Blanking plate

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

JonC

Some of you may remember I asked about a 71 Commando that I was looking at. Well I bought it and now it is at my apartment on the trailer waiting to go to my home this weekend. ( I work quite away from my house and live in a small apartment during the week). Well looking at it with a manual in hand I find Hyde rear sets, and fork Brace as well as a Hyde steering dampener. In addition a oil filter is located under the bike. Since i know nothing about these bikes what concerned me was a thin metal cover that was bolted to the inner rear of the timing case. No hoses like I have seen in the manuals, just a thim cover. Can someone tell me what that rear hump in the timing cover was for and why is it blocked off. One other thiong that is strange is the front brake is a disc which I know is not correct, but the caliper is in front of the fork leg. The only picture I can find of this is a factory racer, the lower leg looks identical to what i have, is there a way to positively identify this, and is there any advantage to what I have. Thanks for you help. Jon
 
JonC said:
Can someone tell me what that rear hump in the timing cover was for and why is it blocked off.
Click to expand...

Originally it was where the magneto or distributor would have been mounted on the pre-Commando models, and where the points housing was fitted on the early 20M3 Commandos, however, the blanking plate is there to cover the hole meant for the electric starter that the factory intended to fit from 1971.


JonC said:
One other thiong that is strange is the front brake is a disc which I know is not correct, but the caliper is in front of the fork leg. The only picture I can find of this is a factory racer, the lower leg looks identical to what i have, is there a way to positively identify this, and is there any advantage to what I have.
Click to expand...

Can you post a photo of it?
 
Thanks for the reply, and I wish I could post a picture but during the week I'm at work (really I am) and they do not let me use the computer for posting. Thanks again.
 
Is that the Commando in Orange County? I was watching that on Craigs List. I probably should have bought it, but it would have been hard to justify with the wife. Good luck, it looks like a nice one.
 
I actually bought this one in Watertown NY, it was sitting in a harley repair shop for over a year. The guy bought it in Tn. owned it for five years and never rode it. It shows 11,000 miles on the clock but who knows, I paid $4500 for it maybe too much but it is a running bike no smoke or noises just a few things need to be replaced. I do not plan on restoring to original but build a nice mild cafe out of it the typical rubber gators up front, clubman bars and a solo seat. It is a very nice start for that and all the chrome is excellent including the pea shooters. Jon
 
$4,500 for a running good shape commando sounds like a reasonable price.
And if you are to cafe the bike, you most likley wont mind the un period specific front disc upgrade! I'd say it is a bonus for your case.
is the disc a Lockhead?
 
It is a lockheed caliper, but it is mounted in such a way that the bleeder is low (toweard the lower leg when mounted in front of it) bleeding will require removal so I can get it to be the highest point to rid air.
 
JonC said:
One other thiong that is strange is the front brake is a disc which I know is not correct, but the caliper is in front of the fork leg. The only picture I can find of this is a factory racer, the lower leg looks identical to what i have, is there a way to positively identify this, and is there any advantage to what I have. Thanks for you help. Jon
Click to expand...
With all the other stuff you have mentioned, this is probable a Norvil front disc conversion. Sounds like some nice goodies.
 
Thanks I am very excited about this bike and can not wait to get it home this weekend and do some cleaning and sort out the carbs. The rear wheel has lost the rubbers for the cush drive so I won't be able to ride it untill I getsome, but that's ok I will make up a list and order the parts I need. Is the best place Old Brits or any other suggestions.
 
JonC said:
the front brake is a disc which I know is not correct, but the caliper is in front of the fork leg.
Click to expand...

Is the brake on the left side (like the 850 MK3) or the right side?

If the caliper is ahead of the leg on the left side, then it could be one of the standard brake upgrade kits [Edit: I just read that you said it's a Lockheed caliper].

http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/brakedisc.htm
 
Some bikes tend to pull (I forget which way) with the brake on the right. The tubes can be mounted on either side. Simply switching the brake
to the other side stopped the pulling

Which?

Blanking plate

Blanking plate

These can also be swaped side to side. As well as twin disk forks.
Blanking plate
 
i think somebody cared for this bike a lot
hope you can do the same and enjoy it
looks like a very nice project , i wish i could have found it

the brake is a positive amelioration and rear sets are very handy for a bike wich is intended to be used ,enjoy it
 
Thanks I hope to enjoy this bike and bring it back to excellent shape. It is a nice addition to the group I have and have been looking for a Norton for some time now. This one was unexpected but once I saw it I had to make a deal for it. Not to boast but to give you some idea of the company it will keep is a 48 Indian Chief, a 1969 Triumph tiger,1968 XLCH, 1995 Moto Guzzi Sport 1100 carb, 1998 Triumph T595, 2011 BMW GSA, and of course my 1948 Triumph Tiger Cub (in pieces) all the others run well and are restored as original if needed. I have been at this a long time and never sell anything. Anyway thanks for all your help and I hope I can ask more as I get into this bike. Jon.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top