73 Commando

Dynodave
that is very interesting, obviously I thought I was at least on top of the Commando tech. Did Norton ever actually fit a starter in that location? Please tell me more. Oh ya, say hello to "Bill" the next time you communicate with him.
Jerry

starter

I have no real facts, but the rumor (possibly from Brian Slark) was that it would severly trash the starter mechanism and timing gear train in the timing chest upon kick back/misfire. My guess is that it would virtually destroy the whole motor.

Dynodave,
Spoke with Brian Slark at the Cycle World show in Atlanta this past Saturday. Brian purchased a couple of new 20 year old Ducati singles from me in 1991. I kept the Nortons, ofcourse.
I stand corrected on my mis-statement. All of these years I thought that Norton had just instaled block-off plates on left over crankcases when they converted to the timming cover points plate. I guess I could have said "assumed".
Jerry

Guest & chuckB

Hello everyone,
I have my registeration all fixed finally so any replies that were by "guest", were probably made by me. Sorry if there was a bunch of confussion. I was also chuckb01.

Re: Guest & chuckB

Anonymous said:

Hello everyone,
I have my registeration all fixed finally so any replies that were by "guest", were probably made by me. Sorry if there was a bunch of confussion. I was also chuckb01.

Click to expand...

It's still got a problem. Oh well.

Registeration repair

Well maybe I have my registeration fixed now. I'm sorry to screw up this thread so badly. Anyhow any answers by "guest", in this thread, were probably made by me. And chuckB is also the same as chuckb01. Nuff said. Thankyou.

Ron L said:

There are several "inaccuracies" in Bacon's book. I purchased my '73 Mk V Roadster new in May of '73 and it has a build date of November '72. Therefore Bacon's statement that the first MkV roadster was built in March of '73 is one of these.

I am sure there was a period of time when the factory was building bikes on the "new" MkV specs while cleaning out the bins and building the "old" Mk IV bikes at the same time. I find Bacon's book and others valuable reference, but definitely not the last word on authenticity.

By the way, Chuck. A friend has my side covers with original "fireflake blue" paint and his painter is trying to match it. He has spoken with Les Emery (Norvil) who says he once did the paint at the Norton factory. The original Fireflake blue on the '73 models is a fine flake and appears to be a translucent (sort of candy) blue over a silver base. When they are finished I can get you the details and paint codes they use. I'm thinking of having an extra set sprayed up myself, as my originals are beginning to look like they are 32 years old!

Click to expand...

Sorry for the delay in answering. I finally got my reg. fixed.
I don't doubt there are inaccuracies in Bacon's book. I have found some in the factory manuals even. It's not real important to me but I may check other sources just to find out. One thing I do know for sure is that it is a combat and the original engine is 212321 as is the frame and it is a roadster. I am pretty sure there were only 3 cocols availabe for this particular bike as others here have also stated. Yellow, black, and fire flake blue. It's black now and not to bad but I really don't care for black. My wife says yellow is out of the question. So it's fire flake blue if I want to keep it original or someone suggested candy apple red, and I may do that if I can find some samples. If you can get the original fire flake blue formula and method of painting, that would be great. I tried to access your pictures but It said I was not the owner of the site?? I notice you have a 59 Triumph? I restored a basket case about 20 years ago. Same year, same model. Boy I wish I had that baby now. Loved the magneto but always had generator problems. My second motorcycle I ever had was a 58 BSA Road rocket 650. It may have been a 59, not sure any more. Wish I still had that also. After I finish this Norton, Imay look for a BSA to do. There are lots of Triumphs around. Thamks for the help

'72 750 MkIV colors

Chuck,

The colors listed in the parts book are:
Fireflake Royal Blue
Solid Canary Yellow
Black with Gold lining
Solid Signal Orange
Solid Signal Red
Fireflake Golded Bronze
Fireflake Roman Purple

My '72 sales brochure shows red, orange, yellow, black and metalflake blue. I think bronze and purple may have been from the previous model year, but may have been delivered on some in '72. Candy apple red was original only on the 850 steel tanks. Again the best way to get information on how your bike was delivered is to ask the NOC in England. They have the factory records which will state model and "colour" if you give them your serial number.