Newbie to forum and Norton

[biffom]

Hi all,

This forum has been a invaluable resource to me as I'm working through getting my newly acquired non running 73 commando on the road.

I'm based in Key West Florida, I'm unaware of any other vintage Nortons on the island - and the previous owner is no longer with us - So I come here for some virtual brain picking. So far it working out. I finally got her to fire up for the first time yesterday.

As a newbie I do have a (now) amusing story - When i first installed the battery and switched on the ignition the horn would come on - at least I know where the horn is located - what were they thinking!. I downloaded a copy of the Commando Riders Manual found the horn switch disassembled the switch gear and then started chasing my way around the loom with a voltmeter. Perplexed as to why the wires apparently change color between the connectors and the horn. Many hours later (after disconnecting the horn) I finally work out that the switch gear is on the wrong way round and that my horn is operated by the right hand and not the left as in the manual. Is this a stateside thing or model specific?

The cause of the horn switch gear failure was that the master cylinder had failed and leaked - the brake fluid must have been able to flow uphill via capillary action to get into the switch gear. So I've yet to take the bike for a spin as I'm now onto solving the master cylinder replacement/recondition problem.... So close yet so far.

Thanks go to all of you who's brains I have virtual picked to get me this far.

Carl.

 

[grandpaul]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[L.A.B.]

I finally work out that the switch gear is on the wrong way round and that my horn is operated by the right hand and not the left as in the manual. Is this a stateside thing or model specific?

Service Release, May 1972

SERVICE RELEASE

CATEGORY OF RELEASE: 4 (as overleaf) motorcycles No. N3/3

NATURE OF RELEASE: Reversal of handlebar switch clusters.

MODELS AFFECTED: Late 1972 Commando - all models.

DISTRIBUTION: Worldwide (for general distribution),

EXPLANATION:
As a direct result of user requests for right hand operation of the direction
indicators, the decision has been taken to interchange the left and right hand switch
clusters. To save changing wiring colour identification at 6 connectors, the functions
of kill button and headlamp flasher and spare button and horn shown in Illustration 2 of the
Riders Manual are also reversed. New prints of the handbook will include this modified
layout but where motorcycles have been despatched which are at variance to the
handbook, the supplying dealer is requested to acquaint the new owner with the revised
layout. From the time of the changeover, the revised control positions will be:

LEFT HAND........................................................RIGHT HAND

Top button - Headlamp flasher..................................Spare button
Lever switch - Dipswitch.........................................Direction indicators
Bottom button - Horn.............................................Kill button

ACTION: Ensure that all new owners of modified models are suitably briefed.

However, I expect some owners preferred the switches the original way-and reversed them?

 

[Hobot]

Switches can be arranged to either side but I prefer the horn and kill on the LH so at times I still kill power rather get that bee under a bonnet sound. The leaking master cylinder must be dealt with as fluid will blow off and melt paint or can work perfect one hard break and next instant be totally gone. Must haves are the Factory Manual, parts chart/numbers book and INOA Tech Digest.

When I was a little girl we'd visit Key West from Miami on those old stone and cement bridges ya see the remains of and they still had pens of the sea turtles to sell and most the natives were crusty old fishermen and smugglers.

 

[biffom]

Unfortunately the master cylinder is more of a gusher than a leak. It has destroyed some of the tank paint at some point in the past.

Key West has changed - you probablly wouldn't recognize it now. And I'm pretty sure it's now jail if you are caught with a sea turtle. There is still some smuggling going on - there was a recent report of someone dying after sampling a "square grouper" (cocaine in this case) that they had found floating offshore. Still a eclectic crazy mix of people though.

 

[Hobot]

On first edition '72 Ms Peel, unknown wind blown off m/c leak went undiscovered till it ruined the once nice b/g paint on IS tank. I had m/c resleeved as piston rust had ate up the bore walls. In for a pretty penny but down for pounds and pounding.

I pretty much know how Key West changed, fishermen and retirees died off, environmental regulation restricted living off the sea, then hippy bunch moved in to bring some life back, then the gay art-fashion crowd moved in and made too expensive for past laid back life style and got meaner d/t hard drug trade that followed. Same thing happened in Coconut Grove and quaint Montrose area of Houston Tx. i partied with the hippies and the Gays and loved it, just didn't date em is all.

I'd think rust issues will plague you Conch's more than most.

 

[biffom]

Partying is still a hazard - I'm currently suffering after last night's send off for a recently departed friend. A wonderful 72 year old gay lady that up until just a few weeks ago was still partying hard (dancing, drinking and smoking) - her catch phrase was "Kiss my arse!" . She will be sorely missed.

The perpetual battle with rust and mold, plus the chance of potential hurricane flooding are the biggest issues. Fortunately we are on the hill (all 14 feet of it).