July 2016 Newsletter - Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists

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
IN THIS ISSUE
Norton Bits
CONTENTS
The Small print
The Riders Seat
Calendar of Events
One owner Dunstall
The Dunstall Story
Meeting Minutes
Fiberglass Tank Replacement
Our Bikes
Buy and Sell
The Pillion
3-4
5
6
7
8-9
10
14-15
16-17
18-19
20
OFFICERS
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Web Manager
Newsletter Editor
Mike Tyler
George Kraus
Sam Justice
Bob Fugate
Dave Friesen
George Kraus
David and Christine Kendell’s Norton Commando at the
Corvallis Show
2
JULY 2016
The Small Print
O
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. N
N
ORT
O
G
E
O
R
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.
N
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:
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 Justice
610 SW Alder Street
Suite 1000
Portland, 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
3
More Small Print
Club Website:
http://oregonnorton.org
This 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/
OregonNortonEnthusiasts
This 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/info
This 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:
OregonNortonEnthusiasts@yahoogrou
ps.com
This 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 JULY 2016
is automatically entered into this email
distribution list. I have also been blindcopying 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.
1972 Dunstall Norton 810 Commando.
Photo George Kraus
4
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 downpours, cold and cloudy periods, showers and beautiful sunny spells
from 7am to 3pm when folks started wrapping up.
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 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.
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
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.
Happy riding!
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 stresstesting 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. 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. Cheers
Mike, President
503-206-1620
ONe (Oregon Norton Enthusiasts) YouTube Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgDzKiIi6nZ5C_bmZa0gsglte9e9iuQD
5
Norton Bits
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
EVERY 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, OR
22nd OVM Show & Swap Meet. Corvallis, OR
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
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, CA
21-23rd AMCA Oregon Trail 3-Day Ride
23rd OVM Ride to the Rendezvous at Antique Powerland
30th 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, OR
14th OVM Batwater Station Ride and picnic lunch on the
Columbia river
Photo Mike Tyler
6
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
7
Dunstall
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 THE DUNSTALL STORY
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.
8
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 largediameter 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
8
Dunstall
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 DUNSTALL STORY
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).
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 Commandobased 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.
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.
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
9
9
Norton Bits
JUNE MEETING MINUTES
This all original 1972 Dunstall Norton 810 Commando
has been owned by Phil Lane since he was 19
Photo, George Kraus
June Minutes
It 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
10
Norton Bits
51.9 HP
Paul Bilton-Smith with Jim Comstock dyno testing Paul’s LSR Norton to 51.9 hp
11
Norton Bits
JULY MEETING
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.
12
Norton Rally
JULY 11—16, 2016
13
Tech Tips
FIBERGLASS TANK REPLACEMENT
Fiberglass Gas Tank Replacement with a DIY Paint Job
Photos and story by Geoff Carrigg
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—
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
14
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.
15
Our Bikes
MY “MANX” COMMANDO SPECIAL
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.
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 “inthe-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,
Editors Note: This article has been previously published in various websites and publications.
Continued next page
16
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 free
miles since I finished the restoration in ’96.
• 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
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 FEATURES
Owner/Builder: George Kraus
www.gekrestorations.com
1971 Norton Commando
Long Range (LR) Fastback Special
Serial 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
Photos & brochure provided by George Kraus
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Buy and Sell
ADVERTISE YOUR STUFF HERE
Wanted:
Friesen is looking for an 850 pre-MKIII Oil Pump.
• Dave
davefriesen@mac.com
For Sale:
Justice, Norton Parts for sale
• Sam
sjustice6587@qwestoffice.net
Tyler is (always) looking for any old school cool
• Mike
Norton/Triumph//BSA/Vincent signs and other interesting
vintage motorcycle memorabilia for his "man cave" garage.
mike.tyler@nike.com, 503-206-1620
Please note: you can have your free ad on these
page s. Send in your ad today ! We welco me
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.
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Photo, George Kraus
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.
18
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, wolftrackr@aol.com 19
The Pillion
This all original 1972 Dunstall Norton 810 Commando
has been owned by Phil Lane since he was 19
Photo, George Kraus
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