?"
No 20M3/ is early Commando with points mounted where a magneto would go, 20M3S has points in the timing cover.
An Atlas timing cover is different to a 20M3 cover, I believe the gallery for the pressure release is different.

VicG · 2026-08-08T18:48:50-0600

You saved me some work. Commando it is.

1968 frame

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