Gear Pattern

I have a 67 Norton N15CS with a 1down 3 up gear pattern is this correct. The info on the transmission is MA 7811 CSR & the shift marker on the transmisson case is also reversed with the #1 being forward towards the front of the engine. I know these bike are hybrid and they probably used/intermixed various parts when they where being built especially beginning in 67 since Matchless folded. Is there anyone or anywhere that I can find/verify this info ? Did the Matchless G15 CSR have the footpegs further back with the gear shifter in reverse which would be a 1up 3 down since it would be shifting in reverse? Trying to eliminate options.

Mine's 1 up 3 down which is normal from everything I've read. I see reverse linkage on CSR's with swept-back pipes, but earlier years appear to be tourers and have a forward-facing shifter. I'd just roll with it, I can't see what problem it would present as long as it works. Assuming it's a rider not a show bike anyway. There are some archived reviews you can search for and they may mention the pattern. So if it's got the markers reversed, then if it's on a later CSR it is back to 1 up 3 down. Consistently inconsistent!

It is from fading memory, but there were instructions somewhere on making a reverse cam-plate for the Nortons.

Just did a quick search: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Norton+reverse+camplate

gpzkat said:

Mine's 1 up 3 down which is normal from everything I've read. I see reverse linkage on CSR's with swept-back pipes, but earlier years appear to be tourers and have a forward-facing shifter. I'd just roll with it, I can't see what problem it would present as long as it works. <..> So if it's got the markers reversed, then if it's on a later CSR it is back to 1 up 3 down.

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There were no "earlier years" of the G15CSR. The cafe-racer version introduced for 1965 and produced until early 1967 had rearset footrests and the reversed shift pattern, including an adapted gearbox cover.
The CSR sports tourer introduced in the spring of 1967 reverted to parts as fitted to the other models.

Debo's gearbox is obviously not the original gearbox for the bike. If he wants originality, he can either swap it for the correct type of gearbox, or replace the cam plate and outer cover (and optionally, the inner cover) for the appropriate parts. It's a simple operation, and I think the gearbox shell may remain in the bike during the operation.

- Knut

Looks like you have a gearbox from one of these


Now back to the Hybrid portion that really makes this bike unique is the swept back pipes, rear set foot pegs, shifter facing rearward with the mechanical altered to shift normal. The indicator on the transmission also is reverse from what you would see on a normal shifting transmission.

mdt-son said:

There were no "earlier years" of the G15CSR. The cafe-racer version introduced for 1965 and produced until early 1967 had rearset footrests and the reversed shift pattern, including an adapted gearbox cover.
The CSR sports tourer introduced in the spring of 1967 reverted to parts as fitted to the other models.

Debo's gearbox is obviously not the original gearbox for the bike. If he wants originality, he can either swap it for the correct type of gearbox, or replace the cam plate and outer cover (and optionally, the inner cover) for the appropriate parts. It's a simple operation, and I think the gearbox shell may remain in the bike during the operation.

- Knut

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Hi Knut. When I searched Mr. Google, one of the hits was this model year 1964 review in Cycle World. It isn't the cafe-racer version I had in my mind's eye.

https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1964/11/1/matchless-g-15-csr

Or Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matchless_G15_CSR_750_cc_1968.jpg and elsewhere. I see these written up, what are they if not CSRs?

Tom, the second link depicts the 1967/68 Sports Tourer I mentioned in #4, and it's officially a G15CSR.
Title in the Cycle World test is a Berliner Bros. hoax. The tested bike is a G15Mk2 (US version), at the time christened G15P. This model name may not have appeared attractive to the Berliners. Whether use of "G15CSR" was approved by AMC I don't know, but I doubt it. You will not find any press material, brochures or parts book entries describing the G15P as a "CSR". I don't remember a J.B. Matchless ad describing the model as a CSR either, but I could be mistaken.

Another report is this one: https://www.oldbikemag.com.au/1967-matchless-g15csr-late-comer/
The bike appears to be one of the "ape hanger" models of the late G15CSR, albeit with a nonstandard front mudguard and handlebar.

- Knut

You mean to tell me I can't trust the Internet? I'm crushed! Good info.