Introduction and a Question...

Hello Everyone

After several months of lurking on this site and being impressed by the range of knowledge and the photos of your restorations, I felt it was about time to register and join the fun.

As my logon rather unimaginatively suggests, I'm Mark and I live in London. I've just started the process of rebuilding my 1970 Commando Roadster, which has spent many years (too many) languishing in many many pieces in my garden shed.

I have to say I am a little initimidated by the quality of much of the work displayed on this forum, but as a very part time mechanic I'm determined to see and hear my Norton run again. I've been specially impressed by DogT's work on his 69 "S" type. My roadster is very similar to the "S" - just with the lower pipes. As I have owned the machine since 1976 I have the advantage of having most of the original parts (even if they are piled on shelves).

Now for the question...hopefully a simple one.

I've just had my frame stove enamelled - and I need to replace the VIN plate at the front of the head stock. Which way round does it go? Does it read the right way up if you stand on the right or left of the bike from the front?

(Yes - you've guessed it - I made no notes and took no photos when I took it all apart! - Well it was a long time ago!) Thanks for any help.

G'day, the few i've looked at had to be read standing on RH side of stem.
but hey its British Iron and Norton at that so its likely just flip of coin
how a factory worker installed them.
Real trick is getting it back on with the screwy rivets.

hobot

Thanks for the compliment. Here is how mine looked from the left (drive) side.



Is your bike the 'R' model? If so I have a few questions.

Welcome to the best no nonsense forum, mine was all over the floor last year, but now it is starting to look like a bike with some of the mods I always wanted.

Dave
69S

LondonMark said:

I've just had my frame stove enamelled - and I need to replace the VIN plate at the front of the head stock. Which way round does it go? Does it read the right way up if you stand on the right or left of the bike from the front?

Click to expand...

Based on the bikes I have here, Aus and UK models being the same spec, the VIN plate reads from the left side of the bike (drive side) with the left hand end of the plate lowest on the head stock. It appears they were not to fussy about positioning, mine seem more biased toward the drive side and not dead centre.

Mick

Many thanks for the welcomes and answers...seems like either way round will do. Will probably just go with the majority here.

And no - I haven't yet tried fitting the little screwy rivet things - I presume you just hammer them in????

DogT - no mine isn't an "R" Type - that is a separate model - only made in '69 I believe.

Mine is the original Roadster - put together in late 1970 as far as I can determine. I bought it from the first owner so I can be pretty certain it hasn't been messed around with. It has all the same features as the "S" - mainstand on frame rather than cradle, small side stand, ring around the headlamp, curvy chrome chainguard, the early type yokes, and the more triangular side panels - just with lower pea shooter silencers..

Working out the correct parts for these early models can be a bit of a challenge sometimes - even using the official 1970 parts book! Has anyone tried finding a Wipac TriConsol switch??!!

Mark,
Send Ron L a PM, he helped me out.

Dave
69S

Cheers DogT

if the switch you are looking for is the left handle bar switch then there are copied ones available, i to am puting together a "70" but i am doing mine as a "S"
Al

LondonMark wrote;

And no - I haven't yet tried fitting the little screwy rivet things - I presume you just hammer them in????

Click to expand...

Yes, that's all you do.

Reggie said:

LondonMark wrote;

And no - I haven't yet tried fitting the little screwy rivet things - I presume you just hammer them in????

Click to expand...

Yes, that's all you do.

Click to expand...

And by hammer they mean tap in as needed. I'll be installing my plate soon and will have to also make sure the powdercoat is removed from the holes too.

Does anyone know if they are the exact same screwy things as Triumph uses on their timing covers for the little plate? I know they are similar construction but can you use either?

They are significantly larger than the tap screws that Triumph uses for the patent plates.