newer front end on a '70

can't i just get a later year commando front end (with disc brakes) and stick it on my '70 without too much of a hassle.

if so, is there a good place to get such a thing?

goo said:

can't i just get a later year commando front end (with disc brakes) and stick it on my '70 without too much of a hassle.

Click to expand...

Yes, just a matter of replacing the necessary parts-but it would be a rather costly exercise for little or no gain in braking performance unless you were to fit upgraded disc brake parts.

Yes, plug & play.

In fact, just the lower fork leg, disc, caliper & master cylinder/lever will do.

grandpaul said:

In fact, just the lower fork leg, disc, caliper & master cylinder/lever will do.

Click to expand...

And a disc type front wheel. :wink:

Goo, I'd had 2 Combat front disc brakes that took a lot of strength to drag down speed, till I poked out the tiny pin hole restrictor fluid resistance in the big rubber boot in the master cylinder and got excellent lower effort braking, enough so I have to be careful of locking the nice new rubber on front below hwy speeds and get scary squeals over hwy speed. After feeling the difference between re-sleeved new master cylinder and just poking the factory hole open, I now think that the main advantage of all the narrower master cylinders is mostly that None of the re-sleeves have any restrictor hole at all. To me about the only reason to resleeve m/c is to repair bore damage pitting. I have not heard of others doing this significant upgrade, **knowingly** as all that upgrade all have no restriction orifice, but only the increased hydraulic leverage is mentioned. My buddy Westley is dang fast rider when he wants to be - tells me he has to hang back a lot because his drum brake just ain't up to it on our steeps and 90' Mt. hwy turns. Its a bit of a drag to ride with him in the steeps/twisties d/t his drum brake slowing him up so much he says. If ya like to fly up to sharp turns and pull down harshly as cars threaten to pull in front of you, i highly recommend the disc brake. I started collecting most the items to convert Wes's '71 drum brake, which the cable brake light switch grieves him a lot to work and still actually brake somewhat, but he's says nope he likes the drum appearance and keeps him going milder, so I gave up. Ping me if interested in what I got to be rid of.

is there something like a"beemer bonyard' for nortons?
thx
ed

Oh yes there are Commando elephant bone yards, I've seen one before owner sold off a couple trailer loads worth. Biggest by far I've seen is Baxter's Cycles in Marna Iowa, whole warehouses of parts in shelves and bins and crates but mostly just knee to waist high piles and piles separated major components.
http://users.metc.net/baxter/1.html

L.A.B. said:

grandpaul said:

In fact, just the lower fork leg, disc, caliper & master cylinder/lever will do.

Click to expand...

And a disc type front wheel. :wink:

Click to expand...

Actually, his original post asked if he could just put a complete front end on (I assume that means with the wheel & controls), so the simple answer is "YES".

To convert to disc parts list and review my data bank.
Sliders, disc hub, rotor, caliper, lower hose/stand pipe and mount bracket, hose, master cylinder and brake light switch plus lever.

One thing I discovered the hard way on Wes's '71 drum, besides the extra strong grip of fear to get slowed some, is the dang thing tended to grab harder after the initial hardly slowing reaction, which on unseen sandy surface snatched front right out to crash on soft grass then slide headlight into oak tree and rest in the bushes with me under cushioning most the bike from damage. Was going about 30 mph and very slightly leaned in parking lot exit.

grandpaul said:

L.A.B. said:

grandpaul said:

In fact, just the lower fork leg, disc, caliper & master cylinder/lever will do.

Click to expand...

And a disc type front wheel. :wink:

Click to expand...

Actually, his original post asked if he could just put a complete front end on (I assume that means with the wheel & controls), so the simple answer is "YES".

Click to expand...

Obviously: "...the lower fork leg, disc, caliper & master cylinder/lever" are not part of a complete front end then? :mrgreen:

That looks like a pretty nice bike! Maybe you should just buy an 850 to keep it company.