Pre-71 Fastback forks

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elefantrider

elefantrider

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I have a few early fork questions, hoping someone here knows.


Which bikes got black headlamp brackets and which got chrome?
I see both are offered for sale on 68-70 Andover's page below.


Are the early Commando legs interchangable with the earlier roadholder legs?

And finally, can the long or short roadholder stanchion covers (with the brass "Roadholder" badges) work on these early commando forks, in place of gaiters?

Pre-71 Fastback forks


Pre-71 Fastback forks

Pre-71 Fastback forks


I am comparing parts for the different Roadholder forks are here:

Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts -

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.
andover-norton.co.uk

Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Norton Factory Parts - Commando Parts -

Andover Norton Parts are the only Norton spare parts in the market manufactured to original drawings, within the factory-approved tolerances, from the correct materials, and with the correct finish.
andover-norton.co.uk
 
Hi Chris.
Some 69 R type had the chromed headlamp brackets, never seen fastback or Atlas with the chromed one.
The long roadholder stanchion covers work also on the early commando forks, in place of gaiters, i have n my fstback.
Piero
 
elefantrider said:
Which bikes got black headlamp brackets and which got chrome?
I see both are offered for sale on 68-70 Andover's page below.
Click to expand...
Black for the '68 Fastback and chromed for R type and '69-'70 Fastback according to the '68-'70 parts list although it also says 'State chrome or black" for the Fastback so possibly some were black for '69.

 
elefantrider, what is a roadholder leg? You asked: "Are the early Commando legs interchangable with the earlier roadholder legs?"
 
elefantrider said:
Are the early Commando legs interchangable with the earlier roadholder legs?
Click to expand...

Stephen Hill said:
elefantrider, what is a roadholder leg? You asked: "Are the early Commando legs interchangable with the earlier roadholder legs?"
Click to expand...

Many Commando Roadholder parts are not identical to earlier Roadholders (different fork lengths etc.) so aren't exactly "interchangeable" as an assembly.
 
Thanks Piero and Les,
On this original '70, I see it has chrome brackets but I think black looks better with black yokes.


Pre-71 Fastback forks


By leg, I mean slider.

I am considering this change because my headlamp brackets and slider extensions need to be replaced or rechromed anyway.
Yes, I see the stanchions are different lengths and the bottom is different.

andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk

andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
 
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elefantrider said:
Thanks Piero and Les,
On this original '70, I see it has chrome brackets but I think black looks better with black yokes.


Pre-71 Fastback forks


By leg, I mean slider.

I am considering this change because my headlamp brackets and slider extensions need to be replaced or rechromed anyway.
Yes, I see the stanchions are different lengths and the bottom is different.

andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk

andover-norton.co.uk

Motorcycle parts and spares for Norton motorbikes - Genuine Andover Norton Spare Parts - Andover Norton Motorcycles Parts - Original Andover Norton Parts

Motorcycle parts and spares for Andover Norton motorbikes: Andover Norton manufactures and supplies all Genuine Factory Spare Parts for Norton motorcycles built before 2002.
andover-norton.co.uk
Click to expand...
Atlas, hybrids and Commando had different stanchions lenght.
Atlas shorter, Commando longer than Atlas, Hybrids longer than Commando.
Ciao.
Piero
 
Looks great, especially in fire flake colors, of which only 2-3 were available on the Fastback.
Golden Bronze and Royal Blue. Perhaps Silver.

It seems most '70 headlamp brackets were chrome.

I think all Fastback side covers were silver in '70?

Cylinder barrels also?
 
pierodn said:
Atlas, hybrids and Commando had different stanchions lenght.
Atlas shorter, Commando longer than Atlas, Hybrids longer than Commando.
Ciao.
Piero
Click to expand...
And the damper bodies were different lengths.
 
On these pre-71 fastbacks, what tires did they have?
The '69 catalog shows a K70 rear and a ribbed front tire.
Did '70 bikes get the same? Difficult to determine from the '70 brochure photos.
I see the Golden Bronze '70 above has K81s, but my '70 has a K70 and ribbed front.
 
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elefantrider said:
On these pre-71 fastbacks, what tires did they have?
The '69 catalog shows a K70 rear and a ribbed front tire.
Did '70 bikes get the same?
Click to expand...

Front, 3.00 x 19 ribbed and 3.50 x 19 GP or 4.10 x 19 rear, for '68-'70 according to various publications.
 
elefantrider said:
Which bikes got black headlamp brackets and which got chrome?
Click to expand...
Seems one of the characteristics I have looked out for, is if it was an early fastback with a round badged tank, then it had black headlight ears. Looking around, the decaled fastback tanks had chrome headlight brackets. They all had rubber fork bellows covers.
Have not seen any other pattern.
 
Dave I have a round badged fastback dated Feb 69 which has chrome headlight brackets. Re tyres as LAB has stated early Commando's were fitted with Avon GP's which are no longer available, having worked in the motorcycle tyre trade I would suggest the best option is 360x19 & 410x19 Dunlop TT100's I don't think K70's are an option due to their square "section" and I am unsure if a K70 would actually fit in the front with the correct narrow guard stays.
 
I like 4.10x 19s K81 front and back. Haven't tried the big front on the pre-71 but I suppose it would work.

The smaller front tires look strange to me, although are probably better for steering feel.
 
Did all '70 fastbacks come with shrouded rear shock covers?

My bike does not have shrouded shocks and the above Golden Bronze bike does not either.
The literature and Andover's site ownly shows shrouded shocks for 68-70.
 
Up until and including 1970 Commando's had a chrome top top shock cover only- http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/1970/70Norton.pdf
A 410x19 front tyre will not fit a pre '71 Commando if it has the early mudguard stays, the Factory added a "squiggle" in the stay for '71 when they went to the 410x19 front tyre, I would post a photo of a early stay but I am not a VIP member, the later bridge is slightly different as well, also I have come across different widths in the chrome [not stainless] front guard hopefully Dynodave may add his view here.
 
My '69 Fastback has black headlight ears. When I replaced my tires this year I went with
a 3.25 front, the few 3.00's I found were cashy. No way I could go any wider than 3.25 what
with the, as possm posted, early mudguard stays.
 
Thanks guys, I will change to later stays. And maybe a Norton stock disk brake because the drum wheel on this bike is bit too rusty.
 
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4.25" fender w/bridge 3-3/4"
Series 1 commando had normal skinny tire, 4.25 fender had narrow bridge and narrow stays, both regular length.
The "S" had 4.25 fender25542A, short/narrow bridge & short/narrow stays25540A.
Some of the skinny fenders have 3-3/4"bridge (at the fender ) that immediately splay out giving the appearance they may accommodate a wide tire. 71?

4.75" fender w /4.25" bridge.
for Series 2 commando, normal fat tire, 4.75 fender had wide bridge and wide stays/regular length
73+ stainless 4.75 fender wide bridge and stays

Chrome or paint finish on fender and stays varied

Stays narrow, 1x"S"short, 2x Series 1 long, 1x late wide: http://atlanticgreen.com/norton/staysfrtfull.jpg

stays 3x narrow 1x wide : http://atlanticgreen.com/norton/staysfrt.jpg

left&center fender 4.25 narrow bridge: http://atlanticgreen.com/norton/4.25xSxR.jpg

4x wide fender left reinforced bridge MKIII : http://atlanticgreen.com/norton/4.75x4.jpg

wide fender standard wide bridge: http://atlanticgreen.com/norton/4.75x1.jpg
 
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