What is it like to ride a 43 year old motorcycle?

[Denis]

This one is 77 and going strong!

[Lannis]

This one is 77 and going strong!

Wow!  You don't LOOK 77!   Must be a good climate there ....   

[lrutt]

I have a 73 Commando 850 that is all original (around 6k miles I think) except for the Amal Premier slides. Still runs points etc. They are truly an impressive machine. No other bike I have pulls in the mid range like that Commando does. I've not converted any of my bikes from points to EI. Never had a problem with points but I do keep the advancers lubed etc. and I don't put a lot of miles on the old bikes as I have several that I ride regularly. It is amazing how usable bikes from the 70's are. I can say that Norton is a challenge to kick start. Always starts in 1 or 2 but I have to put it on the center stand and put my weight into it. My Triumph 650s are much much easier. Of course the Lemans is even easier 

[Denis]

Wow!  You don't LOOK 77!   Must be a good climate there ....   

Ha! The bike probably looks better than I do but I'm sure it's enjoying today's roads as much as I am!

[cruzziguzzi]

I have a 73 Commando 850 that is all original (around 6k miles I think) except for the Amal Premier slides. Still runs points etc. They are truly an impressive machine. No other bike I have pulls in the mid range like that Commando does. I've not converted any of my bikes from points to EI. Never had a problem with points but I do keep the advancers lubed etc. and I don't put a lot of miles on the old bikes as I have several that I ride regularly. It is amazing how usable bikes from the 70's are. I can say that Norton is a challenge to kick start. Always starts in 1 or 2 but I have to put it on the center stand and put my weight into it. My Triumph 650s are much much easier. Of course the Lemans is even easier 

I think that sums up the difference between "original" and "modernized" owners. My original had eventually become a daily driver upon which I would loved to have depended but could not, in the wildly varying climate of Massachusetts.

Later, on the second one - though not a depended upon transport - I integrated EVERY modernization which came down the pike and was seldom disappointed by the effect (early Boyers comes to mind as pissing me off) and loved to contemplate having these upgrades available on the first Norton. I'd likely never have sold it. The second one, while exceptionally reliable and fun just did not have the nostalgic pull for me and went down the road.


Todd.

[JoeW]

I don't see what the big deal is, my newest bike is 41 years old and my daily driver is 46. But I guess it's a big deal for a Brit bike to still be running at that age. 😁

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[Chesterfield]

Those are gorgeous! How about some Guzzi`s please

[Arizona Wayne]

My wife & I rode a `71 757cc Ambassador both with and without a sidecar over about 15 years but sold it about 9 years ago.   Over time it felt old compared to the newer Guzzis we have owned.  But it still did the job.    It had 60 hp whereas my `04 750 Breva only has 48 hp. 

[Yukonica]

Old bikes and old racers at Goodwood Revival 2016
A 1933 Rudge running along Norton Manx (what is the plural of Manx?).
First in race one, third in race two... a'la SuperBike format 

https://youtu.be/TfPVPGtjMm4

[oldbike54]

 Plural is Manx , because there is only one Island , if you are referring to the cat , it would be cats  For the motorbikes it is Nortons Manx 

 Dusty

[Yukonica]

Plural is Manx , because there is only one Island , if you are referring to the cat , it would be cats  For the motorbikes it is Nortons Manx 

 Dusty

 
smart arse.

[jumpmaster]

The INOA national Norton rally is in a couple weeks at Buena Vista Virginia, so I'll be riding/camping there on the Norton just to see what other Norton riders have got, and what they've done to make their bikes "regular riders".

Lannis

Look me up while you're there (Jumpmaster here, JC most everywhere else) - I should be working the registration desk Monday morning 8 - ?, probably other mornings too, and will be around all week.  Taking my Mille there becuz I haven't finished rebuilding the Norton top end.  Should have been done months ago, but life intervened....

[Chesterfield]

Oh yeah?    Well, I'm prepping my 56 year old motorcycle for a ride to Ohio, then the Reliability Run, and the ride home, 1000 mile weekend or so in a few weeks.   (Some Cannonball Run rider will be along in a few minutes to top that ...  )

Some of these old bikes can turn in performance and reliability numbers that new ones might be proud of .... It'd be interesting to have a real "road test" comparison between a V700 and a R60/2, speaking of 50 year old bikes ....

Lannis

That would be super interesting!

[Lannis]

Look me up while you're there (Jumpmaster here, JC most everywhere else) - I should be working the registration desk Monday morning 8 - ?, probably other mornings too, and will be around all week.  Taking my Mille there becuz I haven't finished rebuilding the Norton top end.  Should have been done months ago, but life intervened....

Well, you're the guy to ask then!    I preregistered for only two camping days, but what I want to do now is go ahead and set up camp on Monday morning and break camp on Friday.    Can I go ahead when I get there and pay for the two additional days?   

Don't know how the camping setup is done on the upper side of the campground .... sites or an open area?

Lannis 

[JoeW]

Plural is Manx , because there is only one Island , if you are referring to the cat , it would be cats  [emoji23] For the motorbikes it is Nortons Manx 

 Dusty

Here's a 44 year old Guzzi that is 6 for 6 first place wins so far this season.

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[JoeW]

I have videos but, can't post them from my phone. So, here's an action shot

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[Yukonica]

I have videos but, can't post them from my phone. So, here's an action shot

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That is the coolest thing I've seen all day. May I use it as a screen saver on my computer at work?
A beautiful machine, team work, and a sense of style. Doesn't get much better.
Have you posted video on youtube? I'd love to see it.

[oldbike54]

 Very cool Joe 

 Dusty

[Aaron D.]

Gee all this Norton love. My friend in NC is selling his completely sorted Commando, had it for maybe 20 years. Yellow, too. Nice bike..should be a good deal.

He's keeping the V7 Racer and Roamer.

[JoeW]

That is the coolest thing I've seen all day. May I use it as a screen saver on my computer at work?
A beautiful machine, team work, and a sense of style. Doesn't get much better.
Have you posted video on youtube? I'd love to see it.

You can go to my channel The Guzzi Doctor and there are 3 videos. Also This a 360 view from Gingerman several weeks ago. Move the pic around to veiw all angles.. https://youtu.be/80ASmNORXVA

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[guzzisteve]

They should use that video of Erick for sidecar training, you have to move your butt to go around quickly.