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- Aug 19, 2021
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I am in the process of purchasing a very clean '74 850 MK II. It needs a little TLC to make it shine, but over all the bike seems to be in a ready to ride condition. (After a thorough once over that is)
Here is the description that was posted on the Craigslist ad which has now been taken down since we have a purchase agreement. Note the electronics upgrades. already present.
1974 Norton Roadster #307907 Mfg. 9/73 Custom, Beautiful numbers matching machine in metal flake blue. Tri spark ignition, Dyna coils. Podtronics regulator/rectifier. Oil pressure gauge installed. RH10 Head. Stainless steel rocker feed lines and new fuel lines. Twin pull twist grip. BAP fuel taps. CNW oil tank modification. NOS primary cover. The rear transmission cradle has an vernier isolastic system. Smith’s instruments with polished clock holders. MK3 kickstart lever. Mk3 head steady. Central Wheel rims, 19” front, 18” rear. Hagon shocks. Lucas turn signals and headlight. Two sets of keys. Some of the items listed are new and some are used, which means some parts may need to be adjusted or fixed. This is a used motorcycle so there are nicks, rust, scratches, and blemishes. Tons of records. TMU. 8155 Miles indicated.“Clear” NYS Title in my name. $8500
At first I was envisioning short day trip rides into the Adirondacks, but after reading about the various Norton enthusiast groups and their rallies, meets, etc. I'm beginning to think about longer trips . I feel like I am physically capable of riding 300-400 miles in a day staying to older state and US highways to avoid the boredom and stiffness associated with interstate travel on a motorcycle.
I am a capable Limey bike mechanic having leaned about Lucas electrics, Amal carburetors and Whitworth/British standard fasteners while I owned a '67 BSA Thunderbolt. During that period I learned how unreliable Lucas electrics can be as well as the parts failures associated with vibration. Since this bike has the Lucas electrics replaced with aftermarket components and the isolastics should reduce vibration associated failures, am I still exposing myself to the likelihood of being stranded hundreds of miles from home with this bike?
How reliable are these particular electronics upgrades? The Podtronics module is cheap enough to carry a spare, but what about the Tri-spark ignition? Does the Isolastic suspension significantly reduce vibration related component failures?
I also want to stress that I am the type that is meticulous about preventative maintenance. Are there any things that I should include in my preventative maintenance drill that would be particular to this bike?
Here is the description that was posted on the Craigslist ad which has now been taken down since we have a purchase agreement. Note the electronics upgrades. already present.
1974 Norton Roadster #307907 Mfg. 9/73 Custom, Beautiful numbers matching machine in metal flake blue. Tri spark ignition, Dyna coils. Podtronics regulator/rectifier. Oil pressure gauge installed. RH10 Head. Stainless steel rocker feed lines and new fuel lines. Twin pull twist grip. BAP fuel taps. CNW oil tank modification. NOS primary cover. The rear transmission cradle has an vernier isolastic system. Smith’s instruments with polished clock holders. MK3 kickstart lever. Mk3 head steady. Central Wheel rims, 19” front, 18” rear. Hagon shocks. Lucas turn signals and headlight. Two sets of keys. Some of the items listed are new and some are used, which means some parts may need to be adjusted or fixed. This is a used motorcycle so there are nicks, rust, scratches, and blemishes. Tons of records. TMU. 8155 Miles indicated.“Clear” NYS Title in my name. $8500
At first I was envisioning short day trip rides into the Adirondacks, but after reading about the various Norton enthusiast groups and their rallies, meets, etc. I'm beginning to think about longer trips . I feel like I am physically capable of riding 300-400 miles in a day staying to older state and US highways to avoid the boredom and stiffness associated with interstate travel on a motorcycle.
I am a capable Limey bike mechanic having leaned about Lucas electrics, Amal carburetors and Whitworth/British standard fasteners while I owned a '67 BSA Thunderbolt. During that period I learned how unreliable Lucas electrics can be as well as the parts failures associated with vibration. Since this bike has the Lucas electrics replaced with aftermarket components and the isolastics should reduce vibration associated failures, am I still exposing myself to the likelihood of being stranded hundreds of miles from home with this bike?
How reliable are these particular electronics upgrades? The Podtronics module is cheap enough to carry a spare, but what about the Tri-spark ignition? Does the Isolastic suspension significantly reduce vibration related component failures?
I also want to stress that I am the type that is meticulous about preventative maintenance. Are there any things that I should include in my preventative maintenance drill that would be particular to this bike?