1975 850 MK3 side covers , ..

Hello . Can someone please let me know did the 1975 850 MK3 right side cover come standard with a toolbox in it ? As the bike I bought was missing the right side cover. I have the original left one which doesn't have the toolbox .. Just trying confirm it so I know what to look for ..
Cheers
Fred

stingingtree said:

Can someone please let me know did the 1975 850 MK3 right side cover come standard with a toolbox in it ? As the bike I bought was missing the right side cover.

Click to expand...

Left side cover. No. The Mk3 had the plastic tool tray as the Mk3 battery took up the side cover tool tray space.

some Indian repro people are manufacturing Mark III side covers with a tool pocket. The tool pocket impinges on the battery and makes it difficult to mount the cover. My mechanic (the guy I go to after I give up on fixing it myself) cut the pocket off after he got tired of trying to make the side cover fit.
Indian repoppers have issues...

You asked about the right cover. People answered about the left. Pre Mk 111 the tool box was indeed in the left hand cover.

On the Mk 111 it is in neither cover. There is a tool tray under the seat as in LAB's photo.

RGM seem to have the Mk 111 Interstate right side cover in both fibreglass and bare steel. So you would have to paint them.

The Roadster sidecover options they have available are not that clear. At least to me. You may have to ask.

Andover Norton seem to only have the right Interstate cover in fibreglass.

If the side covers are to be black in colour then you could get away with using the RGM fibreglass covers as supplied. This cover is the RGM Roadster type in fibreglass, unpainted.

There is no tool box in either the Roadster or Interstate left cover on a MKIII. Interesting thing about the left Interstate side cover on the MKIII. My factory parts book does not show the indentation on the lower rear of the left cover, but the RGM replacement cover shows the indentation. I have seen at least two sales brochures (I have one here) that show the side cover without that feature, but I have also seen pictures of that bike with the indent. I have a feeling the brochures are pre-sales bikes and the factory parts book is not correct on that point.
About 7 years ago I bought a set of Interstate covers make in India. The right fit OK, but required enlarging the top holes slightly (which seems typical for those covers). The left had a tool tray and earlier mounting brackets and holes. With a 4.5" grinder and some welding I was able the massage that cover to fit. On the plus side I like the look of the cover w/o the indentation. I also have a fiberglass left side cover that I did the same changes too. Perhaps another Norton mystery?

Deets55 said:

I have seen at least two sales brochures (I have one here) that show the side cover without that feature, but I have also seen pictures of that bike with the indent. I have a feeling the brochures are pre-sales bikes and the factory parts book is not correct on that point.

Click to expand...

The Mk3 Interstate battery cover should have the indent. The Mk3 Roadster cover does not.

Yep. I agree Les.
Was just pointing out some inconsistencies in the parts book and promo literature.
Pete

L.A.B. said:

The Mk3 Interstate battery cover should have the indent. The Mk3 Roadster cover does not.

Bonhams Cars : Last off the production line, unregistered, 7 miles from new,1977 Norton 850 Mk III Commando Interstate Frame no. 336539 Engine no. 336539

Few would disagree that Norton's Commando ranks as Britain's most enduring vertical twin, despite being produced over a far shorter period than the Bonneville, and there are many thousand fewer Commandos than Triumph twins. Precise figures were never published but during a lifespan extending...

cars.bonhams.com

Click to expand...

Can you tell me what that indent on the side panel was for?

Lovel said:

Can you tell me what that indent on the side panel was for?

Click to expand...

It was used for the Dzus fastener '16' on the 850 Mk1A and Mk2A.

For whatever reason NVT elected to change what had worked on the Mk1A and Mk2A (in general) when it came to the Mk3.
That including making it harder to fit the 1973 spec airbox by riveting the top mount and side cover mount which was a bolt on affair on the A models. The airbox then went from a 30 second job to place (in upside down and rotate CCW) to who knows how long with the hard attached brackets.

Off topic but the plastic airbox can be modified to flow any amount of air including the option of hammer formed orifice plates to alter the inlet size. (Dual taper and direction to the carburettor inlets)

stingingtree said:

Hello . Can someone please let me know did the 1975 850 MK3 right side cover come standard with a toolbox in it ? As the bike I bought was missing the right side cover. I have the original left one which doesn't have the toolbox .. Just trying confirm it so I know what to look for ..
Cheers
Fred

Click to expand...

You are lucky to have an original L/H side cover due to the fact most of them fell off because of the Dzus fastening system employed on the mk3.

Desmopower said:

You are lucky to have an original L/H side cover due to the fact most of them fell off because of the Dzus fastening system employed on the mk3.

Click to expand...

Yup , mine was replaced before the repainting . No Dzus . Thank gawd .

Torontonian said:

Yup , mine was replaced before the repainting . No Dzus . Thank gawd .

Click to expand...

Torontonian,
Very nice bike!
I see you do not have the indentation on the lower/rear corner of your left side cover. Can you share any information on that part please?

Pete

Deets55 said:

Torontonian,
Very nice bike!
I see you do not have the indentation on the lower/rear corner of your left side cover. Can you share any information on that part please?

Pete

Click to expand...

Thank you , she won Best in Show 8 X before I purchased it . Both side covers are fiberglass , with no indents . The bike is early 1976 .
Towards the end of NVT I think efforts were to use up the parts on hand , before receivership , but I could be mistaken . Enjoy .

Torontonian said:

The bike is early 1976 .
Towards the end of NVT I think efforts were to use up the parts on hand , before receivership , but I could be mistaken .

Click to expand...

The Mk3 battery panels (Roadster, Hi-Rider, Interstate and Interpol) are the only ones with the lower tab and grommet.