Headlight mounting brackets question

I have a 1970 Norton Commando that I am restoring. I like the look of a beefy front end. I would like to install the chrome headlight brackets that are tubes with ears that slide over the fork tubes between the top and bottom trees. The brackets I see for sale say 1971 and on. I am sure the distance between the trees did not change from 70 to 71?? Would the later year brackets fit a 70? What I would REALLY like to use are the brackets that get wider as they go down..(kinda cone shaped) Would those fit?? Thanks for any info!

kempoyner said:

I am sure the distance between the trees did not change from 70 to 71??

Click to expand...

Actually it did, in a roundabout sort of way.

The trees were adjusted at the top, on your model, to adjust the steering bearings ? So the distance can move, slightly, to allow this.
On the later headlamp brackets, the trees were a fixed distance apart - the new sealed balled bearings didn't need adjusting like that.
And the fixing nut was underneath, and just done up tight, no adjustment.
So the headlamp brackets could just sit between the yokes, and o-rings took up the distance and held them there.
Otherwise, they could prevent the earlier type steering bearings being correctly adjusted.

Its possible those 'cones' could fit, but I don't know all those forks well enough to say.
Maybe you could fit later steering bearings and headlamp brackets ??

Looks good, stock, in the front end - like it says on the adverts.
Bikes not bad either....

Do you still have the halo that would have been on the bike originally? On my bike I value that as easily distinguishing it from later models - an original roadster ( or in your case possibly an S - you have not said).

Yes, mine is an S model and I do have the halo and the other brackets. I will keep those in storage, but just love the look of the cones with rubber boots below.

Funny, I really like the look of the halo ring around the headlight. To each their own, right?

I guess after building several custom V-twin bikes with inverted forks, I just got used to the look. In the "Pictures of your Commando" at the top of the last page (page 43), there is a picture of the Commando "R" model. To me, it looks more mean and aggressive. I think I think too much!