Commando Restoration: Advice on Value and Machine

Gino Rondelli said:

The problem is when you "restore" something then it gets left at home when the weather turns mucky because you don't want it to get dirty.

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...Are you talking to me ? :roll:

In my experience, the rough rule of thumb regarding Commando values is that they're worth about half what has been spent on them during the preceding five years.

This all sounds rather depressing but actually, my motorcycles are about the the only thing that I don't begrudge spending money on

Master of self-delusion in the art of modifying motorcycles. Compulsive tinkerer. Hey 79x100 Is this line for sale? LOL This would be what I must be too! I remember as a kid we would go up and down the alleys picking up junk people would throw out just so we could take it home and pull it apart, Just to see how it worked. Holy smokes how it would piss my Dad off as we would leave behind a mess, Never to put it back together. I must have taken things apart that they don't even make anymore, And just maybe one of everything they did make. T.V's, Radio's, Blenders, Toaster ovens, You name it we had it apart. LOL. Sorry for getting off track here.

Hortons Norton said:

..so we could take it home and pull it apart, Just to see how it worked...

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That's part of the DNA of a Commando owner. :lol:

RoadScholar said:

Peter Egan of Cycle World just did an editorial on older Nortons, he purchased one. The article is very complimentary and could easily effect the value of our machines.

RS

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Stop this, a Commando is not an older Norton. It's the new Norton. Older Nortons have one cylinder. Always enjoy Peter Egan's writing. Even in his Leanings first book he mentioned wanting to get back into a Commando. Not sure he has the fortitude to stay the coarse after selling the last one due to some minor roadside repair. His heart is in the right place for classics.

illf8ed said:

RoadScholar said:

Peter Egan of Cycle World just did an editorial on older Nortons, he purchased one. The article is very complimentary and could easily effect the value of our machines.

RS

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Stop this, a Commando is not an older Norton. It's the new Norton. Older Nortons have one cylinder. Always enjoy Peter Egan's writing. Even in his Leanings first book he mentioned wanting to get back into a Commando. Not sure he has the fortitude to stay the coarse after selling the last one due to some minor roadside repair. His heart is in the right place for classics.

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I thought the "new" Norton was the Dreer-designed 961. Mine looks pretty aged by comparison.

Gino Rondelli said:

Funnily I just bought a 71 Fastback last Friday in pretty original condition, plan is that a good clean and service (which I'm halfway through) I'll just ride it and see what occurs, its never gong to win a concours competition but its what I call a good honest bike.
I'm from the school of buy something thats running and reaonable then do a rolling restoration while your having fun riding it.
The problem is when you "restore" something then it gets left at home when the weather turns mucky because you don't want it to get dirty.

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I reckon that's the right way to go if you are new to old bikes & restoration. If you start with a basket-case, there are really only two possible outcomes: a finished bike in as-new condition or an abandoned project. At least with a rideable runner you have access to all points in between. You can ride and enjoy from the beginning whilst learning how it works, why it sometimes doesn't and how to make it better. You can improve and restore a bit at a time and if you decide it's not for you then you can sell it on at any time with little or no financial loss. Leave the basket-cases to the experienced......

mitchp said:

If you start with a basket-case, there are really only two possible outcomes: a finished bike in as-new condition or an abandoned project.

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I completely disagree, as evidenced several basket case resurrections by various members of this, and several other forums.

I can't think of ONE of all the basket case projects I've seen questions and tech advice asked for on a half-dozen forums over the last 8 years that ended in abandonment.

I have a bike to ride. This is meant to be a very long term restoration project. To be honest if the restoration keeps me away from the pub then the saving will go a long way towards the rebuild, and I will get even more pleasure riding it at the end!!
Its not being restored to make money on or resell. I would like to do it for the experience and the satisfaction of starting with something totally unimpressive, and turning it back into a beautiful piece of working British engineering.
Will need lots of support though, and will probably ask some really silly questions on here, but I hope you will bear with me guys and your assistance and comments are always appreciated.

grandpaul said:

mitchp said:

If you start with a basket-case, there are really only two possible outcomes: a finished bike in as-new condition or an abandoned project.

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I completely disagree, as evidenced several basket case resurrections by various members of this, and several other forums.

I can't think of ONE of all the basket case projects I've seen questions and tech advice asked for on a half-dozen forums over the last 8 years that ended in abandonment.

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I think that may be because the people who ask questions on forums (fora?) have done their research properly and know what they are letting themselves in for. I know of two current restoration projects which were abandoned & sold on by the previous owners. The Vincent Comet I am confident will be finished this time around, the A10 I am not so sure....

Marknorton - I reckon you'll be fine - Good luck!

I agree with Mitchp, thank God for abandoned projects these have been the source of most of my own projects over the years - none of mine have yet been abandoned, but I still have time!

This has got to be one of the most entertaining threads of late.
Mark has a very compelling issue here, and in reading his initial post, I just had to shake my head.

Brother, just do it, if you save this machine from the ravages of time, and get to ride it some, it will be worth it all.

Unless you're completely familiar with everything about it, set up shop, and networked with the best of the best, I wouldn't look at it as a money maker. But the gals at the pub will love you.

And if that doesn't do it for you, put the cash in natural gas... guaranteed.

Good luck, have fun, and keep the rubber on the ground.

Cheers,

Don

Don, you are absolutely right!

Is it worth it? Oh yes! I was 19 when my Commando left the factory and when I ride it I feel 19 again. Other "feelgood moments": When passers-by ignore the rows of new race-replicas, but stop for a look at the Norton. Taking the bike for its annual MOT test (compulsory annual safety inspection, for non-UK members) and having the workshop manager say "We get a lot of old bikes through here, but that's the only one I'd like to take home." Comedy moment - same Shop Manager saying to teenage trainee "Now, this is a proper bike" - teenager replies "Hmph - looks more like a pushbike with an engine!".




If I could sell my natural gas I'd be a millionaire........... :lol:

Ride safe & enjoy

Mitch

With the exception of my 750s replica ALL of my Commando's have been rolling restorations, none of them would pass as "Concours" or even original. I have the greatest respect for restorers, 79X100's bike is very nice and he uses it although how he manages to keep it so clean is a mystery to me.
There is no right or wrong way, its about doing what rocks your boat, mines is putting miles under the wheels (with some polishing when I can).
The 750 was bought as a write off from a friend after he hit a car , the frame was bent and the front end wiped out so it was a complete restoration as its difficult to ride a Commando with a bent frame on the back wheel all the time.
My first ever Commando that i had when was 17 was the opposite, I rode it until it fell apart, drank oil like I drink whisky and handles the same as I do when I've had too much to drink then I traded it to my local dealer to pass on to someone to no doubt restore :roll:

Oh my, the eternal dilemma of the Commando owner, "will it cost too much to restore it, or would it be better to buy one already restored?". Of course this haunting question has been answered a million times and it usually comes out that buying one already restored is the financially sane thing to do. That said, if you enjoy working on them and like bringing the dead back to life, then go for it (beats watching the telly or shopping with the loved one) just don't ask " how much will it cost?". Like the yacht salesman told me "if you have to ask you can't afford it."

I hope Mr. Egan finds this site, even with his previous command of Commandos I'm sure he will enjoy the forum and surely learn a few things since his last foray into the Norton world. When I read his piece in Cycle World I had to dash off a tongue in cheek comment to the editors regarding his quite optimistic computation of $1500 cost to bring the bike up to snuff. My comment to the editor simply was to remind Mr. Egan that the phrase "in for a penney, in for a pound" was first coined by a Norton owner! Hope he gets a chuckle from it.

Scooter
Well into a really really long term resto on a '75 mk III (God forbid adding the receipts to this point even)

Scooter62 said:

...it usually comes out that buying one already restored is the financially sane thing to do...

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Only if the internal engine work is verified and you have a significant level of trust in the seller.

Caveat Emptor.

Absolutely, GrandPaul. You have to verify that the work was done by a reputable person or company!

Scooter

Well into a really really long term resto on a '75 mk III (God forbid adding the receipts to this point even)

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Just put another receipt into my "Norton" folder. It's about $10,000 thick.

This has been a fascinating subject for me. As a newbie to restoration I am not sure about the group consensus on restoration of a poor condition albeit complete bike.
Is it better to scrap a restorable, but poor condition bike, or leave to rot to bits?
or
restore it slowly over a period of years as an enjoyable project where it may or may not be done for financial gain
I must confess I am going for the latter and once finished the bike will not be sold, so financial gain is not the issue. By this I mean that I am just going to plough into this project as a hobby. The point that I am making is if I followed a football team around UK I could easily spend up to 100 pounds/week on travel/ ground tickets/team shirts/ food/ drinks etc. The end result is a few memories. little else.
So if I dont do this and indulge my bike, is there any difference?
I hope I am understood here. every hobby costs. To value the end result less than what is spent is not realistic. After all people spend thousands on fishing tackle only to return the fish back in the water. Al I am saying is that I am viewing this project along these lines.
Thoughts please? where is my analysis wrong?

Dead on. The Norton is a great hobby. That's why we all have them. Little to be said for a bike that doesn't need caressing and cussing. What's money anyway, after the necessities of life, but to buy oneself pleasure. Full speed ahead, damn the torpedoes!

I subscribed to CYc world for many years and always enjoyed Peter Egan's commentary. I also thought he demonstrated a lot of knowledge. I have to admit I no longer regularly read cycle mags though if I'm at an airport and browsing books/mags, I will sometimes pick one up and leaf through it. BUT...if Pete actually said that he could get a Commando up to snuff for 1500USD I'd have to conclude that he's either buying it from Jay Leno or he had a relapse from a '60s LSD trip.