New member needs help with a Combat

Hi,

New member here. I picked up this 72 Combat a few months back and finally got to working on it. I need help finding a harness junction block like in the picture below. The one I have is done. I've called around to the various parts suppliers and they all they me it's a non stock part. Looks like it's been on there since 72 to me. Anyone seen this before? Know where I can pick it up?

Also, any leads on the best parts houses to use would be great. I've tried the Old Brits site, but can't seem to get the order buttons to work...

The list of needed parts grows by the day. :shock:

Thanks,
Chris

Needed block. 10 bullet connector spots on each side.


When I got her


As she sits today

Yes around here we call that the fire starter. They made them soft witch was good but they get softer with 30 plus years of work. British wiring in PA has all your goodies. see them here: http://www.britishwiring.com/CAT14_15.PDF

As for parts, Norton owners are pretty spoiled. Try giving Fred at Old Britts a call or, alternatively, call Phil Radford at Fair Spares (http://www.fairsparesamerica.com/). I've ordered from both and have been very satisfied with their service. Either will have all of the spares you could possibly want.

Great photos, by the way. I really like how you lit them. Keep posting, and welcome!

There is no chance you'll ever get this Combat working. You should just sell it to me for 500 bucks!

That would be half of what I paid for it!

Thanks for all the tips.

nomadwarmachine said:

Great photos, by the way. I really like how you lit them. Keep posting, and welcome!

Click to expand...

Thanks, photography is a budding hobby for me. The second shot was taken with a 40 year old Minolta lens converted to work on a modern DSLR. It's fun working with the old manual focus stuff.

cycletech said:

That would be half of what I paid for it!

Thanks for all the tips.

Click to expand...

wow, $1000, lucky man!!!

Wow nice buy my friend $1000, can I ask where'd u score it that well priced? U have a nice bike there! I have also used Fair Spares America which are great although not the cheapest they have everything and are very helpful, as well as British Spares in New Zealand are great, lucky man nice find with ur combat!

interstateOz said:

Wow nice buy my friend $1000, can I ask where'd u score it that well priced?

Click to expand...

A friend of mine (Larry) was owed $1000 from a guy that worked for him, the money never got repaid, the bike was offered in payment. Original owner too. Larry has no business holding a screwdriver, so the bike ended up at my place to get it running. He needed the $1k more than a project bike, so a deal was struck. I have to offer it to Larry at fair market value first, if I ever parts ways with it. :wink:

This looks to me like 5 standard twin connectors that are taped or bound and where the insulation has fused together over the years.

I've had happy dealing with every vendor listed above plus a bunch more, some dead and gone now. When I need something big I go down list of vendors for feedback and prices world wide. British Spares was a bargain when exchange rates were against them. Baxter's cycle is who I call most just because it was vendor my seller gave me for everything and have been to his rallys in Iowa a couple times. Look at first post in forum Tech/Photo subject for lists and manuals to know about. Here's online list to review too, scroll.., Its really neat to talk to ancient vendors for advice and price and other tales. Its good to get on DomiRacer mailing list for seasonal flyer that's a treat to see scope of rare tiny stuff they carry - plus many Commando goodies to boot.
http://www.bmacinc.com/Advertisers.php

I'll give Larry $2500 and you $500cash to take it off your hands and I'll come and get it w/o you lifting a finger further. Its seems such bad condition you could take years to get around to it : )

Thanks for the link, good stuff. How come Larry gets all the cash?

btw cyberteck, your mention of adapting old manual lens is not lost on me, lovely mechanisms, just over my head to do that, so extra impressive. Cannon AI body and big ole motor drive and hand full lens were best i collected to keep then film ran out. I'm licensed to irradiate people but also interesting to x-ray mechanisms.

There's is also a hand full of little do dads to buy a few at once as they get sacrificed on just damaged by proper use. Circlip clutch snugs up on is one.
TS cover gaskets is another as part of oil pump seal spacing. If you can lift chains out of sprocket valleys more than 1/4 th tooth better change out before teeth damaged.

Also fill up everything to sock fluid levels in manual then see where the real levels end up at so less clean up after initial learning curve. Fork are the only exception, they need like 175 ml fluid vs 150 listed. But heck its about impossible to get accurate amount in d/t all the spillage & burp backs.
Oil dip stick should never show oil on full tank after a run so all oil in there.
There are longer ones I think, just not in early models I know about.

Good habit to leave engine with pistons near TDC to stifle wet sump somewhat.

Hi Chris

Welcome aboard. Lot of satisfaction in bring a Commando back to its prime.

>>I've tried the Old Brits site, but can't seem to get the order buttons to work<<
Keep trying until it works.
I've found Old Britts to be an extremely informative and useful site to purchase from and Fred and Ella give great service.
Their purchasing site is organized around the Norton Parts List book with the parts groups page by page and number by number.
Even has expandable illustration of each parts group above each list so you can zoom in to confirm parts numbers.
Very easy to use.
Just click item and add to shopping cart.

Bob

Online ordering is convent but talking to the owners is way more interesting/educational.

Thanks for the link, good stuff. How come Larry gets all the cash?

Click to expand...

You said Larry must get first dibs on it, so you can lie to him and give him Double his money back and keep a 1000 for your finders fee and get more lens.

Hi Chris,
welcome from another 72 combat rider.
My only complaint is it isn't yellow :lol:
My junction box was all overheated too and the bullet connectors were falling out of the block.
I replaced it as well. No problems 2 years into riding with it.
I cleaned each bullet connector w/ a wire wheel on a dremmel tool.
Then applied di-electric grease to each and "clicked" them into place holding the base
on the bullet connector w/ needle nose plyers.
They have a special connector tool probably avail. through Brit wiring?
But I do not think it is a must have.
I may have over did it but its still holding up well.
So the time invested must have been worth while.
If you need anything for this bike I have various take off parts.
Ask before you buy full price if you are looking for show go new but if rider let me know :mrgreen:
May save you some $
Marshal

"That would be half of what I paid for it!"

Hey, we're in a recession, times are tough! It may be your last chance to get out from under the thing before instead of losing 500 bucks, you've spent 15 thousand!


But seriously, you have neat project there and should be able to turn into a really nice bike...but I'm not kidding about the 15k! I added up all the money I've spent on my 73 850, though I admit I waaay overpaid a noted brittbike seller for what amounted to a POS though represented as "pristine," but I digress...

Anyway, I added up all the money I spent and the 15 k is still several k short!

Marshal, thanks for the advise on the connector. I ordered one today from British Wiring. Tell me what take off's you have, I may need something...

Mike, $15k!! I understand though. Put money into something you love is more than worth it.

Two question's for anyone that is willing to chime in. Can I use a MK3 Swingarm Spindle on my 72? And, without trying to open a can of worms, what oil filter can I use that is easy to get? I plan on running some oil through it for only 50 miles or so, then changing it out. Napa is just down the street... :wink:

cycletech said:

And, without trying to open a can of worms, what oil filter can I use that is easy to get? I plan on running some oil through it for only 50 miles or so, then changing it out. Napa is just down the street... :wink:

Click to expand...

NAPA PS 7013, K&N kn153

Just use the two place bullet connectors. They do not have to be all in one. Re camera lenses. I found out Pentax DSLR's take all old Pentax bayonet lenses right out of the box. I was amazed. Plan on getting one sometime so I can use my old SLR lenses on it. I like manual control anyway. I cannot get used to looking at the little screen either. Prefer TTL.