Ignition key - 1972 MkIV Roadster

Posted by tom_mortensen at February 21. 2011

Where did Norton put this "gadget" on a 1972 Roadster? My newly acquired Commando has a serious bodge in this area, involving some duct tape and electrical strips, I will spare you the exact details.

Re: Ignition key - 1972 MkIV Roadster

Posted by paul_goring at February 21. 2011

Hi Tom,

The Ignition Switch is normally fitted into a bracket on the L/H side of the Air Filter, the bracket itself is fastened to the backplate of the Air Filter Housing the length of which extends to the front of the Air Filter Housing where there is a hole into which the Ignition Switch fits. The Igntion Switch should also have a two piece shroud to protect the wiring connectors.

On some bikes the Igntion Switch is fitted into the top L/H corner of the L/H Side Panel, although these are less common.

Re: Ignition key - 1972 MkIV Roadster

Posted by hans_taylor at February 21. 2011

Tom,

Early Roadsters had the ignition barrel fitted in the front corner of the left sidepanel, with the key sticking in your left leg. By 1972 this had been changed, to a position next to the left carb, facing foward on a bracket which fitted onto the frame. All this sort of info is available from Roy Bacon or Mathew Vale books, and from personal experience, the correct parts book is a Godsend !

Good luck Hans Taylor.

Re: Ignition key - 1972 MkIV Roadster

Posted by tom_mortensen at February 21. 2011

Thanks both of you. This explains why my bike has a bodge here! It is fitted with an SU carburettor, which does not allow the ignition switch to be attached to the airfilter and it hasnt got the side panel with a hole either. Sounds like I'm in for a little metalwork here, shaping some sort of bracket to fit into that area, or maybe even go crazy and fit it to the handlebars or fork yoke, where ideally it should be!

Re: Ignition key - 1972 MkIV Roadster

Posted by tom_mortensen at March 02. 2011

Further to this, can anybody tell me if the side panel with a hole in the uppper corner for the iginition key will fit the 1972 frame? And more importantly is it the same shape? I could of course take the short and dirty route and cut a hole in my present panel, but the thought of making a hole in a perfect surface (excellent paint job!) hurts a bit!

Re: Ignition key - 1972 MkIV Roadster

Posted by hans_taylor at March 02. 2011

Tom,

At the risk of being shot down in flames, I would say that 'they look the same, and I cant see why it would'nt fit a '72 frame'. Do you have the Dzus fatener on a bracket set-up on your side panel ? Suggest phoning someone like Hemmings or Russell motors.

Cheers HT

Re: Ignition key - 1972 MkIV Roadster

Posted by neil_davidson at March 23. 2011

Tom - if you want the air filter backplate/ignition switch bracket parts off my '72 you're welcome to them. Cheers - Neil

Re: Ignition key - 1972 MkIV Roadster

Posted by tom_mortensen at April 04. 2011

Previously wrote:

Tom - if you want the air filter backplate/ignition switch bracket parts off my '72 you're welcome to them. Cheers - Neil

That would be great, just let me know the cost + postage. You can email me directly: tommot@matchless.dk

Tom