My first Norton: 1971 Commando Roadster

Hello, all. I am Nathaniel (from North Carolina) and I just picked up a 1971 Commando (basketcase). I am really excited about it, and am ready to dive in to it. But first things first...I am currently reading/internet surfing as much info as I can get so that I have somewhat of an understanding about what I am undertaking.

I look forward to lurking about, and reading up on some basics prior to going all-in on the build.

Build Budget: Limited (married, 2 kids, one current wife, one starter wife)
Time frame: Unknown (see "Budget")
End Goal: A rider, not a showpiece

The good:
It is all there, and then some. The motor and tranny have been rebuilt and documented by the previous owner (a friend).

The not so good:
Fiberglass tank needs replacing. Frame needs minor work.

The unknown:
Ahhh...the infinite abyss.
Just thinking about this is where I get my middle-distance stare and start thinking, "WTF have I done?"

Look forward to hanging around, learning, and hopefully one-day be able to pass along some knowledge to the next generation.

-simpson

Welcome Simpson, Don't worry as your already seeing things 20/20. Just take your time and have fun with it, it will take time.

Hey Nate, welcome, great folks here just like the New Triumph Bonneville Forum. Bruce told me you bought Larry's bike, good luck with the resto.

Photos?
I am in the infinite abyss also.
MikeM

It's not an infinite abyss. Here's what about $8K gets you, not including your time and aggravation. Just keep plugging away. This one took me from 03 to 10, a little more than $1K/year averaged, although most of it came late in the game.



Dave
69S

Is it worth it ??? YES !!! See DogT"s bike above ...

What I try to do is do one thing a day, take something apart, clean it up then hunt down needed parts and tools and time to finish that small step then scratch one end or the other for next task to float to surface. Of course its about impossible not to jump around a few or many areas at once, just like it sound like you do with women.

My buddy Wes has a '71 he's nursed along since 30 some years, only fixes what totally stops him from riding and hardly a thought to looks but to power wash now and then. He just did an crank up to barrels rebuild d/t letting bottom end get so warn with warning it seized on a ride, but few months and about $1000 later he back having a blast. I even got to crash it myself at vintage gathering, but gave him parts from my then in pieces Combat and he was back in a day or so.

Will only find sympathy on your travails and progress in places like this as family sure won't - but then again they don't know what they are missing out on a Commando.

It's not the looks, although that helps, but it's the seat of the pants feeling when you get through building and it pulls the blood out of your head from 25 to 70 in 2nd gear and it feels the same all the way. My wife's Mini S pulls strong too, but has a very narrow band like the 2-strokes. Plus the Commandos just sound right, like a big Brit twin. I may have to go start it just to hear it, not that I'm thinking about it or anything. Plus at my age, it's better than sex, I don't have to work that hard for the feeling.

Certainly better deal than the root canal and crown I had done Monday for $3000. I bet you guys in the Empire don't have to pay that much.

Dave
69S

I think $7-10k (total investment--initial purchase plus parts to bring it back) is a fair assumption for a full restoration that you end up doing yourself. I've plowed around $8,000-$9,000 into mine. Worth it? In my opinion, hell yes.

Have fun and make the bike your own. You can't go wrong with that.

-Jordan

Edit //

LMAO Dave. Just read your previous post.

Yes sir Dave's post expresses it for most the rest of us but forgot to mention what most makes a C'do special is its softer less effort to ride than chubby women and the zings last rather longer to. They do sound bigger than about anything else but HD's yet way more pleasant addictive want more of it throbs and barks and babbles. When my buddy visits me in the woods I stand and listen for him to well over a mile working his way grunting the steeps and engine dragging the drops out to highway... Even young fellas can look at em longer than naked women. Once being used you will enjoy more worship posture with gentle strokes to wipe off the ride glow.

I kind of spent my wad last month getting a runner '72 for rally and doing the trip and all. Now must cool my jets to save for dental work, cracked off molar a filling had come out while eating nutty trail mix. Btw root canals can be deadly dangerous it there is bacterial remains left deep inside, sometimes a few years later so keep that in mind. The solution is to bore out the socket for new bone to fill in then deal with the gap as ya can.

Simpson,
Post some photos. What kind of frame damage? Pinched tubes? Or is something bent? Read up on layshaft bearings and quiz your friend about what kind of work was done on the gearbox. Without seeing the bike it is hard to say what kind of mess you have gotten into, but you might be out riding sooner than you think.

Russ

Here are 8 quick pics:

http://photobucket.com/Projectfloyd

More coming.

-simpson

Nice! That motor looks nice. Think it needs a full rebuild?

I like that two-up seat. It's different.

-Jordan

That frame is a 68/70 one, notice the lugs for the centre stand on the bottom frame brace. 71 up had the centre stand on the cradle. They had different kickstands too. If you give us the number on the headstock label, we can tell you about when it was made.

Dave
69S

Number match all around:
142031

-simpson

simpson said:

Here are 8 quick pics:

http://photobucket.com/Projectfloyd

More coming.

-simpson

Click to expand...

Did you have to pay extra for the wheel stand?




Why don't you have this thing running yet? :mrgreen:

If it was yellow, it would already be together!

My son is great help...those little fingers are great for detail work!

-simpson

That's around January of 71 and is most likely a Roadster MKII, but I'm still curious why you have a frame with the 70 center stand brackets. It may be they still used those frames if they had them, I'm not the expert. Is the oil tank on the battery tray (central tank) or is it on the right side?

Dave
69S

I've seen basket cases and this ain't no basket. This is more like a kit or an ARR (almost ready to ride)with some assembly requires. What a great acquisition. Congratulation on that Commando. Welcome aboard!

That's a great looking bike, and like other's have said, you are almost there (well that is a relative term...); you now just have a choice of determining what components you keep, and which you replace. The trade websites such as CNW, Andover Norton, Old Britts, Norvil and RGM (and there is a Canadian one which name escapes me that was very helpful for me) will provide a myriad of options, and a search of this site will often show really constructive debate over the pros and cons of any particular replacement part (for instance, head steadies, electronic ignition systems, alternator upgrades, isolastic systems; wheel and tyre sizes and types, upgrades to front and rear suspension; primary transmission (chain or belt), carburettors, brake improvement systems (there is one for your front tls brake). Good luck with the project; it should be a lot of fun. You might not have to upgrade or replace anything much at all - but the lure of shiny stuff is sometimes hard to resist.

One question - what are your side covers like? If they are the larger ones with a hole for the ignition key (like DogT's S type above) or the slightly smaller ones which come with bikes with the later type of oil tank? If they are the earlier ones the correct seat is an earlier S type seat, not the good looking ones that you have. You probably won't want to replace yours given other pressures for your money, but your seat probably sits down on the side panels - if so that is the reason; the seats were designed for slightly smaller and lower mounted side panels.