Crooked Sidecover stickers, comments ???

Here's a good look:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Norton-Commando-750 ... 1e5fe63130

Back in the day, was Norton known for it's high quality ? I'm thinkin' soft 850 camshafts, T-slotted pistons that separated, omission of big sump-plug (that had wire-mesh filter) on 200000 series 750s, Combat main bearing issues, Combat breather problems, etc, etc, etc. I've seen Norton factory brochures with "crooked stickers", and some brochures that had "non-crooked stickers" Don't even get me started on crooked gas tank stickers, and why did they not clear coat over them ???

Anyway, I agree with Ludwig. If ya mount the sidecovers on the bike, and intall stickers so they are horizontal/parallel to the ground, it always looks right !!! Seems that the top edge of the Z-plates is always right too, that's what I use. I started this thread to see if anyone else noticed this "crooked sticker issue" ... or if I was just too freakin' anal. At least I know now that some people don't like them crooked either (like me) and think "sticker crookness" detracts from an otherwise beautiful machine.

Sometimes I like to just sit in my lawn chair, sip coffee, and gaze at the Norton's beautiful lines, does anyone else do this ? Cheers !

nortriubuell said:

Back in the day, was Norton known for it's high quality ? I'm thinkin' soft 850 camshafts, T-slotted pistons that separated, omission of big sump-plug (that had wire-mesh filter) on 200000 series 750s, Combat main bearing issues, Combat breather problems, etc, etc, etc. I've seen Norton factory brochures with "crooked stickers", and some brochures that had "non-crooked stickers" Don't even get me started on crooked gas tank stickers, and why did they not clear coat over them ???

Anyway, I agree with Ludwig. If ya mount the sidecovers on the bike, and intall stickers so they are horizontal/parallel to the ground, it always looks right !!! Seems that the top edge of the Z-plates is always right too, that's what I use. I started this thread to see if anyone else noticed this "crooked sticker issue" ... or if I was just too freakin' anal. At least I know now that some people don't like them crooked either (like me) and think "sticker crookness" detracts from an otherwise beautiful machine.

Sometimes I like to just sit in my lawn chair, sip coffee, and gaze at the Norton's beautiful lines, does anyone else do this ? Cheers !

Click to expand...

Maybe after I get my roadster tank replaced with the interstate tank. I'm just really not a big fan of the roadster. The interstate has some fantastic lines..

Whoops, double post.

When I finished my red and black Roadster with the Corbin seat, 3 of my neighbours brought some beers over and we sat staring at it for about 2 hours. The more they drank the more they hated me and covetted my Norton, I was lucky to escape with my life (and the Norton)! Now that my yellow S-Type is finished I am investing in a cattle prod.

Dave M,
How about some pictures?

Dave
69S

Yes sir I can stare at my Commando's longer than naked women. So get everything just so please.

I had always assumed pin stripes were standard on the Commando, at least my 73, and thusly I aligned the replacment decals with the stripes. BTW, the paint and stripes are original, just the '850 Commando' lettering had deteriorated so I replaced those.

One man's crooked is another man's straight. Some of these pics telling me they are straight with the ground are really crooked to me.

The originals on 71 and 72 at least were not die cut and were very thin and wrinkly. They were so bad that I bought new ones the first time I went to a USA dealer. By that time in later '72 they had gone to die cut individual letters.

DogT --- You can't compare a slanty '69 cover with the later ones. On yours it would be way off when lined up with the top edge.

On mine they line up with the edges not the ground but it comes out the same thing.

batrider, yes, when they went to the metal covers and the side oil tank, the position all seemed to change. Don't know if it was the larger tyres or just the shape of the panels. The frame tube angles don't seem to be any different from 69/70 to 71 and up.

Dave
69S

DogT is right ... the shape of the panels changed, NOT the angle of the frame tubes. I still say if you put "whatever" panels you have on the bike; install the stickers parallel with the top edge of the Z-plate, then remove and clearcoat over them ... they will look staight ! Then you can sit back in your lawn chair, sip coffee, and just gaze at your beautiful Norton motorcycle. And I will sit with you, and not be "irked" by "crooked freakin' stickers" anymore. (IMO) Cheers !!!

Yeah, the sidepanels are quite a bit different. I have an early style left sidepanel on my 72. When I bought the bike the left sidepanel was missing (neglected bikes are ALWAYS missing a sidepanel!) and I bought this sidepanel really cheap on ebay. The guy had glassed in the switch hole and modified it a bit to fit the later frames (dzus mounting point is different for one thing).

I didn't know there was a difference at the time but I learned quickly enough when I saw how different it was. With a little dremel work it fitted perfectly though and I don't even notice it anymore. The stock dzus fastener for the 72 doesn't fit this panel so I use a bolt and nyloc nut instead. No worries about it falling off! :mrgreen:

With the CNW oil tank mod, you have to drill a new front mounting hole that's a little higher than the stock hole. That makes the tank, and the sidepanel, slope up at the front more than with the stock tank mounts. Decals applied parallel to the top edge of the panel look *really* cheesy with the CNW tank!

I'm in the "want my stickers level" camp. Guess I'm just fussy about things like that.

Oh, and if you're looking for originality, don't clearcoat over the decals (the factory didn't) and make sure to get a couple of wrinkles in the Norton decals when you slap them on the tank! Just like the factory did...

Debby

debby said:

With the CNW oil tank mod, you have to drill a new front mounting hole that's a little higher than the stock hole. That makes the tank, and the sidepanel, slope up at the front more than with the stock tank mounts. Decals applied parallel to the top edge of the panel look *really* cheesy with the CNW tank!

Click to expand...

Drill a hole in the frame? Please provide additional information about the information referenced above.

Robert_Norton said:

Drill a hole in the frame? Please provide additional information about the information referenced above.

Click to expand...

You drill a new 1/4 inch mounting hole on the front bulkhead near the original hole.

I am glad I read this thread before doing my paint! Now what do we do about the tail light fairing on the 72 and earlier models where it tends to slope down off the rear fender? Maybe the factory put the lettering at an angle to match the top of the fairing?!!

Russ

debby said:

Robert_Norton said:

Drill a hole in the frame? Please provide additional information about the information referenced above.

Click to expand...

You drill a new 1/4 inch mounting hole on the front bulkhead near the original hole.

Click to expand...

Not sure why it's necessary to have the modification made in such a way that the mounting hole positions would require relocation. That seems unnecessary to me, but I don't have access to a Commando frame at this time, so perhaps there's a trade-off of some kind being made that results in a superior modification.

Here's the link to the description of the service on the CNW website. There is no mention of frame drilling being required in order to be able to use a serviced tank.

page link: http://www.coloradonortonworks.com/catalog/mods.asp

enlarged photo link: http://www.coloradonortonworks.com/cata ... sp?pn=1703

It is only like a half inch difference. They do it so the rubber mount is more horizontal than an extreme angle.

Hi,

Somebody told me that I needed to look at this thread since there was some questions on a service that we offer.

First in regards to our oil tank modification.

- Yes....I suggest that the front mounting hole gets re-drilled about 1/4 from where the original is located. This beacuse I felt that it located the tank better with the new mounts we include.
- When drilling the new hole, the tank can be easily adjusted to be just as straight as the original location offers simply by adjusting the front arm slightly (bend up, which lowers the nose)
- About 6 months ago I have made another change to the oil tank mod and I actually but a bend in the rear mount so that the net result is that the tank sits exactly where the original, smaller rubber mount, put it. This also means that you can use the stock front mount if you like to eventhough I still suggest to move it up and in slightly for a better fit.

Then just a couple of thoughts on the decal location for the side cover.

I have never found that the top edge of the side cover is level with the bike. If you look at the back of the side covers (steel) you will find that the two spacers that locate the sidecover on top of the tank are different sizes. This will of course translate to the top edge being angeled even when the oil tank is absolutely level. If you use the top edge as a guide, and your oil tank is level, then your decal wont be level once you secure the side cover. I suggest Never to use the top edge as a guide. Better to approach the bike for what it is (in many aspects). A unique machine that, even though similar to others, may require some 'custom' fitment and adjustments to make things be just right.

I have found, like others mention, that these bikes certainly didnt all leave the factory exactly the same. What is true on one machine, may not be so on another. Its the nature of the beast. I call it personality.

I install all the paint masks (all of our logos are painted) with the tank and side cover mounted to the machine its ultimately going to be installed on. This way I can line everything up on that specific bike. I use the rear frame loop as a guide as what I feel is straight on the bike. You can easily extend the frame loop 'line' and bring it forward to the side cover and tank. I consider the fuel tank 'level' when the lower edge is in line with the loop. Of course the tank can also be adjusted later on with the front rubber washers if needed.

With this approach I feel like things are in line with eachother. Of course the bike itself is rarely 'level'. On the side stand, center stand, with a rider on it.....its usually off level when you look at it.

Thats my take.....Its Saturday and I am getting out of the shop to do some yard work. Will work on my 'leaf piles' being level with each other. You that know me personally arent laughing....since you know that I may do just that (making sure the piles are level witch each other that is)!!

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

Yes !!! I'm honored that Matt (CNW) "chimed" in on this thread. He articulated it far better than my feeble comments.
All I can say now is "AMEN MATT !" BTW, I'll be buying one of your modified oil tanks very soon, cheers !

"Will work on my 'leaf piles' being level with eachother." Doing the same here, albeit with snow.