Went to the dark side...

SEd27

XS650 Addict
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...and got myself a Norton.

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I have wanted a Commando for the better part of 20 years and found this one about an hour away, just before it was to be posted on Craigslist.

This bike in particular has a late 1971 build date, but is titled as a 1972 (non Combat). It is numbers matching and still on the standard bore.

It’s a complete basket case, but I enjoy a challenge and was itching for a new project. Plans are to undertake a full restoration.

There seems to be good aftermarket support for the marque, but parts are significantly more expensive than our Yamaha’s. The good news during my search, I managed to connect with few local enthusiasts who have have decent spares stashed away.

Just wondering if anyone here has experience with them and/or any advice.

P.S. I am not getting rid of of the XS. Got to have something to ride while the Norton gets built. :bike:
 
A proper Snorton'.... drum brakes and pea shooters. I rode one a few times.. pulls like a locomotive....handles well.... with the pea shooters they announce your arrival in classic style. Upgrade the electrics.. toss the points and you've solved the dreaded Prince of Darkness issues.
 
A hundred years ago I put together a Triton which was fun. However I believe the frame was tweaked before I got it and it was scary at times. I was very happy to have sold it before it pitched me off of it. The new owner loved it, I always wondered if it was the bike or me that was tweaked. lol

tim
 
A hundred years ago I put together a Triton which was fun. However I believe the frame was tweaked before I got it and it was scary at times. I was very happy to have sold it before it pitched me off of it. The new owner loved it, I always wondered if it was the bike or me that was tweaked. lol

tim
Yeah my experience with Nortons back in the day sez they were good FOR THAT ERA, but by current standards are evil, prone to tank slappers and can getcha, Much like the XS650 yer ride'n an antique, respect that. The isolastic mounts require some serious "head wrapping around" ;) to get dialed in correctly, with serious consequences if you don't get it right.
The swingarms are even flexier than XS650 units.... Just say'n.
 
Oh baby! You guys are killin me with all these Norton’s! When I was first looking for an old bike to restore ( six bikes ago ) Norton was it!
I looked for years but no joy.
I think you might actually benefit from it NOT being a Combat model, they are a little de tuned and hopefully more reliable. And you have a desirable drum brake early model!
You know in the Clubhouse section of our forum, there is a very nice Triumph Hurricane build going on with our friend Greg.
There’s room for one more, there are a lot of Norton fans on this site who would enjoy following along. Think about it! :)
 
Many years ago, had a Commando Mk IIa. Agree with Gary's comments - good for that era but not a truly good-handling bike. The Isolastic set-up means front and rear halves of chassis are linked by good intentions not metal. The front drum brake relies on fear assistance however it's probably better than the early disc fitted the Mk III. But having said that, if you enjoy the restoration process, you should end up with a bike which will be fun to ride and sound proper.
 
Originally in 73 I wanted a commando, the salesman at the shop that had one was an expert, and over the space of a few weeks he gradually talked me out of the Norton through a Suzuki T500 and onto a Yamaha XS2. Sold me the bike I didn’t know I wanted. All these years later the shop is still there and I still hanker for a Commando.
Probably had a close shave with the Norton, a lot of the people I knew who bought them had varying degrees of trouble. Worn cams, main bearings, porous castings, the list goes on.
I still want one.
 
Thanks for all the comments and feedback.

It will be a long term resto, but I can definitely start a build thread.

I must confess I am still trying wrap my head around the Isolastic system. From what I can tell there are are kits to upgrade to the later style, which are easier to adjust.

Even though there is only a few years between the the Norton and my XS, it really does make me appreciate the the engineering from Yamaha. The fit and finish is light years ahead on the Japanese bike. The XS is really quite refined in comparison.

With regard to the front brake, I’ve heard the the TLS drum can be temperamental to set up correctly and dangerous if not. For safety sake, I likely will opt for a modern front caliper and disc.

I do have another caliper left over from my front brake Brembo / Motolanna conversion (of which I am going do a write up on) that might work well
93ACB591-04A0-49B5-A2E8-EBE6F2231CBF.jpeg
 
Forgotten the little I knew about Commandos but IIRC the Combat motor was a more powerful version built with the US market in mind and presumably to compete with the bikes coming out of Japan. But to access the power claimed from the Combat engine you had to rev it. To the point the crankshaft flexed and the roller main bearings just gave up. Norton were replacing main bearings under warranty. Then they developed the 'superblend' bearing - the rollers were slightly barrel shaped to give more tolerance for the flexing crank. What they really needed to do was go back to the drawing board and start with something new instead of flogging a dead horse.

Nice looking bike there though, Gary!
 
Commando_2002.JPG
Superblend = FAG NJ306E, if memory serves well. I had a '72 750 Interstate I built, had it for 13 years, and I'm all too well aware of all aspects of the design's shortcomings! Swinging arm in particular is pathetic. It did make a wonderful noise though on a wide open throttle :D
 
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Thanks for all the comments and feedback.

It will be a long term resto, but I can definitely start a build thread.

I must confess I am still trying wrap my head around the Isolastic system. From what I can tell there are are kits to upgrade to the later style, which are easier to adjust.

Even though there is only a few years between the the Norton and my XS, it really does make me appreciate the the engineering from Yamaha. The fit and finish is light years ahead on the Japanese bike. The XS is really quite refined in comparison.

With regard to the front brake, I’ve heard the the TLS drum can be temperamental to set up correctly and dangerous if not. For safety sake, I likely will opt for a modern front caliper and disc.

I do have another caliper left over from my front brake Brembo / Motolanna conversion (of which I am going do a write up on) that might work well View attachment 160692


Would love specs on that setup please! That looks like a galfer rotor??
 
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