68 Commando Fixup

I recently started on the re-restoration of my 1968 Commando.

I have had this bike for 20 plus years. My father bought it for me when I was 14. He had asked me what I wanted when I got my drivers licence a car or a bike. With visions of a new Ninja or CBR in my head I said "bike". A short while after that he returned from a trip with a "bike" for me in the back of his grain truck. It was neither new nor Japanese but a 1968 Norton. The only catch, I had to assemble it. To say I was underwhelmed is an understatement. Over the next two years I put the bike back together with the help of my father and rode it around for my last year of high school.

After that I rode it off and on up to 1995 after that she sat out side and unloved up until 2008. That year I bought from MAP a single mikuni carb setup. With this installed the bike fired back up and ran good after a 13 year period of inactivity.

I recently discovered this forum board. With a little searching on it I found a lot of answerers to questions I had always had about my bike. Combing the new info I found here with the much better income I have now compared to 20 years ago I decided to clean up and ride my Norton this summer.

While I found a lot of good info here I still have a few things to figure out.


I took the bike down to the frame and sent it out to be painted and I am left with this.

I was never very satisfied with the stock Amals. So I had solved my carb problems with a single mikuni. Which I will still run.

Next is to get the electrical sorted out. Searching around on the board I found some info on the neg ground conversion. I think I will do that and rebuild the wiring harness while I am at it unless I find some one selling something that meets my needs.

I found some excellent info on the rear wheel along with diagrams here so I look forward to setting it up better than it was.

Also my seat is toast.


So I would like to get a new one. If anyone makes them. I hope so I don't have much left to work with.

When I got the bike the fiberglass tank was damaged. I never was able to get it fixed and leak free. The paint suffered for it and now it needs to be repainted. I have found someone who claims he can fix it. Hopefully it works out better than last time.

DIY? Here' s the FB seat floor plan

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2107769 ... 1179ARPaFU

Hi- Congrats! I also have a '68, roadster not Fastback. I would strongly suggest you go with a steel tank. I had mine coated by two different guys with two different coatings, and it held up for a matter of a few weeks, then leaks and goo appeared. I am not convinced that anyone can really coat the tanks. Maybe a new fibreglas reproduction would be better, but I'd go with steel. Good luck!

You might try talking to George at fueltankservices.com he says he permenently seal ANY tank and gives a 100% life time garentee. I havn't tried it yet myself but am going to send him my prody tank. Has any one used this guy!!!

There is a local guy who has a good rep with fiberglass. I'm going to try him before I give up on the tank. After that I will try getting a new one.

If there is no source for a reproduction seat I guess I will be fabbing one. There is not much left of the original pan.

I appreciate the diagram.

You might try RK Leighton for the seat, they may be able to get you a new reproduction one. They come well recommended. If your tank is toast, I too would recommend a steel or AL one. Expect to pay for it. I remember the painter, Brent that advertises on the forum has some tanks and panels for sale too, don't know if he has the fastback ones though. I'm sure possm will chime in here, he has an early fastback.

Dave
69S

NorSask said:

I recently started on the re-restoration of my 1968 Commando.

Click to expand...

Someone in another thread was asking about removing the engine "power unit" from the frame in one piece, well there is your evidence right there.

Forget all the fuss of going back together with OEM parts, just shoehorn that V-8 mill in there! hee hee Looking at that wide rim on the floor, I'm guessing that lump isn't stock inside...

grandpaul said:

NorSask said:

I recently started on the re-restoration of my 1968 Commando.

Click to expand...

Someone in another thread was asking about removing the engine "power unit" from the frame in one piece, well there is your evidence right there.

Forget all the fuss of going back together with OEM parts, just shoehorn that V-8 mill in there! hee hee Looking at that wide rim on the floor, I'm guessing that lump isn't stock inside...

Click to expand...

It was easy to remove like that. Definitely a two person job though. The trick is to install it like that and still have paint left on the frame.

The V8 is the old motor out of my race car. It's a 1968 440cid Dodge engine about 550 hp.

If I was going custom on the Norton I would stick in my spare hayabusa motor. But I prefer the 750.

Let's see...

550 HP.

If my calculations are correct, should be good for well over the speed of sound on a Commando!

Well I finally got it back from the paint shop.


It turned out ok except for one glaring error due to miscommunication with my painter.

The biggest problem is the kick stand. My original one is in poor shape and I wanted to replace it. I thought I would upgrade to the 71 and up style. I had already sent the frame to the painters. I ordered thr parts and sent the kick stand tab that welds to the frame to him. He did a good job of welding it one. Just one problem the bar he welded it to is in the wrong spot.


I'm not sure if I have to grind off the lug or if I can leave it.

I have another side stand lug but with out the cross tube in the proper spot I'm not sure if I can weld it on to just the side of the tube.