Greetings:
I just had a fresh set of Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials, fitted to my '73 850. Admittedly, I have an 18 inch rear wheel - but there are options for 19 inch wheels too. These are *radial* tires designed for vintage bikes. Previously I had Dunlop Elite SP K591. I freely admit the old tires were not all that great for performance in the 1st place.
Details for the new Conti's, at least new to the USA since Europe seems to have had them 1 or so years before us:
http://www.conti-online.com/www/motorcy ... ck_en.html
Sizes include:
100/90 R 19 M/C 57 V TL
110/90 R 18 M/C 61 V TL
120/90 R 18 M/C 65 V TL
They have very "cool" Carbon Fiber (Fibre to the Anglophiles) patterns on the side walls- but I digress. My poin? This set of tires is by far the best single improvement on handling of my semi-vintage Norton. The Commando now has neutral steering... and seems to have no issues turning into moderately deep corners and holding a line very well. Its "almost" as much fun as my April RS250 or my Ducati 1098. Ok by saying "almost" I'm making a reference point. I never, ever, though the old Commando would turn and hold a line quite like "this" ... by "this" I mean, a modern sport bike. Its almost confident inspiring to ride her now. She feels "sorted. FINALLY!
To give you some perspective, I already had a lot of "improvements" before the tire change today, as follows:
FRAME, BODY & CONTROLS
• Frame - Sand-blasted and powder-coated black
• Engine Mounting Cradle - MK3 rear engine mount (Old Britts part # 06-5140/S)
• Isolastic MK3 Conversion, Front (Old Britts part 06-7116)
• Isolastic MK3 Conversion, Rear (Old Britts part 06-7117)
• Fuel Tank - OEM steel, interior de-rusted with sacrificial anode, and interior seal with Caswell “Dragon’s Blood”. Professionally repainted Yellow/Red/Silver (Y/R/Si) and clear coated
• Side Panels - FG ; matching Y/R/Si paint
• Seat - Corbin leather with lockable Smuggler storage compartment & red piping Repainted Y/R/Si matching seat cowl
• Rear Tail Section, Housing & Stop Light Mk3 – Various powder coated steel (Old Britts)
• Triple clamps (“yoke” if you’re a Brit) – Powder-coated black
• Fenders – Polished aluminum British-made w/4 holes (06-3175). Front is shorter, without braces and can accommodate modern brake calipers
• Rear Sets – Dunstall with optional reversible gear shift lever (1-up 3-down) and left-side rear brake (Clubman Racing)
• Steering Damper - Adjustable, mounted under triple clamp (Clubman Racing)
• Mirror – High quality chrome anti-vibration 109x72mm convex bar-end mirror with 1m curvature radius (Napoleon)
• Horn – New and mounted on right side
• Other Isolastics – New OEM (Norvil Motorcycle)
• Fuel Cap – Genuine Ceandess OEM chrome (Commando Specialties)
• SS Hardware Upgrade – Most bolts replaced
• Centerstand - New OEM, powder-coated (Commando Specialties)
• CaféRacer Ace Handlebars - Tommaselli fully-adjustable
FUEL/EXHAUST
• Petcocks - New SS with fuel lines
• Exhaust - L/R chrome “peashooter” (Commando Specialties)
• Exhaust Nuts – SS, safety wired to header oil banjo bolt
• Carbs - New single 34mm Mikuni carburetor conversion kit with new lubricated and lined throttle cable, K&N pancake air filter, custom 2-into-1intake manifold, custom jetting and tuning (Power-Barn)
MOTOR & DRIVE TRAIN
• Belt Drive Chain Case Conversion – No more chain case oil leaks. Synchroflex at 10/890; 32mm with 89 teeth (RGM 091)
• Top End Rocker Oil Feed Line – Venhill, SS (Commando Specialties)
• Oil Filter – Spin-on oil filter kit (Commando Specialties)
• Gearbox Outer Cover Modification along with new kick start shaft o-ring. Replaced leaking Timkin 240731 seal along with machining and upgrade to MKIII (Phil – Fair Spares America) [$60], no more oil drips
• Clutch Cable – Install new Venhill Teflon-lined cable and adjust to reduce drag and heavy pull (Commando Specialties)
• SS GearBox cover Allen head bolts (Commando Specialties)
• Kickstarter - Norvil OEM MKIII (Norvil/Commando Specialties)
ELECTRICAL & GUAGES
• Electronic Ignition – 12v electrics and side points with dual ignition coils (unknown manufacturer; possibly Boyer but no clue)
• Turn Signals – Added (CrossRoads Cycles)
• Left Controls – Professionally rewired with plug in adaptor to operate turn signals and kill switch. Remove right side controls (CrossRoads Cycles)
• Headlight Bucket modified with pilot lights for Hi/Lo Beam, Turn signals. Also fitted Headlight Hi/Lo toggle switch (CrossRoads Cycles)
• Upgraded Smith Tach and Speedometer with brighter pilot bulbs (CrossRoads Cycles)
SUSPENSION, WHEELS & BRAKES
• Shocks - NJB Racing
• Wheels, Andover Norton chrome steel with SS stems
Front: WM2 (1.85”) x 19
Rear: WM3 (2.15”) x 18
• Tires, Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials
Front: 110-90/19 51V
Rear: 110-90/18 55V
• Fork Nuts – New Alloy (unknown manufacturer)
• Front Brake Setup – Colorado Norton Works (CNW part # 0200-01)
292 mm full floating disc
SS friction surface that is machined to ensure flatness.
Center carrier (center) chromed billet aluminum
Silent washers with true full floating disc, eliminate floater noise
4 piston differential bore calipers for even brake wear and reduce lock-up
Caliper machined on the back for proper clearance, specifically for Commando
Dual o-ring Brembo calipers are with built in dust seals ensure long caliper life
Proprietary hard coating on pistons and bores; smooth movement, elimination of scoring and corrosion
Brembo simulates 300 years of use including thermal shock, salt spray, etc.
Brembo 13 mm master cylinder cast in aluminum, with polished alloy lever
Micro brake light mounted master cylinder
Fork leg bracket installed on 4 piston caliper fork leg; CNC milled and chromed
SS braided brake line with SS banjos
Special ARP 12 point bolts for mounting disc to your Norton hub.
Kit is complete with all hardware and instructions
• Tapered Head Bearing Conversion – Clubman Racing Kit (#N0060)
-->FJ SvenSven Washington, DC (Recent NCNO Member)
