Yes, I am one of those Norton owners that smiles everytime, I open the barn door and there she is. Whether it is the fluid design of the crankcase, the forward tilt of the upright twins or just the DRG ("Down the Road Graphics" Detroit speak for 'nice lines') - there is that unmistakeable poetic presence. That's why, it was difficult for me to conceive of my '72 Commando Combat without the signature double coils, right there in the most conspicuous spot imaginable - right under the front quater of the gas tank. Lucas functionality over form & style. Nonetheless, can you ever imagine a Norton without them?
So, when I came to the conclusion, recently, that I desparately needed to upgrade some electrical components, I was faced with an identity quagmire. The aging Boyer was finally giving out and there were other symtoms necessitating systemic change - namely a lot of new wiring, new bullet connectors, new spark wires, Tri-Spark Ignition and last but not least, a CNW Single Coil Conversion. It was this last item that caused me such anguish. It was truly unbearable! How could I ever adjust to not seeing those two shiny cans at the leading edge of the engine - cutting through the air, like a carved Masthead on a sleek pirateer.
All was not lost though - OEM remorse is the incubator of invention. As I was about to remove the OEM coils and fit the CNW Single Coil Conversion to the frame mount, it occurred to me, that perhaps, I could have my technological upgrade, while retaining the OEM appearance. Amazingly, the CNW Single Coil Conversion fits perfectly onto the bracket, while allowing for the original coils, albiet functionless, to be "sistered" to the sides of the bracket. The tank seems to hide the fact that there are not spark plug wires emerging from the erstwhile units. They almost appear to be intergral to the operation of the engine as they once were. Incidently, the bike is running superb - I know that the OEM coils probably make no contrbution to the kick-ass response of the engine - but it sure looks good.
BTW, I want to thank everyone, who gave me the courage to proceed with the installation of the Tri-Spark on my own. It seems to be working very well...
So, when I came to the conclusion, recently, that I desparately needed to upgrade some electrical components, I was faced with an identity quagmire. The aging Boyer was finally giving out and there were other symtoms necessitating systemic change - namely a lot of new wiring, new bullet connectors, new spark wires, Tri-Spark Ignition and last but not least, a CNW Single Coil Conversion. It was this last item that caused me such anguish. It was truly unbearable! How could I ever adjust to not seeing those two shiny cans at the leading edge of the engine - cutting through the air, like a carved Masthead on a sleek pirateer.
All was not lost though - OEM remorse is the incubator of invention. As I was about to remove the OEM coils and fit the CNW Single Coil Conversion to the frame mount, it occurred to me, that perhaps, I could have my technological upgrade, while retaining the OEM appearance. Amazingly, the CNW Single Coil Conversion fits perfectly onto the bracket, while allowing for the original coils, albiet functionless, to be "sistered" to the sides of the bracket. The tank seems to hide the fact that there are not spark plug wires emerging from the erstwhile units. They almost appear to be intergral to the operation of the engine as they once were. Incidently, the bike is running superb - I know that the OEM coils probably make no contrbution to the kick-ass response of the engine - but it sure looks good.
BTW, I want to thank everyone, who gave me the courage to proceed with the installation of the Tri-Spark on my own. It seems to be working very well...
