HELP Commander Rear Chain Gaiter

[Anthony Duffield]

Just got back from a trip to Cadwell Park and while there noticed oil on the rear wheel, once home got the bike on the lift and found the lower rear chain gaiter split and leaking at the wheel end.

Andover Norton do not have any in stock, I have yet to ask Startright but in the meantime does anyone have a spare they can lend or sell?

Thanks
Tony

[Zed]

Had the same problem. Got mine off Graham. He had some left when i got mine.

[Anthony Duffield]

Zed,

Many thanks, I will call Graham.

Tony

[Anthony Duffield]

All,

I have managed to acquire two used but good gaiters from acquaintances within the ROC and NOC so I should be OK for a while, note that there are no new gaiters available.

What concerns me is that without a supply of new gaiters my Commander would not be the long distance tourer I need, OK I could run the rear chain exposed like a lot of other tourers but they are designed to have an exposed chain our Commanders are not.

Perhaps running out of spares will be what finally puts an end to these amazing bikes.

Tony

[re5rotary]

If the tooling still exists can we not work with whoever owns the tooling to run off another batch? regards Terry

[Anthony Duffield]

Terry,

I would like to keep my Commander on the road for as long as possible, living north of Aberdeen and touring Holland, Belgium and France this summer plus runs to GT Yarmouth etc etc I have so far covered nearly 5k miles this year, not a massive amount I know when compared to others but still good for a bike that's 28 years old.

Richard and Graham are a good source of engine parts, I can see gearboxes are going to be an issue if I have a problem with my gearbox I would look at Nova Racing http://www.novaracing.co.uk/ for help, most everything else can be obtained from either Andover Norton, Startright or Yambits.

I would hope that others who run bikes with the Norton rotary engine and subscribe to this forum, would agree that it would seem logical to join forces to ensure a supply of the parts that for whatever reason are not considered viable for suppliers to hold in stock,.

There was some discussion recently concerning rotor bearings see "Reclaiming rotary engine components" it may be fanciful to think that we can keep these bikes on the road indefinitely but by working together I'm sure we can have a good go at it.

Tony

[johnbirchjar]

Didn't the original chain gators come from MZ's?and I should emagine there is an MZ's club .
I remember some years back making enquiries re:a compleat set of stronger gearbox cogs from a company in Sussex,and I got the impression they could make anything to do with gearboxes,and specialised in "One Off's".(and if memory serves they quoted about two and a half grand ) so I suppose if one was really desperate one could contact them,J.B.

[Zed]

I am personally hoping that in the next 5-10 years ALM will come down to a cost point that many of these issues can be resolved simply by printing some of the components out. These will need to be drawn up in a CAD package but if the original drawings are available, this can be done (or GOM scan the original part). Compatible materials will be the key here as i don't think you will be able to match the identical material. Rubber/plastics should not be a problem, although surface finish might.

[re5rotary]

Hi the MZ mention could be a possibility then https://www.pieces-motos-mz.net/catalog ... mage/1173/

what do you think?

[Richard Negus]

I believe I commented on the MZ suggestion some while ago.

The MZ gaiter will not replace the Norton Item because:-
.the MZ gaiter is much shorter than the Norton
.the MZ chain is 428, or 1/2" x 5/16"
.the Norton chain is 530, or 5/8" x 3/8"

Andover Norton own the original mould tool for the Norton gaiter but, without sufficient demand from customers, have no incentive to make a batch.
To cover the overhead costs using the mould, a probable minimum batch would be 50 - 100 pieces.
AN is a commercial organisation so if enough people place firm orders, they will make a new batch.
R.

[johnbirchjar]

I suppose in the unlikely event of all the ROC club members ordering a pair, we might just about have enough for A/N to make a batch ,other than that, I hear that "Gorilla Tape"( same as "Gappa Tape", only about 5 times as strong )may do the trick, J.B.