Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JJ on October 27, 2021, 08:40:30 PM

Title: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: JJ on October 27, 2021, 08:40:30 PM: Hard to imagine back in the day, these were actually manufactured and sold to the public....(IMHO) :rolleyes: :shocked:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-norton-commando-750-8/
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Turin on October 27, 2021, 09:20:42 PM: It's a set of drag bars and a seat away of being something really slick.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: nc43bsa on October 27, 2021, 09:55:52 PM: Even when they were new, quite a few, if not most, were converted to Roadster spec.

I know a former dealer who still has new take-off seats and sissy bars.

That being said, I also know of one Hi-Rider that is still on the road in original trim, although it has been repainted.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: tazio on October 28, 2021, 05:03:50 AM: Ain't gonna come cheap..

As seen at this year's Concours d'Elegance "Riding into History" in St.Augustine,Florida..

(https://i.ibb.co/D1VVqwb/20210424-125941.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D1VVqwb)
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Scout63 on October 28, 2021, 05:27:22 AM: A commando with bell bottoms. I’ve never seen the power port located on the air cleaner.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: JoeB on October 28, 2021, 05:58:19 AM: Never had one, but takes me back to my high school days when I would study their ads.
(https://i.ibb.co/HnSqYRj/norton-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HnSqYRj)
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: chuck peterson on October 28, 2021, 06:17:45 AM: I’m remembering almost everyone putting on buckhorn chopper bars no matter what they owned..first thing you did when you brought it home

YaMAha 350 2 stroke? Ape hangers…I think it was a “Then Came Bronson”… thingee. Saw them on every model made at the time. Almost a standard procedure no matter the model

Maybe it was leftover from the schwinn bicycle ape hangers?

(https://i.ibb.co/H7pXHhY/F2-C8971-A-742-D-4-B66-8-F22-4-DD7-A4808-CC9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/H7pXHhY)

(https://i.ibb.co/4pT0c7H/A5-BBD739-3896-4-A71-8-B80-30-AB914-F3-FE1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4pT0c7H)
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: mechanicsavant on October 28, 2021, 07:01:38 AM: Ah , yes almost any bike looks better with a “Norton girl” on it .
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: LesP on October 28, 2021, 07:02:28 AM: Quote from: Scout63 on October 28, 2021, 05:27:22 AM
A commando with bell bottoms. I’ve never seen the power port located on the air cleaner.

That is a 1971 Hi Rider (20M3S engine with the camshaft breather and hose on the L/H side of the engine) not a 1972 but most likely first registered that year (1972)
The first year for the power take off was 1971 and only year where its body was steel and mounted on the air filter plate, the more familiar rubberised plug mounted on the right of the battery tray from 1972 to 1975.

Here is a NOS plug I picked up for my 1971 Fastback.

(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/icons/pt23.jpg) (https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/pt23.jpg)(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/icons/PT13.jpg) (https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/PT13.jpg)(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/icons/pt33.jpg) (https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/pt33.jpg)(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/icons/pt43.jpg) (https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/pt43.jpg)

The Hi Rider was made 1971 through to 1975.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: PeteS on October 28, 2021, 08:17:27 AM: Amazingly original. He has a replacement sidestand but original center stand with added gussets. Both junk when new. Broke my sidestand 3 months after new when the frame lug broke off. Next year they changed the mount. The center stand wasn’t much better. I had to weld mine up three time before putting a MKIII stand on it. 71’s came new with multiple problems like the brazed in rear drum lugs that broke off locking up the rear wheel and no retaining washer on the clutch drum nut that allowed the clutch to fall off two thousand miles from home. BTDT.

Pete
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: blackcat on October 28, 2021, 08:17:52 AM: Quote from: LesP on October 28, 2021, 07:02:28 AM
That is a 1971 Hi Rider (20M3S engine with the camshaft breather and hose on the L/H side of the engine) not a 1972 but most likely first registered that year (1972)
The first year for the power take off was 1971 and only year where its body was steel and mounted on the air filter plate, the more familiar rubberised plug mounted on the right of the battery tray from 1972 to 1975.

Here is a NOS plug I picked up for my 1971 Fastback.

(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/icons/pt23.jpg) (https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/pt23.jpg)
(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/icons/PT13.jpg) (https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/PT13.jpg)(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/icons/pt33.jpg) (https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/pt33.jpg)(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/icons/pt43.jpg) (https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/pt43.jpg)

The Hi Rider was made 1971 through to 1975.

Was the Hi Rider mostly made for the American market or was it also popular in Europe? Nice find on the plug.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: JJ on October 28, 2021, 09:08:43 AM: Quote from: Turin on October 27, 2021, 09:20:42 PM
It's a set of drag bars and a seat away of being something really slick.

Agreed...only two items to replace...a set of straight Superbike bars, and a stock seat!

:thumb: :bow: :boozing: :cool: :wink: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: rtbickel on October 28, 2021, 09:14:34 AM: Nothing a few hundred bucks couldn't fix and then it would be a pretty sweet ride.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: JJ on October 28, 2021, 09:46:52 AM: Quote from: rtbickel on October 28, 2021, 09:14:34 AM
Nothing a few hundred bucks couldn't fix and then it would be a pretty sweet ride.

Just one example of a very tasty Norton...from the CNW - Colorado Norton Works!! - - but much more than a few hundred bucks!! :wink: :bow: :thumb: :boozing: :cool: :smiley:

(https://i.ibb.co/540gW2V/Screen-Shot-2021-10-28-at-7-44-53-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/540gW2V)
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Mr Pootle on October 28, 2021, 11:07:08 AM: The UK government is seeking to extradite the person who is responsible for what was done to that Commando. He's to be charged with what is the only remaining capital offence under English law -defacing beauty.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Canuck750 on October 28, 2021, 12:31:04 PM: A good friend bought one brand new and managed to write it off rounding a sharp curve in the City, crashed the bike into a guard rail and other than being badly bruised, he walked away, sort of. Youth, booze and immortality is a dangerous mixture in ones late teens. The cops never charged him but the bike had no collision coverage and the bikes scrap value barley covered the value of a clapped out BSA 650 he picked up to keep riding.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: berniebee on October 28, 2021, 12:54:05 PM: Quote from: JoeB on October 28, 2021, 05:58:19 AM
Never had one, but takes me back to my high school days when I would study their ads.
(https://i.ibb.co/HnSqYRj/norton-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HnSqYRj)

Yes, I too "studied their ads". And you know, it did result in a strengthened throttle hand.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Alfetta on October 28, 2021, 01:50:24 PM: Quote from: chuck peterson on October 28, 2021, 06:17:45 AM
I think it was a “Then Came Bronson”… thingee. Saw them on every model made at the time.

I recall that show... dude riding about on his harly then you see him rippin a crosser 2 stroke, with a sportster sound track !!
guess about as good as watching the Duke's drive through a stack of empty boxes...
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: PeteS on October 28, 2021, 01:58:48 PM: The bars on Bronson’s Sportster weren’t much higher than a stock Norton Roadster. But it magically transformed itself into a dirt bike when he had to chase someone over the dirt.
I think Easy Rider had more to do with the high bar craze.

Pete
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: tazio on October 28, 2021, 02:07:24 PM: Accurate or not,
I blame Disco ! :angry:
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: JJ on October 28, 2021, 02:09:04 PM: Quote from: tazio on October 28, 2021, 02:07:24 PM
Accurate or not,
I blame Disco ! :angry:

She is definitely from..."The Disco Era!!" :laugh: :grin: :wink: :thumb: :cool: :boozing:

(https://i.ibb.co/6RFdZHq/Screen-Shot-2021-10-28-at-12-08-16-PM.png) (https://ibb.co/6RFdZHq)
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Gino on October 28, 2021, 04:35:26 PM: Funnily enough I did a short video at one of our meetings for a laugh directed at a hi rider owner I know
https://youtu.be/XDgxSLlFeC4 (https://youtu.be/XDgxSLlFeC4)

Gino
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: LesP on October 28, 2021, 05:20:12 PM: Any Commando is better than no Commando.
It looks like even the posters on BAT do not know a 1971 bike from a 1972 which was a major chance year (for better or worse)
Based on the 1/6/72 (US-6/1/72) first sale date it sat for a long time waiting for a buyer but like 10's of 1000's of the over 50000 Commando's built never did any real mileage.

I can't see any point in changing what was fine looking to start with, Roadster wise anyway.

(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/ggh.jpg)
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: PeteS on October 28, 2021, 05:25:01 PM: Even if they missed the timed breather, the front drum brake should be a clue its not a ‘72.

Pete
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Scout63 on October 28, 2021, 05:37:15 PM: Or the Interstate.

(https://i.ibb.co/cFNpWzx/3-A8-E5-C46-470-C-4622-8377-F23-ACF67152-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cFNpWzx)

I am a fan of the 72 rear breather mount. Makes installation of a CnW breather valve a snap.

I like all Commandos though, and at the risk of throwing gasoline on the fire I think the hi rider setup is less of an affront than left side shift.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: twowings on October 28, 2021, 05:41:21 PM: JJ, I can envision YOU on this weird and wonderful time capsule in a fringed vest, bellbottoms, and a Joe Namath haircut!! :grin:
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: LesP on October 28, 2021, 05:48:20 PM: Quote from: PeteS on October 28, 2021, 05:25:01 PM
Even if they missed the timed breather, the front drum brake should be a clue its not a ‘72.

Pete

It was not uncommon to see a drum front brake on a 1972 Hi Rider.

Some folk have even suggested in the past the drum brake could be on other 1972 models also with the new for 72 disc brake not being a rubber stamp fitment.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Scout63 on October 28, 2021, 06:10:34 PM: Quote from: LesP on October 28, 2021, 05:48:20 PM
It was not uncommon to see a drum front brake on a 1972 Hi Rider.

Some folk have even suggested in the past the drum brake could be on other 1972 models also with the new for 72 disc brake not being a rubber stamp fitment.

If I remember my reading correctly, the front disk was an option when first offered in 72 but was standard fitment for the combat-engined models. Most of early combats were Interstates. I’m not sure how this is determinable given the completely non-informative VIN system.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: tazio on October 28, 2021, 07:06:52 PM: Quote from: Gino on October 28, 2021, 04:35:26 PM
Funnily enough I did a short video at one of our meetings for a laugh directed at a hi rider owner I know
https://youtu.be/XDgxSLlFeC4 (https://youtu.be/XDgxSLlFeC4)

Gino
Nice :thumb: Thanks :smiley:
I was grooving on that Buffalo fairing on the goose!
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: JJ on October 29, 2021, 06:13:43 AM: Quote from: twowings on October 28, 2021, 05:41:21 PM
JJ, I can envision YOU on this weird and wonderful time capsule in a fringed vest, bellbottoms, and a Joe Namath haircut!! :grin:

That's probably the most frightening visual of the week!! :laugh: :grin: :wink: :rolleyes: :shocked: :huh:
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Ncdan on October 29, 2021, 07:50:12 AM: Was that from the factory or a DEALER OPTION?
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: blackcat on October 29, 2021, 07:53:03 AM: Quote from: Ncdan on October 29, 2021, 07:50:12 AM
Was that from the factory or a DEALER OPTION?

Factory.
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: JJ on October 29, 2021, 07:53:23 AM: Quote from: Ncdan on October 29, 2021, 07:50:12 AM
Was that from the factory or a DEALER OPTION?

Let's give HONDA some credit...at least for a "Factory Chopper"...they tried to do it right!! :thumb: :boozing: :cool: :wink:

(https://i.ibb.co/HpZkjm7/Screen-Shot-2021-10-29-at-5-52-10-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/HpZkjm7)
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Moparnut72 on October 29, 2021, 09:35:12 AM: Harley's version. I had one and really liked it, lost it a fire.
kk

(https://i.ibb.co/L1g3Y2d/unnamed-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/L1g3Y2d)
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: guzzimatic on October 30, 2021, 11:30:55 AM: At the Illinois Guzzi rally several years ago a guy had a High Rider. Being a long time Norton owner I asked if I could set on it to see how different it was than a Roadster. To my surprise the seat was comfortable for the rider,no idea how a passenger was supposed to deal with the ski slope rear part… The handlebars weren’t bad either,and I hate ape hangers! Two gallon tank ensures you don’t have to sit on it too long…
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: Gino on October 30, 2021, 05:47:58 PM: Quote from: tazio on October 28, 2021, 07:06:52 PM
Nice :thumb: Thanks :smiley:
I was grooving on that Buffalo fairing on the goose!

:grin: :thumb:
Title: Re: This is one UGLY Norton!!
Post by: kellercycle on October 31, 2021, 10:29:43 AM: Yes it's different .I remember when that bike was new .Shooting for American riders .Most of these were yellow .Very low production numbers .