Topic: Norton guys talk me out of it

[tsflstb]

A Commando is one of the bikes I'd like to say I've owned in my life. 

I've heard and read a lot of horror stories, but I'm like a moth to a flame here.

The dilemma is I'd probably have to sell one or both of my current bikes to swing it.



http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/1076798394.html

They vibrate, they leak, they need constant attention with those crazy English tools...what else? 

[seaweb11]

I see the temptation

[Trevor from Warragul]

I think with modern bits & pieces you can make 'em pretty reliable, plus they are gorgeous!  Go for it (you're dead a long time)!

Trevor

[mrbreeze]

Norton 850's rule!!!!!....if I could,I would!!!...............ina heartbeat!!

[bryanj]

From some one who had to earn a living working on them

DONT DO IT, STEP AWAY FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND TAKE A PILL

[mrbreeze]

But ya' gotta admit Bryan......when the're up and runnin'....they are sweet!!!!!

[78CB750CAFE]

That bike looks like a big old headache, that I would love to suffer through for a few or twenty years. Times are tough though.... roll down to see it with like 3800-3900 in cash on ya, the other $6-700 he wanted should be spent on pipes etc.

If I wasn't out of work and unable to talk the Mrs out of 4 grand of our savings I would be hitching up the trailer and hitting the road to wherever the heck that thing is and taking it home.

Is it really worth selling your 2 bikes to you though?
I wouldn't sell my current bike.... couldn't... would never be worth the $$ to anyone else the time and work I have put in to it. If your current bikes are not things you are financially or emotionally invested deeply in, then maybe.....

[Tim.]

If you're going to have a Norton, shouldn't it be a featherbed frame?

[tsflstb]

If you can find me a featherbed not in boxes for $4K I'd be all over it.  I have to reign in my bike dreams a bit to factor in cost.

I just sent the guy a nice email asking if he'd be interested in my FZR1000 as a partial trade.  It's done nothing but scare the bejezzus out of me, so we're not too attached.  I'd be giving up about 75 HP in the deal, but gaining a bunch of style points.

[Tim.]

yeah, I wrote the post before seeing the price.  For that Norton the price seems fair.  The gas tank would run close to $1,000 new.

I have featherbeds on the brain because I was considering buying a frame/swingarm.  The seller was looking for about $800, which may be fair, but I'd just end up hanging it in the rafters for the next few years at least.

[tsflstb]

That sprint tank is a big part of the attraction to me. 

He needs cash more than another motorcycle, so no trade.  I'll have to think about putting the FZR on the market.

It's probably good I'll be out of town for the next few days - it's like the waiting period to buy a handgun. 

BryanJ - what was the biggest issue with these that we don't see with old Hondas?  Isolastics?  Lucas electrics?

[heffay]

From some one who had to earn a living working on them

ooh... i'm suuurrre your were forced.   

[heffay]

we ALL hate the bikes we've worked on... but, if you look deep down... don't you have deep reverence for them too?!

[mystic_1]

So, have you bought it yet? 

mystic_1

[bryanj]

To Be Brutaly Honest, If i knew a norton was booked in i took the day off work and sod the money.
I was working on all the japs plus Bm, Guzzi, Laverda, Ducati, Triumph plus the specials like Rickman, Dunstall Etc

what was really bad about Norton Commando's

All from memory

Early Isolastics
Valves +  Guides
Pistons every 20,000 max (usually with rebore)
Gearbox bearings
Engine main bearings
points and Timing
Charging
Batteries that Vibrated to bits
Fuel tanks that split
Everything fell off

OK on the 1 in 20 that had just been rebuilt totaly the ride was good and the exhaust noise with peashooters was great but i would NEVER buy one.

What would i have if money was no object

Ducatic 750SS VERY few made and Phenomenal to ride

Next Ducati 900SS

Next Laverda 1,000 but not the Jota as that was just too brutal.

If i had to have just a bike for transport

Yamaha RD 350LC

Cheap to run, never needed that much and real fun

[tsflstb]

I'm not sure what's going on with the local Craigslist, but this just popped up too:

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/1081963766.html

It's another one on my list.  Even more lusty worthy than the Norton.  I'm supposed to leave town in about 30 minutes for the weekend.  If it's still here when I get back I'll have a hard time not buying it.

[bryanj]

Removed already!

[tsflstb]

a bevel drive 900ss Ducati for $3500 seemed too good to be true.

edit - just got a return email telling me the owner was overseas, bike was in storage, needed a money gram, etc...

The scammers are using vintage bikes now - but what really threw me was they specified a particular neighborhood in Houston as a location.  i've never seen that before, I guess they're getting more specific.

Anyway, back to the Norton...