Newbie with pictures - Combat?

Hi Everyone,

I have been lurking for a while now and I need some help. I just got my Norton (first motorcycle) which is a 1972 roadster. It has 5994 original miles on it. It had been partially dissembled and put into storage some 30 years ago (until I got my mitts on it) and now I am going to bring it back to life. What you do not see on the bike is in a box. Can anyone tell me if VIN 205465 is a Combat? --I apologise for the poor picture quality – they were taken with a phone.
Cheers,
Gatsby

Welcome to the forum!

See if you can spot a letter "C" stamped on the cylinder head, at the top, between the two valve lash inspection caps.

Viewing directly from the side, is there an obvious difference in the fin spacing of the cylinder and head, and the gap between the two (smaller gap)?

Are the carbs marked "932" or "930"?

OH, boy, another 70's hippie.

Welcome, I'm sure you'll get the help you need.

Dave
69S

Too funny Dave. I was lucky enough to have my first ride on a Norton photographed. The avatar picture was taken in 1979 and I am the one on the back behind my dad. I think that bike was a 73.

Hi Gatsby,

Welcome to the forum. From the tail light (Lucas 679) and short guage holders on your dad's machine, I'd say it was also a '72 and likely a combat.

Sorry, I thought you were the hippie. You're just a tike in that picture, my pic is in 72 and I was already 29 and married.

If you have a combat, I'm jealous. Get your leg warmed up.

Dave
69S

Welcome Gatsby, looks like a great bike to start with & how cool to have a picture like the one in your avatar.

By the way first Combat was engine was 200976, first Detuned was 211110, so your possibilities of being Combat are very good, but like is said, look for the C on the head, you may have to remove the headsteady, not sure, I'm not experienced on these models.

Dave
69S

DogT said:

Sorry, I thought you were the hippie. You're just a tike in that picture, my pic is in 72 and I was already 29 and married.

If you have a combat, I'm jealous. Get your leg warmed up.

Dave
69S

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Remember he's the kid in the pic, I'm sure his leg is fine.

The leg is fine. And swoosh - I dig your tank!

Greetings .
Does look as G.P. says , that the head / barrel face gap is close .Shineing a flash light between the fins there
and glareing at the gasket , the Combat head face is close , but the std. has a bit of a flange to the gasket .

Combat will have 32 mm Carbs . ( 932 on side , 30s are ' 930 ' ) Removeing the intake manifolds , The Combat
Has big hooary 32 mm diameter PARRALLEL bore Intake Ports .Therefore , If you cut a length of Carboad to 32
mm wide , it will slide in and not wedge / jam .Untill it hits the curve .Some later ones maybe are 32 tapered
down in dia to 30 at the bend as they go in .Maybe .

Should have the ' C ' cast in , like a stamp .

While Youre There , Before ADJUSTING anything , if you check the valve ( tappet ) clearances AS SET
you will know what theyre set at .Presumeing theyre correct , Record it , as it can tell you the Cam type.

3S cam is .016 all . . . , 2S 8 & 10 . Some cam was .012 all . . .

Swing it through a few times with the carbs damp , to prime . Free Clutch ( kick Through Clutch lever in )
position pistons at top of compression , THEN ' Ignition switch on ' .Kickstart positioned , Foot On ,
a mighty leap in the aire throwing youre weight on the foot at the top will swing it through .
Or if the Auto Advance is jammed , throw you over the handlebars . :lol:
( just kidding )
Stabbing at the kickstart is a bit cruel & malicious . see ' Kickstart Pawl ' for victim .

Youre in for draining and flushing all fluids , IF they were fresh / clean when stored .
If filthy , itd pay to get a bit more thorough .Look at the spark plugs to see how it ran .
A pic of the inner end will tell us . . . :lol: 8)

Repeat Picture with YOURE Youngsters ??

Great bike!!! I just got a '74 850 and with the help of the forum ive gotten tons of help and advice!!! Rob

I am also new to the forum. Just bought a 70 commando. I found the bike by accident. A friend is a mechanic in a local bicycle shop and mentioned that one of his co workers might have a Norton. I made contact and the rest, as they say, is history.

Don't go Greek, go Freak, Its a better Rush!

Combats are the premier cream of the crop plus worse thing Norton ever put out.

Main danger is check brake fluid for 1000 miles at each gas stop till you know for sure its not leaking or else... Expect rusted piston and pucks. Get SS and save the next owner some trouble.

Primary chain must be set what seems too loose cold or tightens up horrible warmed.

Your fork tube hallows with spring inside likely rusted to stiffle motion.

Real clue its a dang Combat is where the big breather tube arises, down low
rear of cases between tranny is '722 cases, period. Check you stem plate to see if a date read able. I've two Combats, 1st March '72, 2nd Aug, '72. More of em made and sold than any other, thank goodness!

Signals were add ons as was 2nd mirror.

Had bad bearing issues when issue that blew up 4000-8000 miles so might want to go through soup to nuts as bearing issue to get right too. Originals flat ones can work a treat if not lugging nor over reving, long.

Hi gatsby
Welcome to the forum. I also have 2 combats and that “C”that is stamped on the top of the head is probably hidden under the head steady two forward bolts. It usually is hard to find until you remove the steady. Check the gap between the head and barrels. On non-combat 750’s this transition is very evenly spaced. The combat had 0.040" milled of the head so the transition would look tighter. The 32 mm carbs is also a mark that it is combat. On the Amal just behind the tickler on the Right carb might be R 932 19 stamped The left would be L 932 20. If you are uncertain of weather the main bearings were changed then take it easy and don't do any high-speed runs until you know for sure. The switch to Superblend FAG P/N 063114 cured the grenade reputation of the higher compression engine.
Cheers
CNN

hobot said:

Real clue its a dang Combat is where the big breather tube arises, down low

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Hobot, how many more times? ALL '72 and '73 750 Commandos had that breather regardless of whether they were Combat models or not! There was no other breather for the '72-'73 750.

We've all seen that Hobot's Nortons are quite different than any others.

Other potential Combat perils (besides original inadequate main bearings) are the cam thrust bearings with tab which can break off, and slotted pistons that basically have only half of the crown connected to the piston's body (whose idea was that, anyway?).

I thought the pistons with the large slot were from the Atlas. I do know the Hepolites with the large slot will separate the crown from the rest of the piston in a Combat. This I know from experience. As for the tabbed cam thrust washer, it is my understanding those are from earlier models, pre-Combat.

JimC said:

We've all seen that Hobot's Nortons are quite different than any others.

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i think we can safely say Jim that hobot is quite different than others :shock: :roll: