From: Bruce Graham
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 94 11:36:33 CDT
I recently picked up a early ('68 or '69) Norton Fastback, and I have a couple of questions for the net.
This bike does not have the extra frame support tube under the main backbone. I think that the factory either supplied new frames, or had tubes welded in under warranty due to fractures. Any information about either approach? Also, what colors were available for this model - I know the press bike was silver, but I dont know if silver was in production. I notice that the footpeg holders are nickel plated, not chrome, and the instruments have a solid green ball, not the "AT&T" style green with black lines. There is a large badge on the tailpiece, but no badges on the tank - is that correct?
Thanks for any additional info!
brg
From: John Kula
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 94 14:39:58 PDT
If your Commando frame indeed has no support tube going from the headstock to the middle of the big backbone, then you have a gussetted headstock, early Frame. DO NOT RIDE YOUR COMMANDO UNTIL YOU GET A NEW FRAME. The gusset invariably fails without warning, the forks fly off and you get a snootful of asphalt (unless you're going fast enough to become au gratin). You cannot fix the original-style frame without _expert_ help, so don't try to weld a new tube in place. Buy a new frame (BTW, I'd be interested in buying the old frame from you -- as a collector's item).
The frame dates your bike as a _very_ early Commando. If you send me your frame number (well, engine number), I'll check the factory records and let you know what date it was built and who it was built for. The records _don't_ show colour, unfortunately, but that early was most likely to be "British Racing Green". The silver-with-orange-seat preproduction combo was never produced for public consumption.
Remember, that early a Commando had lots of Atlas bits on it: the mufflers, the forks, the chainguard, etc., etc. The green blob on the instruments is correct. The round badge on the rear tail unit is correct. If the tank doesn't have a round depression on either side for the same-sized round badge, then it's a later tank (I have the early tank, and would be amenable to working out a trade with you).
It sounds like an exciting project for you, on one of the earliest Commandos around. My buddy recently owned Commando #4, and it was virtually 100% authentic. Unfortunately he also recently sold it back to Europe, but I got lots of detailed photos and information, in the event I wanted to try it myself. So, send me your number -- your Commando might even be earlier (my friend reckoned that his Commando was the earliest Commando still in existence; the Norton Owners' Club in England tended to agree with him; if nothing else, it was the earliest in the most original condition).
John Kula Commando 930 (MacBeth)
From: stephen
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 94 16:59:10 CDT
You are correct on the frame, and I assume you could get a shop (brit specialists of course) to weld in a support. For the other stuff I recommend getting Roy Bacon's book on restoring Norton twins. I have this and will look some stuff up for you tonight.
- Steve. (Q: Tell me the serial # & I'll see if it was actually
a
Fastback & any other tidbits that are in another little book I
have)
From: Bob Cram
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 94 08:58:59
Being more of a Triumph than a Norton person, I won't pretend to be able to answer your question about the frame supports, although I do remember reading about this problem. What I wanted to bring to your attention was an article that appeared in "The Classic Motorcycle" in October 1992 called "Good Vibrations." It was a review of a 69 Fastback that the owner had purchased brand new in 69 and ridden ever since. With all that experience with one model he had made a number of improvements over the years and the article details some good suggestions for any early Fastback, so you may want to track it down.
Strange thing about the article is that it didn't mention anything about the frame support tubes.
From: John Kula
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 94 10:09:28 PDT
Bruce,
This Commando, Docket # K6543 (uncertain what _that_ means) and Invoice # 2159, was shipped to Berliner in NY on June 26, 1968 as part of what appears to be quite a large order. Officially, this Commando was the 20M3, or Mark 3 model (since there was only one model, it hadn't got the name "Fastback" yet).
In addition to my earlier points, your frame will have no number because the very early frames carried no identification plate on the headstock. It should have black barrels, rear fender and chainguard, the crankcase breather on the front of the D/S of the cases, a "conical" primary chaincase cover, no cush drive (part of the Atlas tradition), fork gaiters and rear shock shrouds. There should also be a black tire pump on the right side of the rear frame loop (with appropriate tabs for affixing same).
This information came from Norton Factory Record Book #32.
John Kula Commando 930 (MacBeth)