I'm a newbie wishing to know what I have. (2013)

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I would agree on the Dunstall exhaust. It looks like a full system with silencers. That's a keeper in your project. Keep the disc front end and find out if the master cylinder was sleeved down to improve your right hand effort. Make this fun to ride and don't worry about it being period correct. Just add electronic ignition and add vernier isolastics. You'll have to seal that tank to run today's gas. An oil pressure gauge on these older motors is nice to let you know what's on. Update your info with location and you can get help from locals. Once you get this running and ride it, you'll understand how Norton was still more fun to ride in the twisties than anything else in the 70's.
 
Could be a '72 Combat Fastback. The spares could be red herrings. What's the engine number?
 
Deckard said:
Once you get this running and ride it, you'll understand how Norton was still more fun to ride in the twisties than anything else in the 70's.
Click to expand...

That comment still holds true in comparison to almost any modern bike I can think of. I dislike modern bikes altogether, with a half-handful of exceptions.
 
I want to say thank you for the help I have found here.

So I hurried home from work today and unpacked all the boxes of parts I have. I gathered all the parts and put it in front of my garage and made a video of the pieces I have along with more videos of the bike. I hope this takes some of the guess work out of what I have.

I forgot that I still have a set of carbs that did not get in the video. I believe they were MK1 carbs.


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/709 ... -48-45.mp4

Tonight I am watching the hockey game browsing through the pdf manual.

Will I have to purchase new tools to work on the Norton. I use metrics on my honda's, standards on my John Deere riding lawn mower, and now I need more tools to work on my Norton, (So I'm told).
 
Just be aware of two big things about a Commando compared to anything else, one its got to be the most sensitive to upset with in-decent tires, either by wear and tear or just taken a set while setting up. Secondly Commando are very secure right up til they ain't and begin fish flop off the deck weave "HInging", usually on the far side of the apex. Practice on old tires with rather low air will reveal the sensation and pilot comensations enough it'll not be such a surprise, as can happen on a slow leak that just feels like slight wind gusts - till stem pulls out...

Another biggie to be aware of is the primary chain will appear tooo slack when cold but can bend shafts on one over tight even so check that when out warmed up. If ya top off all fluids to manual levels likely rather messy till each seeks its innate natural level to maintain.

Front brake fluid can drip out the master cylinder blown away w/o knowing for NoBrake one good pull down to very next instant Nothing At All. Check level on each gas stop til ya Know for Sure.

Should check torque cradle to head a few heat cycles.
 
Every part in the video is easily recognized in the parts books. I say bookS, because you definitely have at least 2 different years, plus several non-norton parts.

You have several desirable parts including the original early Commando "Roadholder" forks that many classic enthusiasts like to have (along with the front brake w/ air scoop).

Since you have the parts book available, just go through from front to back. I'd pick the trimmer chainguard, newer style (smaller/flatter) oil tank, and disc brake front end. I personally don't prefer the Fastback styling to the standard later style Roadster, but that's just me. It took me years to appreciate the Fastback style at all, even for what it is (a vintage Britbike icon); i just can't get used to the "ears" on the seat, and the extended boat-tail styling.

Heck, you might even consider keeping BOTH front ends and body kits (tank & seat/tail), so you can switch between styles with just an afternoon's work.
 
Tonight I installed those rubber thingys on the carbs as well as the air breather casing. They seem to fit just right too.

Thank you. Now I have to learn the proper terminology of these parts that I am assembling. lol
 
Those rubber thingys need lots of help like Armor-all rubber help ,they break up from vibration and U.V.
 
I'll sell you this brand new one from Commando Specialties. It's the one on the left. PM me if interested.
Cheers
I'm a newbie wishing to know what I have. (2013)
 
I may consider making my own. I have to do some more reading on the subject.
 
I need to find a decent manual or brochure showing how the cable are to run.
 
The "Kim the CD Man" Norton disc has everything you'll ever need, Norton-wise...

Best money you'll ever spend. just print out the pages you need as you need them; keep 'em in a binder or toss 'em and re-print new clean ones as needed.
 
joel1 said:
So far I have been just hanging loose parts back on the bike.
Click to expand...

Some folks will tell you that thats how the Factory designed them.
Especially when you have a large stack of parts to choose from...
 
As long as it doesn't end up looking like an early David Brown.

Dave
69S
 
Its been 3 years since this thread was started. Life has a way of getting in the way. For now a season has opened up that will allow me to get back at the Norton project. The bike has been moved around in the garage several times with nothing being done to it. Earlier this summer I pushed the bike out of the garage down the driveway and parked it. The bike hadn't seen the light of day for a long time. A light breeze blew the dust off. Its a long way from being finished.

Well I have recently picked up the project up again. In doing so, I decided that the bike needs to run and that restoring will come later. I am open to suggestions if their is a better way.

So here is where I am with the project.

The bike is in needs of parts. (Bits and pieces). To many for me to know completely yet. So I have set course to work on segments of the bike. The fuel system first, and second the electrical system. I have no plans of going through the motor yet. The motor turns over and is free. And oil will come out of one of the hoses that comes from the bottom of the motor to the reservoir tank when kicking it over. (The oil hose is disconnected from the reservoir "Wrong end of hose to fit the tank".) I figure oil that is being moved around in the engine is always a good thing.

So here is my barrage of thoughts and questions.

The carbs and intakes and tank throttle cables.

I have removed the carbs and intakes. Amal 30m. I have cleaned them and am in the search for carb kits. Plastic float and plastic needles??? really???. That is what I removed. Metric bikes all have carb kits. Do Amal have carb kits available? O-rings, float and needle, gasket.
I will need the procedure on how to reinstall the intakes and carbs. Grandpaul where can I find a copy of Kims CD? I think I will install the carbs to the intakes first on the bench. Then install the intakes. This proves itself difficult due to the inner intake bolts not being easily accessible (Allen head). I suspect I will need to cut to fit one of my allen head wrenches. If anyone had a link to a video of an installation that would be great.

The fiberglass tank has been cleaned both with lacquer thinner and soap and water. It is nearly ready for a lining kit. Someone suggested caswell lining kit.

The petcock valves have been removed and will be replaced with new.

The fuel lines on these Nortons are huge and not at all like metric bikes (Bulk hose). So my question is does the fuel line come as a complete unit? (I hope it does) If it does then does the bike (being a mish mash complicate the length of the fuel hoses?

I am in need of a throttle cable. Specifically the portion of the cable from the control lever down to the split off to the two carbs.

At this time I am avoiding the choke system. To make that work. I would need a choke lever, complete cable, and one carb slide. I was told that I could start the Norton without a choke system in place. Any thoughts?

Electrical system

I am going forward with installing electronic ignition. Its been suggested Boyer. I need to be sure what MK I have. Will the engine number give me this info?

And I will need to get a wire harness. It has been suggested that a wire harness can been made? Any thoughts?

Britishonly.com is geographically located in Michigan about two hours away. Any thoughts?


To the best of my knowledge these are the items that are most needed to make the Norton engine start. lol
 
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