OK, I've not washed it since the purchase earlier this week (lots of garage dust), and it also looks better during daylight. However, here's some pics I just took in the dark. I'll start with some identification: The plate riveted on the head of the forks has the exact same # as that on the block, said # being 302793, manufacture date being 4/73. Of INTEREST is that, STAMPED onto the fork head itself (not on the plate) is the number 850 F108329 (I think I know what the 850 signifies). I got this bike for $1,500 USD. Might I add, I purchased it from what seems like an outrageously righteous man. WAY-yyy cool was my take on him. Very helpful, answered questions, etc. Has been out of work for some (apparently) considerable time... which doesn't tell me why I got a bike that SEEMS way below it's worth (please comment on this?). I'll provide a couple of pics if I can figure how to post them... and will likely add newbie questions as they come to mind. Simple things, like... the rear wheel looks slightly smaller? The oil feed CUT OFF VALVE is apparently a 'good' thing, as I believe I read on this site when I was a lurker? Stuff like that. Here's a go at the bike pics... Look at the pictures by clicking links at the bottom of this message. Anyway, if I did it correctly, I've added a last pic of some 'parts' that came with the bike. The obvious is the puller (??) and pipe/header wrench (whatever it's called). There's a number of shafts, apparenmtly reduction in teeth (possibly). Pulled points, magneto, etc, so I am 'thinking' there's an electronic ignition upgrade added. Dual coils under the tank are not present. The AMAL carb is much bigger than any I've ever seen before, and the (OEM?) two are visible in a box. Point of that last pic is just to show that it appears that the PO surely knew how to wrench on a Norton. Well... at this point just hoping I posted the pics correctly. Sorry for the questions, but obviously you guys can relate to a first time Norton purchase? The excitement? Looking forward to a lot of winter reading and pestering you guys, lol's! }(

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And... anyone know (and explain the 'why') what the extra... 'things' are that are attached to the forks? Stabilizers of some sort? Notice no turn signals... anyone know where I can track them down? Parts? And, sorry, but I am sure that you guys (if so inclined to do so) can GIVE ME the proverbial thousand and one questions to ask...

IMO this is about a$1000-$2000 gift to you from the previous owner. IMO 18" rear wheel is a common, but misguided mod THe VIN is the # on the plate and engine and gearbox. The frame # is an annoyance that started as norton started to comply with new laws. DMV's and govt will mess your life up and often use that as the VIN. NO norton parts guy will be able to make use of that #. Regardless of what the govt uses, talk about the real VIN and we can converse http://www.klempfsbritishparts.com/ is close to you and knows norton for a long time. You will hear a lot about Old Britts and they are OK, but the guys that rave about them (IMO) are ususally newbees that don't know shite about nortons. Most internet norton boards are way overloaded with these newbees, use caution....

Dave, thanks for the reply. Please know I'd be happy to hear your thoughts re the ill advised smaller read wheel. Understand... I've no thought re it one way or the other, but would love to hear both the pro's and con's from you (I've done a little reading of your posts). Obviously, this is if you should ever wish. In fact, there's a house available two doors down... why not move into my neighborhood, let me pick your brain for a few decades, lol's. I'm hoping this post is back to normal size? I checked out (somewhat) both Old Britt's and also Klempf's. To early for me to make any definative decision, but I can say I like Klempf's... if for no other reason than they have the period (Lucas) blinkers I wanted to get. I suspect that I shall use both, along with other suppliers, as I find them, and depending what I need. EXAMPLE: finished reading a book on Norton's last night, and it mentioned 'Fair Spares of America'. Quick website search found it... but I didn't have enough time to FIND if it has a website catalog, or not. As for Klempf's and those blinkers, I want to order immediately. The thing stopping me is that I've no clue how to wire them up (would you know of a beginner site 'for dummies'?). Also, I can see where two (2) attach on the rear... but where do the two (2) forward ones attach? Seems like there is no place at all to attach them (whereas on the rear, there's the two (2) attach points on the rear light assembly). Oh, well, I'm off to hopefully find some Norton's for sale... hopefully there'll be a close up PICTURE of where and how the blinkers attach, forward. In fact... perhaps the $400.00 bike whare you and I first crossed paths on this site...

Hell, I should be embarrassed (but I am not). I (now) understand the forward blinker assembly is housed in the same headlamp hole, simply via use of a backing nut, rather than the bolt and nut currently present. Never had a problem with laughing at myself, so you all can join in if you like! :) And I still cannot wrap my head around someone (stranger) deliberately selling a bike for less than it's worth, just because... yeah... well, maybe. I think I'd take a loss to give it to a mature guy who will respect it, dare I say even (kind of) pamper it.... rather than selling it to some punk kid who'll abuse it right off the bat...

Especially important could be, that if you are new to nortons that you may approve of his maintenance skills and put in a good word rather the typical "DPO"(dumb previous owner) that you bought a bike from a "butcher from hell" who cross threaded or stripped out the hardware by putting metric or american hardware in british standard fine holes. etc. etc. A worn or tired bike can be a better deal than a pretty bling bling ebay bike that is (frequently)all screwed up/butchered up.... NEVER use metric on the bike. Learn the hardware pack for your bike. Commando hardware changed very frequently, almost every other year.... :7 If he was a good mechanic...your future maintenance effors will be much easier...you can't believe the amount of thread fixing and machining repair I do to return mechanic induced damage parts back to usable condition. The carb and manifold kit are a common upgrade, but the carb is a amal MK11 concentric, a very good carb, though the mikuni has more commercial success.

I received two '930' AMALS in a box of spare stuff (old). The existing one on the bike I've yet to identify, kind of a box float chamber... or was that... well, SOME part of it looks square, lol's. Was cornering last night, and was twice scared. Sounded like a wire brush striking a snare drum. Thought perhaps the forks were screwed, and I might hit the asphalt, but a block or three down the road it dawned on me: I must have DRAGGED some low part of the bike on the asphalt (likely the header pipe? If so, NOT cool!). OBVIOUS QUESTION: is this common, the bike rubbing the road on a tight cornering? I hope to get under there tonight after work and see where it dragged/rubbed (if indeed it did). And Dave! Thanks for mentioning Klempf's to me. Looks like a nice place to start. P.S. would anyone know if the needle clips on the 930 and 932 are interchangeable?

dude4 i am not getting the picture what happened to it?

[url=http://www.engineperformancechip.com]Performance Chip[/url]

The pictures have to complete the upload before you navigate away from the message. I am switching us to new software soon and everything will be easier. Try the upload again and let me know if you get an error message.

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