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Published by the Oregon Norton Enthusiasts
JULY 2016
Look whats back in my shop! This 1972 original Dunstall Norton has been owned by Phil Lane since he was 19 — in my shop for some service. See more photos elsewhere in this issue. Photo, George Kraus
Norton Bits IN THIS ISSUE
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OFFICERSPresidentVice PresidentTreasurerSecretaryWeb ManagerNewsletter Editor
Mike TylerGeorge KrausSam JusticeBob FugateDave FriesenGeorge Kraus
David and Christine Kendell’s Norton Commando at the Corvallis Show
CONTENTSThe Small printThe Riders SeatCalendar of EventsOne owner DunstallThe Dunstall StoryMeeting MinutesFiberglass Tank ReplacementOur BikesBuy and SellThe Pillion
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the July issue of the oNe (Oregon Norton Enthusiasts), Norton Bits! This month our featured “Our Bikes” article was submitted by your editor, George Kraus. I am also including some notes from a client of mine, Phil Lane. Phil was 19 when he wrote to and purchased a Mk II Paul Dunstall 810 Norton directly from Paul Dunstall. A copy of his hand written order is included in the article. How many of you have kept anything for 44 years let alone a motorcycle. And the best thing is, it’s all original! You can see some photos throughout this issue. Read his purchase story on page 7. Each month will feature a different members bike with a story about their one and only, or their entire collection.. We welcome your story for future issues. It doesn’t have to be 3 pages long, one page along with a photo or two would be dandy.Important information for Submissions to the oNe Newsletter:
The Norton Bits encourages any and all submissions of either articles or photos of Norton content for future issues. It’s your newsletter, and it will greatly improve with your participation. Submissions are due by the second Saturday of each month. I will try to publish the Norton Bits one week before the general meeting which is the first Saturday of each month.
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS:Articles should be submitted in a common type font, MS Word format (.doc), or as text in the body of an email. Keep formatting to a
minimum, no tabs, indents, etc. Bullets, numbers and letters are okay but don’t indent them. A single space after each sentence is preferable to two and double returns between paragraphs. Don't use indents or tabs.Photos should be in JPEG (.jpg) format. Thanks.
Cheers,
George Kraus Editor. NORTON BITS is the official newsletter of the Oregon Norton Enthusiasts club (oNe). It will be published as needed throughout the year in PDF format and may be downloadable from the club’s website oregonnorton.org.
We welcome submissions of topical editorial material, and non-commercial buy-sell-trade Norton-related ads are free for members. Contact the editor for details, or better yet, just send your ad and we’ll let you know if there’s a problem.
ABOUT oNe Oregon Norton Enthusiasts was founded in 2010 and is a chapter of the International Norton Owners Association. Membership dues are $10 per year and are due annually in January.
Please send dues to: Sam Justice610 SW Alder StreetSuite 1000Portland, OR 97205
For the latest information check out our Facebook page for events and pictures. Oregon Norton Enthusiasts Monthly meetings are held at the Horse Brass Pub at 45th and SE Belmont on the first Saturday of each month at 11am.
oNe MEMBERSHIP LIST Although located in Oregon, oNe welcomes members from the Pacific Northwest and around the world.
LINKS 1. International Norton Owners
Association (INOA) 2. Northwest Norton Owners (NWNO) 3. Facebook 4. Fair Spares America 5. Old Britts 6. Norton Access Forum 7. Yahoo Group 8. Norton Owners Club (UK) 9. Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists
10. Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts 11. Northern California Norton Owners
Club 12. LeMay America's Car Museum,
Tacoma
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O
REGON NORTON
The Small Print JULY 2016
Club Website:http://oregonnorton.orgThis is our club’s official website. It's our "shop window" and contains basic information about the club, events and affiliations. Dave Friesen is the website administrator. The Norton Bits newsletter editor is George Kraus and monthly issues are uploaded and available on the website at OregonNorton.org. Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/OregonNortonEnthusiastsThis is our club’s social media page. Here, you'll find pictures, club event notices and other "what's happening now" news and snapshots. Dave Friesen and I are administrators of the Facebook page. Yahoo Email Group and Email Distribution list:https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/OregonNortonEnthusiasts/infoThis is our club’s email group. A Yahoo group can be used more comprehensively than for just email, but it works well for our email exchanges. Email distribution list: [email protected] is our club’s email list and the most common way of sharing information with club members. Everyone who has subscribed to the Yahoo group above
is automatically entered into this email distribution list. I have also been blind-copying everyone on the club member master list just in case they have not yet subscribed to the Yahoo group. Blind-copying means that no one else can see your personal email address whenever I send an email.
If you haven't done so already, I would recommend that you join the Yahoo group, so that you don't miss out on emails from other club members who don't have your personal email address. One important thing to note is that we take our Internet security protocols very seriously. Doug Towsley, Dave Friesen and I are the administrators of the Yahoo email group.
Norton Videos: The club has a number of Norton videos in DVD and electronic format for loan. Please ask Sam, George or Mike for an inventory of the videos.
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More Small Print JULY 2016
1972 Dunstall Norton 810 Commando. Photo George Kraus
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The Riders Seat A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
From the Rider's seat: Mike Tyler Phew, the June meeting was a hot one with temperatures above 100 degrees, but well worth the ride to the club meeting. There were 11 bikes out front outside including 9 Nortons. Thanks everyone for a great meeting. A short video of the show can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVUpGKXP3RQ
May 21-22 was the annual OVM (Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists) ride, show and swap-meet in Corvallis, Oregon. As expected, the weather played a leading role as in prior years. We had a few down-pours, cold and cloudy periods, showers and beautiful sunny spells from 7am to 3pm when folks started wrapping up.
Despite the weather conditions, there seemed to be a good turnout to one of the biggest events of the local vintage calendar. Every year features a different marque and this year Honda took center stage on the showground. There were approximately 100 motorcycles including about 50 Hondas, European, American and British including 5 Nortons from our club. David and Christine Kendell showed their 1970 black Norton Commando 750 Roadster, Bob Actis rode to the event from Eugene and showed his 1972 yellow Commando Combat and Jake Benz showed his red 1968 Dunstall Commando 810. Sam also showed his 1958 Norton Model 88 Dominator and 1968 Norton Atlas.
The range of Hondas was broad, drawing a lot of attention and there were some stunning examples from each category. There was also a 1973-74 Norton Commando for sale at the back of the field. It was in solid original condition and would make a good project.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in making it another great event! A short video of the show can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtgLMv-rn3I
During the next couple of months, club members will be stress-testing their bikes for the 2016 INOA (International Norton Owners Association) Feather River Rally at the Plumas County Fairgrounds in Quincy, CA from July 11-16, 2016 and hosted by Harry Bunting.
You may recall that Aran Graham from Latus Motorcycles had approached the club via the Horse Brass Pub landlord/owner to ask if the club would be interested in participating in a British Invasion bike show and ride on May 21.
Several club members attended including: Al and Molly Bacon on their 750 Commando, Jeff Marsh on his 1971 Norton Commando 750, Steve Millard on his BSA Lightning. Paul Bilton-Smith rode his lovely Honda 550 Four and I rode my Comet. A Norton Commando with an Interstate gas tank also showed up and the owner, Reggie Myers, mentioned that he had once been involved with the club. The Latus team was extremely gracious and handed out some really nice gifts to folks who had RSVP’d in advance of the show. A short video of the show can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3rnohlHW84
Fantastic news from Paul Bilton-Smith concerning the recent 51.9 hp dyno run of his late Father, Sir Eddy’s LSR (Land Speed Record) Norton Racer 500. Thank you Paul for sharing some of your journey with us. What a fantastic story for you and your family and your father’s legacy. We are very excited to hear how the story unfolds. Here’s a clip to the amazing footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sqI82yt6Bk
As always, please let us know if you have any ideas for Norton or other vintage motorcycle-related events that you think the guys will enjoy.
Happy riding!
CheersMike, President 503-206-1620
ONe (Oregon Norton Enthusiasts) YouTube Playlist:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgDzKiI-i6nZ5C_bmZa0gsglte9e9iuQD
Norton Bits CALENDAR OF EVENTSEVERY MONTH:oNe (Oregon Norton Enthusiasts) club meeting at the Horse Brass Pub on the first Saturday at 11am. See Page 12 for more details. 2016 EVENTS CALENDAR: May 2016: 7th General meeting. Horse Brass Pub. 13-14th 2016 OPTOUR. This is the NWNO (North West Norton Owners, WA) Opening Tour Event starting in Port Angeles & ending in Tokeland, WA for the evening. Please contact Mike T for more details.21st OVM Ride. Corvallis, OR22nd OVM Show & Swap Meet. Corvallis, OR
June 2016: 4th General meeting. Horse Brass Pub. 13-19th Marymount motorcycle week, Tacoma WA. July 2016: 2nd General meeting. Horse Brass Pub. 11-16th INOA (International Norton Owners Association) Rally. Quincy, CA21-23rd AMCA Oregon Trail 3-Day Ride23rd OVM Ride to the Rendezvous at Antique Powerland30th LeMay Vintage Motorcycle Festival. Tacoma, WA
August 2016: 6th General meeting. Horse Brass Pub. 6th OVM Dennis Frye ride to Larch Mt 7th: OVM Oaks Park Picnic. Portland, OR14th OVM Batwater Station Ride and picnic lunch on the Columbia river
September 2016: 3rd General meeting. Horse Brass Pub. 10th OVM Mid-Size Mid-Valley Motorcycle Rally, Salem area October 2016: 1st General meeting. Horse Brass Pub. TBA: Pacific Northwest Trailblazer motorcycle club (formerly old timers banquet) November 2016: 5th General meeting. Horse Brass Pub.
December 2016: 3rd General meeting. Horse Brass Pub. Boxing Day event
6Photo Mike Tyler
Dunstall ONE OWNER DUNSTALL MKII SINCE 1972
A little history about Phil Lane’s 1972 Dunstall Commando Photos George Kraus
My handwritten order form. A couple of notes: The Dunstall 750 Mk 1 was a “economy model”. It was pretty much a standard 750 commando with the Dunstall Exhaust System and Decibel Silencers. The Mk 2 was the Dunstall Norton 810. The only available option was the Quaife 5 speed (which I ordered). I ordered the bike on 8.11.72 (I was 19 years old). Note my question on the order form: “please advise if $900 is sufficient deposit. Hope to sell present cycle within three weeks to cover balance”. Ha! Surprised they processed the order! My notes on the order were in US Dollars. I wrote the current exchange rate on the form $1 US to 2.47 pounds. That was a lot of money in 1972!
The Confirmation Build sheet is shows both parts added and machine work done. I decided I couldn’t wait for seafreight and changed the order to airfreight. I sent an airmail letter of request. Paul sent his reply in an airmail letter on 4 September 1972. I guess our email servers were down that day J
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Dunstall THE DUNSTALL STORY
Thank you Wikipedia for the following information: Photos George Kraus
The Dunstall Norton was a Norton motorcycle made by Paul Dunstall, a specialist tuner of 1960s and early 1970s twins originally using some parts from Norton's Domiracer project when the Birmingham factory was closed in 1963. In 1966 Dunstall Motorcycles became a motorcycle manufacturer in its own right, so that Dunstalls could compete in production races, and set a number of world records before sales of the Dunstall Nortons declined in the 1970s consistent with the demise of the British motor cycle industry and corresponding rise in Japanese imports.Paul Dunstall had already turned his attention to modifying Japanese marques before the collapse of Norton (then part of the fated NVT) in 1974. After several more successful years he left the bike scene to concentrate his attention on property development. Paul Dunstall sold the name in 1982.
Development Paul Dunstall was a specialist tuner of Norton
twins in the 1960s and early 1970s. He started modifying Nortons in 1957, at the age of 18, when he converted a Norton Dominator into a competitive racing motorcycle. As well as fitting a Norton Manx gearbox and wheels, Dunstall balanced the crankshaft and installed the Dominator engine into a Manx Norton frame. With places and two outright wins at Brands Hatch in his first season, after graduating to a higher level with places in his second season at other circuits, Dunstall retired from racing to work in his family's scooter shop and develop performance motorcycle parts. Initially Dunstall conceived simple 'bolt on' modifications such as 'Goldie' pattern straight-through replacement silencers which he called 'Hi-Tune' and exhaust pipes, creating his first catalogue in 1961 and gradually growing the business.
Dunstall built engines for other racers and purchased parts left over from Norton's Domiracer project when the factory closed in 1963, using his know-how to further develop high-performance motorcycles built to order.
From 1966, Dunstall's customers could choose from a standard catalogue offering a range of speed parts, race-styled accessories and complete ready-modified bikes from Norton, BSA, and Triumph in capacities from 500cc upwards. In 1966 Dunstall Motorcycles became a motorcycle manufacturer in its own right, so that Dunstalls could compete in production races and the Auto-Cycle Union, which is the governing body for motorcycle racing in Britain, approved Dunstall Dominators as a marque for the production race in the 1967 Isle of Man TT.The 131 mph (211 km/h) 1967 Dunstall Dominator 750 roadster was tested as the fastest motorcycle on the market at the time of its launch.
The early 1960s Norton factory racers were called Domiracer, and although Dunstall called his roadsters both Dominator and Domiracer at various stages and with varying engine capacities, the 750s were sometimes known as Dunstall Atlas. They were not known as 'Norton Dunstall' - this is a later corruption as all 1960s literature quote Dunstall Norton Dominator, Dunstall Dominator or Dunstall 750 Atlas.
The last bikes from the featherbed-based machines in the 1969 catalogue were stated as Dunstall Norton Sprint and Export 750 together with the newest bike in the range the isolastic-framed Dunstall Norton Commando.By the late 1960s, Dunstall had sold to celebrity customers including film star Steve McQueen and Keith Emerson, of progressive rock band Emerson Lake & Palmer.After the 1968 race season successes, development of the late-1940s designed parallel twin engine was nearing its zenith for the technology of the time with power outputs of 73 horsepower for the race-spec 745cc Atlas-based engine.
For the 1969 season, Dunstall created a new machine with a lower frontal area, the inclined engine being 'underslung' from a large-diameter steel tubing spine frame (nicknamed The Drainpipe) designed by Eddie Robinson. The main frame component ran front to back with a second large-diameter vertical tube at rear of the power plant carrying the engine oil, avoiding the need for the traditional separate oil tank. The filler was conventionally placed ahead of the seat nose.
Continued next page
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Dunstall THE DUNSTALL STORY
Continued from page 8
Although Dunstall's open-class racers (non production-race category) were equipped with lowboy frames based on the works design which Dunstall had acquired during the Norton factory race-shop closure, this re-design was based on an established concept not yet applied to the Norton twin for road racing. With no front downtube(s) hence no conventional engine mountings, the spine frame needed substantial cantilever bracing from the central-point of the frame forwards under the gearbox and engine to control the torque reaction
The original 'drainpipe' configuration included aluminium dual 'pannier' fuel tanks inside the top-half fairing sides to lower the centre of gravity and improve handling but following fuel starvation problems a conventional fuel tank was fitted.
With discontinuation of the featherbed Atlas in 1968, Dunstall first offered his Commando-based roadsters from the 1969 ctalogue. Sales of the Dunstall Nortons declined in the 1970s and Paul Dunstall concentrated on Japanese marques, in particular forging strong links with Suzuki, eventually selling the name in 1982.
In their test of a 1971 Norton Dunstall 810, Cycle World measured the top speed at 201 km/h (125 mph), with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a standing 0 to 1⁄4 mile (0.00 to 0.40 km) time of 11.9 seconds at 173.62 km/h (107.88 mph). This was the first bike ever in Cycle World's tests with quarter mile time under 12 seconds.
Racing success In 1967 Rex Butcher (Dunstall's shop manager and regular rider) - supported by Motor Cycle (a UK weekly publication) journalist David Dixon on a second machine - set a number of world records on 750 cc Dunstalls at Monza in Italy, using two machines earlier ridden by Paul Smart (2nd place) and Griff Jenkins (11th place) in the 1967 TT Production race 750cc category (both recorded as 'Norton' in official race result website).
In his 13 September 1967 Motor Cycle article, Dixon reported both bikes were the same production TT race specification with lighting and (road-legal) megaphone-style silencers but had been stripped, checked and re-built, with special preparation being limited to larger six-gallon petrol tanks, modified racing seats, improved fairings from the forthcoming 1968 range and 45 psi tyre pressures. The object was to use two over-the-counter customised bikes, basically the same as could be bought.During the 1968 British season, Motor Cycle (11 December 1968) cites Dunstall rider Ray Pickrell as securing 17 1st places. This total
may include the titles 'Master of Mallory' and 'King of Brands' as 'extra' races (having an aggregate result from two legs) due to Dunstall's 1969 catalogue stating 14 wins for 1968 season. The 1968 catalogue shows race images of Ray Pickrell aboard lowboy race frames for open category, with production classes on Featherbed framed 750 Dunstall Domiracers.
In June 1968 Pickrell won the Isle of Man Production TT race 750cc class entered on a 'Dunstall Norton Dominator' with a new lap record (average speed) of 99.39 mph (159.95 km/h). In 1969 Pickrell rode Dunstall Nortons to set a new national record for the 750 cc quarter mile at 144.69 mph (232.86 km/h) at Elvington in Yorkshire.[citation needed]
There are no records of Dunstall's organisation competing during 1970, his regular rider (of two-and-a-half seasons) Ray Pickrell riding for Norton Villiers in 1970 then BSA Triumph in 1971 and 1972. Dunstall's shop manager and former regular rider Rex Butcher entered the 1968 TT on a Triumph.
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Norton Bits JUNE MEETING MINUTES
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June MinutesIt sure felt like summer had come with record heat for the June fourth meeting of the Oregon Norton Enthusiasts. There were thirteen motorcycles (eleven Nortons) parked outside of the Horse Brass pub with their riders and passengers in attendance inside.
A good discussion was had regarding the wet but well attended OVM show at Corvallis. Nortons were well represented with some of our club members bikes being shown. No one at the meeting said that they had gone on the organized ride down from Portland but there were plenty of our members in the gallery. The Latus show was also said to be a success.
Plans are being made by members attending the upcoming International rally at Quincy California. This sparked a side discussion about the best vehicle in which to haul a motorcycle, minivan or Ford transit van. Upcoming rides were discussed including one with the Ford Galaxy club to the world of Speed and a ride to the Springwater Grange Strawberry social. It wasn’t too early to be thinking about who would lead the ride to the fall party. Thanks Steve.
After sharing tips on such things as the best penetrating oil and analyzing photos of an old Norton for sale the assembled mass rode off to get some wind past them on this hot bright day.
Respectively submitted Bob Fugate Secretary
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This all original 1972 Dunstall Norton 810 Commando has been owned by Phil Lane since he was 19
Photo, George Kraus
Norton Bits 51.9 HP
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Paul Bilton-Smith with Jim Comstock dyno testing Paul’s LSR Norton to 51.9 hp
Norton Bits JULY MEETING
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Don’t forget Saturday July 2nd, 11:00 am, is oNe’s general meeting held at the Horse
Brass Pub, 4534 SE Belmont St, Portland,OR 97215.
Horse Brass directions: click HERE.
Norton Rally JULY 11—16, 2016
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Tech Tips FIBERGLASS TANK REPLACEMENT
Fiberglass Gas Tank Replacement with a DIY Paint Job Photos and story by Geoff Carrigg
I recently decided to replace the ethanol damaged fiberglass gas tank on my 1969 Commando with a metal one. After some research I came to the conclusion that my best option was a new reproduction tank and that my choices were either the Emgo brand tank or one of the (much less expensive) tanks that come out of India via Ebay. I chose the Emgo tank. It cost me $400 delivered from a USA seller. The India tanks cost a lot less (about $200 delivered) but are shipped from India and seem to have unpredictable quality. Some of the India tanks are very good but some are not good and hard to be sure what you will get. I am happy with the quality of the Emgo tank that I received.
The first thing I did with the tank was fit the petcocks and cap, fill it with gas a let it sit on the bench for a few days full of gas. This was to ensure that it did not leak (it didn’t) and that all the parts fitted
properly (they did). It is especially important to do these checks if using one of the tanks from India. I also checked that the tank fitted the bike. The early type fiberglass tank that I was replacing was secured at the rear with a rubber loop. The replacement tank is a later version with a metal strap to secure the rear. It required some additional parts but fitted fine and looked very similar in shape to the original.
The bike was painted many years ago as a bit of an experiment using a Krylon brand lacquer aerosol (rattle can) paint purchased from the local hardware store. At that time this paint was readily available and I found it to be very easy to use, inexpensive and it provided a good result. Unfortunately for environmental reasons this paint has been “reformulated” and is no longer available. I still had a small quantity of the original paint and rather than repaint all of the bike parts I decided to try and duplicate the original finish as best I could using available aerosol paints.
A recent development is the availability of two part (2k or catalyzed) paints in an aerosol can. The special can has an internal cartridge that is punctured to release the hardener. Once curing has started the paint in the can has a useful life of about two days. These cans are quite expensive at about $20 each but for occasional small paint jobs this is reasonable. They allow the use of very durable professional grade paint without the need for a compressor and spray equipment. I decided to give these products a try. —Continued next page—
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Tech Tips FIBERGLASS TANK REPLACEMENT
The paints I used (in sequence of application) were - • SprayMax 3680032 2k epoxy primer. This primer is very durable and
bonds well to bare metal.• Rustoleum automotive type filler/primer. This was sanded to remove
minor defects.• Krylon 1816 Farm & Implement yellow lacquer to provide a yellow
base.• Krylon 1806 Interior Exterior yellow lacquer. The original paint to color
match the other parts.• SprayMax 3680061 2k polyurethane clear. This was applied after the
decals and produces a very durable chemical/gas resistant high gloss finish.
I am happy with the result. The Emgo tank is a good replacement for the older fiberglass tanks.
The two part aerosol paints provide a convenient and cost effective way to achieve a durable finish for motorcycle parts. I was able to reuse my original gas cap and petcocks but had to purchase additional mounting hardware. I estimate the cost of the additional hardware and the materials (paint, decals, sand paper etc.) for the paint job at about $100 so total cost including the tank was about $500.
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Our Bikes MY “MANX” COMMANDO SPECIAL
My Manx Commando Story, Photos, & brochure provided by George Kraus
THE CONCEPT The Manx Commando concept that my Norton eventually developed into― black primary and brake drums, ace bars, drilled components, Manx number plate/windscreen, solo seat, etc. - came about during an all night drive back from the San Jose BSA Clubman Show, about ’93 or '94 with Kenny Dreer (Norton America). Kenny and I were good friends back then. The sleep deprived drive developed a drug-like effect on us two vintage crazed individuals, all hopped up on the exposure of the show. In our hyperactive minds, we designed the perfect “Manx Commando”. We had it built in our minds before the sun came up. Kenny is an ambitious, work driven perfectionist, and a craftsman. He was a good teacher and I was eager to learn. I later spent about a year “in-the-barrel” working for Kenny, on contract, building many Norton's, Triumphs, and BSA's from my home shop.
THE COMMANDO TRADE As a trade for a core bike and all the parts and services at cost, I designed Kenny's original Vintage Rebuilds and Restorations brochure. My Commando is a result of that trade. I did all the upgrades Kenny had developed and used at that time (three bolt swing arm,
rerouted breather, belt-drive, machine turned and polished stainless steel hardware, machined vents in the drums, handmade wiring harness with aircraft connectors, complete solid state electronics, external oil filter, handmade rear-sets, etc). The seat was originally an aftermarket Triumph fiberglass shell that we had Bret Edwards, Glass From the Past, split down the middle and widen to fit the Commando frame. He then made a new mold to include the metal brackets for mounting. These seats were later used on several Vintage Rebuilds Commando restorations. For the Cafe Manx look I installed 'Roadholder' Front Forks with full covers, which were used on the late Atlas models. The wheels are Akront aluminum rims laced with Buchanan stainless steel spokes.
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Editors Note: This article has been previously published in various websites and publications.
Continued next page
Our Bikes MY “MANX” COMMANDO SPECIAL
This particular Commando has evolved over the years. Originally it had a Manx style number plate/windscreen around the headlight, and Ace bars with a 2 inch drop. The tank I found sitting on a shelf at Phil Radford's (Fair Spares America) in San Jose. We pulled it down and I saw that it was an Interpol (police) tank. It had a two inch deep trough (radio/battery box) imbedded into the top and a one inch lip sticking up around the edge. It's the same tank as a Long Range (LR), without the radio/battery box, which I love. So I bought it. I had Evan Wilcox cut out and hand form a steel insert to replace part of the top. All the paintwork was done by Ted McGalliard at Europa Auto Body, and the lettering, logo, and pinstriping was done by Mitch Kim. I picked the color from a Cadillac on display while at the Portland auto show that year. I liked it because I wanted a color nobody else had used. I later discovered David Edwards of “Cycle World” saw my bike saw at the “Isle of Vashon” Concours and asked Kenny, who was restoring David's bike, to paint his Interstate Commando the same color. I was not pleased.
I also designed the crossed flag wreath logo (fashioned after the Norton Atlas design) and had Mitch Kim hand-paint it on the seat back. That design has also been used by Kenny over the years. The finned rocker and timing covers were an early prototype made by Ed Bilton Smith. I have also added the “Cat-eye taillight lens, big with bobbers in the late 50's. The hand crafted “rear-sets” were one of the first set of ten Kenny designed and made up. For my input I insisted on the wire loop on the brake lever to keep my foot off my painted primary cover. I have since ridden over 25,000 trouble freemiles since I finished the restoration in ’96.
MY SHOP Currently I am retired but operate a small one bike a year shop. I specialize in Norton and Triumph vertical twins. Services range from 100 point concours to custom specials.
MY MANX COMMANDO FEATURESOwner/Builder: George Krauswww.gekrestorations.com1971 Norton CommandoLong Range (LR) Fastback SpecialSerial number: 20M3S 145810• 30mm belt drive• Roadholder front forks • Long-Range 4 gal gas tank • Machine turned or polished stainless steel
fasteners• Machined air vents, front & rear brake drums• Hand-made aluminum front fender stays,
clock bracket, & license plate frame
• Swing arm spindle remanufactured to three bolt system
• Hand made rear-sets• Outer gearbox cover machined to accept
Mk-3 oil lip seals• Solid state electronic ignition• Akront aluminum rims & Buchanan stainless
steel spokes• Custom fastback seat
George Kraus
17Photos & brochure provided by George Kraus
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Wanted:
• Dave Friesen is looking for an 850 pre-MKIII Oil [email protected]
• Mike Tyler is (always) looking for any old school cool Norton/Triumph//BSA/Vincent signs and other interesting vintage motorcycle memorabilia for his "man cave" [email protected], 503-206-1620
For Sale: • Sam Justice, Norton Parts for sale
[email protected] I have a number of Dominator and Atlas parts for sale. Aside from several pairs of handlebars which belong to the club, the parts are mine and left overs from the restoration of the 1958 model 88 and the Atlas.Sams Parts
• Engine cylinders for Atlas• Engine casing for Atlas and for model 99• Cylinder heads for Atlas and one model 88 head• Engine plates for Atlas• Slightly used standard 750 pistons• Seats for featherbed frame (probably slimline) (in need of
restoration)• Seat cover for late model Atlas (with hump, new)• Gasoline tank for slimline featherbed frame (export style,
dented and rusty)• Pre-Commando clutch parts• After market generic front fender from Walridge, new
Monobloc and Concentric carb parts• various clutch and throttle cables• single leading shoe front brake (original to pre-Commando
bikes)oNe Parts
• various handlebars for Norton bikes• Pictures available on request.
Buy and Sell ADVERTISE YOUR STUFF HERE
Please note: you can have your free ad on these pages. Send in your ad today! We welcome submissions of topical editorial material, and non commercial buy-sell-trade Norton-related ads are free for members. Contact the editor for details, or better yet, just send your ad and we’ll let you know if there’s a problem. If you sold your item please let me know.
Photo, George Kraus
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Buy and Sell ADVERTISE YOUR STUFF HERE
750 Norton Combat Head $350.00. Shipping Extra
1972 head only off my previous 750 Norton Combat. Needs new left exhaust thread insert. One head steady bolt hole had an inappropriate over sized bolt installed. This hole needs to drilled & re-threaded in a bigger size. Has small non-structural crack on bottom fin probably caused by previous Owner using a screw driver to remove head. Crack does not need repair. Glass bead cleaned, no valves, no valve guides, no rockers or covers. Photos available by E- mail by request.Contact: Jim Jones, 503-643-1567, [email protected]
The Pillion
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This all original 1972 Dunstall Norton 810 Commando has been owned by Phil Lane since he was 19 Photo, George Kraus
