restore cost....ouch!

dennisgb · Oct 22, 2013

Mark said:
You must be talking about a different Colorado Norton works than I am.
The CNW bikes that I have seen don't look any where near original.
Not saying that they couldn't build one if they wanted, but their bikes are "street rods" in my eyes.

Mark,

Look at the photo gallery of the bikes they have built for customers. You are talking about the Cafe style bikes on the main web page...most of the bikes they build are mild customs of the originals...take the time to look at them or do a picture search on the web...you will see some very nice bikes.

dennisgb · Oct 22, 2013

batrider said:
dennisgb said:

I think the Corbin gunfighter seat belongs on the commando...should have been one of the original seat choices had it been around then.

Click to expand...

Sorry I can't hold back... Yuck!

Batrider...to each his own. I have no problem with the stock seats, but I think the gunfighter seat gives the bike a stealthy look...maybe a little too cafe for some...but it makes the bike look like it's moving when it's standing still...but then I can't stand the High Rider and so many people love that look...I'm 61 years old and owned a new Commando Roadster in 1976...and I still think the High Rider is a really dated look...felt that way in the 70's...but you either love it or hate it...just like the Corbin seat.

beng · Oct 22, 2013

JimC said:
As we age we can tire of the "thrill" of working on our Nortons. I know I did.

Nothing wrong with taking a vacation. When you are ready the bike will be too.

Putting yourself on a schedule is a sure way to ruin the fun of working on bikes. I spent two years assembling my Norton rider from a pile of parts and bucket of bolts, could have done it in half the time but I refused to work out in my unheated garage when it was below 50, and I did not sacrifice time with my family or maintaining the property.

No matter how bad my attitude or enthusiasm was before I started working on the bike, that evaporated instantly every time I laid my hands on it. My mind was the only enemy I ever had, and the bike was the best cure.

I am glad I never had the money to pay others to do things for me, because now I can do anything. When you see the masses of people who can do absolutely nothing for themselves, who are at the mercy of fate and others, who do not understand the world around them or themselves, then you will not trade your life for any other and thank the stars that you are you.

Mark · Oct 22, 2013

I really don't care how a person goes about getting a bike that "moves" them.
They can build it themselves, pay someone to restore one or just buy it off of the showroom floor.
There are many different ways to get the skin off of a cat, whatever works for them.

I've never been able to afford to pay someone to do the work for me, so I just had to figure out how to do it myself.
Mechanical stuff has always interested me, so turning wrenches is my hobby. It all just sort of works out in the end.

Torontonian · Oct 22, 2013

Mark, there is no real :| end.. Read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintence by Robert M. Perseig followed by some Carlos Casteneda , this will clarify any confusions/satisfactions that may occur in head-brain thingy.

Mark · Oct 22, 2013

I tried to read that book a long time ago, It didn't hold my interest.

I guess as far as motorsickles go, there really isn't an end for me.
the saga goes........
Ride it - Break it - Fix it - Repeat!

^ The circle of life according to mark. :lol:

Torontonian · Oct 22, 2013

Understand very well the not holding interest part very long eg: Phaedrus. But the Creator made me a philosopher and hitting Greece just upped the Ante. Fix. Break ,Repair ,pay attention ,Maintenance. :|

Hobot · Oct 22, 2013

by Mark » Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:44 pm
I tried to read that book a long time ago, It didn't hold my interest.
I guess as far as motorsickles go, there really isn't an end for me.
the saga goes........
Ride it - Break it - Fix it - Repeat!
^ The circle of life according to mark. :lol:

Ditto on dull book mark and our cycles of Riding to Wrench & Spend. So nil left over for Church of Bob.
About every time I see my '71 bud Wes when he's riding or when he's not riding he conveys his guilt or his wisdom sense on using his up. If ya lucky its a never ending hobby but sure nice to just be a pilot for a few seasons in a row. With all the left overs from set backs I've about enough for a real hard tail chopper.

Bikes · Oct 23, 2013

Makes me wonder why I cant get $5 k for my 72.......

dennisgb · Oct 23, 2013

My new Corbin Gunfighter seat I ordered just came. Real leather and a nice mounting bracket with key lock...pops right off without loosening the seat nuts...nice!

andychain · Oct 23, 2013

I had a ggod time at Stafford, sold 2 Norton Merc duplex but to a guy Belgium and one from
Germany, talk about coals to Newcastle.

There were a lot of wonderful machines and some bargains in the auction if you knew what to look for.

Andy

PS Kempton this weekend

Matt Spencer · Oct 23, 2013

Seen somewhere before . :!:

sensable , practicable . but not keen on the fat assed bit . though a smaller squashable hump for dual seat use would be good .

Does protect the more delicate parts of the anatomy , if youre not paying attention & slam the brakes on .Or hit a Taxi .
But should be unnessesary , as if youve been caught out this way , youre unlikely to repeat it , unless unnessesarily dull . :lol:

the olde Kuhn , P.R. / Norvil ( Thruxton Race Shop - real time - not the modernist version ) & the F - 750 commando seat / tail fairing .
MODERNISEING it , the first thing youd do is bolt half a BDA in .

theyve been cut in half since 68 for formular 750 raceing . Nothing to it .

Matt Spencer · Oct 23, 2013

" Matt, your reference to Hitler is interesting "

He Got quite Hysterical ( how unusual ) and BANNED the Import of British Engines , Components & Motorcycles ( a bit like the Japanese post war ) to protect german industry .
cant find the artical authentictaeing details , at the moment .

worntorn · Oct 23, 2013

Up to 14 grand and still needs the starter fixed. Maybe the fact that it can do 0-60 (or 0-6) in about the same time as a 160 hp sportbike makes it this valuable. Pretty amazing acceleration, especially with a single mikuni on there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121196206085?fo ... OTORS:1123

acotrel · Oct 23, 2013

I know what JimC means about tiring of the thrill of working on a Norton. As we get older the hardest thing about motorcycling is keeping the urge going. This forum helps me do that. Some of you young guys put me to shame.

B+Bogus · Oct 24, 2013

acotrel said:
I know what JimC means about tiring of the thrill of working on a Norton. As we get older the hardest thing about motorcycling is keeping the urge going. This forum helps me do that. Some of you young guys put me to shame.

That's what these mutual assistance forums are all about :wink:
Both my Commando restorations took a year each, and of that it was a series of intense bursts of activity separated by long periods of not going near the things!

There were times when I'd walk into the garage, look around for 5 minutes, then walk back out again.
When inspiration comes, you know it's time to get started again, and it feels good to be doing it... unless the parts don't fit!

Probably amounted to 6 weeks' worth each 'on the clock', but many hours chasing down parts and researching the best mods - and drawing on the collective knowledge of the fine folks here!
Being able to do most of the work myself has kept my costs down, but the greatest part of the whole experience is knowing that the bikes represent my best efforts as much as Norton's.

dennisgb · Oct 24, 2013

worntorn said:
Up to 14 grand and still needs the starter fixed. Maybe the fact that it can do 0-60 (or 0-6) in about the same time as a 160 hp sportbike makes it this valuable. Pretty amazing acceleration, especially with a single mikuni on there.

Yes!

worntorn · Oct 24, 2013

I sent the seller an email to say that in order to do 0-60 in the 3 second range as he claims, a Commando would need a rocket booster attached. He replied that the bike uses sodium perchlorate solid rocket booster fuel.
I guess BS beats brains once again!

Glen

john robert bould · Oct 24, 2013

Andy,
Thats just about summed it up. I have many projects needing lots of time, its finding the URGE, just spent 3 hours tiding and cleaning the lathe, i think once a rebuild is started the energy flows,,,,providing there is energy in the first place :lol:
I now as we get older the tasks get longer,,,reminds me of a story...a young guy is speaking to a old farmer, the youngster ask's " What are the biggest change's you have seen working the last 50 years on this farm? The farmer replie's " well every year them fields seem to get bigger"

B+Bogus said:
acotrel said:

I know what JimC means about tiring of the thrill of working on a Norton. As we get older the hardest thing about motorcycling is keeping the urge going. This forum helps me do that. Some of you young guys put me to shame.

Click to expand...

That's what these mutual assistance forums are all about :wink:
Both my Commando restorations took a year each, and of that it was a series of intense bursts of activity separated by long periods of not going near the things!

There were times when I'd walk into the garage, look around for 5 minutes, then walk back out again.
When inspiration comes, you know it's time to get started again, and it feels good to be doing it... unless the parts don't fit!

Probably amounted to 6 weeks' worth each 'on the clock', but many hours chasing down parts and researching the best mods - and drawing on the collective knowledge of the fine folks here!
Being able to do most of the work myself has kept my costs down, but the greatest part of the whole experience is knowing that the bikes represent my best efforts as much as Norton's.

worntorn · Oct 24, 2013

Speaking of time spent tidying the lathe, I just purchased this 1943 Ex US Department of Defense Monarch 18.5" swing lathe. It is in terrific condition with almost no wear on the ways, however I am now into it for 60 hours of degreasing and painting. The entire lathe was coated in heavy grease and grime from years spent in the toolroom of a large Battleship of some kind. This prevented rust, but it would leave your hands covered in black grime after any contact with it.
It got a coat of Hammerite glass particle paint, now fitting a DRO to it, repair the coolant pump, run three phase wiring and begin to use.
It seemed like a good idea to get a larger capacity lathe, however I now need to live long enough to make it worthwhile!

Glen

After much cleaning and painting with toxic but very tough paint-

restore cost....ouch!

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