Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas

Johnnymac

Johnnymac

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Oct 8, 2011
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Hi guys. Look what I just picked up. 1966 Norton Atlas. It runs great, looks great. Need a little TLC as it has been run about 100 miles in the past 20 years. I picked her up in Chicago for $5400.

Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas

Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas

Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas

Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas

Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas



Any idea what the tabs are for in the middle of this picture just above and in front of the fender.

Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas
 
Johnnymac said:
Any idea what the tabs are for in the middle of this picture just above and in front of the fender.
Click to expand...

They're the mountings for the tool tray.
 
That's a nice find there. And the price seems quite reasonable. Great to see it in the hands of someone who will give it the care it deserves.
 
L.A.B. said:
Johnnymac said:
Any idea what the tabs are for in the middle of this picture just above and in front of the fender.
Click to expand...

They're the mountings for the tool tray.
Click to expand...

Agree!

Hey Johnny! Weren't you looking for a Featherbed frame recently? What a plus to get the rest of the bits! And in such nice shape, too. Good luck with it.

BTW.....if you only want the frame, I will be happy to take the rest off your hands.....

Slick
 
Thanks Guys! Yep, I was looking for a featherbed frame but bare frames are costing a fortune these days so I figured I might as well get a whole bike. :) This Atlas starts up on first kick and was restored 20 years ago. So while it does need some TLC, it's all there and in great shape. Brakes are useless and the clutch is hard as a rock. The tank is in pretty good shape but seeps fuel from the rear. I am currently cleaning the tank and will seal it probably tomorrow with some Bill Hirsch sealer. I'm eventually going to get an alloy tank for it but short of funds after this big purchase.
 
Johnnymac said:
Thanks Guys! Yep, I was looking for a featherbed frame but bare frames are costing a fortune these days so I figured I might as well get a whole bike. :) Brakes are useless and the clutch is hard as a rock.
Click to expand...

Get a Venhill Teflon clutch cable, use ATF in the primary case, and back off the clutch springs a tad (ATF let's you get away with that), then the clutch becomes manageable. I put a TLS on the front and it stops me as well as I could want for road use.

Slick
 
That's a very nice machine. You might want to visit your dentist to make sure none of your fillings are loose. Also, if you do any riding after dark, or use the headlight as a reminder to folk that you're out there in daylight, buy a few headlight bulbs. The vibration of the Atlas shakes the filaments off the posts inside the bulb in about 4000 miles and it doesn't matter whether the lights are frequently on.

Kidding about the teeth, but not about the headlight!
 
Frank

I know I am going out on a very long limb to be contrary to your Norton Works experience, but the lamp filaments have never been a problem with my Atlas. I replaced the original with good old Made In USA equivalents (sealed beam headlamp and dual filament stop/tail) and they have lasted. In 85K miles, I cannot remember changing out more than two or three. But then, I do not cruise over 65 mph, and I cannot remember what I had for breakfast either.

I did take the Atlas coast to coast (and nearly back).... wore out chains, but no change of lamps.

Slick
 
Congrats on the bike....I am also new to the Atlas thing having picked up a restored 1967 and 1966 needing redone...Thinking maybe the 1966 will become a mild café....I have been gathering a bit of info on who does what and who has the parts for these bikes..
 
if the clutch is really stiff and the cable is properly lubed, look for three things:

1) did the restorer put a correct lever on the bike (7/8" cable center to pivot center) P/N 040029. A lot of replacement levers are 1" or 1-1/8"
2) did the restorer use an Atlas actuator(operating lever) in the trans or a Commando? P/N 026258 vs 060715
3) did the restorer overtighten the pressure plate springs (studs should be just shy of flush with spring retainers)

Any of these can make the clutch seem stiff, all three can make it a bear.
 
BillT said:
if the clutch is really stiff and the cable is properly lubed, look for three things:

1) did the restorer put a correct lever on the bike (7/8" cable center to pivot center) P/N 040029. A lot of replacement levers are 1" or 1-1/8"
2) did the restorer use an Atlas actuator(operating lever) in the trans or a Commando? P/N 026258 vs 060715
3) did the restorer overtighten the pressure plate springs (studs should be just shy of flush with spring retainers)

Any of these can make the clutch seem stiff, all three can make it a bear.
Click to expand...

All good points! I think the clutch is a bear with stock set up....with all three of these present, it would be d*mned near inoperable! I think Dyno Dave's website (Atlantic Green) has profiles for Atlas and Cdo actuating levers, otherwise how can you tell? I don't think part no. is stamped on actuator.

One other thing to check: the actuating lever and the clutch cable where it enters the transmission outer cover, should be in the same plane.

The Atlas clutch is sure not a two finger release. One has to get used to it.

Here is a riddle:

What will break out first....

1) a $100 bill from a women's purse

2) a wild cat from a paper sack

3) a new spider in an Atlas clutch

:D

Slick
 
Do you guys know where I can find an online parts diagram? I was spoiled with the Old Britts site for Commandos but I can't find anything similar for the Atlas.
 
Classic bik biz.com has all of the parts manuals and service manuals as well as several other useful material for free on their site.
 
dave M said:
Classic bik biz.com has all of the parts manuals and service manuals as well as several other useful material for free on their site.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave. I had a look at that but I can't find what i'm looking for. What type of mounting should the fuel tank have? The previous owner just bolted the tank to the frame with no rubber spacers or pads. It's just sitting on the frame.
 
Johnnymac said:
Do you guys know where I can find an online parts diagram? I was spoiled with the Old Britts site for Commandos but I can't find anything similar for the Atlas.
Click to expand...

I have a reference in my office....will append this post with it tomorrow.

Slick

Looks like Dave M beat me to it. I have ClassicBike.biz
For AMC Clutch and gearbox parts, I have found best prices at: amcclassicspares.com. It is in UK but prices on major item(s) will offset shipping.
 
Thanks Dave. I had a look at that but I can't find what i'm looking for. What type of mounting should the fuel tank have? The previous owner just bolted the tank to the frame with no rubber spacers or pads. It's just sitting on the frame.[/quote]

Here is a picture of the parts for the front mount and the rear uses a large rubber oring...There is a small flat washer on shouldered bolt...

Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas
 
Johnnymac said:
Thanks Dave. I had a look at that but I can't find what i'm looking for. What type of mounting should the fuel tank have? The previous owner just bolted the tank to the frame with no rubber spacers or pads. It's just sitting on the frame.
Click to expand...

In addition to parts shown by Beach, there are also two half moon shaped (or C shaped) rubber pads mounted two inches forward of the cross tube which has the prongs for the seat mount. The pads are 3/8 inch thick and 1 3/8 wide (front to back) and are bonded to the frame tubes. The two inch dimension is from the cross tube to the rear edge of the rubber pads. The large O ring loops over a tab at the tank rear, and the corresponding tab on the cross tube noted above.

Pg 35 classicbike.biz shows pt no 16237 which are designated "rubber, frame mounting" I would guess these are the pads I refer to above. The part Nos for parts in Beach's pic are there too.

Slick
 
The Norton master parts lists for the Atlas didn't include any pictures. The older AMC parts lists will occasionally show a photograph of the parts for a system in an exploded view, but I don't think there's anything definitive on the mid-60's stuff, including the Atlas, 650SS, G/N 15 series or the P11 series.

I think it was along the lines of, "if its in your dealership, you know what you're looking at"

Putting together my G15 and P11, sometimes I'd assemble something 3 or 4 times before I figured out the correct arrangement.

Also, if you go a website like Norvil, they'll post a picture of what the part looks like.

I threw out a part for my G15, thinking it was from a floor jack. I wasn't until I saw it in Walridges catalog that I realized I tossed a real part. (engine plate shield, which snaps in over the transmission). Luckily, it was only about $25.
 
Also, the numbers on the diagrams don't appear to correspond with anything else in the parts list.....

This doesn't look right to me. From the andover norton diagram. The bolt should go over that cover, not under it.
Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas

Look what I picked up - 66 Norton Atlas
 
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