1969 Fastback Rebuild

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: 1968 Fastback Rebuild

The brochures on that site are not both from 1969. The "2's company, 3's the fantastic new commando 750 by Norton" was the 1968 brochure introducing the Commando and the "For those that don't own a Norton Commando" brochure was the 1969 Fastback brochure.
 
Re: 1968 Fastback Rebuild

maximini said:
The brochures on that site are not both from 1969. The "2's company, 3's the fantastic new commando 750 by Norton" was the 1968 brochure introducing the Commando and the "For those that don't own a Norton Commando" brochure was the 1969 Fastback brochure.
Click to expand...

You guys are on it. At this point the evidence is pointing to VERY EARLY '69.

1299XX serial number.
Chrome Fork Tops
Unpainted Stays and Barrels
No indent for the badges on the tank or tail
Not a Widowmaker frame and Matching numbers

This bike matches up EXACTLY to the one in the "For those that don't own a Norton" ad. Thanks for your help guys. Good stuff!
 
If 126125 is Feb 68 and 131180 is Mar 69, that's 5055 bikes in 13 months = 389 bikes/month (maybe). If they produced them linearly, that would put 1299xx between Nov and Dec 68. But then things are never linear. I guess you didn't get the ID plate with it? It really doesn't matter, you got a nice bike to work on.

Dave
69S
 
Ron,
regarding the frame...this is the fastback project we just got last November. It had one of the frames that the others were warning you about. The coil support tube/bracket was completely missing and somebody did a "repair" on the main stem tube...cause it was REALLY cracked bad....Scary stuff
1969 Fastback Rebuild


We wanted to use the stock front end and the original rear loop. So we found a 1972 frame with a bad loop (was free). We cut the loop off the fastback and welded it to the 72 frame. then had the stearing stem modified to accept the early style triple clamps.

It all came out really nice...I should start another thread for this project also.
 
Joe,
Let me correct a statement I made early on in this thread about the longer 71 and up stays/fenders interfering with the exhaust. That only happens with the 'S' pipes because the right hand exhaust pipe curves way out around the front of the frame. If you use the Roadster style pipes, it's not an issue.

Surprised someone didn't catch that, but it's not commonly known.

Check out maximini's thread, you have something to work for there.

Dave
69S
 
Joe - What are your plans for the fastback? Are you planning a faithful restoration, rebuild to a certain spec or purpose or something else?
 
I have a very reliable and sorted '74. Love that bike. Problem is I keep messing and fiddling with it which takes me off the road for week(s). I hope to really enjoy taking my time with this one. Enjoy the process of fettering, fixing and cleaning and at the end come out with a great daily rider that's well sorted, fun to ride and looks like a million bucks.

I would like her to look as close to original as possible, however i already know i will be doing some modern upgrades to make it reliable (Mikuni, Sparks 3, MKIII Iso's, Boyer etc.).

Once she's apart we'll get some powder coating, Re-chroming, Paint and start putting her back together one quarter turn of a wrench at a time. For me the fun will be in the pursuit. Not the finished project although that will be a great day as well.
 
jsouthard said:
.... putting her back together one quarter turn of a wrench at a time. For me the fun will be in the pursuit. Not the finished project although that will be a great day as well.
Click to expand...

Hey, I must have rebuilt each assembly at least 3 times, much less a quarter turn at a time before I was happy with it. It's really fun seeing it go together.

Dave
69S
 
Motoalchemist wrote:
We wanted to use the stock front end and the original rear loop. So we found a 1972 frame with a bad loop (was free). We cut the loop off the fastback and welded it to the 72 frame. then had the stearing stem modified to accept the early style triple clamps.
Click to expand...

What modification was needed to fit the early triple clamps in a '72 frame? I would have thought they would dropped right in? Was it because you used the sealed ball bearings from the '72 frame rather than the ball and races or tapered rollers?

So your project bike has the widow-maker frame but a smooth tank and badged tail-section? That's unusual. I guess the tank could have been replaced or the recesses could have been filled.
 
Made some progress today. Started the tear down.

1969 Fastback Rebuild


Filled up my oil pan so i couldn't open up the primary. I hate emptying the oil pan at the auto parts store. Don't know why. Just do.

1969 Fastback Rebuild


Think i can bring these back to life?

1969 Fastback Rebuild


1969 Fastback Rebuild


]
 
I think that is one of the best shape early bikes I have seen, much better than mine was. Has it been worked on before? Replace the tubes, some have issues with fit of the bushings on the tubes, I was lucky. Silencers can be re-chromed, but if you can find replacements it may be more reasonable, and you don't know the insides. Most chromers won't deal with a lot of internal rust.

Dave
69S
 
I want to steal those headlight ears.. :D

I'm looking forward to seeing some more progress on this one!

-Jordan
 
Made some progress today. So far no real revelations or problems. Everything is moving along smoothly and almost everything has been in great shape.

Finally pulled the Primary, Head and Barrels (took the picture before the barrels were removed). Should be able to make a little more progress tomorrow but by the end of next weekend she should be completely stripped down.

1969 Fastback Rebuild


1969 Fastback Rebuild


1969 Fastback Rebuild
 
Here's one for you guys...

Bringing the black bits to get prepped for powder coating today. I noticed a small divot in the right bar near the headstock. Should i be concerned about this? Need to have a weld added to support it?

1969 Fastback Rebuild


1969 Fastback Rebuild
 
It's hard to tell from the pictures how deep it is. I had two dings a little further down on the down tube that were small on one of my frames. My body guy leaded them after the frame was blasted and then the frame was powder coated. I was a little concerned about using the lead and whether it or the flux would be an issue after it was coated, but he said he had been doing it this way for years for small dings. The powder coating still looks great three years later.
 
I've seen other early bikes with dings there. For the life of me, I can't figure out how the lower tree can get in that position to make those dings without breaking something. Mine had a couple down where the tubes start bending back, like someone drove it over a big curb and hit. They weren't bad so I didn't do anything about them, you can't see them unless you get down on the floor. I'd be prone to fill it somehow up by the headstock with lead or brazing.

Dave
69S
 
Thanks guys. Will do.

Other updates....

Brought the engine to Brazil Bill at tbmperformance.com . After breaking her down we found a broken lifter which had caused some pretty bad wear to the cam. He will be rebuilding the head with new valves and mushroom tappets, Bottom end will require the new cam, new pistons, rings, lifters and a balancing of the crank. The timing side, including the original oil pump look to be a good condition.

Once he finishes with the top and bottom end and i get the parts back from chroming and powder coating we will start the rebuild!

110 degrees here in Tennessee today so there will be no work or riding. Lucking had a 5 hour voyage yesterday with the Nashville Ton-Up club on the 74 roadster that covered 230 miles of great roads throughout middle Tennessee (with ace bars...). She rode great, and on the way home pushed her over 100 mph on the highway!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top