Today’s focus was on the head steady. I sourced one from Dresda for a unit 650, but it needed quite a bit of modification to fit properly. This is where my aircraft engineering background really comes in handy. After some careful filing and shaping of the aluminium pieces, they now fit the front stud perfectly. For extra stability, I added another connector between the rear rocker box and the forward mount. With all that done, the next step is getting them painted.


I also needed to fabricate a platform for the oil tank. I made a bracket that sits on top of the engine plates, with heavy-duty foam or rubber on top to give the tank a cushioned rest. Between these plates, I plan to mount the horn and, further down, an oil filter. I’m using a Commando oil filter setup and have been figuring out the best place to mount it for easy access while keeping it protected from knocks. The gap between the plates is just enough, so I need to ensure the main stand doesn’t touch it when folded up.


The instrument bracket is now painted the same colour as the triple tree/yoke—a nice wheel silver. It’s the original Atlas instrument panel with a few modern upgrades.

Big news on the parts front! The exhaust pipes arrived quickly from the UK, and they are definitely big bore—these are going to sound awesome. The shocks are here too, and I’ve gone with the exposed springs style, which I’ve already fitted.

It’s been a busy few days with parts arriving, including a big order from Norton Race Parts. This shipment included the rear frame loop and battery box/platform. I’m using a small battery that will be mounted underneath the seat hump. Space is at a premium, so NRP’s solution is perfect. I’ve soft-mounted the rear loop, and it looks great. I’ll tackle the rear mudguard next week.

Next on the agenda is getting the oil lines plumbed in.