1970 Oil reservoir question

Hi gang,

something has been mystifying me for years but I was reluctant to bring it up as I didn't want to appear stupid by not knowing everything about my Norton as I have been upgrading pieces when I can afford it.

My question is regards to my oil reservoir.

My Norton is registered as a 1970. It is a Fastback and has the 19" Akront wheels and the up swept exhaust pipes.

It also has the provisions for both center stands. I use the one with the engine cradle. Seems sturdier. But that's not how I bought it. It had the frame mounted center stand.

The engine has the 20M3S stamped into it and also has the serial number 135524 stamped into it. 135524 also appears on the frame and transmission. The head is stamped RH6S.

Everywhere I have read the Norton Commandos have side panels. One on each side. But my right side is the oil tank. There is no cover and I see no provisions for one.

Is this common to a specific Norton Commando? I thought all were basically the same bike with the body work being different and that all parts were interchangeable.

Hm, only Norton twin i know that had oil tank on RH w/o a cover was the P11's issued in '67 & '68. If it looks and works good I've leave in to confuse others.

sole survivor said:

Everywhere I have read the Norton Commandos have side panels. One on each side. But my right side is the oil tank. There is no cover and I see no provisions for one.

Is this common to a specific Norton Commando? I thought all were basically the same bike with the body work being different and that all parts were interchangeable.

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The early Fastback (and '69 750R) oil tank had no cover, and that style of oil tank was not used on any other Commando models. Later Fastbacks had the usual "triangular" shape oil tank with cover.

jsouthard said:

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sole survivor said:

The head is stamped RH6S.

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Probably not the original head then, as the (32mm inlet) RH5 and RH6 heads were not introduced until late '72.

Thank you very much as I know someone could answer my question. I found out the RH6S head was a semi high compression 32mm introduced late 72 early 73. Thanks again.