Old Britts calling it quits

The shorter and lower the handlebars the bigger the headache. My solution to the M/C problem (MK3) was to get a very short brake hose made up with a banjo instead of the usual straight-in fitting. If the length is done right it doesn't look bad.
You can double the headache by installing a hydraulic clutch on the left side.
 
seattle##gs said:
The shorter and lower the handlebars the bigger the headache. My solution to the M/C problem (MK3) was to get a very short brake hose made up with a banjo instead of the usual straight-in fitting. If the length is done right it doesn't look bad.
You can double the headache by installing a hydraulic clutch on the left side.
Click to expand...
www.accessnorton.com

part numbers - handlebars, UK vs european and old britts vs AN (2019)

my 74 Mk2 came with two sets of handlebars - one, a "norman hyde" part that is close to the UK or European handle bars - close, but no cigar! I'm having issues with front brake MC and hose interference and clutch cable routing. the other set is an aftermarket - half way between the western...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
seattle##gs said:
The shorter and lower the handlebars the bigger the headache. My solution to the M/C problem (MK3) was to get a very short brake hose made up with a banjo instead of the usual straight-in fitting. If the length is done right it doesn't look bad.
You can double the headache by installing a hydraulic clutch on the left side.
Click to expand...
No probs with my double Brembo setup on 30" drag bars. :)
 
batrider said:
Is British Bike Connection (Jim Noll) still in it? I sent him an inquiry a few months ago and heard nothing back, which is unusual. snipped
Click to expand...
I didn't know that BBC existed until another member mentioned them in another thread. I called British Bike Connection Saturday afternoon. I left a message. He called me back a short time later. Spoke to the owner for a minute. He recognized my voice before I did his. Jim, it was great to talk to you again, after 30+ years! So, yes, Jim Noll is still alive and kicking.
 
Thanks Chaztuna. Good to know that. I first met Jim when we lived near Ithaca in the '70s and '80s. Also ran into to him and his wife at the Vermont rally much later.

Handlebars: Can't sleep so I measured my low bars and it appears I have the Majorca EU bars as posted by gorty. They work. Will try to discover when and where I got them later today.
I'm switching to the other handlebar thread to get it out of this OB thread now.
Russ
 
There is a sad irony to the fact that the supply of Norton parts has never been better but the dealers are closing shop. The market price for a good Commandos is still healthy but I wonder who is buying them and who is repairing them. My Dad is 85 and a Ford Model A guy but he pointed out to me that interest in those cars is done. Commandos will probably be the same in 10-15 years. Sad but something comes up behind. My eldest son is into 70s Yamaha enduros.
 
Yorkie said:
There is a sad irony to the fact that the supply of Norton parts has never been better but the dealers are closing shop. The market price for a good Commandos is still healthy but I wonder who is buying them and who is repairing them. My Dad is 85 and a Ford Model A guy but he pointed out to me that interest in those cars is done. Commandos will probably be the same in 10-15 years. Sad but something comes up behind. My eldest son is into 70s Yamaha enduros.
Click to expand...
My uncle is hot rodding my grandfather's Model A, which is the only way to make them usable on today's roads.

Luckily, at least so far, a stock Norton is more than usable on the road. It'll just be a matter of keeping the interest up. But there seems to be zero effort to bring the next gen into the hobby. And that might be because there's zero interest.
 
Maybe younger people just don’t have that “Commando Moment”. Mine was as a spotty teenager in the UK in the 70s when at a traffic light the guy on a Commando just left me for dead when the light turned green. I wanted to be that guy. Probably these days the Commando is replaced by a DucatI 916 or if he’s older a Gixxer. Each generation has its icons.
 
Yorkie said:
Maybe younger people just don’t have that “Commando Moment”. Mine was as a spotty teenager in the UK in the 70s when at a traffic light the guy on a Commando just left me for dead when the light turned green. I wanted to be that guy. Probably these days the Commando is replaced by a DucatI 916 or if he’s older a Gixxer. Each generation has its icons.
Click to expand...
I had been riding Triumphs for 7 years when a neighbor bought a 73 850 Commando. He was a tiny guy and had real problems starting it. I would start it for him and once warm, he could just get it done. One day I took it for a ride on Interstate 66. In those days, you could go many miles on I66 without seeing anyone so I opened it up. I was shocked when the vibration went away and by the raw power - my Triumph was a 500cc and a weakling compared to the Norton.

Today, most production 600s will embarrass a Norton, and they just work - push a button and go. Still, I've worked with a few new riders in their thirties/forties who simply like the look of an old Norton or Triumph and they remain customers since they do no work themselves on the bikes.
 
Yorkie said:
Maybe younger people just don’t have that “Commando Moment”. Mine was as a spotty teenager in the UK in the 70s when at a traffic light the guy on a Commando just left me for dead when the light turned green. I wanted to be that guy. Probably these days the Commando is replaced by a DucatI 916 or if he’s older a Gixxer. Each generation has its icons.
Click to expand...
I think the one thing that the Commando has it that it's just dead sexy to every generation. You'll never hear any motorcyclist ever say any differently.
 
swooshdave said:
I think the one thing that the Commando has it that it's just dead sexy to every generation. You'll never hear any motorcyclist ever say any differently.
Click to expand...
Not true.

I never use the terms "sexy" or "sweet" when referring to ANY motorcycles.

...and "dead" and "sexy" don't seem to go together except in ELP's "Still, You Turn Me On"..
 
Batrider said: "British Cycle Supply shut down their NJ operation ".
According to their website, dated Jan 2016:
In order to serve our customers better, after nearly 30 years of warehousing classic British motorcycle parts in New Jersey, British Cycle Supply Co has purchased a newer and larger building on nearly three acres of land at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone Maine, now called the Loring Commerce Centre, and are just in the process of completing the move of our US inventory from Hackensack, NJ to Maine.
 
Good deal , I like these guys . Must be doing ok .
las far as I know this is his only business , not a hobby business that many well to do guys support.
I give a guy like this credit for navigating thru many economy ups and downs
 
Thanks Stephen. Good to know that. I guess I wasn't paying enough attention. It looks like the Maine warehouse is up and running now. Things are looking up.
 
I found their prices a tad on the high side

$420 for a lightened brake rotor???
 
TomU said:
I found their prices a tad on the high side

$420 for a lightened brake rotor???
Click to expand...
Some of their stuff can be expensive. I'm not sure why but it seems to be the heavy or big stuff and it may do with the shipping costs.

To compare it would cost $185 to get a new brake rotors from AN. Then shipping to you. At that weight you are looking at least $50 or more. Then you need to send it off to someone who will drill it for you plus shipping there and back. Maybe another $100 for all of that? I can't recall what the guy who does grinding charges for the holes. As you can see it all adds up.

Now if you are comparing it to a crappy old disk you have that you hit with some sandpaper and a drill press, then yes, it can see expensive.
 
Last edited:
Don't shoot the messenger!! :-)
(And I don't believe they claim to be AN parts)
 
Last edited:
EstuaryBoy said:
Don't shoot the messenger!! :)
(And I don't believe they claim to be AN parts)
Click to expand...
Good find if someone is looking for a drilled rotor and you don't care as much about it being an AN part. Considering Norvil sells the rotors for about £85 that's probably where they come from.
 
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