Norton Prospect (2016)

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Thanks for the photos of the Rickmans, Matt. I felt the urge again.
What would not be too bad, would be a BSA A10 Gold Flash frame fitted with a commando motor and Triumph 5 speed box. When fitted with unit Triumph fork yokes, A10 frames handle extremely well. And it would be a very easy build - really only a matter of making engine plates.
 
I'm going in deep tomorrow :)o_O:eek::):), found a 69 Commando it runs needs nothing but from pics it looks like a survivor bike not a resto and I like that part . Numbers are matching I'm told and registration is available . I don't know a thing about Norton's just that I have wanted one for at least 40years . Any advice on what to look for please tell me. A must for me is numbers matching engine/frame so I will check that first and then look at overall condition and access its actual running condition. How do I actually ID the bike as a Commando versus a Combat or any other Norton? Anything please I open to thoughts and opinions...
 
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Sounds good well done for finding one
There are many upgrades for any commando , some needed some not needed
Do a search on here
I'd expect the headsteady to have been upgraded at least to a box type one
Hopefully the drum front brake will be well set up etc etc
Do you have any more info on it?
 
I wouldn't worry about matching numbers , what difference does that make?
 
Not exactly what buyer was originally looking for … he should get a parts list and shop manual right away and start his education … and yup still miss my beautiful Commando …. all the best with your new ride !
 
Triumph made motorcycles too . Generally Tougher for Desert Racing etc ,. ( Hard use / Abuse )

Anything thats not meticulously maintained will tend toward ' issues ' if youre treating it like a G P bike .

Once you could pick up a old surplous aeroplane for a few grand , and a scrapyard motor ( low time , new , or overhauled ) for 500 bucks .

Times have changed .

If you want a ' ace built ' bike , your in for a penny or three . If thats no problem , fine .

You need to find your local Brit Bike club / Ride Day , and turn up to see the wares . sights'n sounds .

But Generally Pommy M'Cycle riders needed to be ace accomplished mechanics , with a understanding of engineering principals , Newtons Law , and the theory of relativity .

If you dont like being left in the weeds in the twisties , Built a Rickman or Seely CB or Z1 . :p

Were Some Fantastic R III projects on ebay in the last few years . A RICKMAN COMMANDO would be Far Better . Ground Up . Mix 'n match .

75 on engine , Weber Carb, big valve . Belt Primary . 180 W Alt. Tough Aftermarket 5 speed . Some Brakes that work !
of course a electric start is extra weight and isonly for girls and old men ! :twisted:

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yoiks , theres thousands of em , these days . :shock:

Were Designed for a Big Single ( G 45 ) so are sort of the PII ( desrt racer Norton ) of the Road Racers . ( these were races on roads- not twits who treated roads as racetracks )

Norton Prospect (2016)


Not Many People would get a 50 year old machine for everyday transport . Primarilly due to economics. If they loved and coddled and were on first name terms with every component , it'd help .

Post 75 Triumphs are Left Foot Shift too , if your encumbered there ., Can tune up for 140 mph , if the accostics arnt too important . ( Not a City Slicker )
or the could close new york , then the reverberations of the tall buildings , using the streets as a race circuit , would be worth recording . :D

P.R. T140 Got the British P.R. Champs in 78 ?? was good for 145 .

A well Built Fast 750 / 850 Norton Motor Would too , but theres better chassis , at that speed . The FIRST thingi it needs is Greater Oil Capacity ( a gallon ) for that game , :shock: 8)
Theres a fairly long list of other tripe too . But a Z1 will only do 131 . a 650 Triumph CAN do that , if you know what your up to . Unstreamlined .

New second hand triumphs are half the price, used. A Rebuild on one thats visted the scenery ( Theres pklenty of ugly stupid customs around ) would be more practical . If your endowed with a brain .
Nice to see the blue Rickman , it was mine from 2004 till 2007 then sold it to the guy who took the pics ..........
 
New guy here some Norton Commando questions, I have a bad hanker'in for a Commando been like that for 25 years Norton on the brain, Ive never ridden a Norton and never seen one up close and personal so maybe I don't know what I am getting into , anyway the time is getting near a Norton is in my future, in mind I hanker for a black Commando with gold letters, stock with low bars and end mirror and disk brakes, left side shift, that said I know nothing about Commandos but imop they are the best looking bikes ever made and that is exactly why I want one its all about the look sorta, but I need performance and reliability too , reliability is a must and performance well as long as a Commando is not a slug and can handle the twistiest and stop better than a drum brake bike I'll be happy, I've ridden lots of Jap bikes and H-D's , I hope a Commando can out perform a stock HD big twin , or be comparable to a old school 70's era 750 cc Jap bike, what do ya'll think do I sound like Norton material or should I stick to the Jap bikes?
Where are you? If near Northern Virginia, you could come look at Nortons in in various states of being rebuilt but I have no MKIII, only 69-74 right now. Also have a finished 70 Triumph Bonneville and an almost done 74 Triumph Trident.

If you want to push a button and ride, shift on the wrong side, and do no work on the bike, then a modern bike is better. However I know several people with Nortons that do absolutely no work on their bikes and still love them (they pay others, like me, to do all work).

"Outperform" is hard to answer. There is no comparison that makes sense to me between a HD big twin and a Norton - very different bikes. IMHO, 70s Jap bikes do not handle and a Norton does but there are 70s 750 Jap bikes that are faster but are more likely to kill you - especially the Kawasaki H2.
 
I'm going in deep tomorrow :)o_O:eek::):), found a 69 Commando it runs needs nothing but from pics it looks like a survivor bike not a resto and I like that part . Numbers are matching I'm told and registration is available . I don't know a thing about Norton's just that I have wanted one for at least 40years . Any advice on what to look for please tell me. A must for me is numbers matching engine/frame so I will check that first and then look at overall condition and access its actual running condition. How do I actually ID the bike as a Commando versus a Combat or any other Norton? Anything please I open to thoughts and opinions...
Not the left-shift you want. A Combat is a Commando with higher compression and a difference cam.
 
A deal is in the makes :) ,pics in about a week and ya'll can tell I done good or good gosh you spent a lot of money on a turd ( I hope not) . Bike appears nice its all there and was stone cold and on a cold day after "tickling the carbs it fired up after about 10 kicks . I like what I saw so we have an agreement and next weekend I should be a 1969 Norton Commando owner. I don't get the "tickling" thing can someone explain it? The owner let a fair amount of gas run out from the carbs prior to kicking , seems like a fire hazard to me but after the tickle she fired . Anyway I'm sure I will own it next weekend so please check back I have pics.
 
When cold without a tickle it be a lot harder to start, its a normal thing with Amals with ticklers, but 10 kicks that's a bit much, a well tune Norton should fire on first or second kick and don't kick it like a Jap bike or it will never start, you got to learn the Norton knack and will take you some time to get the hang of it. Good luck and enjoy the new beginning.

Ashley
 
Maaaan, what a fab thread & story.:cool:

Just went over the thread for the first time, dunno what the big deal is with left side shift, but as mentioned, a 1 (& last) year 75 only option that then includes electric start & a buncha added bits for the LS shifting, including only being able to consider 1 year available bits for many parts including some biggies.

Wouldn't worry about matching #'s as a bottom line either, could come up for 'how much' cos it can make a diff but, better to just factor in what u have & just get going, then go from there. Must have stuff can wait cos that can end up in looooong delays.

They are all Commando variants based on a new frame, that followed the prior featherbed that had a looooong stellar history.

The same basic frame was slightly updated/upgraded over the years & bits that are mostly interchangeable were chosen to define a factory model for a look or purpose. Sooo, you can go anyway you prefer with that including mixing it up to taste, then you can end up with what some folks call an "Interback", a combo or choice of Interstate tank with the "Fastback" back end bits/look, etc.


Commando is the first Brit classic big twin that allowed/offered mostly a vibe free ride as a major feature. As far as jap bike of the time comparo, might as well be on another level or league/playing field, just like harley is to lotsa folks, direct comparisons are moot & mostly irrelevant. Bottom line diff missions.

Matching #s or must haves can end up starting with basics like frame & matching cases, particular year etc that can come up to full on original or resto. A yuuuuge price variance scenario.
 
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New guy here some Norton Commando questions, I have a bad hanker'in for a Commando been like that for 25 years Norton on the brain, Ive never ridden a Norton and never seen one up close and personal so maybe I don't know what I am getting into , anyway the time is getting near a Norton is in my future, in mind I hanker for a black Commando with gold letters, stock with low bars and end mirror and disk brakes, left side shift, that said I know nothing about Commandos but imop they are the best looking bikes ever made and that is exactly why I want one its all about the look sorta, but I need performance and reliability too , reliability is a must and performance well as long as a Commando is not a slug and can handle the twistiest and stop better than a drum brake bike I'll be happy, I've ridden lots of Jap bikes and H-D's , I hope a Commando can out perform a stock HD big twin , or be comparable to a old school 70's era 750 cc Jap bike, what do ya'll think do I sound like Norton material or should I stick to the Jap bikes?
Get a Commando & live the dream, or dream on.


 
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I don't get the "tickling" thing can someone explain it?
Tickling raises the fuel level in the carbs temporarily, while the fuel level is higher the mixture is richer which is the same as using the choke on a old carbed car pre ECU or auto choke except you do not have to turn it off. As the excess fuel is used the fuel level drops to eventually match the normal fuel level.

10 kicks is a lot but ok if the bike has been stood for some months and the sump has filled with oil etc. A good bike used regularly will start first or second kick.
 
If you are concerned about fuel coming out the carb when you tickle try counting down when you press the tickler
Then subtract a count or two
This will raise the level without it coming out
 
A deal is in the makes :) ,pics in about a week and ya'll can tell I done good or good gosh you spent a lot of money on a turd ( I hope not) . Bike appears nice its all there and was stone cold and on a cold day after "tickling the carbs it fired up after about 10 kicks . I like what I saw so we have an agreement and next weekend I should be a 1969 Norton Commando owner. I don't get the "tickling" thing can someone explain it? The owner let a fair amount of gas run out from the carbs prior to kicking , seems like a fire hazard to me but after the tickle she fired
Things were diff back in the day
 
Tickling doesn’t need to slash fuel everywhere!

Press and hold until you see fuel just begin to come out of the holes, then kick.

No ‘splash it all over’ required.

Save that for your ‘Old Spice’ as ‘Enry would say !!
 
Tickling doesn’t need to slash fuel everywhere!

Press and hold until you see fuel just begin to come out of the holes, then kick.

No ‘splash it all over’ required.

Save that for your ‘Old Spice’ as ‘Enry would say !!
I think that Henry used to advocate splashing the Brut all over
But we get the meaning :)
 
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