Pictures of your Norton Commandos

Fast Eddie said:

YellaPeril said:

She's almost ready for the dyno run and final tuning.....

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Apparently, that yellow paint scheme is worth at least 5 BHP on the Dyno...

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That's all? Damn!! Guess I will need to pick a new color.

another shot of my Commando.

73 850, Lake Nockamixan PA

something a little different : the rebuild begins......

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This is my 1966 Featherbed Commando 750. Built 2010. High compression engine, Boyer ignition, Amal 932 with velocity stacks, Tarrozi rear-sets.

Jagbruno said:

Here is my Norton racer just after engine rebuilt, last May. Slimline featherbed, box swingarm, belt primary, Pazon ignition, PW3 camshaft, Black Diamond valves with special springs, polished alloy conrods, lightened rockers, seriously modded crankshaft, Dunstall exhaust, etc...a LOT of fun to ride:

And this is the bike as it is now, after 1600miles with its full Dunstall fairing:

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Hi Jagbruno, I think we look a little alike. I am in Adelaide, South Australia. Your fairing looks great, but a shame to hide the engine !

Here's my 72 Combat though now with a PW3 Cam
I have had the bike since 95.
The head is gas flowed by Norman White, Mick Hemmings primary drive, various mods such as MK 2a gearbox cradle and swingarm, breather/oil pick-up.
The book by Jim Reynolds has my bike pictured on the cover http://www.amazon.co.uk/Norton-Racing-Legend-Jim-Reynolds/dp/0785803106
I sourced an original silencer which I sent to Viking Exhausts so Paul could make patterns with internals that match the originals with their sharks teeth, so it makes the original rather louder sound than the usual Campbell type.
All stainless by Dave Middleton.



If the front wheels missing, I think you have to reduce the size of the page somehow to get it all in?

Here is a picture of my 1970 Production Racer (original not repro), authenticated by both Norman White and Joe Seifert.
Oil tank and side panel were originally silver, also there wasn't a decal on the tank. Photo has original tank with Decal added.
Had it sitting in the basement for about 30 years, put back on road 3 years ago.
Biggest problem was fibreglass tank weeping. After being assured by Norvil their aluminum tank would fit I ordered one. Surprise, it didn't,
their response was it would fit if I used the rest of their reproduction parts. However could send it back for refund. Was cheaper to have it modified.
Next try: took pictures of tank with measurements, sent to "Glass From the Past", was told their tank was identical. After receiving and having it painted
found it did not fit. DUMB should have tried first, in conversation with Bret at GFTP was told tank was a copy of a Norvil reproduction.

Lovely bike 70NPR. I have always had a hankering for the original Proddy Racers' slightly upswept early/Atlas "sausage" silencers. Any chance of posting another pic showing more of the rear end?

Finally finished

nice memorial day weather, NYC

This is my new 74 commando. This was a gift from my dad and only has 6100 original miles on it. The poor thing was last registered in 90 and only took some minor work to get running.

Remove those crash bars! unless you was a bent frame ,if it hits the road.

john robert bould said:

Remove those crash bars! unless you was a bent frame ,if it hits the road.

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you beat me to it john, Good looking ride you got there saggs, I really like the interstate tank on a commando. Even if you never wreck, the clamps holding the crash bars to the frame, tend to rub and cause rust and in some cases dent the down tubes.

Welcome to the forum.

You are very fortunate to have a Dad that loves bikes, my Dad hated them.

Definitely remove the cruiser bars. Then ride like the wind!

The crash bars were the first thing removed after the initial wash job.

If I remember the story correctly, the bike was purchased "new" as a high rider in the late 70's as a holdover but had been picked over for spare parts by the dealer. My dad then took the next year or so to gather parts and set it up as an interstate model.

Even with the low miles the bike needs some love to make her road worthy. I replaced the primary chain (had lost some rollers), one of the exhaust ports has messed up threads, and the rear loop is bent. The tires are in good shape but are at least 25 years old, I don't know if I should trust them. If salvageable I'd like to keep them on for the season but will most likely re-lace the original wheel if I need new rubber.

The rest of my plan is to have the head fixed, put on some better bars and enjoy it for what it is for the rest of the summer. I would like to attempt to repair the frame but may wait until this fall when I strip it all down for paint, polish, and some upgrades.

The best part is I've got the blessing from the wife to spend a little change on this since it would make my dad pretty happy to see this beauty rode worthy again. However, I don't think she's aware of the amount of money that can be spent on restoring old bikes.

Go for new tires for sure. You can get a set of Avon Roadriders for a bit over $200, maybe 250 with new tubes as well. Best money you can spend on that bike, could very well save your life. The tires are right up there with a full face crash helmet as a safety necessity.
Will also transform the handling. Tire design and stickiness has come a long way in 25 years. Even if those 25 year old tires where somehow brand new rather than made of hard crumbly old rubber, they would still be greatly inferior to the new Avons and other modern brands.
Refitting the original rim is also a good plan.
Glen

revert the rear rim back to 19" from the 16" rim, and as other said things to go, handlebars, crashbars. upgrade the front brakes, good tires and of course any of the mechanical woes

+1 to what Madass sais about the rear wheel, that 16 inch wheel does not only look silly, it also spoils the handling of this otherwise fine machine.