Thank you and a question about commando value
- Thread starter dimitri
- Start date
- Status
I went back to see the commando i am interested in buying. Not made an offer yet. Just had the second evening chatting with the owner about motorcycles. Very nice guy!
Must admit the pictures make the bike look in better shape than it is. The matte look is due to the owner protecting the chrome with WD40 for storage. Chrome parts all have some stains, but would be usable and should polish up pretty nice but not new. All aluminum has dents and scratches but can be polished to 'as new'. Drive train looks all original except for carbs. Head is RH4 (for 1974?). It looks like some parts of a mk3 are used. Frame, front mudguard? side panels? Tacho is smiths without green dot, speedo with green dot and trip odometer. Front brake cylinder stuck, tires cracked. More parts than i originally thought are missing. Center stand, Most electrical parts (controls, signals, horn), original airbox and carbs, head steady is missing too!!
Engine turns freely with good (like my other norton) compression. Goes trough its gears. It is not standing still for more than 4 years. It should not be hard to get it running. Suspension seems good (as far as could test standing still).
I like the bike as a project. Always liked the idea of a non-original commando to play with. Many of the missing or bad parts (like head steady, controls, master cylinder,...) are a good opportunity to upgrade anyway.
Still thinking about a fair offer. I guess it totally depends on what it's destiny will be. As said higher in this tread. This bike could be back on the road with only a small investment... or it could be built to very nice specs with upgraded/original parts for much more than it will be worth afterwards. Even considering going to euro handlebars, get it running safe and sound, and drive it as is.
Opinions are appreciated!
Must admit the pictures make the bike look in better shape than it is. The matte look is due to the owner protecting the chrome with WD40 for storage. Chrome parts all have some stains, but would be usable and should polish up pretty nice but not new. All aluminum has dents and scratches but can be polished to 'as new'. Drive train looks all original except for carbs. Head is RH4 (for 1974?). It looks like some parts of a mk3 are used. Frame, front mudguard? side panels? Tacho is smiths without green dot, speedo with green dot and trip odometer. Front brake cylinder stuck, tires cracked. More parts than i originally thought are missing. Center stand, Most electrical parts (controls, signals, horn), original airbox and carbs, head steady is missing too!!
Engine turns freely with good (like my other norton) compression. Goes trough its gears. It is not standing still for more than 4 years. It should not be hard to get it running. Suspension seems good (as far as could test standing still).
I like the bike as a project. Always liked the idea of a non-original commando to play with. Many of the missing or bad parts (like head steady, controls, master cylinder,...) are a good opportunity to upgrade anyway.
Still thinking about a fair offer. I guess it totally depends on what it's destiny will be. As said higher in this tread. This bike could be back on the road with only a small investment... or it could be built to very nice specs with upgraded/original parts for much more than it will be worth afterwards. Even considering going to euro handlebars, get it running safe and sound, and drive it as is.
Opinions are appreciated!
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2004
- Messages
- 20,415
dimitri said:
From your first post:
"1974 High rider 850. Tank, handlebar and (not original) seat are high rider."
Tank is.
Seat? The seat is not original so how does that identify it as a Hi-Rider?
Handlebar isn't (too low, looks like T140 US bar) and the headlamp isn't the smaller Hi-Rider MCH66 type so the only specific Hi-Rider part is the fuel tank.
Frame could be Mk3 although some late '74 frames did have the extended Mk3 type shock plates.
http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/NCHiRider.htm
Thanks for clarifying L.A.B.
I don't know the high rider well and i am not a fan. I did not even looked at original pictures to confirm. I assumed, because it is a us import and had high handlebars. So you are right. Could be any model with high rider tank.
You are right about the frame. It could be original. The VIN number on the headstock looks original and has a norton logo stamped.
Do you know what model the side panels are from? On the other side the ignition lock is in the side panel. I assume (but i am not that good at assuming) it should point forward and was relocated because the airbox was removed?
I don't know the high rider well and i am not a fan. I did not even looked at original pictures to confirm. I assumed, because it is a us import and had high handlebars. So you are right. Could be any model with high rider tank.
You are right about the frame. It could be original. The VIN number on the headstock looks original and has a norton logo stamped.
Do you know what model the side panels are from? On the other side the ignition lock is in the side panel. I assume (but i am not that good at assuming
) it should point forward and was relocated because the airbox was removed?
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2004
- Messages
- 20,415
dimitri said:
= Interstate.
dimitri said:On the other side the ignition lock is in the side panel. I assume (but i am not that good at assuming
Yes, it should point forward, unless it was a Mk3 originally, in which case the ignition switch would have been in the console attached to the upper yoke.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
