original paint roadster side panels - need pics

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need a couple pics of roadster side panels w/ ORIGINAL PAINT for research purposes. basically need orientation and placement of the pin stripping and "commando" stickers . if anyone has any factory docunention or design drawings adderssing placement, that also would be extermely helpful. TIA....
 
This was original.
 

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that be me....
So, your post in that thread is bookmarked for me and If I ever need to paint my bike again your pics would be my guide. What are you asking for if you already have such an excellent example?
 
So, your post in that thread is bookmarked for me and If I ever need to paint my bike again your pics would be my guide. What are you asking for if you already have such an excellent example?
here's the story - i got into a converstion with someone who made a comment about my side panels and a possible repaint. now, i'm not an expert by any means, but it injected a certain amount of doubt as to my bikes originally. he basically said that on all commandos, the lettering should be parallel to the top edge of the Z-plate, and my layout is a common painter's error. from his conversation, he seemed like he knew what he was talking about. my lettering is clearly parallel to the top edge of the side panel, and not the Z-plate. from the several examples shown, it verifies my lettering orientation. as i said, by no means an expert - i can only speculate what i have thru detailed inspection. still holding my ground - my Mk2 shows no signs of ever having been repainted.
 
The best reference would be the factory sales brochure for your year.
 
Don't want to argue with anyone. This "Disc Ball " has never been repainted. Potato- Patato Monday or Friday bike. New employee?original paint roadster side panels - need picsoriginal paint roadster side panels - need picsoriginal paint roadster side panels - need picsoriginal paint roadster side panels - need picsoriginal paint roadster side panels - need picsoriginal paint roadster side panels - need pics
 
here's the story - i got into a converstion with someone who made a comment about my side panels and a possible repaint. now, i'm not an expert by any means, but it injected a certain amount of doubt as to my bikes originally. he basically said that on all commandos, the lettering should be parallel to the top edge of the Z-plate, and my layout is a common painter's error. from his conversation, he seemed like he knew what he was talking about. my lettering is clearly parallel to the top edge of the side panel, and not the Z-plate. from the several examples shown, it verifies my lettering orientation. as i said, by no means an expert - i can only speculate what i have thru detailed inspection. still holding my ground - my Mk2 shows no signs of ever having been repainted.
The guy you spoke with is correct. Original side cover decals are parallel to the ground with both wheels off the center stand. The top edge of the side cover is not parallel to the ground. The other non original item is 850 side cover pin stripe. The open end of the “7” shape is to the rear.
 
The guy you spoke with is correct. Original side cover decals are parallel to the ground with both wheels off the center stand. The top edge of the side cover is not parallel to the ground. The other non original item is 850 side cover pin stripe. The open end of the “7” shape is to the rear.


David -
sorry, don't understand the "open end of the 7" thing. all photographs show the pin strips close together. so, from what you're saying, my side cover is either non-original, or repaint, a replacement part, or ???.
original paint roadster side panels - need pics


here's a pic of the pin stripe where it comes together. from what i can tell, it was hand painted after the clear. my stripes are well worn most likely from years of cleaning, polishing, and waxing,

original paint roadster side panels - need pics


this has me puzzled, and you have injected more doubt in my bikes originality -- i have to assume the pin stripe and decale stickers were applied at some time after the paint process, and before side cover's assembly to the ftame. the factory would have to have some sort of alignment jig to orient the label to an imaginary horizontal line, unless the "commando" sticker was applied during final assembly, after the side covers were installed. i'm assuming the horizontal line is the axle to axle centerline.
 
thanks LAB - from what i'm seeing in the 74 brochure, the bottom line of the commando "C" is not parallel to the pin stripping. there is a slight angle. a while back i did measure the tilt or angle on the top surface of the side panel - came in at 4° off horizontal. from what i'm seeing here, my "850 Commando" sticker may not be original and may have been replaced at some point in the bikes history, or my placement may be a production abnormally.
 
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here's the story - i got into a converstion with someone who made a comment about my side panels and a possible repaint. now, i'm not an expert by any means, but it injected a certain amount of doubt as to my bikes originally. he basically said that on all commandos, the lettering should be parallel to the top edge of the Z-plate, and my layout is a common painter's error. from his conversation, he seemed like he knew what he was talking about. my lettering is clearly parallel to the top edge of the side panel, and not the Z-plate. from the several examples shown, it verifies my lettering orientation. as i said, by no means an expert - i can only speculate what i have thru detailed inspection. still holding my ground - my Mk2 shows no signs of ever having been repainted.
IMHO:

On an 850 he's wrong at least on the pinstripes.
On a 750 he's maybe right. In theory, the "Commando" should be parallel to the ground and there are no pinstripes. It's like looking at "The man in the moon". For most of my life I saw a king sitting in a chair until someone helped me see the face. Look at a 750 with the "Commando" level and one with it parallel to the top of the cover - you can see it as looking the best either way.
 
thanks LAB - from what i'm seeing in the 74 brochure, the bottom line of the commando "C" is not parallel to the pin stripping. there is a slight angle. a while back i did measure the tilt or angle on the top surface of the side panel - came in at 4° off horizontal. from what i'm seeing here, my "850 Commando" sticker may not be original and may have been replaced at some point the the bikes history, or my placement may be a production abnormally.

The pinstriping was applied by hand so it's likely there would've been some variation between one panel (or tank) and the next.
As for the decals, when time is money I expect they were applied using the "about there" method so I think you can put the spirit level away.
 
Joe, you said your stripes were applied after the clear. If your bike has clear on it it is not original.
jaydee
 
Joe, you said your stripes were applied after the clear. If your bike has clear on it it is not original.
jaydee
sorry to disagree, but if the norton factory followed the conventional process for a "true" candy apple red paint application, the final topcoat would be clear. here's a pic of the underside of my tank - i'd almost bet good money that it's original, and show no signs of repaint. no expert, but my understanding is CAR was the only norton color CC'd -

original paint roadster side panels - need pics


original paint roadster side panels - need pics


 
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