Norton Commando Gearbox has hole

Hello all,
I am a new member, and new to Norton motorcycles. I am familiar with and ride a Triumph T140ES.
I bought a non-running 1973 Norton Commando 750cc today. The parts are all there, the bike kicks over, and from what the owner says it had been sitting since 1985 (he bought it 2 years ago). Now the problem, the gearbox has a 1 square inch hole in the very bottom (middle of the gearbox). Looks like the gear oil has drained out. I am looking at a full rebuild and frame off restore and I am up to the challenge. However the hole is the gearbox bothers me, have not faced anything like this before.
Can the gearbox case be welded? Is it fairly easy to find, rebuild and replace with another gearbox or gearbox center case?
I have until Saturday this week to make a decision after which the bike will be delivered to my home.
I think I am getting a good deal at $800.

Any advice from this forum will be much appreciated.

Regards,
Jay

A complete bike for $800 sounds good even with a gearbox hole.
On E-Bay gearboxes show up pretty often, sometimes just cases.
These boxes stayed pretty much the same for all the Commando years and since you will be doing a rebuild on the box anyway you may want to pick up one from E-Bay cheap, especially since its not clear what caused the hole! You do say the bike turns over so I suppose if using foot lever the box hasn't exploded.

Welcome to forum.
Encourage and advice free.

Bob

rx7171 said:

A complete bike for $800 sounds good even with a gearbox hole.
On E-Bay gearboxes show up pretty often, sometimes just cases.
These boxes stayed pretty much the same for all the Commando years and since you will be doing a rebuild on the box anyway you may want to pick up one from E-Bay cheap, especially since its not clear what caused the hole! You do say the bike turns over so I suppose if using foot lever the box hasn't exploded.

Welcome to forum.
Encourage and advice free.

Bob

Click to expand...

Here is an example of a recent gearbox that sold on E-Bay.
$355 and sounds to be a good one.
You could probably part out your old box and get some money back on E-Bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NORTON-MOTORCYC ... 20bd6b4cea

Howdy you with the old bargain basement starter kit.
I would not weld the AMC shell as distortion will be an issue for the bearing bores to line up again as well as sealing flat again. If not a structural section I'd JBWell the hole and be done with it out of sight and mind underneath. Average price for AMC Commando shell at vendors was $450 in 2004 dollars. If you can't find a good one, as there are many big piles of used up shells at vendors and owners all over the world, an Atlas shell is identical but easier to fit as no notch cut out for the stupid thick washer spacer everyone else hassles with. I got mine for $250 and worked a treat in a '72. If you still have the shafts that went through the holey event better check them for corkscrewedness. If missing 2nd gear cog set or want better ratio get the 850 ratio set, much nicer all around. While open at hand search up the shaft sealing upgrades DIY to send out to fit oil seals. Bushes will not fit out the box so must be reamed inside and out a bit. You will be pleased with the grunt over the Triumph especially on long cruise with passing involved.