Pre-71 Fastback forks

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Thanks Dave, I never thought there was so many variants.
I have a '71 fender and stay in the garage. Will hold it up to my '70 for comparison.

A change was probably made from 71 /72 to accomodate the caliper/disk vs the drum.
 
elefantrider said:
A change was probably made from 71 /72 to accomodate the caliper/disk vs the drum.
Click to expand...

'1971' (from 141783). To accommodate the 4.10 tyre at the front.

'1971' & '1972' parts.
062328/1...Front Fender, Chrome...1
062323/1...Fender Stay...2
 
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It looks like pre-71 US export commandos had handlebars with more pullback than later ones?

Was this on all models, or just on the Fastback in order to accomodate the longer tank?

PN 06.7803

andover-norton.co.uk

Andover Norton Parts Drawings - Genuine Andover 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

Pre-71 Fastback forks
 
elefantrider said:
It looks like pre-71 US export commandos had handlebars with more pullback than later ones?

Was this on all models, or just on the Fastback in order to accomodate the longer tank?

PN 06.7803
Click to expand...
06.7803
"Handlebar Atlas Export".

According to the '68 - '70 parts book, the '68 Fastback 'Export' handlebar was 060729.
There are pictures of the '69 'R' type with what appears to be the same Fastback handlebar although the '061046' (Western) handlebar is listed for the '69 R type.
061046 is listed for the S type and '69 Fastback
 
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...
Road holder was just Norton’s name for their forks. At one time they were the best available and popular on Moto cross bikes. I had a set on my BSA 500 Gold Star scrambler. Fork tubes came in various lengths to suit a variety of bikes
 
L.A.B. said:
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.
Click to expand...
The early Commandos came to America with Avon tires. The sidewalks would develope surface crazing in strong ozone conditions so I had the factory send bikes with Dunlop TT100’s.
elefantrider said:
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.
Click to expand...
small front tires were not popular in the USA so size was changed. Small tire gave quick steering, actually preferred by Peter Williams on his works Production racer.
 
L.A.B. said:
06.7803
"Handlebar Atlas Export".

According to the '68 - '70 parts book, the '68 Fastback 'Export' handlebar was 060729.
There are pictures of the '69 'R' type with what appears to be the same Fastback handlebar although the '061046' (Western) handlebar is listed for the '69 R type.
061046 is listed for the S type and '69 Fastback
Click to expand...
I have a new 06.1046 from Andover and an original '70 fastback handlebar just taken off the bike.
Rise is the same but the original bar has more pull back, about 1 inch more.

Could this original bar be the discontinued 06.0729?
 
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elefantrider said:
I have a new 06.1046 from Andover and an original '70 fastback handlebar on the bike.
Rise is the same but the original bar has more pull back, about 1 inch more.

Could this original bar be the discontinued 06.0729?
Click to expand...

I don't think so, as the 06.0729 Export handlebar seems significantly taller than the 06.1046 Western handlebar.

Pre-71 Fastback forks
 
L.A.B. said:
I don't think so, as the 06.0729 Export handlebar seems significantly taller than the 06.1046 Western handlebar.
Click to expand...

For sure, my '70 handlebar is not the same as on these '69 bikes. Maybe '70 got different bars when they made the change to upswept peashooters, chrome headlamp ears and matching chrome mudguard stays. My original royal blue '70 Fastback has a black chaingaurd too, not silver, although this could have been unique to specific color-painted bikes.
 
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My ‘69 750 S has original bars. They are as mentioned above. Compared to the western bend on my ‘72 roadster they have a bit more pullback. Rise is exactly the same.
 
illf8ed: Thanks for confirming my original handlebar is the same as your original. It does look the same as the one in your "S" build thread.

Anyone know where I can find one like this with better chrome than mine. I currently have it taking an Evaporust bath, but do not expect it to improve much.

Andover does not seem to offer this handlebar.
 
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elefantrider said:

Here is a brochure showing bikes with this same 4" rise handlebar throughout.
Click to expand...
elefantrider said:
Maybe Andover will chime in with a correct part number for this version?
Click to expand...

As far as I'm aware there was only the one (Semi-)'Western' handlebar, 06.1046, introduced on the R and S types and continued to the 850 Mk3.

It seems handlebars available now (not just 06.1046) are not always exactly the same bend as the originals. Even if the shape was changed during production then there's no evidence of a change of part number.
 
Pull back is similiar (actually greater) than my P11a handlebar which already has more pullback than 06.1046.
 
elefantrider asked: "Anyone know where I can find one like this with better chrome than mine. I currently have it taking an Evaporust bath, but do not expect it to improve much."

Ordering replacement bars is a bit of a crapshoot. If you like the bars you have, maybe just get them re-chromed?
 
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