Box Stock VS Modified

I used to see quite a few hard tail conversions back in the day. They were mainly made from T120s, the first oil in frame models, that people found square and ugly.
The bend on the backbone of the oif triumph frame where the filler cap is makes wall of the tube very thin at that point
Not ideal for welding a hard tail imo although a lot of people did
Such was the fashion
Personally I would not hard tail a fine handling frame like an oil triumph/BSA
 
Personally I would not hard tail a frame designed for a swinging arm suspension. Many years of engineering and design went into frames with ground hugging suspension and it seems a shame to me to throw that away on esthetics..
 
Personally I would not hard tail a frame designed for a swinging arm suspension. Many years of engineering and design went into frames with ground hugging suspension and it seems a shame to me to throw that away on esthetics..
I'd wager if you rode my hard tailed r100rs down a twisty country road and then rode a stock one you may change your mind
In terms of handling
 

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I have never owned a new motorcycle. For me, If I bought a Commando, it would need to be nut and bolt original externally, except for the front brake. I would have two discs on the front. The only other change I would make would be the gearbox internals. I'd fit the Manx gear cluster with the Commando first gear. An 850 which is set-up like that would be fast enough for anyone. It is amazing the difference close ratio gears make with that silly engine, when combined with higher overall gearing. More horsepower does not necessarily make motorcycles faster.
When I first started racing the Seeley 850, I tried the standard gearbox - it was absolutely hopeless. - OK for touring, if you don't need to out-ride anyone.
 
Your airhead is a piece of art. Very nice work.
I used to hot-up 650 Triumphs. I put a fast motor into a rigid frame and rode it down an airstrip at about 100 MPH. I don't think the rear wheel ever touched the ground - it was horrible. Some guys road-race with rigid frames. They must be very careful to avoid crashing - rear suspension keeps the rear tyre in contact with the road, if there is a bump in a corner.
 
I used to hot-up 650 Triumphs. I put a fast motor into a rigid frame and rode it down an airstrip at about 100 MPH. I don't think the rear wheel ever touched the ground - it was horrible. Some guys road-race with rigid frames. They must be very careful to avoid crashing - rear suspension keeps the rear tyre in contact with the road, if there is a bump in a corner.
Exactly! It took years to perfect a working suspension and the reason ridged frames were still road raced was because they could not work out the stiffness vs the sprung components plus the weight penalty. The Featherbed frame was the first to achieve this in a street frame at least. Hard braking, on a ridged rear end will send the tire skipping across every imperfection in the road.
 
I'd wager if you rode my hard tailed r100rs down a twisty country road and then rode a stock one you may change your mind
In terms of handling
You wouldn't round here. The condition of the roads is appalling, pot holes, long deep groves, sunken drains and man hole covers, etc etc.
 
You wouldn't round here. The condition of the roads is appalling, pot holes, long deep groves, sunken drains and man hole covers, etc etc.
It's appalling here too
This is why you absolutely have to have damping with a sprung seat
I have around 3" of travel on mine
I know from experience if you just have a sprung seat you can end up bouncing down the road for ages
 
Mine is a full on cNw build, #101. Won best in show at a U.K. NOC event last year and I only parked it in the carpark!🤣🤣🤣
Many years ago when we had Beezumphs attended by factory staff my completely unstandard T160 won best in class. It put a few of the bog standard noses out but as it was Les Williams himself who chose it there wasn't a lot they could moan about.....:-)
 
I'd wager if you rode my hard tailed r100rs down a twisty country road and then rode a stock one you may change your mind
In terms of handling
That looks low and like a fighter. 👍

I had a Silver/Blue pin striped R100RS. Can't remember the year. Dual plugged Mikuni carburetion and so on. Deceptively quick, but the gearbox was poopy. It had shocks on the rear. Sold it to a motorcycle dealer. Kinda wish I'd gotten the gearbox fixed and held onto it. It was fun and comfortable.

I wish I knew how not to modify a motorcycle. Nortons need all the help they can get. 🤣
 
That looks low and like a fighter. 👍

I had a Silver/Blue pin striped R100RS. Can't remember the year. Dual plugged Mikuni carburetion and so on. Deceptively quick, but the gearbox was poopy. It had shocks on the rear. Sold it to a motorcycle dealer. Kinda wish I'd gotten the gearbox fixed and held onto it. It was fun and comfortable.

I wish I knew how not to modify a motorcycle. Nortons need all the help they can get. 🤣
Silver/Blue pin stripe was a 1977 BMW R100RS. As I understand it it was slightly hotter, performance wise, that the later variants. My old work buddy Bobby had one that, due to the power and jacking of the rear end under acceleration, would jump off the ground under a quick launch.
 
That looks low and like a fighter. 👍

I had a Silver/Blue pin striped R100RS. Can't remember the year. Dual plugged Mikuni carburetion and so on. Deceptively quick, but the gearbox was poopy. It had shocks on the rear. Sold it to a motorcycle dealer. Kinda wish I'd gotten the gearbox fixed and held onto it. It was fun and comfortable.

I wish I knew how not to modify a motorcycle. Nortons need all the help they can get. 🤣
This one is on its 3rd gearbox they seem to last around 40,000 it's on its second engine the original one flattened a shell bearing in the big end but it's been thrashed mercilessly I'll rebuild it one day
I still know the first two owners of this bike and the original owner says I'm only looking after it for him 🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
Yeah, for normal purchases, mods always reduce the value unless the mods are exactly what a buyer wanted ... which is seldom the case. And even if the mods themselves were "OK," many buyers would prefer to make the mods themselves rather than wondering if the previous owner was competent in the work.
 
Yeah, for normal purchases, mods always reduce the value unless the mods are exactly what a buyer wanted ... which is seldom the case. And even if the mods themselves were "OK," many buyers would prefer to make the mods themselves rather than wondering if the previous owner was competent in the work.
As soon as you modify a bike you've narrowed your market if you decide to sell
Best to keep all the original parts if possible
I've never owned a bike from new and I don't think I've ever owned a completely original bike
Most of my bikes are built from parts to suit me
So by definition can never be original
we could talk about essential mods for a commando but this has been covered many many times before
But an upgraded gearbox layshaft bearing, front brake and rear brake lever return spring I'd consider worthwhile as a minimum
 
As soon as you modify a bike you've narrowed your market if you decide to sell
Best to keep all the original parts if possible
I've never owned a bike from new and I don't think I've ever owned a completely original bike
Most of my bikes are built from parts to suit me
So by definition can never be original
we could talk about essential mods for a commando but this has been covered many many times before
But an upgraded gearbox layshaft bearing, front brake and rear brake lever return spring I'd consider worthwhile as a minimum
If your prospective buyer is familiar with Commando's then they can appreciate the upgrades to your particular model year. Cosmetic things are subjective to curb appeal.
If they're just a tire kicking walk in, then I wouldn't get too bothered by their ignorance and let them walk.
 
If your prospective buyer is familiar with Commando's then they can appreciate the upgrades to your particular model year. Cosmetic things are subjective to curb appeal.
If they're just a tire kicking walk in, then I wouldn't get too bothered by their ignorance and let them walk.
No point arguing with us. Take it up with the non-buyers.
 
As soon as you modify a bike you've narrowed your market if you decide to sell
Best to keep all the original parts if possible
I think this is the key. If anything changes the original look of the bike then you narrow your market. My front brake works a treat but it's not original.
 
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