Limey iron never submits... it just plays along.... for a time...
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Trippin' in Commando mode
- Thread starter gggGary
- Start date
Very nice Gary - sure glad you’ve gotten the brake working better.
Well, I bet ol’ Gary is out terrorizing the locals on his snortin’ Norton today!
Nope had to head to Madison, get some #50 chain fer the Nerten etc took the freighter. Damn, I'm liking that Royal Barge! Gonna be a road trip this year.
We have a lot of cut limestone homes south and west of home really like how they look.
We have a lot of cut limestone homes south and west of home really like how they look.
That is a pretty house, with a beautiful view off the back porch!
Gol dang it @MaxPete ! Yah just had to go on spouting about loose electrons dincha?
Apparently manipulating bending the wiring harness while changing things at the coils created (or exposed) an issue. Troubleshooting, lights work, don't work, repeat, oops there goes the fuse.
Oh well hot'r than hades, hiding in the basement garage, good as place as any to be.
Apparently manipulating bending the wiring harness while changing things at the coils created (or exposed) an issue. Troubleshooting, lights work, don't work, repeat, oops there goes the fuse.
Oh well hot'r than hades, hiding in the basement garage, good as place as any to be.
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Nice bike for sure, but that's just ridiculous money.
Yes to that
If it is US $
It does not appear to be stock ( no expert on N ) but newer seen Yellow Clocks on a N
Exhaust may be non stock .yes it says so in the Text as well as things at the front
Yes also in the text
A factor 3 maybe 4 to high asking price.. depending on Smoke and engine Noise.
In my opinion not knowing N -s
Personally I would not be interested I would rather buy a Street worn.
Stock with a good engine.
There seems to be different ends to the market for old classic British bikes, both in the UK and in the USA. Probably Sweden too?
There's the cheap end of the market, few hundred dollars. Or in Britain, maybe anything under £2000 - bike might or might not be complete, usually sold as a 'project'. In the USA, the question of title usually seems to loom large.
There's the expensive-for-what-it-is but vaguely realistic price for a bike which wears its age. You know or at least suspect that there will be hidden problems. Why is the owner selling it? In any case, you know the bike will cost some multiple of what you paid for it to get it right. Well, it's that familiar equation of money, time and effort. Plus the personal factors of experience working on bikes, tools and equipment, skills and other resources. Plus availability of new or used parts.
Then there's the top-dollar, been fully restored, nut & bolt professional restoration. I've never bought one of those. Can't afford one. Certainly can't justify spending that kind of money on an old motorbike. Not even to myself.
But I still wonder (dream?) about what you end up with if you lash out $25000 on a 1972 Combat Commando? Will you really end up with a bike that starts first kick, runs like new, everything works, no smoke, no oil leaks? Very possible you will? At least for the first few years or first few thousand miles? I really don't know.
But dare you use it? Actually run it enough miles that it becomes a used bike again? Starts to show wear and tear? That's going to make a massive dent in the investment you made.
And for me that's the problem. At that end of the market, the bike has become an investment not a motorbike. Sure you can start the engine and take it out a few times a year for short runs.
But you're unlikely to throw some saddlebags over the bike or strap a tent on it.
There's the cheap end of the market, few hundred dollars. Or in Britain, maybe anything under £2000 - bike might or might not be complete, usually sold as a 'project'. In the USA, the question of title usually seems to loom large.
There's the expensive-for-what-it-is but vaguely realistic price for a bike which wears its age. You know or at least suspect that there will be hidden problems. Why is the owner selling it? In any case, you know the bike will cost some multiple of what you paid for it to get it right. Well, it's that familiar equation of money, time and effort. Plus the personal factors of experience working on bikes, tools and equipment, skills and other resources. Plus availability of new or used parts.
Then there's the top-dollar, been fully restored, nut & bolt professional restoration. I've never bought one of those. Can't afford one. Certainly can't justify spending that kind of money on an old motorbike. Not even to myself.
But I still wonder (dream?) about what you end up with if you lash out $25000 on a 1972 Combat Commando? Will you really end up with a bike that starts first kick, runs like new, everything works, no smoke, no oil leaks? Very possible you will? At least for the first few years or first few thousand miles? I really don't know.
But dare you use it? Actually run it enough miles that it becomes a used bike again? Starts to show wear and tear? That's going to make a massive dent in the investment you made.
And for me that's the problem. At that end of the market, the bike has become an investment not a motorbike. Sure you can start the engine and take it out a few times a year for short runs.
But you're unlikely to throw some saddlebags over the bike or strap a tent on it.
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Yes Sir well Put
Even if it was an " Investment grade bike " in my view it is to Expensive.
If you here look at what $ 25 000 can buy fex in other vehicles ..Compared to a non stock Norton ..
cant se it happen but .. again I don't know the Brand and some People have money.. I am fine with that.
The right price is what someone is willing to pay for it. What do I know
I have been wrong before fex on offers on 50 ies Triumphs for $ 800
1964 Ford Mustangs a $ 800
Both many years ago but still mistakes.
I have always had bikes that other at times shake their heads at .
But as You mention I can park those in a Harbor back alley .I can strap a tent on them
If some sociopath gives it a Kick in the alley so it falls over.
It is different as if it was a Norton a $ 23000
But again it is about freedom People are Different.
The money is in $NZ . I thought it was a bit expensive until I saw it was restored in Upper Hutt. The Web Link is also .co.nz.
Thank you, Paul. You just knocked her down from $25000 US - about £18250 - to $25000 NZ - a mere £13106.
Still just an idle daydream . . .
Still just an idle daydream . . .
Yeah that bike was pretty narrowly focused to a single person's vision. From looking, the bits used were very desireable upgrade parts. But those seldom add much value cuz so many want nut n bolt restorations, a decently presenting 850 was just on bring a trailer, didn't meet reserve at 5500 which seemed a bit low.
Locally "nice looking" bikes are listed in the 8500 to 15,000 range. $4000 to 6,000 "need work" bikes sell quickly.
Mine was a shed bike that ran with a promise of a "just completed" overhaul. Cheap at 3700 It's this winter's victim. I've dropped another 2500? into it (NOT keeping track) and am just getting warmed up. It's getting a restomod treatment and I may well end up with two versions. A long distance light tourer and a "more correcter" back road bomber.
Front end is the focus this winter; new fork tubes, seals, all bushings guides etc. New headlight bucket, ears, LED headlight, stock appearing turn signals added. full brake overhaul with MC sleeved down. rough castings smoothed, polished. New paint, new steering and wheel bearings Several versions of wheels being considered but SS spokes, new tires, rims likely in any case.
If I get through the front end the list is still VERY long Engine, tranny, the Isolastic suspension, swing arm all need attention.Speedo off for an overhaul. I'm no mailman but this is a labor of love and a trip down memory lane as I recreate one I had in the 70's
Forks are back on now.
I've ordered a custom painted Interstate (bigger but slightly bulbous appearing) tank and side covers from India for the touring version. No doubt that will be an interesting unwrapping.
Lack of an electric leg may become an issue in the not so distant future. Been working a guy over his shed bike, 850 electric start Commando but he's getting cold feet. The Nortons are mostly owned by enthusiasts that bought, rode them new but the ranks of guys like that who ride are thinning. Perhaps more likely than the XS's to remain in the garage til the owner "goes to the home" or dies.
Edit: new fender also.
Turns out this was just an "assembly model" of a Norton motorcycle.
Locally "nice looking" bikes are listed in the 8500 to 15,000 range. $4000 to 6,000 "need work" bikes sell quickly.
Mine was a shed bike that ran with a promise of a "just completed" overhaul. Cheap at 3700 It's this winter's victim. I've dropped another 2500? into it (NOT keeping track) and am just getting warmed up. It's getting a restomod treatment and I may well end up with two versions. A long distance light tourer and a "more correcter" back road bomber.
Front end is the focus this winter; new fork tubes, seals, all bushings guides etc. New headlight bucket, ears, LED headlight, stock appearing turn signals added. full brake overhaul with MC sleeved down. rough castings smoothed, polished. New paint, new steering and wheel bearings Several versions of wheels being considered but SS spokes, new tires, rims likely in any case.
If I get through the front end the list is still VERY long Engine, tranny, the Isolastic suspension, swing arm all need attention.Speedo off for an overhaul. I'm no mailman but this is a labor of love and a trip down memory lane as I recreate one I had in the 70's
Forks are back on now.
I've ordered a custom painted Interstate (bigger but slightly bulbous appearing) tank and side covers from India for the touring version. No doubt that will be an interesting unwrapping.
Lack of an electric leg may become an issue in the not so distant future. Been working a guy over his shed bike, 850 electric start Commando but he's getting cold feet. The Nortons are mostly owned by enthusiasts that bought, rode them new but the ranks of guys like that who ride are thinning. Perhaps more likely than the XS's to remain in the garage til the owner "goes to the home" or dies.
Edit: new fender also.
Turns out this was just an "assembly model" of a Norton motorcycle.
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Good thing cheeseland has loooong winters.
Kinda sums it up. 99% of us spend more on our bikes than we will ever recoup.
Yeah that bike was pretty narrowly focused to a single person's vision. From looking, the bits used were very desireable upgrade parts. But those seldom add much value cuz so many want nut n bolt restorations, a decently presenting 850 was just on bring a trailer, didn't meet reserve at 5500 which seemed a bit low.
Locally "nice looking" bikes are listed in the 8500 to 15,000 range. $4000 to 6,000 "need work" bikes sell quickly.
Mine was a shed bike that ran with a promise of a "just completed" overhaul. Cheap at 3700 It's this winter's victim. I've dropped another 2500? into it (NOT keeping track) and am just getting warmed up. It's getting a restomod treatment and I may well end up with two versions. A long distance light tourer and a "more correcter" back road bomber.
Front end is the focus this winter; new fork tubes, seals, all bushings guides etc. New headlight bucket, ears, LED headlight, stock appearing turn signals added. full brake overhaul with MC sleeved down. rough castings smoothed, polished. New paint, new steering and wheel bearings Several versions of wheels being considered but SS spokes, new tires, rims likely in any case.
If I get through the front end the list is still VERY long Engine, tranny, the Isolastic suspension, swing arm all need attention.Speedo off for an overhaul. I'm no mailman but this is a labor of love and a trip down memory lane as I recreate one I had in the 70's
Forks are back on now.
View attachment 183552
I've ordered a custom painted Interstate (bigger but slightly bulbous appearing) tank and side covers from India for the touring version. No doubt that will be an interesting unwrapping.
Lack of an electric leg may become an issue in the not so distant future. Been working a guy over his shed bike, 850 electric start Commando but he's getting cold feet. The Nortons are mostly owned by enthusiasts that bought, rode them new but the ranks of guys like that who ride are thinning. Perhaps more likely than the XS's to remain in the garage til the owner "goes to the home" or dies.
Edit: new fender also.
Turns out this was just an "assembly model" of a Norton motorcycle.
Gary, you really need to post a more in depth / photo intensive build up of this Norton, you know we love the British bikes! Don’t they make an electric start conversion for that bike? I know I’ve seen one.
“I'm no mailman” Ha! That hack? His talent is putting lipstick on a pig!
Yes Sir
Lets hope someone is honest -->
Mine was a shed bike that ran with a promise of a "just completed" overhaul.
I had two Friends owned i believe it was 73 or 74 -s brand New.
I once should try to kick start one .No Luck
Well fit lot into sports --in them days .. but my 75 Kg -s and not knowing the Technique
After three attempts I was ordered to step aside.
The reputation was that it was a bike for the Big Boys..
But I know One Middleweight who has kept his and are not having problems.
I Have seen on English Magazines that there is I believe a French company that makes .A Bolt on Electric starter
Not really sure can be that one perhaps of interest
https://www.alton-france.com/norton-starter/
Lets hope someone is honest -->
Mine was a shed bike that ran with a promise of a "just completed" overhaul.
I had two Friends owned i believe it was 73 or 74 -s brand New.
I once should try to kick start one .No Luck
Well fit lot into sports --in them days .. but my 75 Kg -s and not knowing the Technique
After three attempts I was ordered to step aside.
The reputation was that it was a bike for the Big Boys..
But I know One Middleweight who has kept his and are not having problems.
I Have seen on English Magazines that there is I believe a French company that makes .A Bolt on Electric starter
Not really sure can be that one perhaps of interest
https://www.alton-france.com/norton-starter/
I’d bet not, oh maybe the occasional short ride if it’s a sunny spring day, but they wouldn’t really ride regularly. I met this guy once who was telling me he did this perfect nut and bolt restoration of a Combat Norton, when he was finished, he fired it up and rode it once. Then he drained all the fluids and hung it from the ceiling of his big custom home! Guys that spend stupid money on collectible bikes tend to have garages like this,
I made big changes to what I put in my mouth. My arthritic knee is no longer much of an issue. Kicking ceased to be a concern.
