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I'm going to look at a 1972 Combat basket case today.
I'm going to look at a 1972 Combat basket case today. A friend warns me the Combats are trouble. What do you say? Even though I've known about Commandos since the mid 70s, I don't know that much about Nortons so looked them up on the web. Wiki told me a bit about them and that the Combat was a one-year-only machine. Are they dependable with the superblends and various upgrades? Do they have to be ridden lightly to prevent grenading? And what is a basket case worth with a nickle coated frame, and missing wiring harness, headlight,seat, front brake system, rear brake and carbs?
Thanks, Dave. That's what a friend of mine recommended as well. As far as I know, it is titled, but we'll see. I figure it's worth a look.
If it was close to me I would definitely check it out. I am a sucker for sad sacks like these. I never learn.
Here are the pictures for the basketcase. $1000 is mighty light as the engine alone would bring that.https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0R5YHsSjYAuHS
A bit better than I thought. OK, I go 2K with title!
That's assuming the engine is in good shape? Hopefully no rattles or clunks when turned.
You will never know if the engine is in "good shape" until you disassemble and inspect. I would be most interested in the overall condition of the cases. Look for any cracks or broken lugs.
Engine was clean. No broken fins or anything. I did not try to turn it over but you may not be able to unless you get the front sprocket on.
Did you drag it home?
I'm going to look at a 1972 Combat basket case today. A friend warns me the Combats are trouble. What do you say? Are they dependable with the superblends and various upgrades? Do they have to be ridden lightly to prevent grenading?
I don't need to learn a whole new bike - I'm still wrapping my head around these older Guzzis. I've got a friend who had a Commando in the mid 70s and traded it in on a new 90S. He's always missed that bike. Lately he's been through some health and life issues (wouldn't prevent him from riding) that have left him apathetic about life. Ten years ago he restored five old airheads including two 90Ss and a 650 Triumph. They're gorgeous. So I figured a Commando project could light him up. We were going to look at it today together, but he bailed at the last moment. He figures the Combat is a ticking time bomb and would cost way more to build than just getting a nice one. But - you know - I don't see him spending the money for a nice one right now. I went alone to see the bike. Kinda sad a whole bike can be reduced to two boxes, frame, tank and two wheels. But what's there looks nice. The story is that a friend of the current owner died a year and a half ago and left it to her (signed title). He intended she get it free, but the estate didn't know that for some reason so she had to pay for it. He had two other nortons he'd restored and tore this one apart to restore. He'd nickel plated the frame and that's as far as it got. That was maybe three or four years ago. She says it ran fine before taking it apart. The other parts got lost in the shuffle of liquidating the estate and his relatives weren't bike people - so who knows where it all went. The other two nortons got sold off. She's short on cash, caring for her elderly Alzheimer mother, and has some medical issues herself. She also just left an abusive boss, so money is tight. I figured I'd be helping her out by getting it. She knows she could make many times more parting it out, but like me, can't stand the thought, and besides, money is needed now. If I take it to my friend's place and ask him to help me build it, perhaps it'll light a fire. I don't need another project right now and don't really have the space, but it seems like the right thing to do. Besides, it was love at first sight seeing my friend's Commando back in 1976 - maybe it's time for a fling? I told her I'd get it. Have to go back with the money and the truck sometime this weekend. Funny how my weekends get rearranged for me.
Thanks, swoosh. No, I already told her I'd get it. She said she rode a Combat for ten years - her sole transport. And she said she rode it hard. Never had anything happen that wasn't easily fixed. I just need to get over there to pick it up. So you're brother is returning your old Commando? What year is it. Pix?
Thanks, swoosh. I appreciate your thinking of me!Any parts you'd like to contribute to the build? It's missing: seat, wiring, lights, caliper and master, rear brake and carbs. I was wondering about the nickel plating, why he plated it if he was restoring it. Thanks for answering that one before I could ask. Seems there should be a way to etch the nickel and paint over it. But in the meantime, we'll build it as is.
Here is one in you want to try one....on the west coast (its mine)https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/d/cypress-1970-norton-commando-fastback/6928760095.html
The reason it didn't blow up was because she rode it hard. Lugging Combats is what caused them to grenade contrary to legend. I put 10:1 Powermax pistons in my '71 along with the standard cam which gave a even higher effective CR compared to a Combat. This before Superblends were installed. Never blew up, then it was rarely below 4K RPMs.As for nickel plating, many of the specials of the era like the Rickmans were nickel plated. I nickel plated mine back in the day. Later had it chrome plated when the nickel started to turn green. As for painting it, just used self etching primer first, then paint or powder coat.Nickel frame before it was chrome plated.Pete