Pictures of your Norton Commandos

YING said:

Guy comes up to me in a gas station yesterday and says he is a big Norton fan!

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Oof! Good job he didn't go Commando.

YING said:

Guy comes up to me in a gas station yesterday and says he is a big Norton fan!

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Looks like his drive side cheek has a crack in it

Bonzo said:

Oof! Good job he didn't go Commando.

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He'll have TVS lawyers after him for using the trademark!

I figured it's about time I added some pics of my first Commando MK3 project bike. Bought as a non-running 'barn-find' last used in 1986, it was my first Norton after 50 years of motorcycle ownership. Took only 6 months to complete and was shocked at how well it went! (Single Mikuni, Crane Cam, Wosp starter, electronic gauges, upgraded front brake. Engine and gearbox was rebuilt by Norman White.

Now onto my second MK3, but in much worse condition after spending most of it's life outdoors in the USA and is going to need more time/effort/money.

Bilko said:

I figured it's about time I added some pics of my first Commando MK3 project bike. Bought as a non-running 'barn-find' last used in 1986, it was my first Norton after 50 years of motorcycle ownership. Took only 6 months to complete and was shocked at how well it went! (Single Mikuni, Crane Cam, Wosp starter, electronic gauges, upgraded front brake. Engine and gearbox was rebuilt by Norman White.

Now onto my second MK3, but in much worse condition after spending most of it's life outdoors in the USA and is going to need more time/effort/money.

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Snap!!!

Bilko said:

I figured it's about time I added some pics of my first Commando MK3 project bike. Bought as a non-running 'barn-find' last used in 1986, it was my first Norton after 50 years of motorcycle ownership. Took only 6 months to complete and was shocked at how well it went! (Single Mikuni, Crane Cam, Wosp starter, electronic gauges, upgraded front brake. Engine and gearbox was rebuilt by Norman White.

Now onto my second MK3, but in much worse condition after spending most of it's life outdoors in the USA and is going to need more time/effort/money.

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Thanks for posting your Norton pics. I have to say that's one of the nicest MK3's I've seen. I'm trying to achieve a similar outcome on my MK3 I started restoring last November... hope to finish sometime this summer... once I finish my landscape project, but I digress. I have the drive train finished and back in the frame but still a long way to go. Will post pictures here at some point. Can't say it's been easy, it hasn't been, but like all restorations you keep knocking down problems and eventually it comes together.

I did a full restoration on my 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans last year, took about 6 months and came out better than I could have hoped for. Here's a YouTube video of it that's getting some play.

I think I need to redecorate Trixie's bedroom!

Dan1950 said:

I think I need to redecorate Trixie's bedroom!

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Looks fine to me.

Dan1950 said:

I think I need to redecorate Trixie's bedroom!

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Dan,
What cam did you finally go with on your hot rod?
Mike

YING said:

Dan,
What cam did you finally go with on your hot rod?
Mike

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Web 312a

testing google photos.https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p...oc1ckNoRvl2YhzcYZ-=w1205-h904-s-no?authuser=1

rweb said:

testing google photos.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p...oc1ckNoRvl2YhzcYZ-=w1205-h904-s-no?authuser=1

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Nope

rweb said:

testing google photos.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p...oc1ckNoRvl2YhzcYZ-=w1205-h904-s-no?authuser=1

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Looks like the 850 was once a Hi rider based on the smaller headlight etc ?

Here's my '72 Combat Roadster. I bought it from an old friend of mine in Maine that has been restoring Nortons, Triumphs, and BSAs for many years and was selling off some of his collection. There are a few modifications he made to enhance the safety and rideability of the bike:

Shouldered alloy rims
Don Pender's 6-piston caliper, floating disc front brake
Single 34mm Mikuni carburetor conversion
Complete engine rebuild with Old Brits crankcase oiling mod, cNw breather, cNw oil tank mod, JS Motorsports cam, valves, springs, lifters, blocks, and pushrods
Complete gear box rebuild, including roller layshaft bearing
Boyer MKIV electronic ignition
Vernier isolastics front and rear
Hagon shocks
Steering damper

I'm waiting on the cNw electric start kit that is backordered, but should arrive shortly--it already has their belt drive.

When I got it, the bike had a beautiful Tab Classics polished aluminum tank with black side covers--very nice, but I wanted it all yellow like the one I bought new in in 1972 and rode for 8 years. I had the paint work done by Brent Budgor at The Vintage Vendor and I couldn't be more pleased--these pictures don't really do it justice since my garage lighting is very soft. It really pops in natural sunlight.

Partly, built mid 71 titled as a 72 750 , engine, 74 850 and maybe front end changed,disk brake, had 19 tooth front sprocket and older kick lever, which I changed to 74 850 from a parts bike. Also the 71 Hi Rider frame I have has different triple tree and, halo large headlight. Who knows? At least part Hi Rider your guess is as good or better than mine.... Oh, if you don't tell anyone they'l never know.

KiwiShane said:

Looks like the 850 was once a Hi rider based on the smaller headlight etc ?

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Maney crank, cases and cylinders. FCRs. This thing is a hoot with higher bars and the new seat.

Last job is to convert the positive earth system to negative earth with a Motogaget M.Unit blue.

freefly103 said:

Maney crank, cases and cylinders. FCRs. This thing is a hoot with higher bars and the new seat.

Last job is to convert the positive earth system to negative earth with a Motogaget M.Unit blue.

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Sorry this is not meant as criticism but those S type side panels are not doing that bike any favours with panel fit to the tank
Roadster side panels would be a much better fit
And a seat to match the tank would transform that bike
Are the rear shocks slightly shorter than stock ?
Again apologies I don't mean to offend it's a great bike just my 2 bob opinion

baz said:

Sorry this is not meant as criticism but those S type side panels are not doing that bike any favours with panel fit to the tank
Roadster side panels would be a much better fit
And a seat to match the tank would transform that bike
Are the rear shocks slightly shorter than stock ?
Again apologies I don't mean to offend it's a great bike just my 2 bob opinion

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All good. It's a bitzer for sure, built out of a pile of non matching parts.
I didn't know what I was doing when I built it (still don't) and it will continue to evolve over time, as these bikes are never finished.
The shocks are standard length as far as I know.

freefly103 said:

All good. It's a bitzer for sure, built out of a pile of non matching parts.
I didn't know what I was doing when I built it (still don't) and it will continue to evolve over time, as these bikes are never finished.
The shocks are standard length as far as I know.

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Anyone that builds a bitsa is to be applauded IMO because it's not easy
It's a stunning bike
I just think it could be even more stunning
As you say these bikes definitely evolve