What's the original location of the 'Norton' script

I just measured up the decals of the 'Norton' script on my '74 Commando so I know where to place the stencils on the repaint. One side was 3/4" higher than the other, and one was tilted about 3/8", while the other was parallel to the ground. Now I have no idea which is correct. Can anyone help? Here's what I think I need.....

I don't know about measurements, but I've been eyeballing tanks for the location of that Norton decal, for future use.

I'd say the decal is about perfectly centred between the upper and lower twin pinstripes,
and between the pinstripes in front and that tank scallop.

I reckon your decal needs to come down a shade, and move back a shade, and it would be about perfect.

The 'about' gives you a little leeway.
Obviously, it depends on you to decide how it looks best.
Some folks just slap em on and are happy, and thats all that counts really ?

Thanks for that Rohan, and I agree entirely with you. The obsessive in me, however, would like to place the decals as close to original location as possible. I like your equation, though. Makes sense.

Nielsen, good information the gather, however, you may want to adjust your photo/diagram to show specific points for the measurements, otherwise any figures you get will be meaningless unless they come with such specifics and it would be like shooting blindfolded to think that two respondents would independently choose the exact same three measuring points.

I'd suggest that you consider the following measurements on an original decal-ed tank:

Horizontal placement
= distance from the front of the tank to the 'N' on the script at the lowest point of the straight line where it starts to curl back toward the front
= measurement point A

Providing that:
a) Surface the tank is situated on is leveled
b) tank set level - measured at the bottom of the Norton script, with the rear of the tank raised to achive the leveling of the bottom of the script
c) using a small piece of plywood set perpendicular to the bottom platform and snugly against the front of the tank as a point to measure from
d) using a line-level on the measuring device to ensure accurate measurement

Vertical placement
= distance from the platform the bare tank (no petcocks, studs, etc.) is resting on, to the following two points
a) measurement point B could be from A above to provide a direct and specific anchor
b) measurement point C could be the lowest point of the 't' (as the N & T are joined on the decal they are the two points most likely to have the least variance from bike to bike)

Just my restless/analytical/obsessive-compulsive/expressive mind wandering. ;-)

As it sits now, the tank is on a level, flat work surface. I guess I thought that would be the most logical. So from that work surface up to the script, front and back. The lines in my photograph are distorted and not to scale. How far back the tank sits would be based upon a straight line across the front of the tank, and how far from that point to where the 'N' begins (on the left side, of course). Sorry if I didn't make myself clear.

Is that your tank in the picture? Is it original paint?

Why not just measure it? Make a template?

One thing you can do is put the decals on with water spray with a little dish soap...then you can move them around until they are positioned right. Squeegie the air and water out when located right.

Rohan has the location described pretty well...but it is also visual balance.

Nielsen said:

As it sits now, the tank is on a level, flat work surface.

Click to expand...

It was mentioned earlier, with the sidecovers, that they about must be on a bike when applying decals/stickons/masking.
This is also ESSENTIAL with the tank.
As well as being central within the pinstripes, the Norton logo thingy has to be HORIZONTAL with the ground.

The tank doesn't usually sit flat and level on the bike, so if done off the bike the Norton may well be going slightly uphill or downhill.
Opethiselps.

Rohan said:

Nielsen said:

As it sits now, the tank is on a level, flat work surface.

Click to expand...

It was mentioned earlier, with the sidecovers, that they about must be on a bike when applying decals/stickons/masking.
This is also ESSENTIAL with the tank.
As well as being central within the pinstripes, the Norton logo thingy has to be HORIZONTAL with the ground.

The tank doesn't usually sit flat and level on the bike, so if done off the bike the Norton may well be going slightly uphill or downhill.
Opethiselps.

Click to expand...

For me this is a very important point.

I have a perfect finish paint job on my bike BUT

The pin strips are not parallel with the ground. (or actually anything!!) To make it worse the tank goes up and the sidecovers down a little. Annoys me every time I see it !!!

Didn't the factory just "slap on" the stickers? I was a baby then but a number of period pictures I've seen seem to have the logo in slightly different locations.

OK, perhaps a stupid question: can I assume that this is with the script(s) parallel to the ground with the bike OFF the stand? The odd thing with that is that we look at the bikes more when we aren't on them--when they are on their stands.

I made a study and measurements of the original Norton decal on my '69 tank which may be lots different than the later ones. But I did basically notice that the decal was centered on the outer most part of the tank and parallel to the bottom edge. Of course the panels are altogether different, especially the early F/G ones.

Nielsen said:

I just measured up the decals of the 'Norton' script on my '74 Commando so I know where to place the stencils on the repaint. One side was 3/4" higher than the other, and one was tilted about 3/8", while the other was parallel to the ground. Now I have no idea which is correct. Can anyone help? Here's what I think I need

Click to expand...

I would recommend you study the period brochures and select your own measurements -

Nielsen said:

The odd thing with that is that we look at the bikes more when we aren't on them--when they are on their stands.

Click to expand...

Great idea, if you don't actually intend to ride it. ?

Those photos show the tank stripe dropping down on two tanks and going slightly up on the third.

Like Anglophile said - maybe they were just slapped on :roll:

Rohan said:

Nielsen said:

As it sits now, the tank is on a level, flat work surface.

Click to expand...

It was mentioned earlier, with the sidecovers, that they about must be on a bike when applying decals/stickons/masking.
This is also ESSENTIAL with the tank.
As well as being central within the pinstripes, the Norton logo thingy has to be HORIZONTAL with the ground.

The tank doesn't usually sit flat and level on the bike, so if done off the bike the Norton may well be going slightly uphill or downhill.
Opethiselps.

Click to expand...

Hey wait a minuet. :idea: I agree with Rohan here.. I wish the side covers were documented and scrutinized to the point where this thread is going with all that accurate measurement and such.
I have seen a lot of decals placed on the side covers that don't look right....Try and Get it right. :shock:
Tom
CNN

Good idea about the brochures. They are all off the stand and the scripts are parallel with the ground. Seems good enough for me.

johnm said:

Those photos show the tank stripe dropping down on two tanks and going slightly up on the third.

Like Anglophile said - maybe they were just slapped on :roll:

Click to expand...

That's pretty much what they all look like when you look at period pictures. Not sure but there may have been more than one pin striper and the dacals can be all over the place so not done with a template at the factory. Then there is the Monday and Friday syndrome.

I tried to get the measurements from my MKIII before I stripped it down, and used them to get me in the ball park, then moved the decals around until they looked right when I actually applied them.

I didn't do it on the bike...we'll see when I put it together. I've done many other bikes this way without any problem. If you ship your tank to someone to paint it I doubt they will have a Norton sitting there that they can put the parts on to get the decals parallel to the ground.

It really is about visual symmetry...getting the space around the decals even and locate them straight.

p400 said:

Nielsen said:

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

This is stock ????
Maybe it's just my OCD, but both decals look crooked to me.
The tank decal appears to rise in the rear while the sidecover lettering drops in the rear.

I agree. And suspect they were just slapped on by eye.
If you bought new, there were probably a couple at least on
the floor to choose from. Most guys looked and said "I want
that one" probably the one that looked best or least bad.

Take a look in the mirror. Notice how one side droops a little lower than the other? What are you going to do about that? Do you think that makes you less perfect in the eyes of your creator? Would you wear a thicker shoe on one side and maybe carry your purse on the high side to even it all out?

P.S. If you don't notice a difference then your not looking as close at yourself as you do to your Norton. I'm probable the same way but can't accept it either. :|