There still out there - this one just rolled down my drive!

Had a phone call in the week, 'you still looking for a MK3' the rest is history. It was described as a restoration project as it had been off the road 25 years, still has the last tax disc from 1989. The previous owner had passed away and his son did not want it. The tank I believe was fitted to make it look respectable, thankfully it is unused original NOS with original pin striping. Lester wheels will need NDE before use and maybe painting as they look a bit too much silver.

The handle bars will go, exhaust look good but rusty inside, might fit low levels and some Hepco and Becker luggage and use it as a tourer.

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Lucky you !
FWIW the wheels are not Lesters , they are Campbray wheels , made in Dartford. I have a set on a Mk 3 and a T160.
Out of interest what size is the rear one, mine is 18" and it's the only 18" I've ever seen.
sam

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Hi,

The rear is 18'', not ideal but I will fit some good rubber, Conti or Avon Cobra as I can fit a matching Avon Cobra to the front. Looks like I will have to get on the phone to Cambrian and see what they have got. Plan will be to get this one on the road and then restore my long serving steed, shame as I just put the Fullauto head and ceramic pipes and silencers on my long serving MK3.

It was not even advertised, as the dealer was inundated with bikes and wanted space. I inquired last October about a MK3 but missed it, thankfully they remembered me.

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Forgot to add, the front wheel will take a double disc set up for 5 hole standard discs, seems unusual for Campbray's as I can only find the style for single disc online. Mind you the bike was last taxed in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1989, so not far from the manufacturers of Cambray's.

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Yep, most of the front wheels had that bees nest shape on the non disc side, but some were machined flat , the spare front that I have (not on the bike) is the flat type.
unfortunately you still need the expensive fork disc slider to take advantage.

Forgot to say.
In your first post you say the owners son didn't want the bike.
Now that's just wierd . How can you not want a Norton Commando :shock: ?

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

trident sam said:

......unfortunately you still need the expensive fork disc slider to take advantage. .......you could try Norman white for the fork slider or maybe Madass140 from the forum....


Forgot to say.
In your first post you say the owners son didn't want the bike.
Now that's just wierd . How can you not want a Norton Commando :shock: ?

Click to expand...

......I know right, that is what I was thinking, how could he not want it..

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Thanks for the comments, this bike was sure stored well since 1989 (see photo) so that will save me a small fortune in parts. Main jobs will be engine strip and check along with gearbox overhaul as the phone calls I get each week just scare me to ride this without checking it myself. It is amazing what loose / missing parts are found in engines and gearboxes.

The front brake will need looking at as am surprised it could have passed an MOT - incorrectly fitted brake parts (see photo) would have been a failure even in the 80's, that is not crud - it is actually the parts of the pads nearly touching each other where they are not running correctly on the disc, they could have been shaved to avoid this! With a AN 13mm M/C this will be a nice improvement on he front end, AP Racing still do the caliper refurb kit and pads, so no problems there. Proddy racer slider may alleviate this issue, but these are made for 11.5'' discs - correction, large cast iron lumps that weigh a tonne!!

Isolastics goes without saying, chances are the rubbers have perished and if they have been replace prior to the last few years are most probably the incorrect grade of rubber. The seat will be sold as It is from a pre-MK3 and does not fit correctly, why it has this seat I don't know, but it is lower than my standard MK3 seat when side by side in the garage so maybe the PO wanted a lower seat.

Front forks, head bearings, will check these externally and see what they are like, might strip and fit new bushes and seals.

The fuel tank I will try and re-position, it is very close to the stanchions on full lock - is this normal with the larger Interstate tanks? The idea of a large tank is nice for distance trips, but I am used to the 'slimline' interstate tank. If I can't get on with it I will swap this gem of a tank.

From a distance the frame paintwork looks OK, but it has been badly touched up (see photo) no deal as it has at least protected the underlying metal.

Starter motor is missing - at least it was not extra weight in the van to carry back to my place!! if I convert back I will need to check the battery tray as it might not be MK3 as the battery looks too small.

The airbox is missing, I got a spare pre MK3 airbox with the bike, I will just grommet off the hole in the RH side and fit MK3 brackets, question for those in the know, do I stick with the K&N style filters or revert back? I imagine in the 80's it common to to convert to this filter setup.

Those with keen eyes will have noticed some non-original stainless bits - they will be junked.

Photos to follow when Photo bucket is up, as I know you like photos!!

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Yippee, photobucket is back, here's the pics.

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

I wonder what that extra casting on the top of the timing side footrest mounting block is for, maybe some kind of rearsets? Never seen that before

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Or a luggage bracket maybe?

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Very short resto thread will appear in the resto threads this summer. £500.00 will do it I think, time is what I need.

Re: There still out there - this one just rolled down my dri

Looks like a Lucas Rita ignition, or at least the points cover is from the Rita. The brake pedal looks odd to me as well as that odd cast thing on the Z plate.
Great find! They are out there, and isn't it great when they just fall in your lap?

Cheers