Introduction

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Freebob

Freebob

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Jul 4, 2020
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Hi fellow Norton enthusiasts, Bob here from Brisbane, recently registered, but have been lurking for a while, decided it was time to get moving on my 72 Combat, had it for 5 years and now ready to get it on the road, I rode the bike around the block when I first bought it, started second kick and seemed to ride well, but was only a short blast, since that time its been sitting. Its complete and original as far as i can tell, started the strip down, lots of play in the swing arm so that the first job, forks need a full rebuild, got a Corbin seat for it, going to keep the paintwork as it is for now, but it may get redone later, more interested in getting it on the road and riding it. looking forward to posting some pictures of the process and hopefully learning a lot and being active on the forum.

 
A lot can happen in nearly 50 years including front end changes but the drum brake was fitted to the non Combats in 72. If you wanted a disc brake on the front it came with the Combat engine. Do you have a C stamped on the head under the head steady, its the most reliable clue the bike left the factory as a Combat (head changes are not unknown either so not 100%).
 
kommando said:
A lot can happen in nearly 50 years including front end changes but the drum brake was fitted to the non Combats in 72. If you wanted a disc brake on the front it came with the Combat engine. Do you have a C stamped on the head under the head steady, its the most reliable clue the bike left the factory as a Combat (head changes are not unknown either so not 100%).
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I’m starting to understand that there seems to about 20,000 more combats around than Norton ever built......... :D

Great looking bike though......
 
Hi Freebob, I am on the north side of Brissy and have had my Norton for over 44 years now, if you ever need help or just talk Norton, want to go riding feel free to contact me, always willing to help any Norton owner, my 850 is build to similar Combat specs but covered it to the Featherbed frame in 1980, my Norton has only been to a shop once when new, all other times has been by my own hands, anyway welcome to the forum.

Ashley
 
kommando said:
A lot can happen in nearly 50 years including front end changes but the drum brake was fitted to the non Combats in 72. If you wanted a disc brake on the front it came with the Combat engine. Do you have a C stamped on the head under the head steady, its the most reliable clue the bike left the factory as a Combat (head changes are not unknown either so not 100%).
Click to expand...
with my limited knowledge on the Combat, I assumed being a 72 and having a smaller gap between the cylinder and head indicated that it was a Combat, I will look to see if there is a C stamped on the head.
 
ashman said:
Hi Freebob, I am on the north side of Brissy and have had my Norton for over 44 years now, if you ever need help or just talk Norton, want to go riding feel free to contact me, always willing to help any Norton owner, my 850 is build to similar Combat specs but covered it to the Featherbed frame in 1980, my Norton has only been to a shop once when new, all other times has been by my own hands, anyway welcome to the forum.

Ashley
Click to expand...
Hi Ashley,
Thanks I will definitely keep in touch and would be great to chat Norton with you, hopefully when mine is on the road we could meet up for a ride.
 
kommando said:
A lot can happen in nearly 50 years including front end changes but the drum brake was fitted to the non Combats in 72. If you wanted a disc brake on the front it came with the Combat engine. Do you have a C stamped on the head under the head steady, its the most reliable clue the bike left the factory as a Combat (head changes are not unknown either so not 100%).
Click to expand...
I had a look, and there is no C stamped on the head, so not sure what I have got, not bothered either way as long as it runs good, Engine number is 206791, same as the frame, I did find that one of the fork tubes was different from the other, it was slightly longer, so been some changes at some time.
 
Freebob said:
I had a look, and there is no C stamped on the head, so not sure what I have got, not bothered either way as long as it runs good, Engine number is 206791, same as the frame, I did find that one of the fork tubes was different from the other, it was slightly longer, so been some changes at some time.
Click to expand...
Most likely you have a plain 750, the Combat was tuned for power which came in at the top end and lost torque at the lower end. If you are not 19 and not fussed about winning all the red light races you have the better engine.
 
kommando said:
Most likely you have a plain 750, the Combat was tuned for power which came in at the top end and lost torque at the lower end. If you are not 19 and not fussed about winning all the red light races you have the better engine.
Click to expand...
There's nothing plain about a 750 Commando. Enjoy!
 
kommando said:
Most likely you have a plain 750, the Combat was tuned for power which came in at the top end and lost torque at the lower end. If you are not 19 and not fussed about winning all the red light races you have the better engine.
Click to expand...
My motorcycle red light races are well behind me.
It is going to be fast enough for me, actually been riding for 40 years, mainly Japanese, then on to modern Triumphs and Harley's in my later years, also have a '68 120R Bonneville.
 
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