Hi all - another Newbie!

Hi all,

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dave and I live in Cape Town, South Africa.

I’m busy buying a 1973/4 850 Commando Mk 1A Roadster from a dealer just outside Melbourne in Australia where-after it’s going to be shipped to me here.

(Once I work out how to post pictures here, I'll do that!)

This is a bucket list project of mine. I’m originally from the UK where, as a 17 year old living in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, one of my best mates went out and bought himself a brand new, out-the-box red 1972 750 Commando – I fell in love with the bike and drove many miles with him and promised myself one day, I would own one of my own.

A move to South Africa and life and family getting in the way, resulted in me not being able to fulfill my dream - until now.

I seriously believe she/they are the most beautiful motorbikes in the world – may not be the fastest/most reliable or most anything else other than – the best looking! Who can resist the sweep of those handle bars – someone said it’s like gripping a cow’s horns when they’re attacking you!

My desire for vehicles that please the eye (well mine anyway) carry through to my car – I own a 2006 Jaguar S Type which I think it’s the most beautiful Jag (saloon anyway – nothing will ever beat the E Type) ever produced – I’m sure others would disagree!

Anyhow, as a 61 year old Newbie here, I have a ton of questions and projects and all that sort of stuff but just for now, thought I’d say Hi! to one and all!

Cheers for now,

Welcome to the forum.

As you are buying from a dealer, you should at least be starting out with a roadworthy bike. So, take your time and research potential modifications that may suit you, your wallet, and your bike...

It sounds as though the deal has been done so any pre purchase assessments by the forum at large will be a moot point.

However, there are people here who can validate with great detail what you are getting by see a few photos. Maybe the dealer can send you detailed photos and you can post them here and let the forum fly.

You probably already have some photos, numbers and detailed information. If you are comfortable with this forum, post them and share with us what you have and/or are getting.

WE LOVE PICTURES!

Welcome Dave J, you have found the right place for info on Nortons, lots of really good natured, like minded folks here who are happy to help you out and or poke fun and you or what your doing along the way. Another forum member once said "without pictures it never happened". . Again, welcome to these threads, Cj

pete.v said:

It sounds as though the deal has been done so any pre purchase assessments by the forum at large will be a moot point.

However, there are people here who can validate with great detail what you are getting by see a few photos. Maybe the dealer can send you detailed photos and you can post them here and let the forum fly.

You probably already have some photos, numbers and detailed information. If you are comfortable with this forum, post them and share with us what you have and/or are getting.

WE LOVE PICTURES!

Click to expand...

+1 ... WE DO LOVE THE PICTURES

Hi Dave, welcome. Tell us about your skillset (mechanical abilities) , it helps to have a reference point when you post questions. Enjoy your new bike :mrgreen:

First of the pics - just testing this works in terms of uploading the pics!

Ok that seemed to work, so here are a couple more of the pics - not taken by me I might add ...

Thanks for the welcome

Concours - you ask about skill sets well, I'm an engineer by profession and started as an apprentice with Rolls Royce Aero in Derby in the early 70's - went on to get my MSc in automotive engineering specialising in turbo-charger technology - back in the days when Bath University had one computer and it was fed by punch cards - incredible to think of that today!

I've re-built loads of cars and car engines and renovated a lot of vehicles but was never particularly active on bikes but I helped a mate re-build a Honda 250 from the ground up which taught me never to touch gearboxes again and leave that to the professionals but otherwise, there's not much that I can't turn my hand to.

By way of example, next weekend I'm working with a mate of mine to change the cambelt on his "Magnum" 308 GTS Ferrari - never worked on one before but we're looking forward to it!

Looks like a nice piece. I will have to say you are a brave guy starting out at 61 yrs of age on a Norton. I did it the other way at 22 yrs old on a Norton bought in North Finchley in 1970. I had never owned or ridden a cycle in my life. Each day I started out on the wrong side of the road. Somehow I made it around Europe and across the USA. Now when I mount up I feel like I am with an old friend.

Welcome! It's always great to see another added to the group.

Looking at this picture, you may be getting intimately familiar with the rear iso sooner rather than later. download/file.php?id=2591&mode=view/DSC01351.jpg It appears the footpeg mount is uncomfortably close to the primary drive, and the drive also seems to have shifted back to the point where it might be touching the Z-plate. 'All part of the experience...

Keep us posted! This is a great way to have a chronology of the Norton path.

Nathan

A couple more - don't know how/why but the images seem fixated with the petrol tank - which was not what I necessarily wanted to post - but let me try just a couple at a time ...

I make the assumption that this is a Roadster model? - apparently it was originally exported/made for the USA market and then the Australian dealer recently bought it and brought it into Oz - if anyone thinks I'm mistaken, I'd appreciate their views - many tx.

Dave J said:

I’m busy buying a 1973/4 850 Commando Mk 1A Roadster from a dealer just outside Melbourne in Australia where-after it’s going to be shipped to me here.

I make the assumption that this is a Roadster model? - apparently it was originally exported/made for the USA market and then the Australian dealer recently bought it and brought it into Oz - if anyone thinks I'm mistaken, I'd appreciate their views - many tx.

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It is a Roadster, and because it was a US model originally, in its present configuration that makes it far more likely to be a Mk1 or Mk2 rather than a Mk1A.

If this is it, and I think it is, then 311377 based on its present specification makes it a Mk2.
http://www.justauto.com.au/justbikes/mo ... xt=Results

Welcome Dave ... you have got yourself a very nice bike ... regardless which model it turns out to be ... I hope it runs as good as it looks ...
Craig

Welcome Dave J, nice looking machine I am sure it will provide you with all you hoped for and more!! Like you as a young bloke I always wanted a Commando but stupid me waited 40 years to buy one, so at 59 I now have it. I didn't have the time or expertise to do it justice so I had rebuilt by an absolute whizz and it's a cracker. Better late than never eh?? Cheers.

Craig said:

............... you have got yourself a very nice bike ... regardless which model it turns out to be ... I hope it runs as good as it looks ...
Craig

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+1 It is a good looking example!

Yes, very nice stock 850. What with all the mod freaks around here (guilty!) it's rather refreshing to see a nice, unrestored stocker.

Dave J said:

Thanks for the welcome

Concours - you ask about skill sets well, I'm an engineer by profession and started as an apprentice with Rolls Royce Aero in Derby in the early 70's - went on to get my MSc in automotive engineering specialising in turbo-charger technology - back in the days when Bath University had one computer and it was fed by punch cards - incredible to think of that today!

I've re-built loads of cars and car engines and renovated a lot of vehicles but was never particularly active on bikes but I helped a mate re-build a Honda 250 from the ground up which taught me never to touch gearboxes again and leave that to the professionals but otherwise, there's not much that I can't turn my hand to.

By way of example, next weekend I'm working with a mate of mine to change the cambelt on his "Magnum" 308 GTS Ferrari - never worked on one before but we're looking forward to it!

Click to expand...

Nice looking bike! (The fastest color as well )
Sounds like it'll be a snap for you to keep it in shape.

Ferrari.... Hmmmmm.... Engine rotation comes to mind... anti-clock, A.L.F.?? 30 years ago... :?:

Very nice bike and welcome but don't be afraid to repair a gearbox! Especially a Norton box they really are easy cheers baz

baz said:

Very nice bike and welcome but don't be afraid to repair a gearbox! Especially a Norton box they really are easy cheers baz

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Yep, just did mine this Spring, and the worst part was getting it out of the bike! she-back-t16865-30.html#p319657 You don't have to pull it clear out, but it does make it much easier when it comes to heating for bearing removal/replacement.

Nathan