Well last fall someone answered a "I buy old bikes" add of mine on CL.
He has a Norton Commando and Guzzi. I was told I had to take both, but the price was right.
Guzzi was a basket case that had rusted to junk.
This was the Commando.
Engine turned, had all of the parts and a clear title.
I come from the SOHC CB750 world, so this was a very different project. Not so much in that the bikes are different, but that the mindset of working on a British anything is different. There is the right way, the wrong way, and the British way. Lucky I have owned a few Jaguars and MGs.
Was under no delusions that the bike just needed a carb clean and tires to run. Was surprised that the parts were cheaper, and easier to find then I expected.
Would also like to thank the members of the community because they are a great source of information and help.
Sure that I am forgetting some things...
-New Amal Premier 32mm carbs
-Dave Tyler Head Steady
-Upgraded adjustable Isolastics
-New swingarm mount
-Cleaned out trans
-New Girling style shocks
-New rear brake shoes
-New harness
-New battery
-Tri-Spark ignition and coils (GREAT ITEM)
-All new cables
-Avon tires
-Fork seals and bushings
-SS caliper pistons
-New Fergo pads
-New Barrnet Clutch
-Clutch rod O-Ring mod
-New sprocket and chain
-New petcocks
-Braided fuel line
-Reed valve check valve
-Adjusted valves
-New exhaust rubbers
-New rubber pegs
-New windscreen
Polished some of the covers up. Not going for a show bike. Goal was just to have a good running original bike.
PO owned it for a LONG time and put MANY miles on it. He added the Dunstal parts over the years.
Going to drop him a line and let him see how the bike turned out.
Last inspection sticker was 1984! That was before I was BORN!....lol
While I knew that the bike would need some work, I did not think it would need to get to this point!
BUT it seems like these bikes are meant to come apart for major services, so it really was a mental thing that it LOOKED like a big deal.
Bought some fancy wheels, because I LOVE mag wheels.
And big brakes.
More on those parts latter....
The other day I blessed the project as "Done", I say that.....but it is an old bike, they are never actually done.
Didn't mount the new wheels yet because I need to figure out the spacers. Figured I would ride it on the stock wheels for now and not miss out on the summer.
Also the big brake has a poorly made caliper bracket that does not space the caliper correctly. That will also be addressed at some point over the summer.
Speedo doesn't work despite new cable, have not looked into it.
Tach only reads 4500-5000RPM, again have not investigated.
Really need to sit down and read about setting up the Isolastics as I think mine are not adjusted right.
Took the bike out over the weekend for about an hour.
Nothing leaked out, fell off, stopped working or went wrong. To some that is a low bar for success, but im still thrilled.
Bike will now be pressed into semi daily use.
Next on the list is to wrap up my Seeley CB750 Honda and then on to either my featherbed or 750 Commando (going to flip a coin)
He has a Norton Commando and Guzzi. I was told I had to take both, but the price was right.
Guzzi was a basket case that had rusted to junk.
This was the Commando.
Engine turned, had all of the parts and a clear title.
I come from the SOHC CB750 world, so this was a very different project. Not so much in that the bikes are different, but that the mindset of working on a British anything is different. There is the right way, the wrong way, and the British way. Lucky I have owned a few Jaguars and MGs.
Was under no delusions that the bike just needed a carb clean and tires to run. Was surprised that the parts were cheaper, and easier to find then I expected.
Would also like to thank the members of the community because they are a great source of information and help.
Sure that I am forgetting some things...
-New Amal Premier 32mm carbs
-Dave Tyler Head Steady
-Upgraded adjustable Isolastics
-New swingarm mount
-Cleaned out trans
-New Girling style shocks
-New rear brake shoes
-New harness
-New battery
-Tri-Spark ignition and coils (GREAT ITEM)
-All new cables
-Avon tires
-Fork seals and bushings
-SS caliper pistons
-New Fergo pads
-New Barrnet Clutch
-Clutch rod O-Ring mod
-New sprocket and chain
-New petcocks
-Braided fuel line
-Reed valve check valve
-Adjusted valves
-New exhaust rubbers
-New rubber pegs
-New windscreen
Polished some of the covers up. Not going for a show bike. Goal was just to have a good running original bike.
PO owned it for a LONG time and put MANY miles on it. He added the Dunstal parts over the years.
Going to drop him a line and let him see how the bike turned out.
Last inspection sticker was 1984! That was before I was BORN!....lol
While I knew that the bike would need some work, I did not think it would need to get to this point!
BUT it seems like these bikes are meant to come apart for major services, so it really was a mental thing that it LOOKED like a big deal.
Bought some fancy wheels, because I LOVE mag wheels.
And big brakes.
More on those parts latter....
The other day I blessed the project as "Done", I say that.....but it is an old bike, they are never actually done.
Didn't mount the new wheels yet because I need to figure out the spacers. Figured I would ride it on the stock wheels for now and not miss out on the summer.
Also the big brake has a poorly made caliper bracket that does not space the caliper correctly. That will also be addressed at some point over the summer.
Speedo doesn't work despite new cable, have not looked into it.
Tach only reads 4500-5000RPM, again have not investigated.
Really need to sit down and read about setting up the Isolastics as I think mine are not adjusted right.
Took the bike out over the weekend for about an hour.
Nothing leaked out, fell off, stopped working or went wrong. To some that is a low bar for success, but im still thrilled.
Bike will now be pressed into semi daily use.
Next on the list is to wrap up my Seeley CB750 Honda and then on to either my featherbed or 750 Commando (going to flip a coin)
