1975 Commando 850 restoration

Larry S · May 5, 2020

gortnipper said:
Thanks.

So it looks like the backrest and luggage rack were made by the same manufacturer? And the bolted up together?

If so, any ID marks?

I'll check it out after work and see if there's any ID and let you know.

Larry S · May 6, 2020

Before cleaning, after cleaning and after soda blasting the head.

cjandme · May 6, 2020

Very nice, looking good!!

Larry S · May 7, 2020

Larry S said:
I'll check it out after work and see if there's any ID and let you know.

No ID found, sorry.

Larry S · May 7, 2020

My first order from Old britts shipped today. Gasket set, ring set, front and rear iso's, head steady and stainless head and cylinder bolts. I am very excited!

I am currently working on my yokes trying to make them presentable. I tried to clean them up but it turned out crappy so I decided to prime and paint. Has anyone else tried this? Pics to follow.

Also my father-in-law is almost finished making shelves for me to put parts and materials on. Pretty cool of him.

grandpaul · May 8, 2020

I have painted parts in place like that, but only on my own bikes; keeps old beaters looking presentable.

Nice, sturdy set of shelves!

grandpaul · May 8, 2020

Larry S said:
grandpaul, I've read on another thread that you have a "pollisher" in NC. Can they do anything with this? If not, what are my options?View attachment 16007 View attachment 16008 View attachment 16007 View attachment 16007 View attachment 16008

Yes. H&H Polishing. Fantastic crew with decent prices for the amount of work involved.

Keep at it!

Larry S · May 8, 2020

grandpaul said:
I have painted parts in place like that, but only on my own bikes; keeps old beaters looking presentable.

Nice, sturdy set of shelves!

Yeah, I would much rather replace all of the crappy parts with new but my minuscule budget just will not allow. So rehab what I can and replace when indicated.

Yes those shelves are very sturdy. They will still be in use long after my father in law and I are gone. Lol!

Another paint question. If I were to paint my brake master cylinder etc. Would I use gloss black or a flat?

Larry S · May 8, 2020

grandpaul said:
Yes. H&H Polishing. Fantastic crew with decent prices for the amount of work involved.

Keep at it!

Thank you for the info. Would they be able to give me a quote if I send them photos?

grandpaul · May 8, 2020

Yes. Just ask Romona to refer to Born Again Bikes' Norton Commando parts prices.

NPeteN · May 8, 2020

Good looking shelves. I thought your bottom yokes looked fine, not sure what kind of bike you want to end up with but if you're gonna spend the money (and you will!) it is always worth disassembling before painting IMO. Keep up the good work!

grandpaul · May 8, 2020

Larry S said:
Another paint question. If I were to paint my brake master cylinder etc. Would I use gloss black or a flat?

Gloss. I use Rust-O-Leum.

Fast Eddie · May 8, 2020

That musta taken longa to mask off than it wudda to disassemble

Larry S · May 8, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
That musta taken longa to mask off than it wudda to disassemble

Oh, don’t worry I’m going to disassemble after I replace the iso’s, cylinder, head and head steady. I just wanted to see what it would look like painted, if it will be acceptable or not. It did take a little while to mask but what do I care, I’m having a great time doing it!

NPeteN · May 8, 2020

It's always fun poking around a new bike.

grandpaul · May 9, 2020

If you have time to kill...

Larry S · May 9, 2020

Wow! That's the last time I paint "on the bike ." As everyone said, it took quite some time to mask it off. It took twice as long to take it off! Never again.
That said, I would like a critique on the color. If you don't like the color, what would be your recommendation for color?
Here's those shelves my father in law made me. They're filling up fast!

gortnipper · May 9, 2020

Hard to tell the true color from the pic. I just matched mine (that the PO had painted black) to the new fender stay I got from CNW with my brake.

batrider · May 9, 2020

Some aluminum paint can be too bright. A light coat of clear over it will make it less so. I think it softens the look to be more grayish like stock.

Larry S · May 9, 2020

batrider said:
Some aluminum paint can be too bright. A light coat of clear over it will make it less so. I think it softens the look to be more grayish like stock.

I kinda thought it looked a little bright also. I’ll get some clear coat and check it out. Thanks for the tip.

1975 Commando 850 restoration

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