Guzzi sighting at the Norton meeting

[Mr Pootle]

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.

[blackcat]

My 68, leaks from the usual sources but I’m working on eliminating those problems as I hate a leaky bike.



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.

[blackcat]

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.

[JJ]

Another alternative are these FABULOUS Norton's from the Colorado Norton Works...but be prepared to * cough * big time!   "Oh my...."

https://coloradonortonworks.com/pre-owned-cnw-machines/

[wirespokes]

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. 

[pressureangle]

Does this poor baby RUN?  Looks like it needs a little TLC!

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.

[Gino]

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

[lrutt]

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.

[JJ]

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!

[LesP]

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.

[LesP]

I would suggest going through the engine, you never know what you might find.

[wirespokes]

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.

[swooshdave]

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...

[wirespokes]

What do you mean - PARTIALLY responsible??? 

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.