About to buy '72 Combat. Advice?

Is it this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-C ... 20b03c9ed4

Mad Daego said:

bpatton said:

(I just checked the posts after taking a really long time writing this before I post it, dinner and all. I'm gonna post it anyway.)

Welcome. These are generic questions, not specific to make, year, or whether it's a Combat or not. But they do beg to be asked. You said this is a one owner bike, so you're buying from the original owner? Have you asked him why he parked it for 30 years? Has he tried to start it? If not, why not? Any bike will sell for more if it runs, even badly. Will he let you try to start it if you change the oil, bring a battery, ect.? 90% complete, what makes up the other 10%? Depending on what that 10% is, it can be really pricey. And lastly, what's the gastank made of :?: :!: :!: :!:

Even if this was one of those 'Crate Bikes', which aren't just virginal, they are neonatal, there's issues on a bike that's been sitting that long. Anything rubber probably needs replacing. Iso's, tires, possibly seals, oil lines, seat cover, and even the wiring. The insulation gets brittle and the sheetmetal in the bullet connectors just crack all by themselves. Lastly, go over to BritBike and look under the Norton forum for a thread called Bad Shell Bearings- FROM LOOSENED CRANK SLUDGE. It takes a long time for that to happen, but 30 years would just about do it. And it bears repeating, does it happen to have an Interstate STEEL tank? If so it counts for a whole lot.

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Despite your frustration, that's exactly the sort of stuff that matters. Thank you. The tank, anyhow. While I had discovered there were two styles I did not know which was preferred. I have not SEEN the bike yet. The guy is sort of cagey with his emails (probably an older gent I assume who never made the full e swap) so many of these questions are unanswerable. That's precisely why I'm picking at your brains! I am preparing for our meeting in advance, he has promised to save it for my first shot at it. Listing off these known failure is a big help, I know all the standard old bike protocol (rubber, electrics, rust, showing up with a charged battery and some tools just in case), but each manufacturer and model had flaws specific to themselves, and enthusiasts like yourself can rattle them off as no brainers while my expertise is in other models. So please, yell at me some more, I NEED it!

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Actually, what I meant about taking a long time to post is that by the time I got around to sending it most of the topics had since been covered.
You've noticed that there are several styles of tank available but there are also steel and fiberglass tanks. Maybe you should do a search on this forum regarding fiberglass tanks. BTW, I wasn't yelling regarding the crank sludge thread. That's how it's listed.

In a previous post I said, "
Buy it, don't think any more about it...just buy it!"

But if it's the bike mentioned in the post re ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-C ... 20b03c9ed4 I withdraw my recommendation not to think about it!

Just buy it already!

But think of the purchase price as just a down payment and be prepared to spend a boatload of time and money on the bike going forward. It's all worth it though. There's nothing finer than riding a well-sorted Norton on a beautiful sunny day!

Main bearings and breather aren't the only problems with the Combat motor though. Far from it.

Debby

I'd happily pay $1500 for the one on E-bay, although i would probably turn up to collect it with a truck rather than a battery and a can of fuel.

I'd sure like to have that e-bay bike at the current bid price of $160...

The initial ad and subsequent emails were pretty vague. I finally spoke to the dude today on the phone about SEEING the bike tomorrow. He was very forthcoming about the condition. Basically it's a frame, motor and tranny with matching Combat numbers. Everything else is a bit of a mess, and he tossed the fiberglass tank and various other unrestorables. I guess the motor is in great condition save for some areas the previous owner had painted black that are peeling. It was stored in a heated hangar all this time. The asking price is $2500. I was hoping, per the ad, for something I could get on the road in a couple of months for under an additional investment of 2K. At this juncture I'm likely gong to pass, I want something road ready for around $4500. A dodgy local shop fucked up when reinstalling the primary on my Triumph Trident and destroyed it--bent crank, completely chewed primary and cracked both covers, etc. The central inner primary alan bolt wrenched out after only 8 riding days, likely due to a rubbing and improperly tensioned chain judging by the markings on the bolt (which I found in the oil that had gushed out when I removed the outer cover), since they use a Haynes manual I assume and it does not cover this specific calibration. It's a pretty clear cut case of fault. I'm offering to sign the wreck over for a check that covers the cost of the bike, a refund for the "repairs" they did, and additional but necessary parts I have purchased since. Hopefully they act like responsible adults and see the favor I am doing them, since I'd win $5000 in court just to cover a rebuild estimate from any other reputable shop.

The Norton is located in Shockapee, MN. Anyone interested can find the ad through the MN craigslist. The guy's name is Ben, sounds like a pretty nice person.

$2500 for a basketcase? I'd pass too. I thought you said it was a good deal? :mrgreen:

From what you describe it sounds like the project is a bit pricey and you are right to pass on it. Although there have been a couple of tongue in cheek references to the bike currently on E-bay, it is a good reference point for what you can expect for your money. It is complete but needs a complete restoration so I would expect it to go for anything from about $1,000 to $2,000. You can probably get a decent runner for $4,500, but expect to do some work on it.