Pictures of your Norton Commandos

MichaelB said:
Interesting question. Yes, both look great.
I’ve been a Roadster guy forever, but now am considering the Interstate. Not really sure why as my as my bladder won’t let me go more than the Roadster tank.🤣
Regarding Corbin Saddles.
Mike Corbin got his start by making a seat for his own Commando in his parents garage in the 70’s. Then his buddies wanted one and from there it went.
So, the Norton ‘Gunfighter’ is the original Corbin seat. All others are derivations.
Click to expand...
Correction.
Website says Norton Atlas, 1968.
www.corbin.com

HOME - Corbin Motorcycle Saddles

Quality Motorcycle Seats Hand Made in USA for over 50 Years. Applications for 1400+ motorcycle makes and models.
www.corbin.com www.corbin.com
I've read the whole story before as it started right here in SoCal.
Just have a hard time with the Atlas as they don't currently offer an Atlas seat.
Can't find the story but I believe Commando's are mentioned.
Regardless, correction for the record.
 
After vowing that I was done refreshing/restoring vintage British bikes at age 75,
I came across this ’74 MkII Interstate in Reno, NV in October 2022. A flipper was
selling it and stated it had always been a Reno kept bike (high desert) and that with
13,00x miles shown, it had not been on the road for 25 years. That the tires were dated
1984 and 1986 both still with significant tread, albeit badly cracked on the sidewalls, supported
that claim. Beneath a deep caked on layer of dried oil/dirt and baked on engine oil leaks
surfaces looked pristine. Aside from a crappy new paint job on the tank and side covers,
complete with badly misaligned stick-on graphics, all paint work, bright surfaces and
fasteners were original had no rust or corrosion, and after about 150 hours of deep cleaning
and polishing the bike almost looks new. It was missing the entire fuel system (manifolds, carbs,
airbox, fuel lines) and replaced with a Mikuni single carb). Likewise the entire OEM ignition system
was gone, replaced with a Boyer ignition and dual lead coil. I replaced these with original used
OEM fuel system components removed from my ’74 Roadster many years ago and a new set of
Amal Premier carbs. I replaced the coil with a used pair of 6v Lucas coils and the Boyer with a new
TriSpark ignition. The grab rail was missing and I bought a new one from A/N. The front brake was
not operational. It was thoroughly plugged up with dried brake fluid. After deep cleaning I installed
a new MC rebuild kit, a new caliper rebuild kit, a newfluid hose and new Ferodo Platinum brake pads.
It wet-sumped badly so I installed a manual oil shut-off valve with an ignition interlink. The complete
wiring harness and allconnectors are intact and in perfect condition. All electrical functions operate
as designed.The speedometer gear sender was crushed and the nave plate damaged from an overzealous
tightening of the real wheel bolt. New ones were sourced from A/N. Both mirrors weremissing but I had
a correct pair in a box from my ’74 Roadster. The clutch lever was unacceptably hard to pull, so I installed
new Venhill clutch cable and substituted one 2MMclutch plate with a 3MM plate from RGM. Clutch lever
pull is perfect now. I installed anoil pressure switch and wired it to the assimilator warning light. After
performing all of theusual recommissioning tasks (all new fluids, gaskets and oil seals, wheel bearing grease,
Tires, tubes, etc, etc, It finally came time to fire it up. I found that, at age 76, I was nowtoo feeble to kick it over.
I had anticipated my future physical limitations 6 years agowhen I installed a cNw electric start kit on my ’74
Roadster and hadn’t kick started itsince. So, wanting to preserve the Amal fuel system and airbox, I
installed an Altan electric start kit along with a Shorai battery. After cleaning the tank thoroughly, I sent it
and the side covers to Brent Budgor of @VintAge Vendors for Paintwork. I specified Mercedes Benz Blue
Pearl with painted on silver graphics. His work is superb! A specialshoutout to @Fast Eddie for inspiring
me to copy his color choice on a set of Interstatetins he showcased in a past post. Like my opinion of my
wife, children and dogs,I think this bike is stunning. I expect future work will include converting to a 13 MM
master cylinder and replacing the fork seals.
 

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lazyeye6 said:
After vowing that I was done refreshing/restoring vintage British bikes at age 75,
I came across this ’74 MkII Interstate in Reno, NV in October 2022. A flipper was
selling it and stated it had always been a Reno kept bike (high desert) and that with
13,00x miles shown, it had not been on the road for 25 years. That the tires were dated
1984 and 1986 both still with significant tread, albeit badly cracked on the sidewalls, supported
that claim. Beneath a deep caked on layer of dried oil/dirt and baked on engine oil leaks
surfaces looked pristine. Aside from a crappy new paint job on the tank and side covers,
complete with badly misaligned stick-on graphics, all paint work, bright surfaces and
fasteners were original had no rust or corrosion, and after about 150 hours of deep cleaning
and polishing the bike almost looks new. It was missing the entire fuel system (manifolds, carbs,
airbox, fuel lines) and replaced with a Mikuni single carb). Likewise the entire OEM ignition system
was gone, replaced with a Boyer ignition and dual lead coil. I replaced these with original used
OEM fuel system components removed from my ’74 Roadster many years ago and a new set of
Amal Premier carbs. I replaced the coil with a used pair of 6v Lucas coils and the Boyer with a new
TriSpark ignition. The grab rail was missing and I bought a new one from A/N. The front brake was
not operational. It was thoroughly plugged up with dried brake fluid. After deep cleaning I installed
a new MC rebuild kit, a new caliper rebuild kit, a newfluid hose and new Ferodo Platinum brake pads.
It wet-sumped badly so I installed a manual oil shut-off valve with an ignition interlink. The complete
wiring harness and allconnectors are intact and in perfect condition. All electrical functions operate
as designed.The speedometer gear sender was crushed and the nave plate damaged from an overzealous
tightening of the real wheel bolt. New ones were sourced from A/N. Both mirrors weremissing but I had
a correct pair in a box from my ’74 Roadster. The clutch lever was unacceptably hard to pull, so I installed
new Venhill clutch cable and substituted one 2MMclutch plate with a 3MM plate from RGM. Clutch lever
pull is perfect now. I installed anoil pressure switch and wired it to the assimilator warning light. After
performing all of theusual recommissioning tasks (all new fluids, gaskets and oil seals, wheel bearing grease,
Tires, tubes, etc, etc, It finally came time to fire it up. I found that, at age 76, I was nowtoo feeble to kick it over.
I had anticipated my future physical limitations 6 years agowhen I installed a cNw electric start kit on my ’74
Roadster and hadn’t kick started itsince. So, wanting to preserve the Amal fuel system and airbox, I
installed an Altan electric start kit along with a Shorai battery. After cleaning the tank thoroughly, I sent it
and the side covers to Brent Budgor of @VintAge Vendors for Paintwork. I specified Mercedes Benz Blue
Pearl with painted on silver graphics. His work is superb! A specialshoutout to @Fast Eddie for inspiring
me to copy his color choice on a set of Interstatetins he showcased in a past post. Like my opinion of my
wife, children and dogs,I think this bike is stunning. I expect future work will include converting to a 13 MM
master cylinder and replacing the fork seals.
Click to expand...
Nice colour :cool: !!
 
Fast Eddie said:
So… the ultimate question about the meaning of life…

Interstate or Roadster…??
Click to expand...
The cafe racer style clearly suits the Roadster dressing best. What's the sense in lightening the bike, and then bogging it down with a massive petrol tank?
Nah, revert to the Roadster dressing!

- Knut
 
Biased towards the Roadster as that is what my bike is, and the fireflake colours are very pretty. Appreciate the usefulness of a larger petrol tank though. I could be tempted by a Fastback LR type tank if one turned up. Now (sort of) regret dumping the Interplod tank that was originally on the bike.

Off topic, but some time back I saw a chap who had fitted a Dominator / Atlas type tank on a Sportster and it looked 'right'. Thought it was a neatly done job.
 
Roadster gets my vote . Regarding the Corbin seat , the quality has slipped a bit . My original had a fiberglass pan with various initials on inspection stickers and a piece of suede on the nose where it met the back of the tank. Now the pan is some sort of compound
( probably recycled material) , no inspection stickers and the nose has no suede - just some pop rivets. The upholstery on the hump was also dented.​
 
I had Corbin seats on 2 Hayabusas. On the 99 it made for a very comfy 600 mile ride - several times. On the 2008 which had a different subframe it was hellishly uncomfortable.
 
"Blast From The Past"

My first paying client (Born Again Bikes) in 2005 - Charlie wanted me to find him a Commando and build a cafe racer to certain specs.

I found a '75 High Rider in Houston, picked it up ON THE DAY THAT KATRINA HIT! Took my 13 hours to get home (5 hour drive).

"Before"
Pictures of your Norton Commandos


Ready to go back together after powdercoating, polishing, overhauling, etc...

Pictures of your Norton Commandos


"After"

Pictures of your Norton Commandos
 
...and before anyone bemoans "destroying a classic original" (High Rider), the H/R parts went to a guy that was restoring one from a rough roller, so it was actually HELPING a classic original come "back to life" again!
 

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