Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: wirespokes on December 19, 2019, 06:17:16 PM
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Look what showed up in this month's local Norton club newsletter.
(https://i.ibb.co/TRJ7sDt/Screenshot-2019-12-18-o-Ne-newsletter-1st-Jan-2020-o-Ne-newsletter-1st-Jan-2020-compressed-pdf.png) (https://ibb.co/TRJ7sDt)
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I often ride my Guzzi to the Norton meetings... I just don't take pictures...
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I have a Norton parked next to two Guzzis in my shop.
I suppose out in the wild it's less common. Nortons being thin on the ground and never far from home these days.
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It's my bike, but not my photo. The vice pres of the club took the photo and it showed up on page three. Kind of funny a guzzi taking a prominent position in a Norton pic.
It's a long story (well, maybe not that long, but I don't feel like going into it) I've got a 72 Norton Commando Combat basket case, so now I'm stuck picking these guys' brains how to put it back together, plus scrounging missing bits. I've been into airheads since 1990 till the geese took over three years ago. If feels really out of character having a British bike. It's like landing on a whole different planet! On top of that, no magic button and shift and brake on the wrong sides. What was I thinking? And it's not even like I'm lusting after a Norton but now that I'm here I might as well go through with it. Who knows? Maybe I'll fall wildly in love with the thing.
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If I had to guess where that picture was taken, based on the bike second in line (which I am willing to bet is a 1974 M2a) I would say Oregon.
1970's Moto Guzzi's and Norton's seem fine to me.
(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/thumbnail_Image-9.jpg)
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It's my bike, but not my photo. The vice pres of the club took the photo and it showed up on page three. Kind of funny a guzzi taking a prominent position in a Norton pic.
It's a long story (well, maybe not that long, but I don't feel like going into it) I've got a 72 Norton Commando Combat basket case, so now I'm stuck picking these guys' brains how to put it back together, plus scrounging missing bits. I've been into airheads since 1990 till the geese took over three years ago. If feels really out of character having a British bike. It's like landing on a whole different planet! On top of that, no magic button and shift and brake on the wrong sides. What was I thinking? And it's not even like I'm lusting after a Norton but now that I'm here I might as well go through with it. Who knows? Maybe I'll fall wildly in love with the thing.
Wait till you ride it. Done right its one of the few bikes that captures the essence of motorcyling, feeling one with the machine. Even my short wheelbase LeMans feels slow (steering) and heavy compared with my Norton. The only other bike I have ridden thats better was a hotted up Ducati 900ss. That was better in every way but in its time the Norton was the best.
Pete
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Les - that's some awfully pretty aluminum. Yes, that's Oregon. Good eye!
Pete - Considering Guzzis and beemers are essentially touring/endurance bikes, what you say isn't surprising. Now that you've said it, I'm a bit more excited to put it all together.
So far I've rounded up rear brake parts and axle, oil tank, seat, coils, carbs, fenders, headlight, side covers and front caliper. Still need wiring harness (probably make one up myself) the rest of the electrical system, tail light, turn signals, controls, master cylinder, and who knows what else.
I'm out of room otherwise I'd start putting it together. Need to do something about that.
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Is it just me, or does that headlamp on the first Norton seem a tad "mis-aimed?"
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Les - that's some awfully pretty aluminum. Yes, that's Oregon. Good eye!
Pete - Considering Guzzis and beemers are essentially touring/endurance bikes, what you say isn't surprising. Now that you've said it, I'm a bit more excited to put it all together.
So far I've rounded up rear brake parts and axle, oil tank, seat, coils, carbs, fenders, headlight, side covers and front caliper. Still need wiring harness (probably make one up myself) the rest of the electrical system, tail light, turn signals, controls, master cylinder, and who knows what else.
I'm out of room otherwise I'd start putting it together. Need to do something about that.
New carbs or old, if old Amals then you might have some problems. I buy most of my Norton parts from Andover Norton, because even with shipping the prices are better than most state side suppliers.
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Yeah, I don't know what's up with that first norton next to my goose. Maybe it's an LED?
Interesting you say that blackcat. Andover's prices are certainly good. I got a set of old amals for next to nothing, so we'll see. I figured if they stick, I'll have the slides hard anodized. If they're more trouble than they're worth, I'll invest in a set of Premiers, they're not very expensive as carbs go.
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Yeah, I don't know what's up with that first norton next to my goose. Maybe it's an LED?
Interesting you say that blackcat. Andover's prices are certainly good. I got a set of old amals for next to nothing, so we'll see. I figured if they stick, I'll have the slides hard anodized. If they're more trouble than they're worth, I'll invest in a set of Premiers, they're not very expensive as carbs go.
I have a pair of older Amals that were purchased new by me years ago and after doing all the known tricks to get one of the carbs working right I just went out and bought a pair of Premiers and they work great. The plugs are perfect and I never had clean spark plugs with the older Amals.
Good luck with the Norton.
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I've read about that. Some of those old original carbs just weren't right. Quality Control sucked? I guess.
Sounds like you've had the bike a long time, blackcat.
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I ride my Norton to Guzzi meetings. We just don't have Norton meetings around, so I strike a balance that way ....
Lannis
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Funny, in all the many miles I did on my Amal equiped bike, the only problemsI had was that I couldn't get the old remote chamber one to stop flooding. Never had a problem with the monoblocs that I fitted; must admit to never fitting a concentric though.
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I've read about that. Some of those old original carbs just weren't right. Quality Control sucked? I guess.
Sounds like you've had the bike a long time, blackcat.
I installed the hardened slides, adjustable floats but I just couldn’t get them to work right. If my memory is correct I purchased those carbs around 96-97 and they worked fine except they were always rich, then the bike sat for quite a few years until about two years ago.
Yes, have owned the bike since 1991.
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Wait till you ride it. Done right its one of the few bikes that captures the essence of motorcyling, feeling one with the machine. Even my short wheelbase LeMans feels slow (steering) and heavy compared with my Norton. The only other bike I have ridden thats better was a hotted up Ducati 900ss. That was better in every way but in its time the Norton was the best.
Pete
Agreed 100%!!
This is me in the early 1990's in the Dallas area on my "restored" 1975 Norton 850 Commando Interstate MK III.
Similar to my Centauro GT...that Commando was "THE BEAST" but very, VERY satisfying on the pipe on a beautiful, clear, sunny day on any back road in the USA!! :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
I miss that bike...and would love to own another someday...((*SIGH*)
(https://i.ibb.co/T03JX2Q/Screen-Shot-2019-12-20-at-4-27-04-PM.png) (https://ibb.co/T03JX2Q)
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Fancy a nice NORTON to go with your Guzzi?!? No problem!! These beauties coming up for sale at MECUM in Vegas next month!!
(https://i.ibb.co/XCMQBdn/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-02-17-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/XCMQBdn)
(https://i.ibb.co/kq9VQT9/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-01-56-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/kq9VQT9)
(https://i.ibb.co/3dfR6mD/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-01-44-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/3dfR6mD)
(https://i.ibb.co/KqBsG1Y/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-01-32-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/KqBsG1Y)
(https://i.ibb.co/mCwVPDg/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-01-22-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/mCwVPDg)
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I miss that bike...and would love to own another someday...((*SIGH*)
(https://i.ibb.co/T03JX2Q/Screen-Shot-2019-12-20-at-4-27-04-PM.png) (https://ibb.co/T03JX2Q)
John, nice looking Norton. Was the starter just a suggestion or did it actually work?
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Fancy a nice NORTON to go with your Guzzi?!? No problem!! These beauties coming up for sale at MECUM in Vegas next month!!
(https://i.ibb.co/XCMQBdn/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-02-17-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/XCMQBdn)
(https://i.ibb.co/kq9VQT9/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-01-56-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/kq9VQT9)
(https://i.ibb.co/3dfR6mD/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-01-44-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/3dfR6mD)
(https://i.ibb.co/KqBsG1Y/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-01-32-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/KqBsG1Y)
(https://i.ibb.co/mCwVPDg/Screen-Shot-2019-12-21-at-9-01-22-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/mCwVPDg)
Those 67 P11’s are fetching a good price. Years ago nobody wanted them, I remember passing on the purchase of a pristine example for $1,000 bucks. Who knew?
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John, nice looking Norton. Was the starter just a suggestion or did it actually work?
Stock starter did not work well...at all...so I upgraded to one that fit from a Volvo (BOSCH?) as I recall... :wink:
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Agreed 100%!!
This is me in the early 1990's in the Dallas area on my "restored" 1975 Norton 850 Commando Interstate MK III.
Similar to my Centauro GT...that Commando was "THE BEAST" but very, VERY satisfying on the pipe on a beautiful, clear, sunny day on any back road in the USA!! :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
I miss that bike...and would love to own another someday...((*SIGH*)
In college I knew some guys who planned to take a US tour on Motorcycles and they decided they would all buy the same new model so what spares they carried would fit anyone's bike. The went to a Harley dealer and asked for the price and the dealer said, that model would be $XX,XXX. They said well what if we buy four and pay cash. The Harley guy said, "well, $XX,XXX times four is.... They ended up with four new Norton Commandos.
(https://i.ibb.co/T03JX2Q/Screen-Shot-2019-12-20-at-4-27-04-PM.png) (https://ibb.co/T03JX2Q)
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My wife and I are lucky to own Nortons and Moto Guzzis , often turn up at meetings on the "wrong" bike, I think the two makes compliment each other, if you did a poll amongst Norton owners in the UK you'd find a high proportion would also own a Guzzi or two..
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Gorgeous bike, JJ! Love that interstate tank.
Gino - you're making me more interested in getting mine together and running. I've got a friend who was into beemers. Then one day the beemer was gone and a Commando had taken its place. Didn't make sense to me. Now here I am several years later going down the same path. Weird
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Gorgeous bike, JJ! Love that interstate tank.
Gino - you're making me more interested in getting mine together and running. I've got a friend who was into beemers. Then one day the beemer was gone and a Commando had taken its place. Didn't make sense to me. Now here I am several years later going down the same path. Weird
Thanks, wirespokes!! :wink: Those 6-gallon steel Norton Interstate tanks now go for $1000-$1500!! :rolleyes: :shocked:
If you have a vintage Norton in pieces, you really owe to that bike to put her back together again, and ride her "IN THE WIND!" You will not regret it in the end...(just sayin'...) :cool: :thumb: :wink:
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That's the idea JJ. I'm still hunting down the missing pieces. I was told it was a good running bike before being torn down to restore. Most everything already is in very nice condition, but the owner died and his heirs weren't into bikes and somehow let some boxes of parts wander off. I got it from a friend of his.
Having never ridden a Commando, it sounds like I'm in for a treat. Too bad my hot rodder racing days are long past. I like going fast and cornering hard, but take it easy on my machines accelerating and stopping. I get the idea these Nortons bring out the hooligan - glad I don't have much of that left, or I could get into big trouble.
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Les - that's some awfully pretty aluminum. Yes, that's Oregon. Good eye!
I have a couple of Lucas L874 indicator bodies to drop in the mail tomorrow for one of the Oregon club members (He has a Moto Guzzi also) and recognised the building (followed my the black MK2a) from some of the You Tube video's.
If you have a 72 Combat it would be interesting to know what the main bearings are (If they are original to the bike or back in the day recall bearings)
I think like any old motorcycle, if you put the time and effort in it will be a (reliable) hoot.
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The cylinder head in the picture was for my MK2a 850, Jim Comstock did the head for my 750 Fastback and highly recommend him...fwiw.
http://www.nortonmachineshop.com/
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I'm finding that there is a high percentage of Norton ownership among 'Guzzi enthusiasts.
Mine
(https://i.ibb.co/fQ03dcm/f-Jz-QY6-QJwfe-Jnd-WYRx-Dc9-K5bb2l-JSy1sn-OVs-DYory-BC-h-nr-I-B4-Rzww0-MNa-MOth6q-LF8pkz8-XFv-I7-Gc-Bsp-Jp-HTm-OGr-VEu-Mv-CAk-K43-Zq-Gg-Ki-Fvi4-Km-UVMT9-Go6-1-Eyj-WISt-O-b-Ij-EOw-w600-h315-p-k.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fQ03dcm)
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That's the idea JJ. I'm still hunting down the missing pieces. I was told it was a good running bike before being torn down to restore. Most everything already is in very nice condition, but the owner died and his heirs weren't into bikes and somehow let some boxes of parts wander off. I got it from a friend of his.
Having never ridden a Commando, it sounds like I'm in for a treat. Too bad my hot rodder racing days are long past. I like going fast and cornering hard, but take it easy on my machines accelerating and stopping. I get the idea these Nortons bring out the hooligan - glad I don't have much of that left, or I could get into big trouble.
Hi wirespokes! Norton parts are readily available: eBay, NORVIL (in the UK), Baxter Cycle in Marne, Iowa, and many other places.
At 65, my "GO-FAST" days are also long gone...but a well sorted / tuned Commando will give you quite a thrill, even at legal speeds. :thumb: :cool: :wink: Make sure your tires / brakes / suspension are all checked out and good to go.
Your Norton deserves to be "IN THE WIND" once again. Good luck and keep us posed! :smiley: :thumb: :cool:
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I'm finding that there is a high percentage of Norton ownership among 'Guzzi enthusiasts.
Mine
(https://i.ibb.co/fQ03dcm/f-Jz-QY6-QJwfe-Jnd-WYRx-Dc9-K5bb2l-JSy1sn-OVs-DYory-BC-h-nr-I-B4-Rzww0-MNa-MOth6q-LF8pkz8-XFv-I7-Gc-Bsp-Jp-HTm-OGr-VEu-Mv-CAk-K43-Zq-Gg-Ki-Fvi4-Km-UVMT9-Go6-1-Eyj-WISt-O-b-Ij-EOw-w600-h315-p-k.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fQ03dcm)
Does this poor baby RUN? Looks like it needs a little TLC! :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
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Nortons are easy bikes to fall in love with. They look good, sound good and handle well. I had a Dominator 88 back in the mid sixties, and have never enjoyed a bike as much.
I had an Norton Electra in the 1990s. That was a different kettle of fish. It had the right shape and colour of tank, and Roadholder forks, but that was as far as its relationship with the 88 went. It, and the Navigator and Jubilee, were made in the AMC factory in South London, and were Norton badged, but might just as well have carried the James or Francis Barnett name. It had electric start and bar end indicators, neither of which worked properly, but were put on to compete in the American market with the Japanese bikes which were taking the sales.
I'd love one of the new Norton's, but they're too expensive. I've yet to see one on the road.
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My 68, leaks from the usual sources but I’m working on eliminating those problems as I hate a leaky bike.
(https://image.ibb.co/hmMpLV/IMG-1445.jpg)
Most of the US suppliers of new Norton parts come from Andover Norton, so I just order directly from them as they are almost always cheaper than the US sources. Even with shipping.
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I'd love one of the new Norton's, but they're too expensive. I've yet to see one on the road.
I saw one of the newer ones a few years ago, very nice and it was expensive. The new line is even nicer IMO.
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Another alternative are these FABULOUS Norton's from the Colorado Norton Works...but be prepared to * cough * big time! :rolleyes: :shocked: :huh: "Oh my...." :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
https://coloradonortonworks.com/pre-owned-cnw-machines/
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Pressureangle - is that one yours? Looks like it lead a long full life - and what I'd call "ready for a restore".
Do you guys have any advice on getting EMGO copies? I'm considering getting the ebay Lucas blinker copies off ebay for $27/pair. Decent quality? Good chrome?
That's interesting there being a fair number of Guzzis sharing garage space with Nortons. That does say something about us, doesn't it? Isn't that funny? I didn't actively go looking for this thing - I didn't have a desire to experience a Commando like I did the goose (at least fifteen or twenty years). I get into Guzzis and next thing you know, I'm building a Norton Commando. And not just an ordinary Commando - a Combat. LOL
I don't know if I want to tear into the engine. Yes, there's a possibility the bearing needs changing, but I've been told that any running survivors have already been changed. And then there's the oil pick up position that was changed for that one year which is postulated could be the reason the Combats blew up with such regularity. So, yes, there are good reasons to tear into it, and then possibly not.
I always thought they were gorgeous bikes. A big part of motorcycles to me is art. I used to think the roadster was THE best looking bike ever (didn't know anything about the other Commando models). I thought the fastback was some odd customization or add-on aftermarket thing. I'm still not into the fastback. But my viewpoint has changed to where the interstate tank is super cool and JJ's bike is my target.
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Does this poor baby RUN? Looks like it needs a little TLC! :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
Not yet, engine's apart and frame's painted but it's all on hold until a couple other things are finished.
Wirespokes- I found it like this a couple years ago. Very complete, if well-worn. Real Dunstall 2-1-2 exhaust, savable with new mufflers.
Original color was Fireflake Bronze (or orange, whatever they called it) My painter has the required spray attachment for the large particles, I'm going to work on finding a way to reproduce the silver/red flake to get the paint as near original as possible. Going for a very mild performance rebuild, drivability being paramount to performance- backward from my usual insanity.
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Gorgeous bike, JJ! Love that interstate tank.
Gino - you're making me more interested in getting mine together and running. I've got a friend who was into beemers. Then one day the beemer was gone and a Commando had taken its place. Didn't make sense to me. Now here I am several years later going down the same path. Weird
Yep Nortons are addictive, my wife and I at a party in the Summer, she was on the fastback (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7BiEfZycz9A/XTVH8ujfr_I/AAAAAAAALtU/_6Kg5Tz0npEMmu8TFJzwOZJiiS02UfanwCLcBGAs/s1600/P1100245.jpg)
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Include me as a Guzzi (77 lemans) and 73 850 Commando. While they are both fun, nothing pulls in the low to mid range like that Commando.
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Include me as a Guzzi (77 lemans) and 73 850 Commando. While they are both fun, nothing pulls in the low to mid range like that Commando.
I would tend to agree, Iruttt, and thinking back to my old Interstate, the current Guzzi I own / ride now shares many of the "beastly" tendencies of that old 850 Commando! :wink: :thumb: :cool:
(https://i.ibb.co/jrgT8ss/IMG-5431.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jrgT8ss)
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I don't know if I want to tear into the engine. Yes, there's a possibility the bearing needs changing, but I've been told that any running survivors have already been changed.
I was just curious to what main bearing was in the bike and if it was an original recall 6/MRJA30 with the scribed 6 is all.
(https://www.real-classic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2018/02/New-pic1.jpg)
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I would suggest going through the engine, you never know what you might find.
(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/IMG_4703.JPG)
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Wow!That's one helluva crack!!!
Yeah, I know Les. I'd also be interested in repositioning the oil pickup if not already done. We'll see once I get closer to assembling the bike.
My first goose was a 76 T3 basket case that had been dismantled in 1980 due to a broken shifter spring. It's still a basket case, but complete. Not being schooled in Guzzis I was cautious about messing with it and was collecting data when a complete T3 came up for sale and I bought it. It's just possible a complete running Commando will show up before I get this one together - and then the parts bike will be on hold. I am starting to think of putting the T3 basket case together, being more familiar now with Guzzis and their methods.
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(https://i.imgur.com/63BGX9I.jpg)
I may be partially responsible for wirespokes and his wayward ways. I need to let him ride one of my Nortons.
And my Guzzis have shown up at our Norton club meetings quite a bit.
To respond to a couple of the comments above:
Emgo turnsignals are actually pretty good. They are not exact replicas but they are quite serviceable. Especially for the price.
I also used new anodized slides and StayUp floats from Amal. I had good success.
Most problems with Amals are that people expect them to last 50 years without wearing. That's not reasonable for parts that slide against each other.
A common replacement for the MkIII starter was a Sportster one. The Norton was was 2 brushes and the Harley 4.
I could go on...
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What do you mean - PARTIALLY responsible??? :violent1:
Nice bike, Dave. I like!
Thanks for the blinkers feedback. Since I'm not seeing them used, I'll spring for a set of those Emgos. Then the tail light...and a few other bits.
Yes, I'll have to take one of yours for a ride. I'll take you up on it. Maybe that'll give me incentive to move faster on mine. I did just snag a rear fender. Supposedly a headlight and a few other bits are coming soon. Next I need to clear out a space to assemble. That's the hardest part of the project.