Curious rear frame brackets

Mike T · Mar 5, 2013

Hi there
Does anyone happen to know if the curious rear frame brackets are standard or non-standard? A couple of friends have mentioned them recently.

Just to add a little background that may help, I believe that the bike may have been in the US Department of the Air force service, so wonder if the brackets may have been welded on for some kind of racking system.

It's strange that the brackets don't seem to match on both sides; i.e. the larger bracket is on the outside on the left but on the inside on the right

Left-hand side Outside

Left-hand side Inside

Right-hand side Outside

Right-hand side Inside

Cheers
Mike

dougmatson · Mar 5, 2013

The right side is where the key unit goes to keep the seat locked. The other side is for the bracket that lets the seat swing up. This is the key side.

swooshdave · Mar 5, 2013

So MkIIA with MkIII style frame...

I think it still has a MkII and earlier swing arm. I need to look at it closer.

Mike T · Mar 5, 2013

Thanks a lot. It's a late MK2a so that explains it!
Cheers
Mike

L.A.B. · Mar 6, 2013

Mike T said:
It's strange that the brackets don't seem to match on both sides; i.e. the larger bracket is on the outside on the left but on the inside on the right

Curiously, we have also seen at least one late Mk2A frame that had both 'Mk3' brackets on the inside!

marknorton said:

JRD · Mar 6, 2013

Could it be an aftermarket (and sensible) upgrade ?

L.A.B. · Mar 6, 2013

JRD said:
Could it be an aftermarket (and sensible) upgrade ?

It seems unlikely, as they are standard Mk3 brackets.

BillT · Mar 6, 2013

L.A.B. said:
Curiously, we have also seen at least one late Mk2A frame that had both 'Mk3' brackets on the inside!

Perhaps the factory sold more '74s than it had forecast, so started using MkIII frames ahead of schedule?

L.A.B. · Mar 6, 2013

BillT said:
L.A.B. said:

Curiously, we have also seen at least one late Mk2A frame that had both 'Mk3' brackets on the inside!

Click to expand...

Perhaps the factory sold more '74s than it had forecast, so started using MkIII frames ahead of schedule?

In the case of Mike T's frame with the "odd" bracket arrangement that would be the most logical answer, the other Mk2A frame that has the long Mk3 bracket on the inside at the left as well as the right, would be no good for a Mk3.

DogT · Mar 6, 2013

Now why would the USAF buy a Norton?

Dave
69S

swooshdave · Mar 6, 2013

DogT said:
Now why would the USAF buy a Norton?

Dave
69S

I think he means the owner was in the USAF?

DogT · Mar 6, 2013

Mike T said:
...I believe that the bike may have been in the US Department of the Air force service, so wonder if the brackets may have been welded on for some kind of racking system....

Not how I read it. But maybe he can clear it up.

Dave

calbigbird · Mar 6, 2013

Okay, riddle me this one Batman. I have a 1975, MK III. The frame plate, engine and trans numbers all match and do not appear to have been tampered with. I bought the bike off fleebay with no information on the bike's history. Based on what I got, it had parts from older models such as headlight, guages etc. The seat is from an older model with no hinges and I have always wondered how the hinge mounted. My frame does not have the brackets described in this thread.

The number stamped in the frame neck is "850 F131966." Can anyone tell by this number if I have an older frame with the number plate from the original 75 moved to this frame? It doesn't really matter, but I am curious.

L.A.B. · Mar 6, 2013

Three of the four cupped seat retaining washers (NME6472) seem to be missing?

http://www.oldbritts.com/nor_comm_73_14.html

[11]
http://www.oldbritts.com/1973_g14.html

swooshdave · Mar 6, 2013

DogT said:
Mike T said:

...I believe that the bike may have been in the US Department of the Air force service, so wonder if the brackets may have been welded on for some kind of racking system....

Click to expand...

Not how I read it. But maybe he can clear it up.

Dave

Since the USAF would never own a Norton I assumed that he either inferred that it was a member of the USAF who owned it or he was clearly confused.

The logical assumption is that it may have had some sort of USAF permit on the bike when he was cleaning it up, not that it had a Property of USAF on it. :mrgreen:

L.A.B. · Mar 6, 2013

calbigbird said:
The number stamped in the frame neck is "850 F131966." Can anyone tell by this number if I have an older frame with the number plate from the original 75 moved to this frame? It doesn't really matter, but I am curious.

It is probably the original frame if the date stamp on the certification plate is around 4/75 - 5/75.
http://atlanticgreen.com/commandoframes.htm

calbigbird · Mar 6, 2013

Thanks L.A.B. Vin tag shows 4/75, so it is right in the ball park. I will have to get next to a proper 75 and see how the hinge mounts.

L.A.B. · Mar 6, 2013

calbigbird said:
I will have to get next to a proper 75 and see how the hinge mounts.

ILLF8ED · Mar 6, 2013

My first Commando had such a sticker as I was stationed at March AFB in '73-"74 when I owned it.

Would have been two stickers, Air Force and a colored sticker with base name. Yellow for non-com, blue for officer.

DogT · Mar 6, 2013

swooshdave said:
The logical assumption is that it may have had some sort of USAF permit on the bike when he was cleaning it up, not that it had a Property of USAF on it. :mrgreen:

I guess I'm just curious if the AF actually used the Norton for some reason. Unlikely. I'm not going to beat a dead horse to death. I read things too literally. It was in interesting thought though.

Dave

Curious rear frame brackets

Mike T

dougmatson

swooshdave

Mike T

L.A.B.

Moderator

JRD

L.A.B.

Moderator

BillT

L.A.B.

Moderator

DogT

swooshdave

DogT

calbigbird

L.A.B.

Moderator

swooshdave

L.A.B.

Moderator

calbigbird

L.A.B.

Moderator

ILLF8ED

DogT

Similar threads