So tell me what I've got

K-code

K-code

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Jun 18, 2023
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Hello folks,
I've had this Norton for 45 years. It was a project when I got it and it still is.
I sorted out the carbs and some funky wiring, changed fluids and got the engine running. The bike needs a lot of work before I can actually ride it so I thought I'd pause and see just what I have.
I've been lurking long enough to see that there is a lot of knowledge on this forum so here's what I know.

Engine number: 204322
Frame number: 149433
Trans number: 040122 ?? (Hard to read)

What can you tell me about this? Does anything stand out?
 
A 1972 engine in a 1971 frame.
The frames did not change that much between those two years. (unless the 72 got the extended inner top shock mount plate)
 
That trans number sounds like the raised as cast number (without going and looking) not the stamped number on the very top of the case.

So tell me what I've got
 
Last edited:
Thank you for the reply @Time Warp and you are correct, the number I listed for the trans is a casting number. I was unaware that there was a stamped number in the case as it was covered with decades of crud. After cleaning up the stamped number it matches the frame number. đź‘Ť

A couple more questions,
The seat pan is rusted up pretty good, I don't think it can be used. Where would be the most likely place to source a used seat?
Secondly, the electrical on this bike is a real mess! I see that replacement wiring harnesses are available, how hard is it to rewire with a new harness?
 
I would strongly consider a new seat. Harness swaps are essentially straightforward, with a few provisos: study, label and photograph the old harness in position, and how it is routed through rear frame /round the headstock etc. I would ensure that all lights have a proper earth wire going back to battery, rather than relying on the frame as part of the circuit. Grant Tiller has a very useful website with wiring diagrams too.
Are you using the original handlebar switches? In which case the engine stop button has been a source of misfiring trouble for some, and can be eliminated from the circuit.
 
K-code, tell us about your skills.
Point of reference for anyone offering you guidance.
What about the wiring looks ratty?
Unless it's been butchered, replacing all the female snap connectors will be all that's needed.
"How hard is replacing the wiring harness?"
Pretty easy, if the bike is already stripped down.
What is your intent?
Make run?
Cosmetic resto?
Mechanical rebuild?

Oh, and tell us about, post pics of your Mustang.
 
Time Warp said:
A 1972 engine in a 1971 frame.
The frames did not change that much between those two years. (unless the 72 got the extended inner top shock mount plate)
Click to expand...
'72 still had the early shock top mounts.
One subtle but important difference was the '71 sidestand arrangement, which is a bit dodgy.
A sensible mod is to replace the bracket with the '72 and later type, which is a welding job, best done with the engine out.
 
B+Bogus said:
'72 still had the early shock top mounts.
One subtle but important difference was the '71 sidestand arrangement, which is a bit dodgy.
A sensible mod is to replace the bracket with the '72 and later type, which is a welding job, best done with the engine out.
Click to expand...

I should have remembered that having a 1971 Fastback and later stand bracket care of Old Britts.

Upgrading the 1971 Side Stand Lug
by Fred Eaton
 
K-code said:
how hard is it to rewire with a new harness?
Click to expand...

That depends a lot on the person doing it as some find wiring difficult while others do not. Changing a harness shouldn't be that difficult.
 
K-code,
If you are going to rewire your bike I would definitely look at the diagrams from Grant Tiller as mentioned above.They are a lot easier to follow in my experience.A readymade harness is nice as long as everything,rectifier,horn,main switch, etc,are in the original location
Mike
 
K-code said:
Thank you for the reply @Time Warp and you are correct, the number I listed for the trans is a casting number. I was unaware that there was a stamped number in the case as it was covered with decades of crud. After cleaning up the stamped number it matches the frame number. đź‘Ť

A couple more questions,
The seat pan is rusted up pretty good, I don't think it can be used. Where would be the most likely place to source a used seat?
Secondly, the electrical on this bike is a real mess! I see that replacement wiring harnesses are available, how hard is it to rewire with a new harness?
Click to expand...
I have a 1972 seat in very good condition - ship will be pretty expensive from NJ to Ca. If you are interested I’ll send some pics .
 
I repaired my seat pan. Fabbed an entire new flange around. Reinforced the area around the mounting ear attachments.
All hidden with the upholstery.

Depends what you can do yourself.

www.rk-leighton.co.uk

RK Leighton

Focusing on Originality "We are a family business and have been renovating Classic Motorcycle Seats for over 40 Years. Our work can be seen on some of the finest restorations and rebuilds in the world. We have work on show in a number of museums and private collections all over
www.rk-leighton.co.uk www.rk-leighton.co.uk
These people sell covers, foam, complete seats. Also sold through various parts houses.
 
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K-code said:
Hello folks,
I've had this Norton for 45 years. It was a project when I got it and it still is.

Does anything stand out?
Click to expand...
Welcome!

What stands out, to me, is NO PICTURES!
This isn't "Playboy", we come here for the PICTURES!

Check the Sale section, https://www.accessnorton.com/classifieds/selling-off-all-my-spare-parts.402/

I'm selling all my spares, if you can use any of it, I'll sell it CHEAP.

I'm attaching an Excel spreadsheet with a decent checklist to prepare for a build/rebuild, and it will help you figure out SOME of what's missing. (not hardware, that's a WHOLE other story)
 

Attachments

  • NORTONEVALUATION.xlsx
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o0norton0o said:
The early frame also has it's lower cross member in a different spot than later models.

Also it's got the early centerstand which is a bit short and harder to deploy, and is attached to the bike frame rather than the cradle like later models...
Click to expand...

149433 should be a later frame with the centre stand attached to the cradle.
 
concours said:
K-code, tell us about your skills.
Point of reference for anyone offering you guidance.
What about the wiring looks ratty?
Unless it's been butchered, replacing all the female snap connectors will be all that's needed.
"How hard is replacing the wiring harness?"
Pretty easy, if the bike is already stripped down.
What is your intent?
Make run?
Cosmetic resto?
Mechanical rebuild?

Oh, and tell us about, post pics of your Mustang.
Click to expand...
I appreciate all the responses! I know I have a lot to learn.
My intention is to have a bike I can ride. Not looking for a restoration, just a mechanically sound classic Norton.
I am mechanically competent having wrenched on mostly cars for many years, my electrical experience is quite limited but I understand the concept and am willing to learn. It looks like the Norton is a Positive Ground? system? A battery box is another thing I'll have to source or fab. It has a tiny little rectifier and the Zener diode with an empty blade terminal.
I'll try to get some pictures up soon.

In 1972 I bought my first car, a Mustang. It was advertised as a HiPo (high performance K-code) Mustang but then EVERY Mustang in the classified section of the newspaper was said to be a HiPo. Mine turned out to be a genuine K engine code car, a convertible, the lowest production body style for a HiPo.
I've kept it all these years and am now correcting all the "improvements" I made to it when I was 17!
 
K-code said:
In 1972 I bought my first car, a Mustang. It was advertised as a HiPo (high performance K-code)
Click to expand...

I wondered about the K-code.
First car a cooper-ised Mini (Mini Cooper running gear into another shell) in 1976.

S code (Manual) Mustang by 1980.

So tell me what I've got
 
Is there a tutorial on how to post pictures on the forum? I seem to be having some trouble doing that.
Until I can figure that out I'll continue with questions.
The front brake is a single leading shoe and I am thinking that it should be a double leading shoe, is that right? And, get this, I see a speedometer drive unit on the REAR wheel hub ? ! ?
It does not have a center stand and to me it looks like I have the early '71 side stand mount. Does the center stand have the side stand stop on it? Because when I fold up the side stand it swings all the way over to the other side of the bike.
 
It's a bit fiddly to post pics but basically sign up to an image sharing site, I use Imgur which works fine but has some glitches. Upload the pic, then grab the BBCode link and drop it in your message like I've done here.

I got my N15's seat from Baxter, it was less expensive than importing from the UK, but still not cheap. I wish they had used a higher density foam, but that stuff seems to be unobtanium anymore.

I use a variety of sources for research, https://andover-norton.co.uk/ has nice diagrams and you can look up all the parts. Looks like twin leading to me on the '71. They use a dot format nn.nnnn for part numbers but most places use a dash nn-nnnn. You can find parts catalogs with all the numbers online.

So tell me what I've got
 
K-code said:
Is there a tutorial on how to post pictures on the forum? I seem to be having some trouble doing that.
Until I can figure that out I'll continue with questions.
The front brake is a single leading shoe and I am thinking that it should be a double leading shoe, is that right? And, get this, I see a speedometer drive unit on the REAR wheel hub ? ! ?
It does not have a center stand and to me it looks like I have the early '71 side stand mount. Does the center stand have the side stand stop on it? Because when I fold up the side stand it swings all the way over to the other side of the bike.
Click to expand...
The easiest way to post pictures is to become a VIP member. Good luck with your build.
 
K-code said:
The front brake is a single leading shoe and I am thinking that it should be a double leading shoe, is that right?
Click to expand...

Yes, a double leading shoe.
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
K-code said:
And, get this, I see a speedometer drive unit on the REAR wheel hub ? ! ?
Click to expand...

Correct.
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

K-code said:
Does the center stand have the side stand stop on it?
Click to expand...

No.
 
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