Pictures of your Norton Commandos

Norton in use. My wife says it's a comfy machine and softer riding than the Vincent. I should put a top box with backrest on the bike, then it would be ideal for two up touring.

Glen

My 1974 mk2a Interstate, built in May ‘74 and sold by Sports Motorcycles, Manchester on 14 June 1974 which happens to be about 30 miles from my home.

Dave

Lookin’ good Dave.

Nice tidy workshop too !

Sharp enough to cut. Very nice.

Fast Eddie said:

Lookin’ good Dave.

Nice tidy workshop too !

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Thank you. The pic was taken at the weekend but they are all covered with sheets and plywood now as I’m having the workshop roof redone. It’s an old milking parlour with a slate roof which had quite a few loose skates so the roofers are in the process of stripping and re slating.

Cheers
Dave

My 1952 Model 7, awaiting engine work

63 Atlas to be used this year as a 88SS

72 Combat will be turning green this year, maybe disc brake to go back on too.

I had long been interested in the reported poor reputation of MKIII Electric-Start Commando and was going to learn as much as possible about this variant. How bad was the MKIII and were the rumors true?

Story 1: In the 92-93 time frame I went to the Spring Keene(NH) Harley Flea Market with 2 friends. In a back row of the fair grounds animal stall, a guy was selling a dead MKIII engine (no head) and primary. in two milk crates, $125 cash and carry. I brought it home and threw it upstairs in the garage where it slept for several years untouched....

Story 2: Back story... is friend Frank worked in rented building in Nortth Andover Mass. Building property manager saw Frank with NNENO club t-shirt and offered Norton MKIII rolling chassis for sale. Real estate Manager sold his friends house and was told to keep or get rid of his abandoned MKIII. House owner left area and had lost interest in dead commando. With a touch over 10K miles. MKIII died from bad soft cam. My club freind Frank bought for $100. Brought it home.

Story 3: My first MKIII 33004X. Acquired by "trade with Frank" in summer of 95, valued at $100, for my $100 71 commando. I had bought the 71 from Jim Bernier(RIP). 71 Commando had full Dunstall treatment, Dual disc, clip-ons, tank, seat, front fender, Borrani's F&R, cam and other engine mods and more. However, no gearbox. All Dunstall equipment was removed leaving a $100 rolling chassis.

Story 4: A short while later I put the MKIII rollong chassis on the bike lift and started to look it over. I recalled I had long ago bought a MKIII engine. I went upstairs and brought down the engine short block (minus head) and slipped into the engine mounts and slipped a few bolts through to tie it together. Further examination showed the engine was discovered numbered as 33004X. Looking up at the neck of the roller frame was the VIN plate and 33004X. WOW gearbox also 33004X. WOW Just like winning megabucks.

Story 5: I started picking up parts, flea market RH4 head $75, 20m3S cam $20, 06-4791 prestolite starter NOS $150(British Only). I was on my way. I had it on the road running for $1100, and a lot of my own work. Maiden Voyage was @ the Hiawasi GA INOA rally in 1996. I rode it for 4 years until the battery died and I then put it away for a few years.

My E-start test bed before I replaced the 18" rer wheel.

suffering mid winter jan 2019
My only transportation all summer until the first week of november 2018 when I got my new (leftover) 2017 RAM 3500 6.7l diesel down in N.C.
MKIII still on the first rebuild done in 1995 with only a bit of maintenance

Serendipitous matching numbers? WOW! Cool story.

Reserve Edition.

We had some snow today so I took that as a reason to take some long overdue current pictures of my '71 Commando. Been waiting for the weather to turn so I can try out a jetting change.

Nice. Put some screws into the tires and go ice racing!

gortnipper said:

Reserve Edition.

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Stunning. Finally the chrome fenders look awesome when matched with the chrome sidecovers, seat cowl, and tank... The tank is freakin' sexy as hell btw. I love it.

Are your bars flat with a slight pull back?? (I may want to go to those)

o0norton0o said:

Stunning. Finally the chrome fenders look awesome when matched with the chrome sidecovers, seat cowl, and tank... The tank is freakin' sexy as hell btw. I love it.

Are your bars flat with a slight pull back?? (I may want to go to those)

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Thanks for the compliment. It is now filthy after 1500 mi road trip last weekend!

Flanders bars, B23 on http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/ImportHandlebars/ImportDrag/78DragBars.html

B23: 7/8" Flanders Drag Handlebar Wide Center: Measurements
Degree of Bend: 18 degrees
Pullback: 4"
Center: 9"
Width: 31"
Diameter: 7/8"

Also available from CNW.

Note that they wont work with an interstate tank as they will hit the tank sides, and if you have longer cables/brake line than one for UK bars, then you may have some routing issues.

Fenders are stock SS. Tank, sidecovers are alloy. Seat cowl is actually white, with black trim and a silver pin stripe betweeblack/white.

n the

I like that you used the same directionals that I used on my bike. I hate the stock "lollypop" norton directional lamps. They look like a cheap afterthought slapped on to satisfy the requirement for directionals in '72.

You're right, I have an interstate tank, so I may have issues with the lower bars. The truth is that I'm avoiding going to clip on's because I don't want to ride in an all hunched over position. My fairing would work better with lower bars, but between the interstate tank, and my desire to sit in a taller position, perhaps I already have the only workable solution.

Thanks for the info nipper, great lookin' bike.

fiatfan said:

Eddie; just klick one of the pics, and there´s more, both pics and reading. After looking at that, I´d classify this bike as a couple of notches above "very" interesting.....
Tommy

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Very flattering, thank you. I do regard it as my best work but in a different way I am putting my efforts into a D-Type copy today, which will also be unique. The sad bit is my three kids never really got skilled with their hands, so there’s not much sense passing it on as they can’t really appreciate it. They like Jags and can at least sell those if they prefer cash!

I will write up the bike again but which magazine is best? Does Classic Bike still sell most copies?

Pete

My 1974 Norton 850 Commando MKIIA

Very sweet looking motorcycle. Well kept.

My friend from work has just bought one of the Henry Cole inspired Norton 961s. We had a short ride together which was a good bit of fun.





It looks very nice. The exhaust was VERY loud.

Whats that screen on on your handle bars Reggie, Reversing camera ?

blaisestation said:

Whats that screen on on your handle bars Reggie, Reversing camera ?

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I can get my emails on it as well.

jbruney said:

Very sweet looking motorcycle. Well kept.

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Thanks - I noticed you’re in south Texas. I’m in the Richmond Texas area.