Big_Jim59
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2010
- Messages
- 639
I would like to reintroduce myself. I used to lurk here quite a bit but It has been a number of years since I parted company with my 1973 750. I know it was sad but that sale made funds avalible for some pretty cool projects. I have been a long time Norton fan having owned four, if you count the current 850. I have been in love with motorcycle since a class mate showed me a Triumph sales brochure during English class. It had models from the Hurricane and Trident, the Bonneville all the way to the 500 Trophy Trail. I was hooked. Those bikes looked like pure adventure to me and I had yet to throw a leg over a bike.
During my college days I landed a job at the Triumph, Norton and BMW dealer in Oklahoma City. I did mostly Triumph, BSA and Norton repair work because at the time they needed work the most. Of all the British motorcycles, it was the Norton bikes I fancied the most. This was followed a close second by the Triumph three cylinder offering. The Tridents/Rocket Threes were wonderful when they were built right and none of them were.
I worked on some well used Norton motorcycles and I had the privilege of servicing several new Commandos just out of the crate. I still remember these factory fresh bikes being ever so pleasant to ride. This was in the very late 70s and early 80s. My boss, the owner of the shop had kept several crated bikes after production ended but he sold a few on. I am back in the Norton fold after having purchased a 74 850 from a very dear friend. The bike is a classic roadster with many sensible improvements for safety, ridability and just because. I hope I can continue the great work she started. Pictures will follow I promise.
I am also finishing up a basket case/horror show in the form of a 1966 Triumph T100. It sat locked up and deteriorating for over 20 years due to a rebuild that didn't include the cleaning of the crank sludge trap. It was sad. It probably ran for less than 5 minutes before it tied up.
During my college days I landed a job at the Triumph, Norton and BMW dealer in Oklahoma City. I did mostly Triumph, BSA and Norton repair work because at the time they needed work the most. Of all the British motorcycles, it was the Norton bikes I fancied the most. This was followed a close second by the Triumph three cylinder offering. The Tridents/Rocket Threes were wonderful when they were built right and none of them were.
I worked on some well used Norton motorcycles and I had the privilege of servicing several new Commandos just out of the crate. I still remember these factory fresh bikes being ever so pleasant to ride. This was in the very late 70s and early 80s. My boss, the owner of the shop had kept several crated bikes after production ended but he sold a few on. I am back in the Norton fold after having purchased a 74 850 from a very dear friend. The bike is a classic roadster with many sensible improvements for safety, ridability and just because. I hope I can continue the great work she started. Pictures will follow I promise.
I am also finishing up a basket case/horror show in the form of a 1966 Triumph T100. It sat locked up and deteriorating for over 20 years due to a rebuild that didn't include the cleaning of the crank sludge trap. It was sad. It probably ran for less than 5 minutes before it tied up.
