348 timing cover fit early 68 Norton Commando?

Hi,

New norton owner as of Friday so please pardon what is probably a stupid question.

Will one of the later timing covers with the norton script fit my early commando? Engine # is 129xxx. Would it be a direct replacement or would I need a bunch of small misc bits?

Also, the rev counter gear is missing on my bike but the previous owner gave me one that looks to be right. I've scoured the parts book but for the life of me can't figure out what keeps it from dropping out the bottom like the prior one. I'd have thought there'd be a snap ring or some such thing but I can't see it. Any advice?.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

I think it will, but wait for others to chime in .....there are some guys out there who really know parts interchangeability.

If you need one, I have one on e-bay....http://www.ebay.com/itm/151076970413?ss ... 1558.l2649

pm me if interested.

If you fit the later timing cover (with the points housing that you don't need) to an early Commando,
then you won't have anywhere for the tacho drive to go ?

Rohan said:

If you fit the later timing cover (with the points housing that you don't need) to an early Commando,
then you won't have anywhere for the tacho drive to go ?

Click to expand...

I think you've nailed the problem . .I didnt' realize it, but that bigger opening such as the one shown above is where my external rev counter drive is hooked up . . .and I'm guessing on these later one's they moved the points and such into that opening? (on mine the distributor is behind the head)

Thanks for the advice . . . .this stuff is all new to me and I really appreciate it.

The cam is different too. It drives the timed breather comming off the drive side above the chaincase and the cam gear sits outward further on the timing end of the cam as there is a second inboard chain driving the rear points set up you have. A lot of folks change it all over but there are probably other things you'll need to focus on before those types of things. Do you have electronic ignition?

Kinda of a hard part to find find. I've been looking for one for a 68 bottom end I have. Beware of trying to use an Atlas cover. They look like they should work, the cam drive for the tach is the same and they will bolt up. But they changed the internal oil drillings between the Atlas and early Commando and you will have a disaster in a hurry.

htown16 said:

Kinda of a hard part to find find. I've been looking for one for a 68 bottom end I have. Beware of trying to use an Atlas cover. They look like they should work, the cam drive for the tach is the same and they will bolt up. But they changed the internal oil drillings between the Atlas and early Commando and you will have a disaster in a hurry.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the warning.

If you find a way to do it please shoot me an email @ Dave.fahringer@gmail.com. I'm lusting after a norton script timing cover, but want my tach.

The simplest may be to make a mask from the outside of a peel off decal and sandblast it or acid etch. (the inside part we normally use would still be good for regular use as you only want the outside section for the mask)