New guy, seeking advice and advil

Status
Not open for further replies.
Have we scared off the OP yet?

You have some basic choices to make. You have yer basic 750cc, 750cc Combat, 850cc and 850cc electric start. The Combat and the electric start Mk3 where both produced for one year only.

Everthing else is a matter of tanks, side panels, seats, style of exhaust pipes, handlebars and maybe fairings. It's my opinion that you are not going to see a substantial difference in value of the bike by worrying about whether it is original or not. But then I'm also the guy who thought these are easy to work on! Frankly, I think if you feel comfortable working on a 55 Chevy, then you shouldn't be afraid of a Commando. Whether you want to build one from scratch is another thing all together.
 
Boy. Id hate to be a passenger on that one. However, i do think the fuel tank (set?) has potential ... mounted to a Tesla.
 
grandpaul said:
New guy, seeking advice and advil


Just a SHORT list:

Freaky forks with incorrect bearings in the steering neck
Front fender hose-clamped to SPRINGER fork tubes (NOT the stationary ones)
One round, one rectangular headlight
One headlight mount welded to forks, the other slap-dash mounted to welded one
Japanese front wheel with no accommodation for front brake torque stay
Bondo'ed in steering neck mods
Two pieces of heavy steel pipe welded together to hold coils, then entire affair duct-taped to frame
One rusty, one stainless header pipe
Cruiser pegs u-bolted to header & frame
All wires = RED
Heady steady shimmed in with steel washers (no rubber isolators)
Two halves of HD gas tank welded to frame
Battery held to octagon oil tank by two long hose clamp bands
Seat mount welded to frame, springs also welded
Unknown rear fender with Honda tail light
Sissy bar welded AND U-bolted to frame
Hand shifter made from long 3/8" socket extension
No right footpeg needed!
Rear struts (no shocks)
Rear brake actuator rod awarded "world's longest" record
Bike had over 20 pounds of red Oklahoma dirt caked on it, everyplace that leaked oil (everywhere)

My main point is: DON'T BE SCARED OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE TRASH! (Just don't pay too much for it).

I bought this chopper in a 3-bike deal (all choppers), so I paid less than the average basket case (near, but under a grand). I did all the work myself except paint, polishing, wheel lacing, and machine work, and was buying parts at reseller prices so paid about as low as you can go (also bought some used parts on this forum). I traded the forks for the powdercoating work, and sold the oil tank & handlebars on e-bay for over $100.

When the dust settled, I netted 2 grand for my efforts. Otherwise, I could have stayed with a nice Commando EASILY worth 5 grand, for about 1/2 that amount.

(Oh, and I got to keep the cool 'old school' leather saddlebags)
Click to expand...
Nice work GrandPaul. You make it look easy.
 
Wow... what an insightful group!

Thanks for the learned replies. So far, I can say with full certainty:
- I will not be buying that chopper, nor anything like that
- I will not be buying a basket case
- I might buy an expensive cream puff- if someone can prove to me that everything has been re-done. Perfectly. By someone who knows what they are doing.
- originality is nice, and I would prefer a numbers matching bike , but I am hardly obsessed with it
- If Im lucky, someone on this forum might want to sell a good bike, to keep me off ebay. Think of it as a public service

thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: baz
dynodave said:
Maybe start with what you would do with this Commando.

runner trailer Queen mainly for bragging rights...bike shows
Chopper "style" like Easy Rider LA to ole Miss
actual long distance touring coast to coast? all weather
on or off road/forest dirt roads or fields
short hops around town grocery store or parts store runs
Club rides & rallies
wanna be ricky racer
real track racer
add here:
Just want something to tinker with
EDIT: I just collect them to have...
Click to expand...


What would I do with it? Same thing that I do with all of my older bikes- ride it on Sunny weekend afternoons, averaging about 500 miles per year because our season is short. Otherwise it is on a tender with ethanol free gas and polished up in my garage. (and being wrenched on per my truly average skill set)
 
rvich said:
I like dynodave's list to work off of but will add that it also depends on your budget and whether you want custom or stock. If you have a big budget and like flashy stuff, you could contact Colorado Norton Works or NYC Norton. There are others here who run businesses which include custom builds, RoadScholar comes to mind as one.

https://coloradonortonworks.com/

https://nycnorton.com/

https://www.rockypointcycle.com/Motorcycle_Restoration.html

If you want a mint original bike, look long and hard. Who knows where it will turn up. There are often bikes for sale here in the classified ads, many of which are worthy of attention as they are being sold by another enthusiast. People who are long term members here are a good bet for getting some truth about what you are buying. As an example I have a 1973 Combat "bitsa" 750 with an interstate tank that I am tempted to sell to free up space. But first you gotta decide what you want! Or maybe you would like two?
Click to expand...


I forgot about NYC norton- and I am in NY often. That will be my next stop!
 
Good for you. Do the research.... Now I have to attempt unseeing that pic GP put up. I'm not a purist, but that made me near lose my biscuits and coffee.... Twas far too early to view such mechanical cruelty, although in the end he did restore the machine's dignity.
 
Okay, how about not as sickening, and nowhere near as much work?

New guy, seeking advice and advil


With an inexpensive micro-scope you can plug into your smartphone, you can look in the cylinders and see if they look decent. If most of the bits are there, the cost won't be absurd. This bike was considered junk and a couple hundred dollars turned it into a quite respectable runner. Paint was a bit sunburned, but I would have jumped on it and ridden 200 miles anytime.

You just have to know what you are looking at. Forks just needed flushing and a pair of caps. I got the timing cover from Kraekevick (sp?) in the "For Sale" section of this forum (if I remember right). Mufflers are cheap on e-bay, and Fred & Ella at Old Britts had all the rubber bits and brake kits.

Sidecover? SIDECOVER??? WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING SIDECOVER!

There is a HUGE difference between a "Basket Case" and a "Rolling Project". Typically a thousand dollars or more!
 
You will likely not find many deals like this any more.
$225(1987) purchased about $3200 done(1989)
New guy, seeking advice and advil


$100(1994) done about $1200 (1995) I do my own paint
New guy, seeking advice and advil

68 dunstall prepped/sold Norton atlas $1500 (1993) today if restore & finished well over $15000

New guy, seeking advice and advil

Been given free 3 more commandos rollers mostly complete
total 22 nortons
some were bought some were free some are baskets
2 garden gate Model 7 (1 big bucks)
4 slimline featherbeds (main rider $1500)
1 series one 70 commando free
71 (1) to host a dual disc full dunstall package
72 (4)
73 750
73 850
74 850 (1$)(2 free)
75MKIII (4)Most recent 75MKIII 5 miles $2500 (2010)

Today complete rolling basket cases should be 1500-2500
3500-5000 if running and almost streetable

Metal tank a big plus fiberglass minus
850 RH4 head a big minus

I'm not looking to buy OR sell
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Ride Classics website maintained by the Access Norton administrator. Some very nice examples for
sale there. https://rideclassics.com/ads/?s=Norton+Commando&location=&scat=10&lat=&lng=&radius=50&st=ad_listing

My money is on buying a nicely restored, bright shiny Commando for $9000 that someone else has put $12,000 + labor into.
I don't think buying a "distressed" roller for $5000 and getting it up to snuff for another $2500 is practical for any but the
well seasoned/experienced Norton mechanic with a stockpile of used parts and the ability to complete some of the more
complex tasks quickly and efficiently. But then there are masochists that try it.
 
He's got some on there now that the owners seem rather proud of. I would imagine the prices are negotiable because I've seen several of them listed elsewhere at same price for quite some time.
Myself I would jump at something like GP had in the 2nd pic and go from there to get to know that particular machine... Then again I'm not afraid to gut and filet one if there's a good meal hidden inside.... Sleeping Beauty.
I believe in building a relationship with one of these bikes to keep it running safely and reliably. You'll get out of a Commando generally what you put into it... Not necessarily moneywise though, so forget that for the most part. Just like your girl be faithful and let no others ride her.
 
Last edited:
lazyeye6 said:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Ride Classics website maintained by the Access Norton administrator. Some very nice examples for
sale there. https://rideclassics.com/ads/?s=Norton+Commando&location=&scat=10&lat=&lng=&radius=50&st=ad_listing

My money is on buying a nicely restored, bright shiny Commando for $9000 that someone else has put $12,000 + labor into.
I don't think buying a "distressed" roller for $5000 and getting it up to snuff for another $2500 is practical for any but the
well seasoned/experienced Norton mechanic with a stockpile of used parts and the ability to complete some of the more
complex tasks quickly and efficiently. But then there are masochists that try it.
Click to expand...


Now if only I can find that elusive 9K shiny restored bike that you describe! That is right in my strike zone. The ride classics link has a few candidates- and I will take a deeper dive. Thanks
 
I believe you can find a good-looking, good-running, clean titled Commando almost any day of the week for $7,500. (you might have to spend ALL DAY on various forums, e-bay, Cycletrader, Craigslist, etc)

Maybe not PERFECT, but ready to ride and nothing NEEDED to "fix". You MIGHT have to spend another $500-$750 if it is several states away, or rent a U-Haul pickup truck.
 
And remember, ASKING price is not the same as GETTING price. The proud owners of many of the finer examples often
have an inflated sense of value in their minds. Don't be afraid to negotiate. Follow the completed sales prices on eBay for a while
to get a better sense of value. The majority of bikes don't sell at all. Consider the cost of a quality paint job. Easily $1000.
I wouldn't buy a bike on eBay that I couldn't go see and swing my leg over it. I wouldn't sell my bike on eBay either. I'd want
to find it a good home with someone who would appreciate it. Watch and wait.
 
Beauty in the ..."eye of the beholder" I guess. And just what many did ... "back in the day." I have a 1970 Triumph T120R 650 that someone "back in the day" did this very "chopper" thing too. Cut off MANY tabs and brackets (including swingarm mount :mad:) argh !!! ... welded on a hardtail, etc, etc, etc. Really RUINED the bike IMO ... not allowing me to ever really get it back to "stock." Just makes me sick sometimes. It is a hardtail chopper now, "kind of" cool looking (?) I guess ... but not really rideable for more than 10 miles. At least by me ...
 

Attachments

  • New guy, seeking advice and advil
    DSC02609.webp
    346.1 KB · Views: 201
lazyeye6 said:
And remember, ASKING price is not the same as GETTING price. The proud owners of many of the finer examples often
have an inflated sense of value in their minds. Don't be afraid to negotiate. Follow the completed sales prices on eBay for a while
to get a better sense of value. The majority of bikes don't sell at all. Consider the cost of a quality paint job. Easily $1000.
I wouldn't buy a bike on eBay that I couldn't go see and swing my leg over it. I wouldn't sell my bike on eBay either. I'd want
to find it a good home with someone who would appreciate it. Watch and wait.
Click to expand...

On "asking" vs "selling" prices, I totally agree.

On e-bay, I somewhat disagree. I've bought and sold MANY bikes, and HUNDREDS of parts on e-bay, with a 100% sales record, and maybe 97-98% satisfaction with sellers I've dealt with. It's all about the seller's rating, and asking around the forums for anyone nearby that can go have a look for you. Don't just look at a seller's score, read the reviews.

As for finding my bikes "a good home", I always offer them on the forums first, then e-bay. I typically allow forum members to make an offer and I'll end the auction.
 
open1mind said:
Now if only I can find that elusive 9K shiny restored bike that you describe! That is right in my strike zone. The ride classics link has a few candidates- and I will take a deeper dive. Thanks
Click to expand...

A few candidates?!

Dog T is a long time member of this forum, he’s had that ‘S’ since ‘72, all that history and great condition and a rare (ish) version.

But then again the $5750 Combat might tempt me. I’ve never owned a Combat but I love the idea of one, a real fun Hot Rod.

Then there’s the two ‘74 850s, a bit more spendy, but both stunners.

Decisions, decisions...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

robs ss
Seeking advice on an "oh dear!" moment
2
Replies
23
Views
655
ludwig
ludwig
Anvill
Seeking advice for misaligned head stud
2
Replies
21
Views
704
MichaelB
MichaelB
N
Seeking advice
2 3 4
Replies
70
Views
1,488
Stu Bodycote
Stu Bodycote
F
head advice and cost
Replies
17
Views
1,253
Blewdy Yaink
Blewdy Yaink
DonOR
  • Locked
seeking advice on transmission bushings R+R
Replies
3
Views
572
Torontonian
Torontonian
Back
Top