kickstand for my 71

scotto · Jun 27, 2015

New to Nortons. I have a 71 Commando with the kickstand missing. Is there a good replacement that I can weld on?

ashman · Jun 27, 2015

A kick stand??? or do you mean a centre stand, if thats what you mean then you should learn to kick start your Norton without using any stand, if you do need to use a centre stand there are 2 diffrent ways they mount I think, one mounts off the frame and the other off the engine cradle, but once you master kicking a Norton you won't need to use the stand at all.
When I first brought my new Norton at the age of 17 and skinny as a rake I use to use the side stand to kick my Norton to life, but only took a few weeks to get the nak to kick it over without using it.

Ashley

pete.v · Jun 27, 2015

Here ya go.
http://www.oldbritts.com/38_200002.html

tomspro · Jun 27, 2015

pete.v said:
Here ya go.
http://www.oldbritts.com/38_200002.html

Nice to see a response that actually addresses the question instead of 'lecture/advise'.
Lord knows we got way too many opinions on this site and it's a struggles sometimes to find real answers to simple questions.

Anonymous · Jun 27, 2015

Hi scotto.
Fit the long side stand option if you have the choice.
Ta.

Opinion questions conventional wisdom - that's why it is called a 'forum' instead of a 'regurgitation'.

ashman · Jun 27, 2015

I have seen to many bikes fall over using stands to kick start them, so just giving some wisom, I have seen centre stand bolts break and of course a few side stand lugs give up the ghost, when i first built my 850 Featherbed I never had a stand on the bike for over 32 years, it now have a bolt on one just to save looking for somewhere to lean my bike on, but I don't use it to start my Norton on.

Ashley

elefantrider · Jun 28, 2015

Kickstand is a common North American term for sidestand. Sidestand is the term used in most other places in the world.

tomspro · Jun 28, 2015

scotto said:
New to Nortons. I have a 71 Commando with the kickstand missing. Is there a good replacement that I can weld on?

When I got my Commando, the side stand was missing and the center stand was non-functional.
Leaning the bike against trees got old fast.
A new side stand from OB and an easy fix to the center stand and now I have both options.

You will find a wealth of information (and opinions) here.
Use the google search box at the upper right for best results.

For pure tech help, Fred at OB has posted numerous articles to help you get the bike on the road.
For instance, a Google search of "Old Britts transmission" produces this:
https://www.oldbritts.com/gearbox_a.html

Enjoy your new Commando! When sorted, they are still a blast to ride.

acadian · Jun 28, 2015

ashman said:
I have seen to many bikes fall over using stands to kick start them, so just giving some wisom, I have seen centre stand bolts break and of course a few side stand lugs give up the ghost, when i first built my 850 Featherbed I never had a stand on the bike for over 32 years, it now have a bolt on one just to save looking for somewhere to lean my bike on, but I don't use it to start my Norton on.

Ashley

I don't see any reference to kick starting the bike on the stand in the original post, so have no clue what you're on about.

scotto said:
New to Nortons. I have a 71 Commando with the kickstand missing. Is there a good replacement that I can weld on?

OP, the kickstand (sidestand for the vernacular challenged), on the 71's is a weak spot. The old britt's link posted provides details on the proper fix, but will require tear down and welding skills. Other option is to purchase one of the clamp on types, but it's best to tack weld this to the frame rather than over clamp it. This can be done with only the inner primary removed.

scotto · Jun 28, 2015

Many thanks for the constructive replies. I have a friend who is an expert welder, so that may be the best path from what I see here. The other comments are entertaining if nothing else.

MikeM · Jun 28, 2015

My 71 still has the lug on the frame but the stand is missing. Is a replacement factory stand a good option or will it break or fall off?

pete.v · Jun 28, 2015

MikeM said:
My 71 still has the lug on the frame but the stand is missing. Is a replacement factory stand a good option or will it break or fall off?

The option is to cut the old one off and weld on the new lug which will now except the later sidestand.

ashman · Jun 28, 2015

Well most new poeple to Nortons do use the side stand to kick start there bike, a good welder will be able to weld a side stand lug on for you, the late model 850 side stands are longer and more stable when parked, you can also buy a clamp on side stand but they have a good chance to slip on the frame, but I haven't had any problems with my clamp on side stand.

Ashley

MikeM · Jun 28, 2015

ashman said:
Well most new poeple to Nortons do use the side stand to kick start there bike, a good welder will be able to weld a side stand lug on for you, the late model 850 side stands are longer and more stable when parked, you can also buy a clamp on side stand but they have a good chance to slip on the frame, but I haven't had any problems with my clamp on side stand.

Ashley

I dont use any stands to start it. No need for that. Hold it up and kick it. No big deal.
I would like the convenience of a side or jiffy stand but dont want to find the thing laying on its side.
Welding it on would be difficult I would think with the engine in it. I finally have it running and riding and dont want to pull it apart.

pete.v · Jun 28, 2015

Which ever side stand you use, old or new, it is not an option or a good idea to start the bike from it. Even the new later stand with a new lug is vulderable and needs to be used with a bit of common sence. It is better, but not perfect.

johnm · Jun 29, 2015

tomspro said:
pete.v said:

Here ya go.
http://www.oldbritts.com/38_200002.html

Click to expand...

Nice to see a response that actually addresses the question instead of 'lecture/advise'.
Lord knows we got way too many opinions on this site and it's a struggles sometimes to find real answers to simple questions.

Harsh

He asked about a "kickstand"

I have been around bikes 46 years and I have never heard of a "kickstand" Seems its a US term and the guy replying was from Australia.

Saying kickstand impies you are going to start the bike on a stand. (Unless he meant kick start of course). Either way somewhat confusing to the 6.5 billion of us that dont live in North America ???

Starting a bike on a stand -sidestand or mainstand - is not a good idea.

Diver3284 · Jun 29, 2015

I] Kicking your Commando over when it is on the side (or kick) stand should not be attempted because of the poor design of the attachment to the frame.

II] Starting it on the centre stand is similarly bound to cause doom and unmitigated failure of the mounting.

III] Attempting to kick it over while on it's wheels is fraught with danger on anything but perfectly level ground and should only be attempted when surrounded by mattresses.

IV] An Alton or MkIII electric starter is an admission of abject failure and possibly terminal decrepitude.

V] We will have to wait for Matt and CNW's attempts to rectify IV] above.

It follows that the only way to start a Commando is to run and bump it, downslope of course, or to get your pit crew to hold you steady while your race engineer runs the rollers for you.

It's a bloody miracle that any of us can start the beasts at all!!

Anonymous · Jun 29, 2015

johnm said:
tomspro said:

pete.v said:

Here ya go.
http://www.oldbritts.com/38_200002.html

Click to expand...

Nice to see a response that actually addresses the question instead of 'lecture/advise'.
Lord knows we got way too many opinions on this site and it's a struggles sometimes to find real answers to simple questions.

Click to expand...

Harsh

He asked about a "kickstand"

I have been around bikes 46 years and I have never heard of a "kickstand" Seems its a US term and the guy replying was from Australia.

Saying kickstand impies you are going to start the bike on a stand. (Unless he meant kick start of course). Either way somewhat confusing to the 6.5 billion of us that dont live in North America ???

Starting a bike on a stand -sidestand or mainstand - is not a good idea.

Looked up 'kickstand' in the translation page but it was not there - add maybe, if there is concensus on meaning?
technical-information-how-post-photos-t2357.html
Ta.

tomspro · Jun 29, 2015

Diver3284 said:
I] Kicking your Commando over when it is on the side (or kick) stand should not be attempted because of the poor design of the attachment to the frame.

II] Starting it on the centre stand is similarly bound to cause doom and unmitigated failure of the mounting.

III] Attempting to kick it over while on it's wheels is fraught with danger on anything but perfectly level ground and should only be attempted when surrounded by mattresses.

IV] An Alton or MkIII electric starter is an admission of abject failure and possibly terminal decrepitude.

V] We will have to wait for Matt and CNW's attempts to rectify IV] above.

It follows that the only way to start a Commando is to run and bump it, downslope of course, or to get your pit crew to hold you steady while your race engineer runs the rollers for you.

It's a bloody miracle that any of us can start the beasts at all!!

I must admit this thread has diverged into some interesting and amusing posts about a topic the OP never even mentioned!
Now afraid to try to kickstart my bike without a crew standing by to assist.
:mrgreen:

acadian · Jun 29, 2015

johnm said:
tomspro said:

pete.v said:

Here ya go.
http://www.oldbritts.com/38_200002.html

Click to expand...

Nice to see a response that actually addresses the question instead of 'lecture/advise'.
Lord knows we got way too many opinions on this site and it's a struggles sometimes to find real answers to simple questions.

Click to expand...

Harsh

He asked about a "kickstand"

I have been around bikes 46 years and I have never heard of a "kickstand" Seems its a US term and the guy replying was from Australia.

Saying kickstand impies you are going to start the bike on a stand. (Unless he meant kick start of course). Either way somewhat confusing to the 6.5 billion of us that dont live in North America ???

Starting a bike on a stand -sidestand or mainstand - is not a good idea.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=kickstand

"Kick" stand refers to the action of "kicking out" the stand itself, it does not imply "kick starting". Bicycles have "kickstands" as well....

kickstand for my 71

scotto

ashman

pete.v

tomspro

Anonymous

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ashman

elefantrider

tomspro

acadian

scotto

MikeM

pete.v

ashman

MikeM

pete.v

johnm

Diver3284

Anonymous

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tomspro

acadian

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