Yet another N15CS question, about the number plate

I bought a reproduction number plate off eBay, it is OK, sort of big and ugly like me. I had a couple other options that didn't really work out, I didn't want more holes in the fender. So the one I got fits the upper hole that's there, but on the bottom of the number plate area there's just a single hole in the center of the unit. There's no corresponding hole in the fender, but there are two wider spaced holes. Is there a bracket there that bridges these together to support? Can't find one in the parts list and pics don't show it. Looks easy enough to make one.... It may very well be that this isn't exactly the right one, I don't much care but it looks like the ones I see in Google image search.

Maybe one of you guys has fitted one like this? I'm down to the nitty gritty last bits now.

Oh here's something odd. When I first got the bike I did inventory and found a bunch of parts on eBay that I needed. I lost the auction. With the exception of the instrument (can't tell, tach?), head stay, cable and twist grip, the remaining parts are every single thing I have needed. Seems too strange of odds to be true as I had most everything else! I took a pic of it:

gpzkat said:

I bought a reproduction number plate off eBay, it is OK, sort of big and ugly like me. I had a couple other options that didn't really work out, I didn't want more holes in the fender. So the one I got fits the upper hole that's there, but on the bottom of the number plate area there's just a single hole in the center of the unit. There's no corresponding hole in the fender, but there are two wider spaced holes. Is there a bracket there that bridges these together to support? Can't find one in the parts list and pics don't show it. Looks easy enough to make one.... It may very well be that this isn't exactly the right one, I don't much care but it looks like the ones I see in Google image search.

Maybe one of you guys has fitted one like this? I'm down to the nitty gritty last bits now.

Click to expand...

Tom,
I have seen this "tail light fairing" advertised, unfortunately it isn't a faithful replica. Indeed the lower bracket welded to the number plate is missing, and the upper attachment is somewhat incorrect, see attached image of a genuine item.

- Knut

gpzkat said:

Oh here's something odd. When I first got the bike I did inventory and found a bunch of parts on eBay that I needed. I lost the auction. With the exception of the instrument (can't tell, tach?), head stay, cable and twist grip, the remaining parts are every single thing I have needed. Seems too strange of odds to be true as I had most everything else! I took a pic of it:

Click to expand...

Bad luck, but these auctions tend to go way above what parts can be bought for elsewhere. I have retired from many auctions.

The good news is, most of these parts are available as repro parts from e.g., Walridge Motors, and sometimes it's better and cheaper to buy new repro parts than having to struggle with dented original parts.
Too bad "Iron John" has retired - he was very good at making tinware parts for various Matchless models, including the "tail light fairing", 02-9427.
However, Mike has found a new source, and he lists the fairing at USD 132.00 I believe. Discuss fabrication details re. attachments with Mike to make sure the supplied part is as shown above.

Ohh, I suggest you deviate from the hard fixing used originally and dream up a rubber mounting. I have seen sketches on this site.

Mike will serve you with battery/tool box housing and lid too. He supplied me quite recently.

- Knut

As always, thanks Knut! That is a helpful pic I never could find elsewhere.

I got the battery/toolbox and cover plus many other bits from Walridge not long ago, they've taken many times my original purchase price of the bike haha

The toolbox cover is on long term paint delay. My guy is out of Lake Elsinore (has original signed posters from 'On Any Sunday' era in his garage), does beautiful work but it's cold and rainy in Southern CA these days, and he works out of that garage. The cover was 'meh' as far as fit and I am a bit worried that after paint it will not fit well, so I'm leaving the inner housing to rattle-can it black. It's that tight. Oh well, not like they are thick on the ground. It'll be fine, soon I hope.

I can make the number plate fit pretty easily. The upper mounting bolt (metric M8 1.25 it turns out) will be OK, and yeah, rubber mounting it sounds like a good idea given it's location. That's pretty common on big 4 Japanes bikes I've owned, and I can even reuse leftover hardware I have. It was only $65 for that part, so a little metal bending is fine by me. The beehive light fixture is on the way from Andover. I got the other bits one by one.

As my friend says: Here's X# of $$$ go build me that part

gpzkat said:

The toolbox cover is on long term paint delay.

Click to expand...

If I were you, I'd use the opportunity to have some small attachments silver brazed to the cover's inside and to the battery/tool box for fitment of a security wire or chain (similar to what's used for a sink rubber stop). The cover is held by one screw only, and a small wire or chain will ensure the cover isn't lost if the bolt unscrews during a ride. Original covers are very thin on the ground because they were lost during rides. Same goes for the oil tank heat shield. Damn vibratons!!

gpzkat said:

I can make the number plate fit pretty easily. <...> It was only $65 for that part, so a little metal bending is fine by me.

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OK. For all others looking for the tail light fairing (02-9427), it's offered by AN as well featuring the correct brackets. Current price is US$105. You may look it up in the "Slimline" list of models.

gpzkat said:

The beehive light fixture is on the way from Andover.

Click to expand...

I thought Lucas 53973B (Lucas L679) would be the correct tail light for a 1966 N15CS? That's according to the spares book and the Lucas equipment list. AMC was always eager to fit new designs of Lucas equipment, same goes for ignition parts.
You may prefer L564 though, that's your prerogative. AN should have listed both types (Lucas L564 and L679) for the Atlas/650SS. For 1967 models the L679 was fitted.

A work collegue once stated "Hey, money is the one factor we have plenty of". A little exaggerated probably!

- Knut

mdt-son said:

If I were you, I'd use the opportunity to have some small attachments silver brazed to the cover's inside and to the battery/tool box for fitment of a security wire or chain (similar to what's used for a sink rubber stop). The cover is held by one screw only, and a small wire or chain will ensure the cover isn't lost if the bolt unscrews during a ride. Original covers are very thin on the ground because they were lost during rides. Same goes for the oil tank heat shield. Damn vibratons!!


OK. For all others looking for the tail light fairing (02-9427), it's offered by AN as well featuring the correct brackets. Current price is US$105. You may look it up in the "Slimline" list of models.


I thought Lucas 53973B (Lucas L679) would be the correct tail light for a 1966 N15CS? That's according to the spares book and the Lucas equipment list. AMC was always eager to fit new designs of Lucas equipment, same goes for ignition parts.
You may prefer L564 though, that's your prerogative. AN should have listed both types (Lucas L564 and L679) for the Atlas/650SS. For 1967 models the L679 was fitted.

A work collegue once stated "Hey, money is the one factor we have plenty of". A little exaggerated probably!

- Knut

Click to expand...

Regarding the tail light, yes I ordered AN's: TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY (LUCAS) (NM24840) (56331) (679). I thought it was what's called 'beehive' type. Price was $40.25, exchange rate is quite favorable now.

Good advice on the side cover, also some blue Loctite on that screw perhaps. On a side note, I had never used the red high strength stuff (277 IIRC) before, but I used it recently on a project and wow, you better be committed. I tested it out on a spare bolt/nut and had to hit it with heat to get it loose. So I won't use that.

My oil tank is directly painted on the tank itself, no heat shield. I guess they didn't know. Looks OK, just putting in some dummy screws. Would be nice to not roast my leg but that's how the cookie crumbles.