levers, right/wrong or other?

Hi Kev,

As far as I know, Norton never made a Cafe Racer so what is 'correct'. I would say if it looks right it is right.

Tony

Hi Kev,

Mine is a 57 Dominator and the levers are original, just re-chromed.

The clutch is a mirror of the brake less the air lever attachment.

If someone has converted yours into a cafe racer I wouldn't think it matters about the levers, for a lighter clutch it is advisable to have 1" centres pivots and from a safety point of view ball your end levers are better.

regards

Dick

A 57 dommie was usually left original for a couple of years. Then someone got the bright idea to improve it. I did it when I bought  a -60 dommie 99 back in 1965. Shopping Dunstall and other parts that was available then. But kept the double seat, cause it felt meaningless not to be able to get an young female with me when leaving the cafe.

As long as you have parts similar to what was obtainable in the sixties, it will be a bike as they where in that period. Think your levers look ok. The rivet counters might think otherwise.

What might be an issue with the levers could be that if the distance between the swivel point and the wire nipple is too long, it will be heavier to use them.

hello you have two type ones on the Bike are  AMAL  and the others look like Tomaselli racing type but the choice is only yours   anna j   

Hello Now the right racing leavers are  Amal alloy adjustable racing leavers  now made under Dorothy racing leavers   same as fitted to BSA a65s  and gold star and Norton Manx  See racing Leavers       E-bay motorcycle parts   Yours    Anna J  

7/8" centres are standard for Dommie. Less lift but slightly lighter than the more common 1" centres.

Early dommies had laydown gearbox. Was it 1956 they changed to AMC gearbox? The laydown box has less lift than the AMC. The Commando box has even more lift. So centre distance can be slightly more on laydown.

Kev, as you said that your bike was raced in the sixties, you shall definitely have ball end levers. Race regulations. Both steel and alloy levers used then.

My opinion, there is enough Dominators close to how they left the factory. Much rarer with an ex-racer looking about the same as when it really had to work hard.

This rather hastily and not very well scanned article from the 1996 NOC Handbook might be of interest regarding clutch lever pivot dimensions.

Regards, Tim