Whats the value of a 74-75 norton commando barn find

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Dutch said:
You know that motor has been full of water -
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I doubt it. Its not locked up still kicks over. anyways if i was to use an engine thats been sitting that long i would want to pull it apart and have a look inside anyways if for nothing else new seals
 
How long have the carbs been open?
Whats the value of a 74-75 norton commando barn find
 
Invariably, one or the other intake valve will be at least partially open, allowing moisture and weather in...

However, it it kicks over, that a huge plus!
 
You will spend 8 to 10 grand restoring that bike and be lucky to get that if you then sold it.

+1
 
grandpaul said:
Invariably, one or the other intake valve will be at least partially open, allowing moisture and weather in...

However, it it kicks over, that a huge plus!
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That right-rear seam on the gas tank looks suspect.
Hopefully it's just flaking paint.
 
I'm in with the comments here that it will cost as much to restore as you could sell it for. The labor is pretty much given for free. But even if you buy a bike for ten grand you will still have to put labor into it. At least when you do the build yourself you know what is inside it.

As for the fuel tank...if the bottom is rusted out, I am always interested in attempting repairs of hopeless tanks. Let me know before you throw it away.

Russ
 
rvich said:
I'm in with the comments here that it will cost as much to restore as you could sell it for. The labor is pretty much given for free. But even if you buy a bike for ten grand you will still have to put labor into it. At least when you do the build yourself you know what is inside it.

As for the fuel tank...if the bottom is rusted out, I am always interested in attempting repairs of hopeless tanks. Let me know before you throw it away.

Russ
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Im a welder/fabricator i could fix it no problem but would it be worth it? How would it effect the value then its a repaired original tank
 
I don't have an answer regarding how it would affect value. I just don't like seeing stuff like this tossed out when there are hobbists such as myself who like messing around with advancing our own skills. I know if I hired a welder to do the repair, it likely would not be worth it from a monetary standpoint. But there are not very many of us who actually make money from building these bikes. Not if we value our labor anyway. I'm in it for something to challenge myself with. Which is exceedingly easy.
 
Selling it in current state is the only way you are going to make a profit. Don't be greedy, you always got to leave some money on the table for the next person. It's what makes the world go round.
 
Matt at CNW can tell you what the core bike is worth in that shape.
From a "We'll rebuild it to near perfection " point of view, I would guess probably near zero.
Fortunately the marketplace is full of dreamers.
With your rusty core bike you can sell the Commando dream to someone for a couple thousand.

Some guys just love having a project or three on the go at all times.

Glen
 
could be the tank is repairable but i've seen them rusted out internally beyond repair
 
I would strongly advise you go call the local police, as others have suggested, and have them run the numbers before you sell it and become an accessory to Grand Theft. I would not spend a cent until you know it is NOT stolen. If the engine and transmission number match then the missing tag on the steering head probably had a number that matched the other two. If I were a betting man I'd bet on it not being stolen, but when the truth is so readily available why play with fire? Save that kind of heat for the bedroom...

Better that the state removes it and returns it to its rightful owner, or heir, which makes you the hero. If you sell it, even with the weak documentation that came with the house, you'll still spend at least a couple of grand on legal fees, why risk it?

Your "field find" is a genuine POS and will cost at least $10K to set right, but is a tasty tidbit for someone that is willing to spend that kind of money and 2-5 years taking it through the process; a bona fide pennies a day proposition and a true honey pot for the Norton disabled. If you like mechanical challenges and seeing your hand work produce tangible results I would encourage you to re-float it your self it will give you similar pain/pleasure as a marriage and raising children. My Norton mechanical adventures helped teach my kids how to turn a wrench and swear like a drunken sailor...

Best wishes!
 
Ryanc said:
Im a welder/fabricator i could fix it no problem but would it be worth it? How would it effect the value then its a repaired original tank
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I sold a decent steel Inter tank for $1,000

I think if you do a GOOD job, it could be worth $750

I can sell complete Commando engines needing total overhaul for $1,000 any day of the week.

If you are doing a refurb resto/mod, you can get into it for under $7,500, even if you farm out the paint, machine work, and powdercoating. I know, I've done it more than a dozen times.
 
grandpaul said:
I sold a decent steel Inter tank for $1,000

I think if you do a GOOD job, it could be worth $750

I can sell complete Commando engines needing total overhaul for $1,000 any day of the week.

If you are doing a refurb resto/mod, you can get into it for under $7,500, even if you farm out the paint, machine work, and powdercoating. I know, I've done it more than a dozen times.
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Seems like a $1,000 replacement tank would take a pretty large bite out of that $7,500. Does that $7,500 include the Loctite for the head fasteners you claim to use?
 
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