steering lock removal

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Nielsen

Nielsen

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Oct 2, 2013
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I'm wanting to get the yoke of my '74 powder-coated, which means removing the lock. I did find a thread on this here, but wanted to confirm how to do it. There is no visible split pin or any other way that the lock appears to be secured to the yoke. Is it indeed simply a press-fit which can be pushed out from the bottom? I should say that I'm pretty sure my lock is the original. It's a Mk III made in March of '74.

Thanks for your help.
steering lock removal
steering lock removal
 
Nielsen said:
It's a Mk III made in March of '74.
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It's a MkII, so the lock should just knock out. (The MkIII lock is pinned-but that isn't it)
 
I thought Mk3s had threaded holes in the front edge to hold the warning light console on?

My 74 bike has same looking yoke as yours an the lock just dropped in the hole an could be lifted out with your fingers. The world was a different place in the 70s.

I bought a replacement AN yoke (the original looks to have been bent in the past) that has a small roll pin to hold it which is fitted on the under side of yoke on the RH side. Look to see if a small hole is there on yours but I think its an improvement on the newly made ones.
 
Thanks for that LAB. The good news is that removing that lock should be easy. But a Mk II .....?!?! How else can I tell? I always thought it was a Mk III because it was built in '74.
 
toppy said:
I thought Mk3s had threaded holes in the front edge to hold the warning light console on?
Click to expand...

Yes, neither the yoke or lock are MkIII.

It also appears to be a 750 yoke ("061917" and no 850 "ANG" mark :shock: :? )
 
L.A.B. said:
Nielsen said:
But a Mk II .....?!?! How else can I tell? I always thought it was a Mk III because it was built in '74.
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It's a MkII.
http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... ochure.pdf

MkIII is the electric start, rear disc, left foot shift, etc. model (1975-).
850 MkIII: http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... LineUp.pdf
Click to expand...

Doooohhhhh..... Brain fart..... I knew that. Not thinking this morning. Sorry........

.......and the lock came out beautifully (with a bit of tapping). Thanks you!
 
But its an 850 mk2 fitted with 750 yokes so this needs investigating as the trail is not as designed unless you also have a 750 frame with an 850 identity. Check for frame part numbers on the front tank/coil mount or headstock.
 
kommando said:
But its an 850 mk2 fitted with 750 yokes so this needs investigating as the trail is not as designed unless you also have a 750 frame with an 850 identity. Check for frame part numbers on the front tank/coil mount or headstock.
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This is puzzling. The number on the serial plate riveted to the front of the frame matches the number on the engine and the transmission. Is there a number actually hammered into the frame somewhere--knowing that it is possible to rivet a different serial plate onto the frame? I presume this would suggest that my yoke was changed to a 750 style, or is it possible it left the factory with that yoke. The build plate says March (actually only gives the number "3") 74. The serial number is 313811.

The whole thing seems so odd because I've just taken the front forks apart, and they have the correct attachment point for the disc brake--which I presume is a hallmark of a Mk II. Also, the headlight brackets sit perfectly in the top and bottom yoke. Finally, the bike is remarkably original and complete and I know its history going back into the 1990s. The speedo only has some 12,000 miles on it. This is not to say that it wasn't changed at some point, but I'm wondering whether it is possible the bike left the factory with the present yokes. If this is a mismatch, is this something that should concern me from a handling/safety perspective?
 
Yup your little lock tap out project has now turned into yoke replacement to correct 74 850 style. 750 yokes are for 750's.
 
Nielsen said:
This is puzzling. The number on the serial plate riveted to the front of the frame matches the number on the engine and the transmission. Is there a number actually hammered into the frame somewhere--knowing that it is possible to rivet a different serial plate onto the frame?
Click to expand...

If it is an 850 frame from that period then there is usually an additional "*850*F1xxxx*" number stamped alongside the headstock plate?
In addition to that, if 850, you may find the frame part number stamped on the front face of the left hand fuel tank bracket? A MkII frame also has the extended inner shock mounting plates.


Nielsen said:
I presume this would suggest that my yoke was changed to a 750 style, or is it possible it left the factory with that yoke.
Click to expand...

It suggests that either both yokes have been changed (due to their different geometry, 750 and 850 yokes can only be used in pairs) or perhaps less likely, both the frame and yokes have been changed, but seems unlikely an 850 frame would have left the factory with 750 yokes.

Both upper and lower 850 yokes are clearly marked "ANG" on the underside.

What are the markings on your lower yoke?



Nielsen said:
The whole thing seems so odd because I've just taken the front forks apart, and they have the correct attachment point for the disc brake--which I presume is a hallmark of a Mk II.
Click to expand...

The same LH and RH (disc) fork legs were used 1972-on (including on the 850 MkIII only reversed) so that in itself doesn't prove anything.

Nielsen said:
Also, the headlight brackets sit perfectly in the top and bottom yoke.
Click to expand...

Again, this proves nothing.

Nielsen said:
Finally, the bike is remarkably original and complete and I know its history going back into the 1990s.
Click to expand...

Well, perhaps it's not quite as original as you thought.


Nielsen said:
If this is a mismatch, is this something that should concern me from a handling/safety perspective?
Click to expand...

There has been some discussions about this in the past and the general consensus is that fitting 750 yokes to an 850 frame is basically OK but not vice versa.

yet-again-talk-yokes-and-forks-t16921.html


The factory manual does warn against using the wrong yokes (see manual, section G3, 9A, note).


http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Repai ... mmando.pdf

However, if your Commando handles/steers as it should then there would seem less cause for concern?
 
Hi LAB: thanks for the information. I did a bunch of reading and found your name on other forums over the same issue, so I appreciate your expertise. From all I've read, it is OK to put 750 Yokes on an 850, but that the best is to go with a set of 850s. Strikes me that the best thing for me to do is to put my present 750 yokes up for trade for a set of 850s, especially now that I have the whole thing apart. Having said that, the bike seemed to handle well--though my level of experience is probably not sufficient to really tell.

......if anyone has an excellent set of 850 yokes (paint condition doesn't matter) they would like to trade for a set of 750s--or sell outright, please PM me (and apologies for posting what amounts to a 'wanted' thread here).
 
So I've started a new thread on the subject of identifying whether I have a 750 or an 850 frame, now that the discussion is more about my frame than the yoke. I'd be very grateful for your expert advice on this. Cheers from chilly Vancouver.
 
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