A hundred dollar shine on a 2 dollar pair of boots.

chapmanmd · Nov 18, 2011

Brent from vintage-vendor.com has gone and done it again...

Check out the pics that he sent me of my recently completed tank and side covers. Unbelievable work Brent, and I can't wait to get them back! Brent's customer service is second to NONE. Also, Brent sent a photo diary of the process with 50+ pics. I cannot be any happier with the results thus far.

A hundred dollar shine on a 2 dollar pair of boots.

Thanks again Brent!!!!!

goo · Nov 18, 2011

nice!
care to tell us how much you paid?
i'm getting a steel tank to replace a glass one. it will need to be painted.
thx,
goo

chapmanmd · Nov 18, 2011

Brent has a November special right now for us. $750 for tank/side covers (2 colors). Mine was a bit more because of 3 colors, but well worth it in my opinion. That's a steel tank.

DogT · Nov 18, 2011

Everyone seems to rave about Brents work, there must be a reason.

Are those steel panels too? I notice you have a hole on the LS for the ignition switch? Are you putting the newer steel panels on a central oil tank 70? Did you have to modify things to make it work?

Dave
69S

chapmanmd · Nov 18, 2011

These came off of my '70 and they are steel. And yes, it is a central oil tank.

While I would love to take credit for mounting those side covers originally, I cannot. They were mounted on the bike when I got it. All I did was take them off to send them to Brent. I am still a Norton virgin and don't know any better, but am learning as I go and you guys are an absolute wealth of information.

"Before" pics of the covers on the bike but I doubt they're of much, if any help. I can take more pics when the covers come back and I go to remount them. Motor is almost done so I will be getting that back in soon too.

L.A.B. · Nov 18, 2011

chapmanmd said:
These came off of my '70 and they are steel. And yes, it is a central oil tank.

That isn't a central oil tank in the photo.

chapmanmd · Nov 18, 2011

Well, again I was wrong and that has been changed too. Let's see... disk brake front end, steel tank and side covers, non-central oil tank, wrong gauges (NOT solid green ball), early headlight... Yet the 20M3S/141503 numbers... Sounds like I pretty much have the whole Commando line-up covered.

Thank you for the correction. Now I know.

L.A.B. · Nov 18, 2011

chapmanmd said:
Well, again I was wrong and that has been changed too. Let's see... disk brake front end, steel tank and side covers, non-central oil tank, wrong gauges (NOT solid green ball), early headlight... Yet the 20M3S/141503 numbers... Sounds like I pretty much have the whole Commando line-up covered.

20M3S/141503 is from early 1971 production so it could be an early Roadster MkII, therefore the side tank/panels/(green globe?) gauges could be original.

chapmanmd · Nov 18, 2011

Does this look like a '70 (as titled) gauge to you?

There is a lot about this bike that has just not added up for me since day 1. I know its a bitsa and I'm ok with that. I am all too familiar with bikes being titled later than they were produced for reasons of sitting on a dealers floor and such, but having a bike that is newer than it is titled? Granted, I am like the 3593rd owner of this bike and a lot could have been misinterpreted over the years, but I dunno... I guess I shouldn't worry about it and just enjoy it for what it is.

As always, thank you for the input L.A.B. It is much appreciated.

DogT · Nov 18, 2011

Here's the central oil tank.

The F/G panels mounted to the 3 points I have arrows pointing to, 2 rubber grommets and the dzus fastener (rs) or spacer and bolt/nut (ls) in the front. Here's the F/G panels.

Notice there is an indent for the ign switch.

I hope the lettering on your panels turn out parallel to the ground. Unless you had the originals, or marked it up on the bike, it's hard to get right. Lots of panels are off like that though. Not a big issue. I could still see the original markings on mine, so put the decals on like that.

Wonder if you have a later than 70 frame, does the center stand mount on the frame or cradle?

Here's an early clock.

Dave
69S

batrider · Nov 18, 2011

I like the amp gauge where the needle vibrated off the pivot - just gone. Same happened on my '66 Matchy scrambler. Unknown origin meter works fine and looks OK. Also cool "brow" on the headlight. Check out all the Norton brochures at: http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... chures.htm to see where yours fits in. Looks like a '70-'71 mixture plus later metal sidecovers (maybe repro) with new hole for keyswitch and '70-type left mounting bracket but not that big a deal. Shiny and looks good anyway.

chapmanmd · Nov 18, 2011

Centerstand mounts to the cradle.

Now I really don't know what the hell I have here. I guess its possible it's a later frame but was titled from the engine numbers. I can't find a number on the frame and there is no ID plate. I'm pretty certain at this point if I looked hard enough I would find a few Suzuki, Kawasaki, Ariel, and probably some Trabant parts on this thing somewhere.

At least it has pretty paint...

Edit: It has the 4 foot long later side stand also.

L.A.B. · Nov 18, 2011

chapmanmd said:
Does this look like a '70 (as titled) gauge to you?

That's certainly the '71-'74 type speedo.

chapmanmd said:
There is a lot about this bike that has just not added up for me since day 1. I know its a bitsa and I'm ok with that. I am all too familiar with bikes being titled later than they were produced for reasons of sitting on a dealers floor and such, but having a bike that is newer than it is titled? Granted, I am like the 3593rd owner of this bike and a lot could have been misinterpreted over the years, but I dunno... I guess I shouldn't worry about it and just enjoy it for what it is.

Yes, I agree, it's nothing to worry about at all, as long as you are aware of those differences when you need to order any spares.

According to the information given in Roy Bacon's Norton Twin Restoration book, "142534" (Jan '71) is listed as "Roadster II" however it doesn't actually say that 142534 was the first Roadster II.

chapmanmd · Nov 18, 2011

Yes, I agree, it's nothing to worry about at all, as long as you are aware of those differences when you need to order any spares.

The spares thing is exactly the thing I'm now worried about. The motor is one thing. That's numbered and can't be all too far off. The chassis, as you can see, is a much different story. Thank God you guys are around for advice.

DogT · Nov 18, 2011

141503 like Les says is a very early MKII, probably made in Jan 71. The last MKII Fastback is 141717 in Jan 71. Is it titled as a 70? That would be pretty unusual. Mine from April 69 is registered as a 70. Here's the 68-70 centre stand mounting.

I bet you have a 71 that somehow got registered as a 70. Maybe someone transferred a title somehow. Nothing on your bike makes it a 70 production date unless you have the halo headlamp mount, notched rear fender for the tyre pump, curved chain guard? Lots of those things can be done afterward though, you never know what you may have. Who cares as long as it runs and you're having fun.

Dave
69S

chapmanmd · Nov 18, 2011

I do not have the halo mount, but why would it; Satan has no halo. And yes, it is titled in the State of Illinois as a 1970 Norton 750 Commando

The center stand does mount to the cradle as it was removed when the motor came out so I know that to be true.

Mine has the custom, one off "no chain guard" option...

I'm thinking the rear fender came off of someone's boat trailer judging by the number of holes that are in it. But hey, its shiny!

A hundred dollar shine on a 2 dollar pair of boots.

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