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My Norton chopper

21K views 48 replies 24 participants last post by  J_F_Byrd  
#1 ·
Just picked it up today,didn't get to much info earlier build I suspect with some later additions

1967 Norton Commando chop

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#5 ·
those egg shape plates on the rockers,? are those to adjust tappets i guess, i'm limited with norton but always thought they were sharp
 
#6 ·
Definitely a P11 with that motor setup. You can tell by the primary case and the shorter carb manifolds. Even the Atlas had slightly thicker carb manifolds. Plus the angle of the transmission sitting in the motor plates is slightly tilted forward.

Great find and P11's were awesome looking desert sleds in their day.
 
#8 ·
Definitely a P11.
Not a P11. Look closely at the frame. It has cast lug construction. The P11, and it's sister model the Ranger, used an all tubular frame constructed from Reynolds 531. It was actually derived from the Matchless G85CS frame and used the Atlas engine. The N15 was a cheaper version using the cast lug Matchless frame fitted with a Norton engine.

Bob
 
#10 ·
Based on what I see, yes. Google images of "Norton N15" and look at the the frame neck. That's a casting. See the cylindrical shaped lug with the hole through it on the front of the neck? That's a sidecar mounting point. P11 used no castings in the frame as a weight saving measure. Although I'm sure N15's were raced in the dessert, the lighter P11 was the preferred mount.

Bob
 
#11 ·
Dave, I cant wait till this and the CB are hitting the streets hard brother bringing the real style to the STL!!!! Was with him to look at it and I'm no Norton expert but this thing is badass boys!
 
#12 ·
G15 = Matchless. N15 = Norton. (usually) Could be either, the numbers are at the base of the left cylinder on the block.
These machines were shipped with both Matchless and Norton badges in the crates.
Depending on which dealership it was sold at, the bike was badged accordingly.
So you could have a G15 titled as a Norton or visa versa. Kinda a very confusing time in British Motorcycle History. I found a ten page history of these machines if interested p.m. me They are fairly Rare machines. Usually said to number under 5000 total but that is up for debate depending on who you speak with, but no more than 7000 produced from 1963 to 1968.
Norton Atlas motor. Matchless frame and Tranny. Norton wheels and front end.
Should have 1 up three down shift on the tranny. (fun to race!)

I would love to see some details on the hard-tail of that scoot. I have a 1965 G15 (titled as a Norton with Matching Numbers) I recently cut the hard tail off (as it was so crooked a kindergartner could have done the job). Just looking for ideas on the next step to take on it.
Looks like a great piece! More Pics please!
Excellent find. The Purists hate you even more just for owning that! (The restored/original versions can sell for 7000 to 10,000.) Great Piece of chopper history.
 
#18 ·
"O they will still hate you! I know.....most will walk away when you tell them you've got a Norton/Matchless hybrid chopper. It must be sacrilegious or something. Kinda like saying "Hey ya'all I've got Scabies" in a crowd of new friends.
(But not as bad as chopping a feather bed frame, that must be a mortal sin.)"
agreed!
really is an interesting departure from the norm, though!
 
#21 ·
Don't sweat it...I'm not going to put on my Norton polo shirt and take a swing at you...you got the bike like this, so nobody can fault you for screwing with a classic. In fact it has some very nice lines, something that can be hard to achieve with a Norton (especially the later Isolastic Commandos)...it's a piece of history, take good care of it and have fun! :)
 
#26 ·
MY over all opinion is this thing was built for a midget. It is very short and the handle bars dont help..even with a set of Apehangers your elbows are close to the knees..The rear wheel is a 16" and front is an 18" The frame seems to have been welded and molded on top and bolted on the bottom.