Skyguyz starts the rebuild........

OK, so at first I was not going to post the rebuild of my 74 mk2 but after some thought, I decided it is nothing but a shared interest here with opinions from people that can only help me when I get stuck. And I will get miffed at some point. So I bought a 1974 1/2 mk2 from the original owner on ebay. I wanted a runner with everything in good working order. I could have easily just tweaked it a little and I'm sure it would have been a fine daily rider. That was not my intent however. I am new to the Norton but I am mechanically inclined. There were many choices concerning the direction of this rebuild. After much thought, I decided the look and feel was what Colorado Norton Works produced. I appreciate fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. But I wanted to do the building myself to a certain degree. I already have all the parts from CNW. Also, most of the worn crappy nuts bolts and misc has been painstakingly gone through the Old Britts parts catalog and in place for the rebuild. The paint was done by the Brent, (Vintage Vendor.) First class Guy.
Most of the parts here are from CNW and the engine and gear box gets the CNW treatment as well. I could have done more myself to the engine and gearbox but I recognize the abilities of others that are the best in their field. Matt Rambow dose not compromise on quality. Some may say that this rebuild is simply putting parts on a frame. Well, as you know a bare Norton frame and the collection of bits & bobs takes some time to piece together. So, enough rhetoric, I will post many pics if there is enough interest. Any opinions are always welcome.

Part one.

A few moths ago. The Norton arrives:




*It's former past:



The frame and the bits return from powder coat. This is the beginning and it is exciting to finally get to this stage. The powder coat color is a silver/grey pearl. The pictures don't do it justice. Old Britts sure is a big help when it comes to masking the bits for powder coat.





Putting a few bolts on. This is the mod from CNW to the Gear box cradle.


The JS carbs with powder coat manifolds:


My parts bins, (Including the famous "mystery parts" bin.)


Some wheel pix:



The painted parts by Brent and the Corbin seat:


Now to just put it all together.

Looks to be about the same stage that I am at...just waiting on some parts.

Looks great so far, good luck with assembly! Keep us posted...I love following rebuild threads.

Matt

You have the best part of the project in front of you now, apart from riding the bike. Looks great quality, very nice.

Cheers Richard

I LOVE the "Dove Grey" paint, you are doing a lot of things I am planning on doing so please keep the pictures coming!

Vince

Skyguyz - what size rims and tyres have you got?

It looks great so far.

I assume that the modification to the gearbox cradle is the insertion of the two bolts to further secure the spindle? If so, has CNW left the original hole where the original single bolt went (I assume that was still the system on 74 bikes; as it is on my 70)? Are you aware of the further modication that you can make by inserting a flexible hose into that hole - perhaps through a nipple - and running that hose up to a small oil container mounted under the seat or somewhere convenient so that you can lubricate the spindle more easily than normal?

Chris T said:

Skyguyz - what size rims and tyres have you got?

It looks great so far.

I assume that the modification to the gearbox cradle is the insertion of the two bolts to further secure the spindle? If so, has CNW left the original hole where the original single bolt went (I assume that was still the system on 74 bikes; as it is on my 70)? Are you aware of the further modication that you can make by inserting a flexible hose into that hole - perhaps through a nipple - and running that hose up to a small oil container mounted under the seat or somewhere convenient so that you can lubricate the spindle more easily than normal?

Click to expand...

The mod to the gearbox is those two nuts welded on as well as the large opening being machined so you can slip your gearbox with ease. It's a precision cut and Matt at CNW can explain it better but when I wrestled my gearbox out of the cradle I thought there has to be an easier way. CNW was ahead of me. The two nuts with the holes can be used to lube the spindle I imagine. My 74 came with a 75 mk3 swing arm. Some research showed that Norton simply put some 75 mk3 swing arms on late model 74 mk 2 bikes. Strange. I can just hear the conversation at the old Norton factory.....

*Insert heavy cockney accent:

Britt one: "Golly gosh old chap, we have no bits or bobs for the last 74 model swinging arms."

Britt two: "Really, sorry old man I'm frightfully busy here, just use some bits from the mark three line."

Britt one: "Brilliant!"

Britt two: "Do carry on and try and not get so wally whacked."

All the hard work is done...you should have this together and running by Christmas.

Real excited to see how that paint looks with the frame color. ON My second norton, I have entertained the thought of NOT going black, I still have time to figure it out. But silver or grey has crossed my mind. now I see what it looks like.

BTW, I see you had the rear wheel hub reworked by matt at CNW. I did the same, really dresses up the whole bike, One of my fav things done to the bike.

motoalchemist said:

BTW, I see you had the rear wheel hub reworked by matt at CNW. I did the same, really dresses up the whole bike, One of my fav things done to the bike.

Click to expand...

Yes it does. I had the other side worked as well. The chrome plate just adds so much. As well as the 520 x ring sprocket/chain setup. No lube hassle.

looks like a good start, don't let them discourage you

Skyguyz...., your rebuild is certainly going into the right direction, you are doing a great job on that bike !
Concening the two welded nuts and inserted bolts, this modification is only intended for a more positive location for the swing arm spindle.
This mod was also implemented in the 1970's on Commando's in use by British police forces, I did the same with my bike and works fine.
Lubrication of the swingarm should not be neglected on a Commando, and if grease is used instead of oil , wear will set in quickly, I am telling
you at the risk that you already are fully aware of this fact, but this is often overlooked by many new Commando owners.

If you get true 140wt oil as recommended, it stays put very well in the SA. I had some from my TD restoration project and it is way superior to the 85w140 that is available at parts stores.

I had to order it from Moss Motors but you may find a bottle some where.

I use S.T.P. from a small can. Thick as molasses. Nice build S.

stem bearing and trees installed

Here are the pix of the trees in place & the coil and some misc frame attach parts.

Skyguyz said:

There were many choices concerning the direction of this rebuild.

Click to expand...

Now that is a surprise! :mrgreen:


Tim

Great pictures. Keep them coming!

I sent Skyguyz a PM talking about my color choice for my frame, but thought I would post a couple of photos here. Not to hijack the thread but more or less to document the fact that I am not trying to copy his build!





This is POR-15's Hardnosed dark grey two part paint.

I will without a doubt be much less custom with the finished product! Back to the regular programming.

Russ

rvich said:

I sent Skyguyz a PM talking about my color choice for my frame, but thought I would post a couple of photos here. Not to hijack the thread but more or less to document the fact that I am not trying to copy his build!

This is POR-15's Hardnosed dark grey two part paint.

I will without a doubt be much less custom with the finished product! Back to the regular programming.

Russ

Click to expand...

Russ, No harm,no foul. Any post, comments, pictures are so welcome here. It would be exciting to see what you have going on.

the trees should look good with the POR 15 frame color.




PS: "Amal loving idiot." Too funny!

Skyguyz

So......

I got the forks on along with the gauges, center console,headlight shell & brackets.
All new seals, washers and progressive springs,etc in the forks.





I also mocked up the tank and seat. Hummm.









Oh, i also just got this rubber kickstart piece from merry old England.

more

So here I have done:

-Oil tank with all new filter and banjo.
-Rear Iso Mark 3 with CNW milling and all stainless ISO fittings. *Can't nip it up until I get my battery tray in place.
-Swinging arm with a rebuild kit installed.
-Z plates with all stainless fittings.
Rear shocks, *Hagon with the "Hagon" sticker removed.

Done until after Christmas. All of you enjoy the rest of of the holiday season.


Sky









Soak it up! (140wt.)


Press them fittings...Grunt!