Advice for first time buyer

180 Out · Aug 2, 2014

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I went to see the bike at 3:00 today (Saturday). The seller and I spoke on the phone last night and this was the earliest that the seller would be available. I had to take a pass. Everything is there, and everything works. On the other hand, everything needs sprucing up. This would be a great bike for a kid who wants to refurbish a runner and learn by doing, or for an older guy who's had some experience and maybe a few spare parts lying around. I am neither of these guys.

BTW, where I left it was to offer $4500. The seller said he wanted to hold out for $5000. But he just called me and said he wants to be done with it and he'll take my $4500 right now. Unfortunately, my wife was so happy when I came home with no bike, I just can't pull another U-turn on her so soon. So I had to pass again, even at $4500. But if someone wants to pull up the SF Bay Area Craigslist and give this guy an email, you can have this bike for $4500 if you can get the cash to him right away.

The bike is a wonderful unmolested time capsule, with a 30-year owner. He put a new Dunlop tire on it when he bought it and that tire's still there, although it's worn smooth. This gives an idea how much it's been ridden these 30 years. It starts but won't hold an idle until it's good and warm. (The seller wouldn't use the choke on this 68 degree day in Oakland CA, which might have helped.) The Cali registration sticker is 2005. The seller says he last took it out on the road three years ago.

The seller says he's shopped this bike to a couple of Nor Cal Norton club members. So if you know any of these guys you could get more info from them. One of them has offered $4000. So that is a clue of where the sweet spot for the money is, somewhere around $4000-4500. Myself, I've been through the wringer too many times with 4-wheeled money pits to kid myself, that this would be likely to end up costing $10000 or more all in to build a $7000 bike. That said, if I talk to the seller midweek and he's still willing to take $4500, I just might.

concours · Aug 2, 2014

180 Out said:
Thanks for all the replies and advice. I went to see the bike at 3:00 today (Saturday). The seller and I spoke on the phone last night and this was the earliest that the seller would be available. I had to take a pass. Everything is there, and everything works. On the other hand, everything needs sprucing up. This would be a great bike for a kid who wants to refurbish a runner and learn by doing, or for an older guy who's had some experience and maybe a few spare parts lying around. I am neither of these guys.

BTW, where I left it was to offer $4500. The seller said he wanted to hold out for $5000. But he just called me and said he wants to be done with it and he'll take my $4500 right now. Unfortunately, my wife was so happy when I came home with no bike, I just can't pull another U-turn on her so soon. So I had to pass again, even at $4500. But if someone wants to pull up the SF Bay Area Craigslist and give this guy an email, you can have this bike for $4500 if you can get the cash to him right away.

The bike is a wonderful unmolested time capsule, with a 30-year owner. He put a new Dunlop tire on it when he bought it and that tire's still there, although it's worn smooth. This gives an idea how much it's been ridden these 30 years. It starts but won't hold an idle until it's good and warm. (The seller wouldn't use the choke on this 68 degree day in Oakland CA, which might have helped.) The Cali registration sticker is 2005. The seller says he last took it out on the road three years ago.

The seller says he's shopped this bike to a couple of Nor Cal Norton club members. So if you know any of these guys you could get more info from them. One of them has offered $4000. So that is a clue of where the sweet spot for the money is, somewhere around $4000-4500. Myself, I've been through the wringer too many times with 4-wheeled money pits to kid myself, that this would be likely to end up costing $10000 or more all in to build a $7000 bike. That said, if I talk to the seller midweek and he's still willing to take $4500, I just might.

Wow.

1up3down · Aug 2, 2014

That said, if I talk to the seller midweek and he's still willing to take $4500, I just might.

I don't understand your logic

he is willing right now to take $4500 for it from you

and yet you want to wait three more days to see if he is still willing to do that

but yes, you are right about the fact that you will put thousands into it making it better

and you will do that with any Commando you will buy in the future

and the nicer it is and the less you will have to put into it, the more you will pay for it

it all evens out doesn't it

my guess is your wife's happiness at you not buying it is what is stopping you right now?

180 Out · Aug 2, 2014

1up3down said:
That said, if I talk to the seller midweek and he's still willing to take $4500, I just might.

Click to expand...

my guess is your wife's happiness at you not buying it is what is stopping you right now?

Exactly. You can't do two U-turns in one day.

Matt Spencer · Aug 2, 2014

Sounds like a serviceable unbutchered motorcycle .

Some are Jeffersons Axes , having gone through three world wars and a neuclear holacost - metaphorically speaking . In less affluent areas where they have to earn their keep .

If you are mechanically adept , and don't farm stuff out , 7 grand should pi** in . The Layshaft Main Bearings a must . Carbs likely rattle traps . Ignition needs to be spot on -
the auto advance / contact breaker mechanism . Set to 5 microns should be fine .

Flush Fluids , replace lines with armoured clear toob , clean oil tank . Leaves chains and sprockets if its not smokeing .
Steel tanks mandatory . Sell that for a grand and fit a coffin tank . :shock: :lol:

.
:x

New Tyres & Toobs . At 7.000 it would be a investment . unless the Oil Runs Out . But appears to be plenty under the ground still .

Dribbles from clutch sprocket to rear chain stop it rusting . totally Normal . Unless your Japanese . as is weeping primary cover . Easy Fix .Unless its Mauled .
If you can paint / aerosol cans a.o.k . But its How it GOES that's A1 No! priority . Check top bung off primary , finger on chain , foot on rear chain - - -
if the primary ups & downs significantly , theres a bit of slack in the output shaft bushes . Or the clutch is falling off .

If it rides / shifts / brakes / steers / & leans & pulls up unfussilly , its sweet . Though rider technique is a factor still . Check around frame tubes for ripples from a OFF or fence ramming .
Engine should go turbine smooth from 3000 rpm's . ( or less ) if its not a dog its not a dog . A INVESTMENT ( tell Her ) a milestone of Historical Significance . A Icon of British Engineeering .
And Fearfully Modern. It was Built AFTER the War . And beats other forms of misstriss . :twisted: 8)

Hands off they tent to wobble the Bars at about 20 mph , normal . Seated Correctly ( located ) - only deviance should be from road camber . If ISOs are right its a turbine smooth rocket ship .
Not a machine for traffic light commuteing , except on 19T sprocket for Traffic Light Grand Prixs . Which might not be the thing for a 5000 year old machine . Riden Intelligently dependability
is good . IF the Ignition & Carbs are right . Any eight year old who can cook a tree course meal could rewire it . Std Lucas Colour Codes . Most updates are filters and cleaning switches etc .
So if you have the time & inclination itll goe as well as a Bently 4Litre . If the Honda Boys havnt been at it . :mrgreen:

Nater_Potater · Aug 2, 2014

Like someone said on an earlier post, "convince your wife and friends that it's worth $8000 restored".
Do you need encouragement? Okay then; GO GET IT!!! I got my old girl back a couple of years ago, and have been having the time of my life. Granted, it helps that my wife also wanted it back (we had our first date on that bike). Check out she-back-t16865.html for the whole sorted story. Original purchase price was also $4500, and another $2500 went into it.

The one thing I found with mine that needed immediate attention before it could be ridden was the front master cylinder had a corroded bore. Search for "master cylinder resleeve" for how to address the problem.

Nathan

Hobot · Aug 2, 2014

Don't kid your selves, it costs and cost to have the life style of a Commando and community luxury so don't fret no more as I've time to prep and about to leave...

Diablouph · Aug 3, 2014

Just how bad was the dent in the tank?

rx7171 · Aug 3, 2014

There is a 72 750 in Alameda for $5,000 that looks very clean and could be ridden without putting a lot of money or effort into it.
Sounds like needs a carb sorting out which may be more serious but cosmetics look good in photos.
Needs NORTON added to tank and side covers or paint on.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/4600500164.html

180 Out · Aug 3, 2014

rx7171 said:
There is a 72 750 in Alameda for $5,000 that looks very clean and could be ridden without putting a lot of money or effort into it.
Sounds like needs a carb sorting out which may be more serious but cosmetics look good in photos.
Needs NORTON added to tank and side covers or paint on.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/4600500164.html

This bike was listed previously, but that earlier ad has dropped off the bottom of the Craigslist page. I don't recall the previous asking price exactly, but it was at least $6000, maybe $6500. The previous ad said "needs TLC." The "obo" part is intriguing, suggesting that $4500 would do it.

Thank you for the wonderful post Matt Spencer. Very encouraging!

dennisgb · Aug 3, 2014

The first question is "Do you really want a Commando?"

Those of us who are into these bikes understand that $4500 is a good price for this bike, even if it isn't running and driving. It looks like an unmolested original...very sought after.

From your posts I get that you are really not that into what this bike is all about. It's not a bike that will sit in your garage and be ready for you to ride once a month...Commando's need to be loved and taken care of

You also need to be pretty good with a wrench or else you will be paying through the nose to keep it going.

Commando's are an obsession and those of us that know, rarely are they ever "exactly" how we want them.

The initial investment is only a small part of ownership.

You might want to look into a new Triumph if you want the look of a classic and the reliability of a modern bike.

cjandme · Aug 3, 2014

180 Out said:
Everything is there, and everything works.......The bike is a wonderful unmolested time capsule, with a 30-year owner. ....... It starts........ The Cali registration sticker is 2005. The seller says he last took it out on the road three years ago. ..........

That's worth a lot in my book

midnightlamp · Aug 3, 2014

I wouldn't be quite so offensive as some people on here are likely going to be but I'll chip in with my $0.02 from owning a couple brit bikes.

Independent of what you buy you'll find that you're going to end up paying around what you could expect for a new triumph Bonnie for almost any reasonably well valued older british bike from a larger make (Norton, BSA, Triumph) in maintenance and bits unless you're very hands-on and have a decent shop at your disposal. The advantage in my eyes is that if you buy an original bike, it holds value and is also a genuine vintage rider instead of one that is reminiscent of one. If you plan on doing a lot of riding with it and also want it to be a reliable daily rider, you'll be in for a lot of money really quick, whereas a new triumph or newer vintage bike would be substantially cheaper.

$5000 on that bike will turn into $7000 without even blinking. Off the top of my head, if you wanted to make that a reasonable daily, you'd be looking at: Steel tank + paint or liner on the original if not already, cables, felts, brakes, tires, and a carb rebuild (or perhaps new carbs). Add on shipping to things you are easily over $1500 in parts if you're cheap about it, more if you're not.If you don't install it all yourself, looking at double that in installation. However, at $7000 you'll have a bike you can sell after several years if you'd like for probably what you have in it minus labor (as it's definitely a labor of love) or more. I don't think there are too many of these bikes around that you'll be in for under $5000 for a ridable bike. As for the condition/quality, likely if you're a more hands on person and want a daily rider, dumping $4500 into a bike with a lot of unknowns is maybe not the wisest choice.

The originality is also a thing. Original paint, numbers matching, and mainly unmolested means that there's a lot of value in that. If the bike barely ran or had issues, 20 years down the road it would still hold value as an original bike, which is getting harder and harder to come by. To some people (not me) that matters a lot, but the value side of it is not really arguable. If you wanted a daily rider, the originality of it is probably not something that is going to work in your favor (as with an original bike, comes original problems :mrgreen: ), but if it was just a casual once a month rider to a vintage bike club...you wouldn't have to change/fix much to get it to go.

JimC · Aug 3, 2014

Consider $5,000 an ante. If you want stay in the game you'd do well to anticipate spending at least another $5,000.

Hobot · Aug 3, 2014

PLease realize that almost all Commando owners are cheap sakes thinking in terms of USD value pre double digit inflation era so anything you put into this must be discounted at least 50% when time to sell it or can part out and make 3x's what ya put in but for disassemble labor and marketing time lost. The better shape and condition and upgrades the less its worth trying to sell and may even get reported as a rip off artist if asking only 3/4's of invested money. You must think of this a another child to feed, care for, cry over and recover from jail bonds with no expectations of return but that ya could afford it for some intervals of working nicely. If ya want payback get a Harley or old Triumph w/o the bad reputation of Commando price stigma.

pete.v · Aug 3, 2014

180, thank you for opening up and sharing your personel life with us. Only you know your and your families comfort zone. You may very well be kicking yourself in butt in the furture for missing this deal. But, this was YOUR deal and nobody elses.

Relizing you will be adding to the initial expence is not new to you, I am sure. These expenditures can be spread out over time and as issue arise, along with available funds.

There seems to be more and more of these bikes popping up. I say this so you know that when you, and your wife, are ready to buy, the bike will appear.

I don't know if you have ridden one of these yet, but when people finally do, it's generally the clincher.

Just because you do not have a Norton yet, please continue to take part to share your concerns and to get resolution to apprehensions you may have.

Welcome to the forum.
Peter

DogT · Aug 3, 2014

I'll agree mostly with Pete, 180 is just not obsessed with the "Norton" yet. He's right, it would probably be another $7K. It really doesn't matter that it's an unmolested mostly original bike, it's going to need a lot of care and upgrading unless he wants to ride it as a ratter and piece it together as things happen. To me it's condition doesn't up the price, they all require the same amount of attention at this point, you might as well start from one in a basket, nearly.

If it were near me, I'd be tempted, but just because I wouldn't have to find a lot of parts that aren't there. And I've got plenty of other things to do at the moment, I still can't keep up with the 20 acres of mowing this summer.

There was a green 69S on ebay a few weeks ago pretty much in the same shape, I didn't see what happened to it, but it didn't sell on ebay.

Dave
69S

ILLF8ED · Aug 3, 2014

180 Out said:
Hello to all. I recently got the idea to buy an example of the motorcycle of my high school (Class of '72) dreams, the Norton Commando. Just a couple hours ago my local Craigslist popped up a first time listing for a 14,000 mile unrestored '73 850, for $5,000. I am thinking this is a good price for a good daily driver. I responded to the ad and I am wondering what are the five or ten things I ought to look for, if I were to go check it out.

Here are the photos with the ad, and the text of the ad: "This Norton is completely stock with no modifications and 14K original miles. This motorcycle is in good running condition. It has had some extended periods of sitting (garaged) and needs some TLC, but it is as good as it gets at this price."

It reposted, why haven't you gone for it? If you're new to Norton and need some help, that's what the local club is for. Buy it and come on the Delta Ride in September. I'm the leader

ILLF8ED · Aug 3, 2014

Northern California Norton Owners Club
www.nortonclub.com

ILLF8ED · Aug 8, 2014

Looks like the '73 850 sold on craigslist. So, did you buy it?

Advice for first time buyer

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