cNw #101 Norton Commando 850

Café au Lait said:
I can imagine it very easy to get carried away with the bling when spec-ing up a cNw from new, what with the front disc centres and Brembo callipers especially on a mk3 let alone the electric starter kit with a chromed motor; initially nice then after a while some buyer’s remorse.

Being a used example mine is as is. Initially I thought I’d have preferred a polished primary but actually the black as per an Atlas looks very classy and the crackle black for the starter helps to take attention away from its bulk. Bill originally had black mirrors which I favour too and mine now has black anodised disc centre as the chrome had badly pitted and can’t be re-chromed because Matt says it’s impossible to guarantee dimensional accuracy. Personally I’m not a fan of the while clocks Matt offers and indeed would have specified the Smiths option myself for that more authentic less custom look. I may at some point consider stainless mudguards from Andover Norton to give the bike an alternative look and some better protection; I’ll need one on Matt’s special stays too.
Click to expand...
Where did the black disc carriers come from?
The chrome is also blistering on mine.
 
robs ss said:
Where did the black disc carriers come from?
The chrome is also blistering on mine.
Click to expand...
Matt fitted the black anodised carrier with a new polished billet mount and polished up the calliper at the same time as well as the Z plates. Thing is, now the rest looks a tad flat but I’m all geared up for a polishing fest whilst I await DVLA registration etc. Matt no longer offers the chrome carriers or indeed the callipers, only black
cNw #101 Norton Commando 850


cNw #101 Norton Commando 850

My OCD tells me I have to remove the brake entirely to polish the hub behind, cheers Matt😡
 
robs ss said:
@Café au Lait , I'll give a summary of the changes I have made - let me know of you're interested in more info on any of them.
Here's what it was in March 2020 - as sent by Matt (all photos are thumbnails - click on them to make them larger)
View attachment 114478
* Fitted Niton R3 rear shocks - MUCH more comfortable - had to make spacers to lift springs to clear chain guard. The standard (Girling, I think) shocks were already leaning quite heavily on the chain guard - now there's about 4mm clearance. Thanks to @kommando for recommending them.

View attachment 114479

* Replaced rubber carb mounts to shift them forward - tops of carbs (FCR35s) were rubbing on the frame.
* Disabled the pumper (just made a shorter actuation rod). No drop in performance at all. it also means wankers can't wash your bores be twisting the throttle when parked. Also means you can't "water-pistol" your eye - as one "nameless" member here has!
* Fitted Ohlins steering damper - some are dead against them. For me it's just an insurance policy.
View attachment 114481
* Made "halfway rearsets" - the Interstate tank is 4" longer than the Roadster so, for me, the footpegs need to be that far aft.
* Changed the footage hanger mounts from button head screws (don't like screwing in & out of z-plates and the LH one has to come off each time you check belt tension or clean the clutch). Changed to ARP studs & 12 point nuts.
* Re-jetted the carbs - was running a bit too rich. Thanks to @KiwiShane for his sharing setting based on his experiments, Running very nice now.
* Did a "de-bling" program. I ordered it with too much polished metal. both rear wheel centres are now satin black. Did the same with the headlight bucket and speedo/tacho buckets (got new cnc machined ones from Matt - they sealed at the bottom - very nice) and instrument panel. Still a few items to go here.
* Installed Mk3 upper head steady springs - now adjusted so the front iso stud can be pushed back & forth by hand when loosened.
* Fitted louder, dual horns above the z-plates - where you can get at them.
* Installed Kisan Signal Minder (self cancelling indicators that pause countdown while the brake in "on") and then Kisan Tailblazer (initially flashes the brake light slowing to solid "on")
* Installed 2oz (57g) of Counteract beads in each inner tube. No need for balance weight and the wheels are always in balance. Works really well.
* Had wet-sumping problems so installed timing cover and oil pump with AMR mods. Very good but then found the main culprit was pitting in the gasket face of the crankcase. All good now.
* Put 1.3kg of lead shot into the handlebars with silicone plugs to allow bar-end mirrors. Settled the, already mild, buzz even further.
* Installed the red tank & side covers I bought from @Dellis in the UK (thanks Dave) - perfect timing as the front bosses on the green tank started leaking. Still looking for someone to do the repair without destroying the great paint job.

I think that's about it - here's how it is now:
Cheers
View attachment 114480
Click to expand...
The helmet and goggles are a great classic look.
 
When was the last time you heard from Matt and he did something for you?
 
Latest: #101 is overnighting in Columbia before setting off for 2 stops in Canada before the final leg home. Honestly I can’t believe this whole process began in January. Still, quicker than a new build and half the cost. Lands on the 26th allegedly, I’ll have a week later.
 
Café au Lait said:
Latest: #101 is overnighting in Columbia before setting off for 2 stops in Canada before the final leg home. Honestly I can’t believe this whole process began in January. Still, quicker than a new build and half the cost. Lands on the 26th allegedly, I’ll have a week later.
Click to expand...
Goodness that is a long time.

Way way way back in 1986 I remember packing my household into a container on the street outside my appartment in The Hague The Netherlands.

Six weeks later the same container was sitting outside my house in Wellington New Zealand.

Some things have definitely got worse.
 
By process I was referring to when I first emailed Matt enquiring after this bike, its journey started April 2nd when it was picked up from cNw. It just struck me it’ll 6-7 months before I get to ride it. Tbh the weather has been abysmal since and still crap so I’ve that comfort at least; maybe the MET Office will stop seeding by then:eek:

Of course one must note that a lot of work was carried out on the bike before it left Matt’s, the brake and clutch lines were all replaced. The disc centre was swapped out and the swing arm swapped out because the other was damaged by an inappropriate exhaust screw fitted by the previous owner. Then there was the broken 4th gear sprocket that could have been disastrous had not Matt’s hearing been up to snuff. All in all I’m most grateful for Matt’s impeccable attention to detail and customer service so I’m in no way negative towards the timetable and can’t wait to be finally acquainted with my first Brit Bike 😎
 
Last edited:
I remember my frustration.
My bike, #132, left Matt's works on 2 August 2019 and didn't arrive here until 26 March 2020. There were substantial delays in the port in San Diego, awaiting filling of a container.
I feel for you!
Cheers
 
robs ss said:
I remember my frustration.
My bike, #132, left Matt's works on 2 August 2019 and didn't arrive here until 26 March 2020. There were substantial delays in the port in San Diego, awaiting filling of a container.
I feel for you!
Cheers
Click to expand...
Blimey! To be fair, I’ve been tracking the ship and to date it’s only 2 days behind schedule; it spend 2 days circling just outside Cartegena Columbia finally docking yesterday and is already underway to St John’s, Canada then to Halifax before the final leg across the pond. Only Putin’s armada or bad weather between me and my bike now😂
 
Café au Lait said:
Blimey! To be fair, I’ve been tracking the ship and to date it’s only 2 days behind schedule; it spend 2 days circling just outside Cartegena Columbia finally docking yesterday and is already underway to St John’s, Canada then to Halifax before the final leg across the pond. Only Putin’s armada or bad weather between me and my bike now😂
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It's all worth it when it gets there - it's like a smile on a stick!! 👍 👍
 
I'll keep an eye out on the channel. Out west we are known for wrecking. You need to take care of me so
I can put in a good word with the locals.

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Onder said:
I'll keep an eye out on the channel. Out west we are known for wrecking. You need to take care of me so
I can put in a good word with the locals.

MarineTraffic: Global Ship Tracking Intelligence | AIS Marine Traffic

MarineTraffic Live Ships Map. Discover information and vessel positions for vessels around the world. Search the MarineTraffic ships database of more than 550000 active and decommissioned vessels. Search for popular ships globally. Find locations of ports and ships using the near Real Time ships...
www.marinetraffic.com
Click to expand...
That site is way off, it’s already made it to Cuba 😎
 
Finally! The ship arrived in Southampton this morning. Customs clearance and a hefty bill then delivery to me hopefully by the end of next week. I’m putting my Elise into storage to clear the garage so I can tinker and polish while HMRC think of a reg number for him 😎
 
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