Assembly tips, do's and don'ts, orders, etc

kevbo82 · Aug 12, 2012

As i'm starting to put my first commando back together now, do you fine folks have any tips as far as things best done in a certain order (ie, put gearbox in before motor) or other tips and tricks to keep in mind and hopefully only do things once or maybe twice along the way! The battery box sparked this question in my mind, should i put it in place before or after installing the rear iso. does it matter?

Hobot · Aug 12, 2012

I like to mount cases in cradle then use cradle at handle to set in frame then slide the iso bolts through, while bike is vertical, usually hung by sky hook lowered frame rails on box to stabilize. Cradle and front mount should fairly easy slip in, if not stop and correct the frame, cradle or iso mount fault till it assembles without major force and levers or pounding. Then I put in the battery tray and gearbox and rest of engine stuff. I will never put a seam together again w/o back up non melting non synthetic fibre, Ie: silk, cotton or dental floss. I no long use any gaskets but the head. If ya touch the frame with edge of any tool or item it will leave a mark so a few layers of tape or insulation is wise foresight. I have to re-torque the case/cradle though bolts almost like the head and barrel fasteners or oil weeps creep out too soon again. Remove powder coat on cradle clamp areas or wears off to loose clamp force after a time. Plain paint too thin to bother about.

Snorton74 · Aug 12, 2012

Put the horn on early, unless you're putting it in a different spot.

DogT · Aug 12, 2012

The horn is easy as long as you don't have the rear wheel or mudguard on, but yes, do it early. Measure your frame to make sure it's not out of whack, the distances between the iso mounts especially. Make sure your iso mounts are parallel, and the swing arm is straight also. If you're doing it yourself, put the cranks, cradle, gearbox in and the barrels and head later. I've heard of some doing it on the side, but I didn't find the need. I did everything off my centre stand, but mine's on the frame so you may want to block up the frame if yours is on the cradle. Take your time and don't worry if you find yourself doing things several times to get everything to fit right. If there's an assemblage like the exhaust system, put it together loose and fit it on till it's right then tighten things down, don't get things stressed by tightening one thing at a time.

Or you could do like the Brough, put it together for fit, take it apart and do it again for sure.

Keep us posted.

Dave
69S

kevbo82 · Aug 12, 2012

Snorton74 said:
Put the horn on early, unless you're putting it in a different spot.

was thinking of installing that fu@%ing thing under the rear wheel of my car :twisted:

kevbo82 · Aug 12, 2012

actually what is the stock mounting position for the horn? mine was inside the battery box, is that the norm?

DogT · Aug 12, 2012

It's usually hanging on 1 or 2 triangular brackets off a tab with 2 holes in it on the bottom rear of the battery tray. Right in front of the rear fender. I have a picture if you like, but it's an early bike, but close to the same.

Dave
69S

kevbo82 · Aug 12, 2012

i didn't think it was a stock position. Here's where my dad had it shoved. Looks like the same Italian one old britts sells now

Assembly tips, do's and don'ts, orders, etc

Hobot · Aug 12, 2012

Your dad jumped the Norton fence to source that horn as ain't Norton issue. Its best left where it is for a number of reasons except it ain't factory is all. No one will know if ya don't toot it at rallys.

kevbo82 · Aug 12, 2012

hobot said:
Your dad jumped the Norton fence to source that horn as ain't Norton issue. Its best left where it is for a number of reasons except it ain't factory is all. No one will know if ya don't toot it at rallys.

yeah the style, shape, and markings on it look exactly like the Italian made ones old britts/andover sell as replacments. I'm 100% leaving it where it is, cause it worked before i took the bike apart lol

J.A.W. · Aug 12, 2012

Does anyone else think that it might be useful if L.A.B. put all the cogent Norton fettling lore - information- in his tech info sticky thread?

kevbo82 · Aug 12, 2012

J.A.W. said:
Does anyone else think that it might be useful if L.A.B. put all the cogent Norton fettling lore - information- in his tech info sticky thread?

i think there should be a few stickies on here for sure

staticmoves · Aug 12, 2012

kevbo82 said:
i didn't think it was a stock position. Here's where my dad had it shoved. Looks like the same Italian one old britts sells now

I fit my horn in the battery box to the rear opposite of yours. Less of a pain in the as@ there.
Cleaner look and easier to access.

DogT · Aug 12, 2012

Here's where it belongs if you want it like original.

Dave
69S

rpatton · Aug 12, 2012

kevbo82 said:
actually what is the stock mounting position for the horn? mine was inside the battery box, is that the norm?

If you don't have an factory manual then you should get a copy from an online source or buy a paper copy. I like the convenience of a paper copy. Get one with a parts list, it shows the way things go together better than any manual can.

Matt Spencer · Aug 12, 2012

The Motorcycle is assembled around the horn .

youll have to pull it all to bits , and start agian .

kevbo82 · Aug 13, 2012

yeah i'm going to leave it in the batter tray! I do have all the parts lists, and manuals, and they usually can answer questions like this for me. But neither actually showed how/where it mounted

staticmoves · Aug 13, 2012

kevbo82 said:
yeah i'm going to leave it in the batter tray! I do have all the parts lists, and manuals, and they usually can answer questions like this for me. But neither actually showed how/where it mounted

hey Kev..

I just finished putting my 72 roadster together. I started from a bunch of baskets of bolts and nuts ( thats how I bought it ). So as you can imagine I had a few questions as to the where a bouts of a few items.
What I did that helped me imensley ( along with this forum ), I went to a couple bike shows with a vintage section and some CVMG swap meets and show and shines, I seeked out the nortons and approached the owners with a neck full of camers of all sizes ( some to get into the tight spots ), and asked the owners nicely if they would remove the seat and let me assault there bikes like the paparazzi on lady Gaga.
I could not tell you how many times I revisted these photos on my Iphone while working on my roadster.

Cheers........... 8)

kevbo82 · Aug 13, 2012

staticmoves said:
kevbo82 said:

yeah i'm going to leave it in the batter tray! I do have all the parts lists, and manuals, and they usually can answer questions like this for me. But neither actually showed how/where it mounted

Click to expand...

hey Kev..

I just finished putting my 72 roadster together. I started from a bunch of baskets of bolts and nuts ( thats how I bought it ). So as you can imagine I had a few questions as to the where a bouts of a few items.
What I did that helped me imensley ( along with this forum ), I went to a couple bike shows with a vintage section and some CVMG swap meets and show and shines, I seeked out the nortons and approached the owners with a neck full of camers of all sizes ( some to get into the tight spots ), and asked the owners nicely if they would remove the seat and let me assault there bikes like the paparazzi on lady Gaga.
I could not tell you how many times I revisted these photos on my Iphone while working on my roadster.

Cheers........... 8)

Static,
I've seen you a few times around here and always wanted to ask, your profile pic, i'm assuming those are your tank and covers? They're exactly how i want mine done when i finally paint them, is the pin stripe on your tank thinner than "normal" i see so many that look too thick for my liking, my dads was redone at some point in time and the stripe was reapplied by hand and is thinner and i like the look a lot better.

staticmoves · Aug 13, 2012

kevbo82 said:
staticmoves said:

kevbo82 said:

yeah i'm going to leave it in the batter tray! I do have all the parts lists, and manuals, and they usually can answer questions like this for me. But neither actually showed how/where it mounted

Click to expand...

hey Kev..

I just finished putting my 72 roadster together. I started from a bunch of baskets of bolts and nuts ( thats how I bought it ). So as you can imagine I had a few questions as to the where a bouts of a few items.
What I did that helped me imensley ( along with this forum ), I went to a couple bike shows with a vintage section and some CVMG swap meets and show and shines, I seeked out the nortons and approached the owners with a neck full of camers of all sizes ( some to get into the tight spots ), and asked the owners nicely if they would remove the seat and let me assault there bikes like the paparazzi on lady Gaga.
I could not tell you how many times I revisted these photos on my Iphone while working on my roadster.

Cheers........... 8)

Click to expand...

Static,
I've seen you a few times around here and always wanted to ask, your profile pic, i'm assuming those are your tank and covers? They're exactly how i want mine done when i finally paint them, is the pin stripe on your tank thinner than "normal" i see so many that look too thick for my liking, my dads was redone at some point in time and the stripe was reapplied by hand and is thinner and i like the look a lot better.

I had the paint guy use the same width as what was original on the tank when I got it. to answer your question, I don't know what the true stock thicknesses for that line are.
But I am sure there are a few Concours sticklers that may chime in on exactly what those measurments may be............ 8)

Assembly tips, do's and don'ts, orders, etc

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