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68v69 commando frames anything to watch out for?

Submitted by tom_steele on Fri, 30/09/2016
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Commando

Hi everyone bmw should be gone in a few weeks so looking at replacing it with a norton commando to go with my 650ss :)

gonna be riding it a fair bit whatever i get as the beemer was my main bike,

read a fair bit about frame issues surrounding the 68 commando's

and the 69s having the extra frame tube

what would you go for and why between the two years ? :)

cheers

tom

Submitted by ulrich_hoffmann on Sat, 01/10/2016

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Hello Tom!

Go for the later frame if you wanna survive the ride!

The early frames with the reinforcement "tin" around the

headstock were soon replaced by the later frame with the extra

tube. They were prone to crack!

I wonder if there are any ?68 early frames on running Commandos around?

Somebody offered that widow maker frame on Ebay,USA.

Good for a museum piece but not for a street bike.

Cheers

Uli

Submitted by tom_steele on Sat, 01/10/2016

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hi Uli think I've been offered two fastbacks with original 68' frames hence the question after a fastback so been trying to weigh up the different options

does any one know if the early frames can be properly fixed?

my dads bro raced a 68 and always commented on the handling issues

cheers tom

Submitted by martin_freeman on Sat, 01/10/2016

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There is another issue to be aware of, the early sidestands were also capeable of having you off, left down they don't spring backwards on contact with road but dig in and off you go; hence replacement with longer version and different lug. You could buy lug as a spare part and weld it on yourself, but it's not easy with the engine/primary case in place.

regards Martin

Submitted by tom_steele on Sat, 01/10/2016

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that links awesome reading what year / frame number range did they sort the side stand Martin wasn't aware of that one

cheers tom

Submitted by richard_woolnough on Thu, 13/10/2016

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I have an April 69 750 with, what I call the second series frame that is with the extra top tube, this isn't to say they were changed in production at this time as my machine really was a box of bits so the frame could be a later addition, however this frame has the centre stand attached to a lower frame rail not the engine cradle.

As to a side stand the lug is on the frame bu I'm pretty sure I will have to fabricate a side stand and attachment, I have had to do so for the G80CS as the standard length was to short I have also fitted it so as to spring back when weight is lifted off it so I will attempt to do the same with the commando. kind regards

 


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