Commando Buying tips?

You might want to get hooked up with the local bike clubs. San Diego Antique Motorcycle Club or the INOA chapter. The SDAMC site shows a couple Commandos and the INOA chapter, Southern California Norton Owners Club has some members in San Deigo. Good for leads on bikes and help later. Buy local.

http://socalnorton.com/

http://www.sdamc.net/

Oh that's a great idea! I wasn't thinking of that. Although, I am down here in Southern California for another 4 weeks, just until the semester starts. Then I will be back up in Northern California, I will look for some groups or clubs up around there.

There might be forum members who would go look at a bike with you. I know I would, so let me know if you find one in Alaska you want. Commandos are fairly common in California so there will always be another one. I recommend not falling in love easily, despite how easy it is!

There is a lot of good advice on this thread so I will just add that in my most humble of all opinions that regardless of how nice a bike you find, you should still be prepaired to spend some time taking things apart and checking, lubing, adjusting, replacing. It is really the only way to make it yours and pretending it doesn't need it will just lead to frustration.

Good luck,
Russ

Diablouph said:

Sort of surprised at all the positive comments about the bike at Trophy. Looks like a pig with lipstick (fresh paint). $5,300 seems high for that bike...should be able to pick up something like that for $3k with just a little bit of patience.

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Where? I don't see any around. The 3k to 4k bikes I have seen are little more than a basket case, just bolted back together.

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FWIW I got my most excellent $4K Commando last summer at a local shop that shows bikes on consignment (for $100/month) in Santa Rosa, CA, just happened to drop by to check out their stock on the right day and was very lucky....their web site does not list their inventory but sellers sometimes post bikes on the floor on Craigslist

http://www.the-motorcycle-shop.com/mcshop/Home.html

builder said:

Looks like a pig with lipstick.

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What's wrong with a pig with lipstick? Obviously you've never had a little southern moonshine and went barhopping. SOOOWIIIIEEEE!

Magork said:

Thanks for the advice guys! It will just take a little patience and a bit of hunting to find the right bike for me.

The bike at Trophy is a little out of my budget, but I would still like to check it out. My budget is closer to $4k.

builder said:

If you're looking on eBay, craigslist, and at local dealers that sell vintage bikes; you won't find them that way. Cali is going to be tougher, as the value is inflated there, but still can be done. You're not going to find them talking to other Commando owners...or advertised.

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Builder, what other avenues do you suggest? I can't go snooping around in people's garages or backyards looking for a Commando.. Well, shouldn't anyway... :lol:

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OK. If you want one right now, you're sort of stuck with paying the price of finding the easy ones. Convenience comes at a cost. Some of this is going to sound completely ridiculous - you don't have to listen. Start wearing a Norton t-shirt or ball cap...an owner or someone that knows someones brother's uncle will have one in the garage, he'll have died long ago and his wife wants it out of the garage, these people will walk right up to you and tell you their story. Blah, blah, blah...you get the idea. Start talking to people that own older bikes, not Norton or anything other Brit. Those people will have stories about a Norton they used to know about, don't be afraid to give them your phone number and have them call you if they find it...offer them something ($$$) if they can find it and you close a deal. A few hundred bucks will usually motivate people. When the bike finds you and you go to check it out, have a pocket full of CASH ready to go. Money talks, bullshit walks.

SInce you're in NorCal, you've got some agricultural areas around you. Find the local free rags that list the estate/implement auctions...look closely at the stuff they list. After the pickers and planters, the "junk" that is left in the barn is not highly detailed. You'll be amazed at how many times you'll find "motorcycle" or "motorcycles" listed; go to the auction or call the auctioneer and see if they know what kind. If you go to the auction give the auction company your contact info and have them call you if they run across any bikes in future auctions.

And even though it's a bit "campy" the way the guys on American Pickers find stuff does work.

The best deal I ever fell into was at an farm estate sale, "motorcycle" was listed in the "other stuff". I could not go to the sale, but a co-worker was going because in the list of stuff for sale was "guns"...he had no interest in bikes...although he knew I did. He called when the sale was done and said he bought the bike, and if I would resell it, he'd give me 50%. He purchased a complete Commando with title, in boxes, if I remember correctly he paid $24 (Twenty Four Dollars), it might have been $28. After I picked out the stuff that I wanted, sold the remaining parts for a little over $3k on eBay.

Get your info out there and the phone will start ringing.

Remember this, the Commando is not rare, there are boat loads out there. Don't fall for the guy telling you they're hard to find and you should buy his.

This takes effort and time.

Olephart said:

builder said:

Looks like a pig with lipstick.

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What's wrong with a pig with lipstick? Obviously you've never had a little southern moonshine and went barhopping. SOOOWIIIIEEEE!

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Ha! Off topic, but here's one for you...heading to a street dance in Wyoming one of my pals takes a cob of dried feed corn and ties a string to it, takes the other end of the string and ties it to the rear belt loop on his jeans letting the cob drag on the ground.

Of course, some girl comes up and asks what's the deal with the corn cob.

His response?

"Trolling for hogs."

I agree with everything Builder says (at least in reference to finding Commandos)...I just want to point out that there is nothing wrong with buying one you like from a shop, Craiglist, etc.

The bike I am now riding was originally listed on Ebay. It didn't sell. I stayed in touch with the owner via phone and email, had him send me about half a million photos and eventually closed a deal (a year later!). I still paid too much in retrospect, but I couldn't give a hoot now. I wanted a steel Interstate tank and a bike that was complete and stock. Once you start adding criteria to the list it narrows it. The awesome barn find might fit that criteria, but probably not. Do I wish I had paid less, sure, does it nag at me at night or while I am out riding, not a bit. If a thousand dollars is going to change the outcome of your life, don't buy a bike at all.

Now that advice about people talking to you is for real, but I think it is like finding women to date. It seems a whole lot easier when you're already hooked up.

Russ

rvich said:

I just want to point out that there is nothing wrong with buying one you like from a shop, Craiglist, etc.

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+1

If my posting came across otherwise, I apologize. Sometimes you find a deal that is advertised or highly visible to the market.

Another analogy is desirable old cars you might see where the owner has pulled it up along side an interstate for all to see...there's a reason it's sitting there. The owner knows what he might be able to get for it if the right guy sees it...pull off at the next exit, find the land owner, and find out he wants a premium for it.

Like any commodity, it's worth what someone will pay for it.

The only thing I would add to everything already stated is if you can verify when & if the isolastics rubbers, especially in the engine & gearbox cradle have been replaced. (Rear Isolastics)
They tend to sag & rot over time & if shimmed correctly are not easy to identify as being shagged.
Front mount is not an issue as to replacement of components, the rear requires some major dissassembly of the bike to replace the rubbers within the the tube of the cradle.

Best of luck with the hunt.

Sweenz

swooshdave said:

Magork said:

I noticed that tidbit of oil, and wasn't sure how problematic it would be. It was my understanding that British bikes just leaked a bit of oil.. Kind of added to the character of the bike I guess! :lol: I think its nice that the front brake has been upgraded to the disc.

Are the oil leak issues common with Commandos? Is it something you just have to live with, or are they not that bad to fix?

By the way, the bike is for sale at $5300 not $5800, according to their Craigslist ad.

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Depends on where it's leaking oil from. It's either a minor annoyance or a minor annoyance. :mrgreen:

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Brit bikes dont leak oil..Brit owners do that..my MK 111 is bone dry..but its never been apart since it left the factory 36 years ago,OK it was put in storage in 1978 :!: untill last month.

Not sure its going to be the FIND of my life..or the BIND of it :lol:
We all dream of a dead standard barn find...but things perish with age ...oddly the engine is sweet, normaly rust attack's the bores .the carbs are crap slow running.

Hi,

A local resource for those interested in Nortons....Northern California Norton Owners Club. See the website address below. You don't need to be a member to get information.

Reading the posts, my recommendation for you is a '73 or '74 850, non electric start. They are a bit more reliable if not as sporting. I'm not partial to '71 model year as there are a few issues such as the side stand mount and engine breather I don't like. PM me if you want more info from the club.

I would suggest trying craigslist, or a site called search tempest which will search all craigslist locations at once. I think you should be able to find something that fires up for about 3k. Also look around to see if your area has any mechanics that work on British bikes or just look some mechanics up online and see if they have anything for sale. I got my first 71 Commando form a guy Ken Arman in CA, I had it shipped to NYC, I knew nothing about motorcycles, he taught me almost everything, amazing guy. Thats another thing about the Nortons, the community is amazing, everyone is always there for you, even the shops like Rabers or Rockypoint just to name a few ...or any of the others.. The olders guys are full of Norton wisdom and really have reached out to myself and my friends whom are a younger gen.. its amazing. Oh yes and forums like this also help :lol: . Anyway good luck with your search.

Jaxed

This is another craigslist aggregator. That link is for Norton Commando in CA. Looking it over and the bike for $5300 looks like a steal.

illf8ed said:

A local resource for those interested in Nortons....Northern California Norton Owners Club. See the website address below. You don't need to be a member to get information.

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I was on the website a few days ago. I think I am going to join, it looks fun and a great resource for meeting some Commando owners in my neck of the woods.

Bradcommando said:

Thats another thing about the Nortons, the community is amazing

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Yeah, everyone has been super helpful and friendly! I appreciate it very much you guys!

swooshdave said:

Looking it over and the bike for $5300 looks like a steal.

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I emailed the shop and they said it runs very well, and one of the nicer Nortons they have ridden. 36k miles on the odometer and the number of previous owners is unknown. I'm still going to check it out if its there this Friday or Saturday.

swooshdave said:

This is another craigslist aggregator.

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Tempest and Jaxed are awesome! I never had used them before. I was even considering trying to write a program that would do it for me! Thanks!

G'day Magork, It is my opinion that unless you have owned one before, wait untill you have joined the Norton owers club.
There will possibly be one for sale there or someone might know of one.
At the very least you will find someone willing to go and have a look with you, which is very important.
The pretty bits on the outside are the easy bits, Paint work, pipes, mudguards etc can be done by you.
It's the mechanicals that can take time and money, and somehow you need to find a friend in the know, that is conversant
with "modern commandos", as there are many "easy cover ups", and also, many upgrades for your perusal.
You will find one I'm sure.
Good luck.
AC.

builder said:

Sort of surprised at all the positive comments about the bike at Trophy. Looks like a pig with lipstick (fresh paint). $5,300 seems high for that bike...should be able to pick up something like that for $3k with just a little bit of patience.

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Easy there, big fella!

$3K? I'd like a shot at one like that for that price!

grandpaul said:

builder said:

Sort of surprised at all the positive comments about the bike at Trophy. Looks like a pig with lipstick (fresh paint). $5,300 seems high for that bike...should be able to pick up something like that for $3k with just a little bit of patience.

Click to expand...

Easy there, big fella!

$3K? I'd like a shot at one like that for that price!

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Thought I was pretty clear with my previous posts.

So to reconfirm...I'd say that bike is priced HIGH at $5,300 and KNOW a bike in similar condition can be had for $3k.

builder said:

grandpaul said:

builder said:

Sort of surprised at all the positive comments about the bike at Trophy. Looks like a pig with lipstick (fresh paint). $5,300 seems high for that bike...should be able to pick up something like that for $3k with just a little bit of patience.

Click to expand...

Easy there, big fella!

$3K? I'd like a shot at one like that for that price!

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Thought I was pretty clear with my previous posts.

So to reconfirm...I'd say that bike is priced HIGH at $5,300 and KNOW a bike in similar condition can be had for $3k.

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Unless it's in CA it doesn't do the OP any good so it doesn't matter what the price is. If you're so proud of knowing about this other bike for sale then why having you let the OP know about it?

I have noticed that in California and generally the West Coast, the prices seem a lot steeper. Most of the runners I have found have been around 5-7k I do recall some better deals in the past, but unfortunately I was not in the position to buy at that time.
The right bike will come, all in good time!