The Ultimate Stable mate ~

htown16 · Sep 18, 2009

When I was a broke college student in the early 70's I rode an Aermachi 350 but I lusted after one of 4 bikes, Triumph Bonneville, Harley Sportster, Norton Commando and BSA Lightening. I have managed to get three of them. Is there a Lightening in my future?

The Sportsters a 2004, but they are an anchronism anyway.

Brithit · Sep 18, 2009

htown16 said:
When I was a broke college student in the early 70's I rode an Aermachi 350 but I lusted after one of 4 bikes, Triumph Bonneville, Harley Sportster, Norton Commando and BSA Lightening. I have managed to get three of them. Is there a Lightening in my future?

The odds are very good that the answer is yes!

Cookie · Sep 18, 2009

I think I'd be glad it is a 2004. It is my understanding that Harley quality is much better than when we were kids. I had a Commando and my friend Richie had an AMF Sportster back then and I was always being drafted to get his bike going. The kickstart gear was stamped steel and since the point cam kept closing he would kick it until that broke.
As always I lament that Norton went under instead of being improved on the same lines. When the new Norton is finally available I think a working stiff like myself is priced out of the market.

htown16 · Sep 18, 2009

Harley rubbermounted the engine in the Sportster starting in 2004. Made it a much smoother bike. Guess it just took them 36 years to catch up with Norton. :lol:

Cookie · Sep 18, 2009

In the old days we were just happy to have the points and kickstarter work. It seems like I fitted and earlier gear to Richie's kickstarter and use point from something else. Too many years ago now.

Fullauto · Sep 18, 2009

Apparently the Harley workers were'nt happy about AMF's takeover. The funniest story I ever heard was way back in the seventies when a guy in the US was having gearbox problems with his new Sporty. He took it back to the dealer and when they opened the gearbox up there was a note in there saying....

"Ha Ha no second gear."

It was in one of the American mags sometime in the seventies and I've never forgotten it because it's so damn funny. Probably true, too.

BrianK · Sep 18, 2009

Weren't there also stories of Triumphs - must have been the OiF days? - where people would find notes inside THE FRAME (don't ask me why they'd opened up the frame, I'm just the reporter) that said FUCK YOU!

Cookie · Sep 18, 2009

I worked for Carbodies of Coventry for a short time here in America. I was trying to sort out a persistent door rattle in a hand made London Taxi show car built to take the American market by storm when Checker went out of business. There was a box of bolts in the door. At one point British and American workers didn't need animosity.
http://www.motorcities.com/vehicle/04BA7573227929.html

splatt · Sep 19, 2009

BrianK, I won't re quote it, but it was probably aimed at the arogant ass that turned up in the latest JAGUAR earned more in company perks than 6 workers on the floor and couldn't manage his way out of a paper bag with two open ends.
As for stable mates I really should pull my finger out and finish a couple of projects,75 t160,t150 bitser,73 850 interstate.A commando is a bit like riding a trail bike after a T160,nothing says here I come like a gutted 3nto1, who needs your headlight on heard before you're seen. :twisted: :twisted:

Fullauto · Sep 19, 2009

It's certainly true as far as I am concerned that the older Brit triples are right up there with the absolute best sounds in motorcycling. Along with bevel drive Ducatis with Contis and Benelli sixes.

SteveMinning · Sep 26, 2009

I've been getting the Manx ready for the Barber races in a couple of weeks so thought it would be a good time to get a picture of the Norton's together. Here's my Commando's stable mate:

swooshdave · Sep 26, 2009

SteveMinning said:
I've been getting the Manx ready for the Barber races in a couple of weeks so thought it would be a good time to get a picture of the Norton's together. Here's my Commando's stable mate:

OK, you win. :mrgreen:

Ron L · Sep 26, 2009

OK, you win.

Wow! I'll second that! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

grandpaul · Sep 26, 2009

Hey, I got to help work on that Manx!

Talk about cool...

The Ultimate Stable mate ~

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