Topic: Going to look at a Norton Commando, anyone familiar?

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

This little fella popped up on CL today. I know squat about brit's but know they're easy to sell if they run. Having no sentimental attatchment to the thing I'm thinking I could maybe flip it, not especially for profit, other than the profit of the experience. Anyone familiar with the bikes want to comment?

[Grnrngr]

Without a doubt, the ugliest one I've ever seen. But, if it runs, or is easy to get running, they are pretty cool...and getting hard to find, around here anyway..

[zoo mob]

Never worked on one or ridden one, but they look coll as hell, and are worth pretty big loot when restored.

[mrbreeze]

Without a doubt, the ugliest one I've ever seen. But, if it runs, or is easy to get running, they are pretty cool...and getting hard to find, around here anyway..

Totally agree!! I took a short ride on one many years ago (that was clean) and liked it more than any other twin I had ever rode. As far as wrenching,sourcing parts,etc., I dunno.

[bryanj]

Run away quickly, dont look back.

They are a mechanical nightmare and if you have nevr had a brit it is absolutely the worst one to start with

[BeSeeingYou]

Never owned one but three of my friends had them on our trips through the western U.S.  back in the 1980's.  I always liked them and thought they handled very well and were pretty smooth for a vertical twin.  Would take one over a Triumph or BSA any day.  People seem to love them or hate them so you will get all kinds of opinions.  They have a few things you may not be familiar with like the Amal carbs and the isolastic engine mounts which can be a pain if not properly set up.  Not a project to be tackled lightly as that bike looks a bit of a mess with an ugly exhaust system and like you suspect it would be doubtful that you would make any money on it.  Parts can be expensive though they are not hard to come by.  This one belongs to a friend and THIS one would be easy to sell.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I bought it.

It looks like a whole bunch of crazy to me. I can see how the Honda's killed the British bike market. I think I might now be the owner of someone elses dream bike. If you know anyone that is in the market PM me, I could probably be talked out of it now. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful and I think I got a good deal. But it's touch and go on weather or not I can keep it. I'm finally wrapping my brain around what Honda had going on in the 70's and might should stay on that path.

[BeSeeingYou]

What year? 1972? Looks like the carbs are missing.  You can get a manifold adaptor and use a single Mikuni.  Common mod that works good and is less headache than the Amals.  IMO with the stock exhaust one of the best sounding bikes ever.  Don't give up yet.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

What year? 1972? Looks like the carbs are missing.  You can get a manifold adaptor and use a single Mikuni.  Common mod that works good and is less headache than the Amals.  IMO with the stock exhaust one of the best sounding bikes ever.  Don't give up yet.

The Amals and throttle are there, I had them in the car. I tinkered with it for a few minutes and got the lights to flicker on and the horn to buzz, so it's getting there.

Yeah, you nailed it, '72. The tank is fiberglass, was that a stock option? Someone said it may be the 'combat' model with 10:1 pistons based on the tank style and black painted jugs.

The bike has a cool history. Previous owner worked on John Forces race crew. He built the bike up in his front room over several years. His daughter said they hung Christmas decorations on it. He went through the motor meticulously and took a long time to gather up parts. When he died she got it and let it sit in a shed. One of their buddies told her husband about craigslist and....

Any idea on value? If it's worth no more than what I paid I may keep it, but I'm so broke now I couldn't turn down a profit. This was definetly an impulse buy (less than 18 hours from the time I saw it online).

[chickenman_26]

Put all the parts back on, and some nut job will probably give you $3500 for it as it sits. I worked for several years as a brit mechanic in a Triupmh/BSA/Norton shop. The Triumphs and BSA were easier to work on, but the Nortons were a better ride. If you aren't familiar with brit bikes and don't have a good selection of Whitworth and British Standard tools, plus special tools for various items, you're money and time ahead flipping it for a profit. That bike needs the whole nine yards.

Stu

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I've decided not to keep it. I have invested too much time and money in my current tools and reengineering my brain to work on the Honda. I can't start over, not right now, and can't afford to keep another non running bike around. Spread the word if you know anyone...

Thanks for the responses!

[BeSeeingYou]

The fiberglass tank was available on the combat model.  Look on the head for a C stamped someplace for the combat engine.  The combat engine  had a reputation for trashing the original crank bearings as they were not up to handling the power developed.  From the sounds of it if the engine was rebuilt this was most likely dealt with.  Any combat engine still running with substantial miles would most likely have been fixed.  A nice restored stock running combat may be worth 5000+.  I have seen Nortons in similar condition to yours sell for 1200-2000 around here.  Not sure how much the combat model adds to the value.

[Retro Rocket]

I think they did a roller bearing conversion on the combats, don't know if the combat bikes would be worth any more than the commando's. IMO Nortons were the best handling of the Brit bikes and when sorted they were pretty quick as well. I will own a mid seventies 850 commando one day....

Mick

[ColinMc]

I'd buy it off ya if I lived closer...and if I had room for another project...I really don't think the old Norton's are that bad to work on, especially after tearing my Ducati apart and rebuilding that...

I'd spend on a day on it, just cleaning, polishing, and getting things to work that you can without any money invested. You'll easily sell it for a profit with just a good detail job.

[Roach Carver]

how much do you want for it?

[BeSeeingYou]

I see  it's listed on EBay.  It sure cleaned up nice and looks so much better than the earlier pictures. 

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Yeah, I sold it to a guy in Tulsa who said he was going to restore it. Guess not 

I did all that cleaning, it looked great. He talked #$%* about it from the time he laid eyes on it till the second he rolled out of the yard, I was disappointed someone more excited didn't come get it. 2,500$ is what I sold it to him for. I didn't want to deal with eBay, but I'm sure I'll regret it when I see what it sells for. I don't know, it wasn't the right bike for me and I made a little over 1,400$ profit, so I'm sure there's a litte karma involved. I'm happy, paid off my credit cards with about 800 bucks left to spend. 

I can say this guy knew his #$%* about Brit bikes and I'm very suspicious about him not getting it running. I couldn't get spark and if he couldn't it probably has some in depth electrical problems. The wiring looked rough.

What can I say, I'm a Honda guy 

[ColinMc]

Man I wish I was closer...I woulda snagged it for that much lol!

At least you made some money on it!

[BeSeeingYou]

I think you did pretty good getting the 2500 for it.  You must have moved quick to get it originally for what $1100.   That was a smokin' deal.  With an undocumented history and not running the other guy may make a few bucks too but I don't think it will be a huge amount.  Would love to find one for $1000 but it does not happen around here, for whatever reason Nortons are well known here.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I think you did pretty good getting the 2500 for it.  You must have moved quick to get it originally for what $1100.   That was a smokin' deal.  With an undocumented history and not running the other guy may make a few bucks too but I don't think it will be a huge amount.  Would love to find one for $1000 but it does not happen around here, for whatever reason Nortons are well known here.

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I was starting to think I screwed up big time. Ebay is weird, no telling what it'll go for. I can say I put a very minimal effort into selling the bike, and it was fun to work on. I didn't regret selling it till I saw it on Ebay, and I think that was just fueld by jealousy for the extra possible profit. I should be happy with the profit I made and the experience.

I paid 1K, and factored in gas and a trailer to get it, plus changing the fluids, so about 1080$. Also, I know of a secret stash of Nortons around here that maybe someday I can get my hands on. That factored into me selling this bike. Haven't talked to the owner, he's never home. If I ever do and can get him to let more than one go I'll let you know srust58!

[BeSeeingYou]

I see it sold for $2650.00.  You did good and the other guy payed the price.  I am sure the $150 did not cover the effort to pick up the bike and go through the motions of selling it.  Still I think that was a good price for a bike with the potential of that one.  A secret stash of Nortons, I would love to see that.  Keep me in mind as I would make the drive down to pick one up for a good deal like you got.  I would have loved to get that Combat but 2500 is just to much for me at this point.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I really breathed easier when I saw that. Gas, eBay & PayPal fees probably left him in the hole.

There's about 4 or 5 more where this one came from... the others are in MUCH better shape. If you saw where they are you wouldn't believe it. Can't seem to get in touch with the owner though... it's a long term effort. I'll get at least one if it kills me.

[bucky katt]

I really breathed easier when I saw that. Gas, eBay & PayPal fees probably left him in the hole.

There's about 4 or 5 more where this one came from... the others are in MUCH better shape. If you saw where they are you wouldn't believe it. Can't seem to get in touch with the owner though... it's a long term effort. I'll get at least one if it kills me.

that is an incredibly sad sight to see.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Don't worry bucky, the other 12 or so bikes are better cared for...

[BeSeeingYou]

Can't we just get into that bus and drive it away, like maybe to Minneapolis.   There was another 72 Combat in similar condition that bid up to about $2400 without hitting the reserve.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I finally met the owner of those bikes. We had one day at 60 degrees about a month ago and I put on my jacket and tore out to his place. It's kind of in the sticks. I pulled up and there he was unloading some firewood out of his truck. Had a Norton belt buckle on, maybe in his late 50's. I told him I had seen the bikes from the road and couldn't believe my eyes when I looked in, and that I had to meet him. He said "yep, those are my Nortons. They're not for sale and if you try to steal them I'll kill you". I laughed, although a shiver went up my spine.

Ended up spending a few hours with the guy and could really relate to him. Was just a cool guy who loves motorcycles. He spent his youth pretty much dedicated to old brit bikes. Turns out the bike on the shed porch was his first Commando and he literally rode it until the motor couldn't be rebuilt anymore. He showed me the Atlas/Commando hybrid he built that lives inside his bedroom and about 6 other Nortons, BSA's, Triumphs and BMW's scattered throughout the house.

He said his friends always try to get him to sell one because he 'has so many'. He tells them they had the same opprotunity he did to buy them back when they were plentyful, and someday they'll fund his retirement. Smart fella really. I don't imagine I'll end up with one, but we got on pretty well and I'm sure he'd give me a fair shot when he finally lets them go. If that ever happens...

In somewhat related news, I keep going back and forth on how I feel about having sold that bike. I miss it hanging around, it had a strange vibe to it. In the end maybe the story of my thousand dollar Combat Commando pulled from a shed will be more interesting than keeping the bike.

[Terry in Australia]

Geezus, where do you blokes find this old iron? I would have bought the Norton if I'd seen it before now. I almost scored a mint 1976 850 MK3 in a straight swap with my Laverda before Christmas, but the Norton owner pulled out of the deal, but as I made nearly 6 thousand bucks from the Laverda sale, I wasn't too upset. I think I'll have to start buying US bikes and stockpiling them at my sisters place in CA, providing it doesn't slide into the canyon with the other 20 houses in her street! Cheers, Terry.

[bill440cars]

         Originally, I'm from the Little Rock (started out in Jacksonville, then to North Little Rock/ 2 locations there and finally in Little Rock, before getting Married and eventually moving out of town) and there used to be several of the British bikes around (BSA, Triumph and Nortons/ with an occasional AJS and Matchless) I had a buddy there who bought a new Royal Enfield Interceptor back in 1965 or 66, but I imagine he's sold THAT long ago. There was also a guy who used to frequent my Granddad's motorcycle shop, who bought my Granddad's '55 Indian (rebadged Royal Enfield) 500cc Woodsman and built it for racing on the scrambles track and did quite well. I am told by another friend of our family, that the guy still had it AND some others. But he wouldn't sell them to anyone. The guy who knew all this, told me that he was constantly trying to buy all of that stuff off of him. Well, the one with the bikes, died and I don't know if he ever got those bike or not.

        Understand, I'm not trying to Hi Jack here, just thought I'd through that in. There could be more stuff just like what B.O.X.K.N.I.F.E. found.

                              Good Luck, Bill
       

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

         Originally, I'm from the Little Rock (started out in Jacksonville, then to North Little Rock/ 2 locations there and finally in Little Rock, before getting Married and eventually moving out of town) and there used to be several of the British bikes around (BSA, Triumph and Nortons/ with an occasional AJS and Matchless) I had a buddy there who bought a new Royal Enfield Interceptor back in 1965 or 66, but I imagine he's sold THAT long ago. There was also a guy who used to frequent my Granddad's motorcycle shop, who bought my Granddad's '55 Indian (rebadged Royal Enfield) 500cc Woodsman and built it for racing on the scrambles track and did quite well. I am told by another friend of our family, that the guy still had it AND some others. But he wouldn't sell them to anyone. The guy who knew all this, told me that he was constantly trying to buy all of that stuff off of him. Well, the one with the bikes, died and I don't know if he ever got those bike or not.

        Understand, I'm not trying to Hi Jack here, just thought I'd through that in. There could be more stuff just like what B.O.X.K.N.I.F.E. found.

                              Good Luck, Bill
       

Bill, they're out there. I never paid much attention to the fact that my grandpa has a '41 Ford coupe in his shop that hasn't ran for decades. Not a dent on the thing, original flatty motor. To anyone else it's a 'barn find' that some old coot wont let go of, but I totally understand his point of view and don't see it that way. My best friends step dad has a 71 1/2 camaro that never gets driven in his shop, and 73 Challenger.

Motorcycle related, I know of a guy who recently inherited his buddies sandcast but it's not for sale, 'just yet'. The guy that came to fix my furnace looked in my shop, saw the bikes, and said his mother has a smaller one of the CB125's with something like a hundred miles on it. Good luck!!

[bill440cars]

        I hear ya. If you know where the 1500 block on Washington Ave. is, over in North Little Rock, that's where my Granddad's motorcycle shop used to be. Now, it's just a grassy spot, as they've torn the place down some years ago and even busted up the concrete floor and cleared the area. Also used to be an elementary school (Riverside Elementary, in fact) that was catecorner from the shop. Of course IT'S gone now and the place is fenced in and used to park school buses. My old stomping grounds were There, Levy (when I went to Ridgeroad Jr. High), then to Little Rock out on the otherside of University Ave across from UALR (when it was much smaller) and about 2 blocks behind McDonald's (it's gone now). I've got a lot of History in that area. Lived down there up until Dec. '72! There used to be quite a few of the old British bikes, were also some of the Jawa/CZs down there too and then the Jap bikes started arriving! Richard's Honda was originally Richard's Harley Davidson, then H-D/Honda and next thing ya know, it was just Richard's Honda. I don't know of the other family members names, but the old man was Dan Richard's and last I heard, which was quite a few years back, the business was still in the family and thwy've been there for many years. That's what kills me, if there woul;d have been some way that I could have taken over (with my Dad helping me, in his spare time), my Granddad's shop would have been in business for 78 years this year (did I count that right, his shop was started up in 1932!) Oh well!