Norton Commando anyone ?? (1 Viewer)

[injebreck99]

Has anyone got/had one of the origonal 70's Commando's, I have always been a Norton fan, not Triumph, BSA etc, and now being in the position to afford a decent one, I thought maybe I could pick someones brains, (socks off lads)!

 

[MikeD]

I had a 1954 Dominator but not a Commando.

Rode one once, nice bikes but a bit tall for me

 

[Enword]

I've ridden a few, really liked the low down grunt of the motor, handling wise found if you wanted to press on you had to but a bit of effort in, I had a Norton in a wasp outfit on the the road loved it.

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

Will ask my mate, he has 14 old Norton’s and triumph bikes and is selling a few as he has purchased a new model triumph and is running out of space..

 

[Steve and Denise]

There is a good article in this months Classic bike about commandos well worth a read I like Enword can only comment on engines once sorted they were quite reliable but in them days we always used to change to magneatos.
A friend of mine has a nice one I will enquire what are his plans.

 

[injebreck99]

There is a good article in this months Classic bike about commandos well worth a read I like Enword can only comment on engines once sorted they were quite reliable but in them days we always used to change to magneatos.
A friend of mine has a nice one I will enquire what are his plans.

The green Mk1 Commando in the CB article is my mate Ian Berrisfords bike, it was reading that article that reminded me how much I likes my 1962 650SS I had when I was in my early 20’s. I always admired Commandos, but couldn’t afford one until now.

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[Steve and Denise]

I know exactly what you mean when I was young enough to ride one I never had enough money to buy one, now it is the other way around.
I started with atlas motors then got a commando 750 then 850 I must admit I had a few blow ups but back then I was abusing them every time I got on it,
Thank god for Pride and Clarke.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

I had a Mk3 850 for a few years that I sold in the early 90’s to fund an RT BMW so we could tour Europe. Was the right decision at the time, though I’ve missed it ever since. Bought a 1976 Triumph T140 Bonneville four or five years ago and really like that but it’s not as relaxed as the Commando was. Prices are ridiculous now for Commando’s compared to T140’s.
I sold my Commando for £3500 back then. Really nice bikes but I don’t think I can justify the inflated prices people are asking, unless I can get someone in the US to find one.

 

[injebreck99]

I think that the Mk3 may be the best one to get, electric start, and left foot gearchange, sooo long since I rode a right foot change bike.

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[Hettie's Crew]

I think that the Mk3 may be the best one to get, electric start, and left foot gearchange, sooo long since I rode a right foot change bike.

I’d say so, I had alloy rims fitted with 18 inch wider rear tyre, rebuilt the engine with Superblend main bearings, mushroom valve adjusters, single carb, electronic ignition and fitted a Lockheed floating front disc brake. I never bothered uprating the starter motor as I liked kicking it off, though I would now.
My Bonneville is just as nice to ride, with the same solid rumble British bike feel but not as smooth and relaxed as the Commando.

 

[injebreck99]

I’d say so, I had alloy rims fitted with 18 inch wider rear tyre, rebuilt the engine with Superblend main bearings, mushroom valve adjusters, single carb, electronic ignition and fitted a Lockheed floating front disc brake. I never bothered uprating the starter motor as I liked kicking it off, though I would now.
My Bonneville is just as nice to ride, with the same solid rumble British bike feel but not as smooth and relaxed as the Commando.

I have my eye on one, a Mk3 with all the goodies, but a nearly 12K, I need to think about it, do I need it to ride...no, but will it be a good investment that I can enjoy, ...maybe, at the right price.

 

[34127]

I have a 'Norton Riders Handbook' for the 16H Norton as supplied for W.D. purposes. I keep thinking it may be of interest to a museum specialising in Norton bikes so if you can think of any then please let me know.

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[Hettie's Crew]

nearly 12K

You could consider one of the modern 961’s for that sort of money with modern brakes, suspension and reliability.

 

[injebreck99]

You could consider one of the modern 961’s for that sort of money with modern brakes, suspension and reliability.

Sorry, no, original or nothing for me.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

If you are really serious about one it maybe worth considering contacting Ken Armann in California to see what may be available over there. He’s the president of the California Norton Owners Club. He was really helpful with me last year with a brake mod for my T140, he does all British bikes.
He wouldn’t sort it out for you but it may know who, what and where regarding re importing one. Please only contact him if you are serious about it though.
http://www.kenarmann.com/

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[Jaws]

Just reminded me..
Was about 1966/67
A mate told me he was building a Triton as a winter project..
All through the winter he gave us update, and constantly moaned that it was taking all his time and all his money..but he wated to make a decent job of it so sod it... he would spend what ever it took.
Come March time and reports were getting sketchy but is sounded as if it was nearly finished
April came and went, but towards the end of May it was declared finished, and we were all invited round to his house for the grand unveiling

About 10 or 12 of us turned up on the day, and we was told to wait outside his garage and he would roll it out

Lots of mock drum rolls and the garage door creaked open..
Out he came pushing his pride and joy, the sm total of all his time and wages over the last 6 or 7 months.

No one had the heart to say anything other than 'nice bike', 'good build' etc etc
but............. but.....
We did have trouble stopping our selves falling about laughing

He had built a Triton of a sort.. He had stuck a dommie engine in a Bonny frame !!!
The first and probably last Nortri ever to see daylight !

 

[Treeeev]

I raced a sidecar outfit in the mid 70's with a Commando engine. The only weakness I can remember was the oil seal behind the points which failed a few times. We replaced the points with a Boyer Bransdon electronic ignition which was a massive improvement allowing us to run spark plugs a couple of grades harder and improving starting immensely

Cheers

Trevor

 

[injebreck99]

Still not sure whether to go for one or not, the Mk3 is 190KG, so a bit above my comfort zone, decisions decisions ....................!

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[Steve and Denise]

This one is for sale Mk 2a @8k I have his number

 

[injebreck99]

Hi S&D, many thanks for the info, but not keen on that model,
I would buy a Roadster or Interstate, when and if I make my mind up!

 

[Enword]

My long time mates Norton & partner from years back he still has it (both )

Two Bonnie's & two Norton's outside our place when I was a lad

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