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http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/132262622629I know the bike and the seller. This is a no-surprises bike, excluding those surprises that accompany any 43 year old machine.
Looks like he has a "no-reserve" auction going and a "buy it now" price? That's an unusual combination if so. I like his chances of getting the buy-it-now fairly early, since the auction will be on a trajectory to exceed that price before too long .....
I am a big fan of Commandos. I have a '74 Roadster and it is my favorite bike. Very different from a Guzzi but I love them as well but for different reasons. The Commando is much lighter and more nimble and feels like an entirely different motorcycle. Agreed that several of the recommended upgrades appear to have been done. A critical one that is not mentioned is the roller bearing on the layshaft in the gearbox. The '74 models had a Portuguese bearing whose cage is prone to destruction right around this mileage. Mine went out at 10K miles but it happened at low speed and I was able to limp home. Results can be extremely dangerous such as gear box locking up at speed. Telltale sign is the kickstart lever bobbing up and down. I would recommend asking the seller if this upgrade has been done. If not, it's not a particularly complex fix but does entail pulling the gearbox out of the bike, pulling the bearing, reinstalling new one and setting end float. There are good articles available online how to do it (Commando parts dealer Old Britts has a particularly good one) and you can also get good advice on the "Access Norton" Commando forum.
I am a big fan of Commandos. I have a '74 Roadster and it is my favorite bike. Very different from a Guzzi but I love them as well but for different reasons. The Commando is much lighter and more nimble and feels like an entirely different motorcycle. Agreed that several of the recommended upgrades appear to have been done. A critical one that is not mentioned .....
...The EASIEST and CHEAPEST solution is to put a little spring-loaded check valve in the pump intake, between the tank and the pump. The theory, which usually works in practice, is that the pump, when it turns, will suck the valve open and allow oil to flow, but keep oil in the tank when the pump is NOT sucking.The "usually" is the kicker. I installed one once on my BSA, and one day the pump did NOT suck the new check valve open, and the engine ran dry of oil. I'm not the only one, but the solution seems so cheap and easy (a razor blade to cut the line, two hose clamps and done) that lots of people do it.
....single Mikuna carb are a necessary upgrade.
Abomination on any classic bike
I also wonder if superblend bearings have been fitted to the crankshaft. No mention if the numbers on the transmission, engine and data plate match. Is the bike still running a points ignition, just curious.
As long as you've broken the ice, and we're talking about critical upgrades (without appearing to impugn the bike, which is a very nice one and worth bidding on), he mentions an "anti-wet-sump" upgrade but doesn't say what he's using.On these or any other British dry-sump bike that has a little wear on it, oil can drain from the oil tank, past a little internal ball valve, and past the oil-pump gears (or pump pistons), and fill up the sump, which can result in bad things from blown seals to lots of oil on the floor upon starting, to hydraulic lock and bent rods.The EASIEST and CHEAPEST solution is to put a little spring-loaded check valve in the pump intake, between the tank and the pump. The theory, which usually works in practice, is that the pump, when it turns, will suck the valve open and allow oil to flow, but keep oil in the tank when the pump is NOT sucking.The "usually" is the kicker. I installed one once on my BSA, and one day the pump did NOT suck the new check valve open, and the engine ran dry of oil. I'm not the only one, but the solution seems so cheap and easy (a razor blade to cut the line, two hose clamps and done) that lots of people do it.In 1975, Norton started putting a spring loaded anti-wet-sumping valve on the OUTPUT side of the pump, which won't backfire on you. The oil still has a path through the pump gears to the sump, but if you keep your oil pump in shape, this isn't a problem. My Norton has the output valve and the pump has been "lapped" into tightness, and I get no oil leaking down even after months.The '75 upgrade can be retrofitted to earlier models with a little machine work and hand-working of the oil pump, which a company called "AMR-Tucson" does for $90 + shipping. If that's the upgrade that's been done, that's a good thing. If it hasn't, I'd fix it ....Be interesting to see how it goes!Lannis
I sent a note to the owner and he reported it still has the points ignition and it worked well, numbers on engine and trans match. He has not replaced the layshaft but Baxter's could have done that.
I forgot to ask if it had super-blend bearings fitted to the crankshaft and am not sure this was an issue with the 74's.
None of these would be deal breakers for me but a lot of folks think an electronic ignition and single Mikuna carb are a necessary upgrade.
It is a pain in the ass to empty the sump before a ride if the bike has sat more than 2 weeks but not that big a deal.
I think by now everyone here is aware that old motorcycles will always have some issues (except maybe Guzzis) so why worry?If you want a trouble free modern experience there are a lot of those!
To me, that whole process IS a big deal, and for $100 and two weeks downtime in the winter while AMR sorted the timing cover, I think it's the best upgrade you can do for this bike (or any old Brit) .....
But that's just me. Sounds like I'm willing to deal with Amals and not wet-sumping, and you don't like dealing with Amals and do put up with the wet-sumping, so there's that ....Lannis
True. Amals work fine on everything I've got that was designed to use them ....
Didn't 1974 Nortons have plastic airboxes?
You look like a strong guy, straighten up when kicking...If it kicks back when bent over like that it will hurt, And many Commandos got broken side stands when the rider kicked the bike with the stand down...