finally getting to put it back together. restoring it for a friend. just got the tranny rebuilt now for the engine. this is a mock up to make sure everything fits right.  it is going to be black with a little gold flake and gold decals. it is alot of work and the parts are getting to be expensive.  and of coarse some things don't quite line up. ken.

  Combat engine??

Cool project, keep the pics coming.

no not a combat engine. it is getting new std pistons, rings,super blend bearings, seals and single mikuni flat slide 36mm carb. the head is good so just lapping the valves.

  Super blend Main bearings is a standard , some would say automatic upgrade, good call. They are a pricey item, who has been your source for this restoration?

parts coming from motoparts, walridge, ebay, amazon or where ever i can find them, it's all together except for paint. the most hardest part.

Good thing they make paint every day.  ;D

Making good progress for sure. Now to take out a bank loan so you can afford to get it painted.  YIKES !

Looking good ! I never realized the frame backbone was arrow straight, must make for a rigid frame. I see you like to store tools on the bike lift too LOL.

i am doing the paint myself because you are right  it is very expensive and no one near enough either, using house of kolor products.
and yes keeping the tools on the lift saves many trips to the tool box. ken.

It is so tempting to leave everything out on the bench so you keep going but I have grown to prefer cleaning and putting all the tools and parts away so I can start fresh and know ( perhaps hope) where everything is. Very good progress so well done. I have a ‘69 fastback I should get too by next winter.
I have a couple of projects stalled due to lacking a good painter at a decent price.
Frank

 what's your choice of color?    Standard?


 If you are going to paint it popsicle purple, I'd like to give you some advice,,,,,,,,,,

i am not a fan of purple either. i painted my roadster starfire royal blue as close to original as possible. this fastback is going to be black with a little bit of gold flake with gold decals as per the owners request. the standard black with gold stripes is out of reach for us out here in the boonies. besides their are too many standard black ones out there already.

finally got it all together. tried to start it and it fired a couple of times then we discovered that the splines of the kick lever were no good. kept coming loose. so waiting on a new one and will try again. paint turned out pretty good for an amateur ( me ).

   That is lovely!!!!! Fastbacks are unique visually, great!!!
  May I offer advice with the kick start lever. Most are upgrading to a Mk111 850 kickstart lever, as it is shaped specifically to fit lace pressure “straight on” the shaft, rather than the side push on the shaft which causes side west on the splines. It really is a significant upgrade without extra cost.

Very very nice.

Agreed, a fine example of a great motorcycle. That will be a fun ride !!
Frank

Job well done!  Very nice indeed!

I wish I had some skill when it came to bodywork and paint. I always over sand and reveal a line between filler and metal/think it all looks good and spray some gloss paint and see ALL the flaws. Really touchy feely artsy skills needed.And the base/clear enamel, urethane, lacquer,guide coat are a foreign language to me.

Just use a bristle Brush and label the machine a RAT BIKE.

THAT I could pull off.

i don't like painting either. i'd rather powder coat. but sometimes it is a necessary evil. so much work and time with all the coats and sanding and polishing. it is satisfying when it comes out ok. it is a six foot job. now to get it running.
steve g, do you have a part number for that kicker? the pne i ordered is 60-1464.

Looks very nice indeed,  are you taking it to the Norton rally in June?

John

Steve, are you talking about the Mk3 specific kickstart 12-1018 (complete) or perhaps just the splined portion 06-6397 ?? I should try one of those out on my 750's.
Frank

   The MK3 kick starter, found on all electric start left hand shift MK3’s,  is considered a regular upgrade for all other previous Commandos. It is a different shape, does not have that lovely curve to it. It’s more straight. It’s angle, and it’s distance offset from the gearbox splines shaft is less, it’s closer, so it puts direct pressure on the shaft rather than sideways pressure, which causes wear by rocking back and forth on the shaft. Plus it’s slightly easier to kick start the bike as a result.

  Yes, the complete unit, not just the end piece. Yes, #12-1018. plus the MK3 kick lever eliminates the usual problem of the kick starter hitting the exhaust.
 BTW, do not buy an oriental made unit, only buy OEM Andover part.

Agreed, Andover product is a better choice.
Frank

  I’m already signed and paid to be at the rally. June 22-24, Winthrop, Wa.
  INOA , International Norton Owners Club. It’s not too often this big gathering finds itself in this region, with this giant gathering of Norton’s. It was to be held and co-hosted by the Okanagan chapter of the BC British MC Owners Club, in Lumby,  but the lockdown completely screwed that up. Winthrop is a very cool town, with very high quality riding in the area, great food and drink.