What year/model? What am I missing?

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Hi All,

I am new here. Firstly would like to say hello and happy to have joined this community.

I recently acquired a Norton commando project and I am looking for some advice/help from the experts. I have rebuilt many motorcycles, Harley’s and triumphs, but this is my first Norton.

From the pictures the bike is obviously missing a few things. Primary cover, side covers, a whole front end. But the price was too good to pass up.

the VIN 138251 puts this as a 1970 fastback. However I have not seen that kind of tailpiece before. Is that some custom work?

Front end: I have to acquire a front end. Preferably would like to keep in Norton or of British make. Any suggestions on a front end and what will fit? Will any commando front end fit? Are there suspension and braking upgrades that I could buy and bolt on or a better Norton front end that I can search for?

Is there anything else from the photos that you can see I should start shopping for?

Thanks and looking forward to your responses! Images below
 
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Front end: I have to acquire a front end. Will any commando front end fit? Are there suspension and braking upgrades that I could buy and bolt on or a better Norton front end that I can search for?
Ideally you'd need a set of '68-'70 Commando yokes (don't try to mix and match upper and lower yokes from different years).
Originally it would have had a wheel with a drum front brake but you could fit the later disc wheel but you would need the correct fork sliders depending on whether they are for a drum or disc.
 
Welcome. You will find this Forum invaluable for everything Commando. If you decide to go the overhaul route, a useful thread is "Typical overhaul checklist" posted by grandpaul. This can be typed in the search bar. Sorry, I don't know how to provide the direct link.
 
Welcome, and best of luck with your Commando. I have a '70 commando too. They are a little different than the later models.

The frame headstock is 1 degree steeper than later models. They have a little different fork yoke set up with the nut on top rather than the bottom. They also had a front drum brake instead of a disc which is on later models. I have a later model disc brake on mine mounted in 68-70 yokes, so you can go that route too since you have to buy the whole front end... some people like the look of the front drum, but the disc is probably a more powerful brake set up.

Your bike has a weird little headlight and halo mount frame around it...

Your bike has a built in breather on the end of the camshaft.... which is not great but was a crude attempt to solve the crankcase pressure issues that all parallel twins have.

Your bike has a special side stand (which is short and works poorly)

Your bike has a special center stand (which is short and works poorly)

Your bike has a central oil tank and no oil filter (but that can be added a few different ways)

Your bike has a less sturdy swingarm. (later models are gusseted so they resist twisting better)

Your bike has a single bolt swingarm tube on the cradle that causes the ends of the tube to wallow out and give very sloppy handling (kegler clamps can be added to fix that flaw)

Your rear wheel is bolted to the hub without any rubber cushion. (later models have little cushions that honestly don't do much)

Your bike has a really weak headsteady that always cracks (it was superseded by a box headsteady in later models, and superseded by aftermarket headsteadies that are much better)

Ultimately, having a 70 model can be challenging to restore because you have to chose between creating a stock 70 model and living with the unimproved parts and flaws that later models eliminated vs upgrading as much stuff as possible to make it your bike as rideable as possible. WTBS, a norton commando is still a very capable sport bike on modern roads today.

There's a million ways to go with this. You can try to find the missing parts, then get the bike running and take your time learning and upgrading or you can strip the whole thing down to parts and build it to perfection with every upgrade,....... except to do that you would need to be a long time Norton guy who knows all the modern upgrades to do before he starts his build..... IMO, that's going to be your biggest challenge with a total tear down and rebuild. If you don't know the better choices to make, you won't know to make them....
 
ton of front end options out there including usd, or just upgrading norton disc bits, almost always single disc that way tho, pretty sure triumph OIF forks work, that can dual disc

folks have gone single sided, single shock or swap the rear

don't use ethanol fuel with fibe tanks, melts them then sticky goo/slime/slurry goes carb, engine, yucko

i'd go thru the tranny, there is a known bearing issue (not sure about your yr) that can let loose, suddenly locking up the rear

u can mix up bits to suit/please including tanks, can end up then known as interback (from interstate tank & fastback bits) etc

original isolastic engine mounts, rear in particular, are a royal pia to adjust, in comparison to upgraded verniers, too tight rears can end up in frame cracks

most folks think going 16 wheel with a stock swingarm is idiotic, but didn't bother hogslayer dude




 
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Welcome! There are three places to get parts: Ebay, Andover Norton in England (excellent quality new parts) and Greg Marsh who is on this site (https://www.gregmarsh.com/) who has a variety of parts, especially Amal Carburetor parts. Check Andover prices before you buy on Ebay, you will often find that Andover (or Greg) has new parts cheaper than Ebay sellers. ALSO: Not sure where in the US you are, but check the INOA website (https://www.inoanorton.com/) for a Norton Club near you. You will find great people who will help with problems and applaud progress
 
Mac,
What part of the states are you located?Like Margie says,getting in touch with the Norton Owners Club is a great way to start with all your questions.The guys on this forum have a wealth of information that I trust over the various sites on Facebook.Enjoy your build.
Mike
 
Ideally you'd need a set of '68-'70 Commando yokes (don't try to mix and match upper and lower yokes from different years).
Originally it would have had a wheel with a drum front brake but you could fit the later disc wheel but you would need the correct fork sliders depending on whether they are for a drum or disc.
Are these the yokes I’m looking for?

 
Mac,
What part of the states are you located?Like Margie says,getting in touch with the Norton Owners Club is a great way to start with all your questions.The guys on this forum have a wealth of information that I trust over the various sites on Facebook.Enjoy your build.
Mike
Hey! I’m in Asheville, NC
 
Welcome, and best of luck with your Commando. I have a '70 commando too. They are a little different than the later models.

The frame headstock is 1 degree steeper than later models. They have a little different fork yoke set up with the nut on top rather than the bottom. They also had a front drum brake instead of a disc which is on later models. I have a later model disc brake on mine mounted in 68-70 yokes, so you can go that route too since you have to buy the whole front end... some people like the look of the front drum, but the disc is probably a more powerful brake set up.

Your bike has a weird little headlight and halo mount frame around it...

Your bike has a built in breather on the end of the camshaft.... which is not great but was a crude attempt to solve the crankcase pressure issues that all parallel twins have.

Your bike has a special side stand (which is short and works poorly)

Your bike has a special center stand (which is short and works poorly)

Your bike has a central oil tank and no oil filter (but that can be added a few different ways)

Your bike has a less sturdy swingarm. (later models are gusseted so they resist twisting better)

Your bike has a single bolt swingarm tube on the cradle that causes the ends of the tube to wallow out and give very sloppy handling (kegler clamps can be added to fix that flaw)

Your rear wheel is bolted to the hub without any rubber cushion. (later models have little cushions that honestly don't do much)

Your bike has a really weak headsteady that always cracks (it was superseded by a box headsteady in later models, and superseded by aftermarket headsteadies that are much better)

Ultimately, having a 70 model can be challenging to restore because you have to chose between creating a stock 70 model and living with the unimproved parts and flaws that later models eliminated vs upgrading as much stuff as possible to make it your bike as rideable as possible. WTBS, a norton commando is still a very capable sport bike on modern roads today.

There's a million ways to go with this. You can try to find the missing parts, then get the bike running and take your time learning and upgrading or you can strip the whole thing down to parts and build it to perfection with every upgrade,....... except to do that you would need to be a long time Norton guy who knows all the modern upgrades to do before he starts his build..... IMO, that's going to be your biggest challenge with a total tear down and rebuild. If you don't know the better choices to make, you won't know to make them....
Great information. Thank you
 
Great information. Thank you
Welcome (Mac?)

I've got at least two later style swingarms for drum brake. Name your price, probably $20 or so to mail it to you.

That's a really cool project, and I'm guessing that tail piece may have a cool story to tell.

I think I have a set of BRAND NEW Amal Premiers that I got a deal on, I'll pass the exact deal along to you, once I track down where I got 'em from.

I have several stray Commando spares, I'll see if I made a list a few months ago when I was doing a shop cleanup...
 
Welcome (Mac?)

I've got at least two later style swingarms for drum brake. Name your price, probably $20 or so to mail it to you.

That's a really cool project, and I'm guessing that tail piece may have a cool story to tell.

I think I have a set of BRAND NEW Amal Premiers that I got a deal on, I'll pass the exact deal along to you, once I track down where I got 'em from.

I have several stray Commando spares, I'll see if I made a list a few months ago when I was doing a shop cleanup...
Mac is fine. Thanks (Paul?)

That would be great. I would want a later style swing arm because they are essentially stronger, correct?
 
Mac is fine. Thanks (Paul?)

That would be great. I would want a later style swing arm because they are essentially stronger, correct?
Yes, it's Paul, and yes, later swingarms are stronger.

I have a disc brake front wheel but it's rusty. Still, hub & disc are good; I can chop out just the hub with disc if you want it. I'm fairly sure I have a very nice original Dunlop front rim (used, but very nice) also a similar condition rear rim (no hub)
 
What year/model? What am I missing?


I have more calipers & master cylinders, better than these

What year/model? What am I missing?


Pretty rough, but it can be re-chromed...
What year/model? What am I missing?


What year/model? What am I missing?
 
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