750 Seeley commando in Brooklyn

Marian · Dec 3, 2023

Hi Norton team,

I wanted to share my 750cc Seeley Commando build with you

I have about 650km on the bike and it runs very good.

Big shout to Kenny @ NYCNorton for sooooo much help - as well as Aleksey @ WorksMFG for welding, brazing, manufacturing..!

All the tech specs can be found here: https://www.bikeexif.com/seeley-norton-commando

...and i'm searching for steel Manx sprockets, ideally from a US dealer instead of New Zealand. Does one of you know an address or a website for me?

Thank you, Marian

Fast Eddie · Dec 4, 2023

VERY nice indeed sir !

Is the frame bare, or lacquered?

Seeley920 · Dec 4, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
VERY nice indeed sir !

Is the frame bare, or lacquered?

Looks nice, but you know what's coming

robs ss · Dec 4, 2023

Marian said:
Hi Norton team,

I wanted to share my 750cc Seeley Commando build with you I have about 650km on the bike and it runs very good.

Big shout to Kenny @ NYCNorton for sooooo much help - as well as Aleksey @ WorksMFG for welding, brazing, manufacturing..!

All the tech specs can be found here: https://www.bikeexif.com/seeley-norton-commando

...and i'm searching for steel Manx sprockets, ideally from a US dealer instead of New Zealand. Does one of you know an address or a website for me?

Thank you, Marian

Beautiful bike, but I note no rego plate.
I hope it gets used - I am not a fan of static displays.
Cheers

Fast Eddie · Dec 4, 2023

robs ss said:
Beautiful bike, but I note no rego plate.
I hope it gets used - I am not a fan of static displays.
Cheers

Marian · Dec 4, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
VERY nice indeed sir !

Is the frame bare, or lacquered?

Hi Eddie, thank you! The frame is bare, I treat it with ACF50.

Marian · Dec 4, 2023

robs ss said:
Beautiful bike, but I note no rego plate.
I hope it gets used - I am not a fan of static displays.
Cheers

No worries! I’m riding this bike a lot

the plate moved from a shock mount (for inspection) to be mounted above the rear wheel.

Grandad · Dec 4, 2023

Lovely bike ... well done !!

I can see the use on the rear tyre - clearly enjoying yourself

Fast Eddie · Dec 4, 2023

Marian said:
Hi Eddie, thank you! The frame is bare, I treat it with ACF50.

I run a bare frame too. Pain in the arse, but worth it !

grandpaul · Dec 4, 2023

Kenny sure builds nice stuff...

Marian · Dec 4, 2023

..and some more building / cat photos.

acotrel · Dec 5, 2023

It is a very nice build - what is in the gearbox ? Most Seeleys seem to have the same problem as Tritons. The front frame down-tubes stop the option of running the exhaust system under the bike. With the Mk3 frame, the front tubes can be just a single gusseted tube, and it is possible to get motor a bit further forward. It affects how the bike handles - feels more positive. The rider adjusts to the bike.

Chris · Dec 5, 2023

Orange is best

Marian · Dec 6, 2023

acotrel said:
It is a very nice build - what is in the gearbox ? Most Seeleys seem to have the same problem as Tritons. The front frame down-tubes stop the option of running the exhaust system under the bike. With the Mk3 frame, the front tubes can be just a single gusseted tube, and it is possible to get motor a bit further forward. It affects how the bike handles - feels more positive. The rider adjusts to the bike.

Thanks Acotrel. The gearbox is a 5 speed TT industries. The right manifold needed a good amount of work to fit behind the front frame down-tubes. Seems like the engine sits a bit further front inside the frame than expected, it might be inherited from the short stroke project that it was: Herb Becker and John Magyar previously raced this frame as a 500cc commando.

Fast Eddie · Dec 6, 2023

Marian said:
Thanks Acotrel. The gearbox is a 5 speed TT industries. The right manifold needed a good amount of work to fit behind the front frame down-tubes. Seems like the engine sits a bit further front inside the frame than expected, it might be inherited from the short stroke project that it was: Herb Becker and John Magyar previously raced this frame as a 500cc commando.

Yes I had already noticed that your front engine mount is through the frame, rather than having a lug, obviously done in order to get the engine absolutely as far forward as possible.

jan nelder · Feb 18, 2024

what does it weigh?

Marian · Feb 28, 2024

jan nelder said:
what does it weigh?

I will try to find out when I have an opportunity.

acotrel · Mar 31, 2024

Fast Eddie said:
I run a bare frame too. Pain in the arse, but worth it !

View attachment 111262

That is a much better front end. A Seeley Commando is a serious motorcycle. The front brake is not a trivial issue. I know drum brakes look lovely, but I found out the hard way - they are not good enough. Drum brakes change too much as you use them. Heat can make drum brakes fade and it can also make them grab. Discs are much safer. A Seeley Commando is usually light and can really get mobile. A Seeley usually comes out of corners much faster than other bikes. If you race, the last guy you pass in a corner as you come out, can be a worry. Usually they are like flies stuck to a wall, but not always.

Marian · Apr 1, 2024

acotrel said:
That is a much better front end. A Seeley Commando is a serious motorcycle. The front brake is not a trivial issue. I know drum brakes look lovely, but I found out the hard way - they are not good enough. Drum brakes change too much as you use them. Heat can make drum brakes fade and it can also make them grab. Discs are much safer. A Seeley Commando is usually light and can really get mobile. A Seeley usually comes out of corners much faster than other bikes. If you race, the last guy you pass in a corner as you come out, can be a worry. Usually they are like flies stuck to a wall, but not always.

Hi Acotrel, so far, i can only say really good things about this 4LS front brake

it keeps up very well with my spirited rides in the twisties.

And yes, disc brakes are superior to drum brakes, in the same way an Aprilia RSV4 is superior to a Seeley Commando.. but in my case, i don't need a laser scalpel to cut this sausage

that's a different passion!

ashman · Apr 1, 2024

Who uses brake when out riding only to come to a full stop of course, slow the bike down before the next set of corners and use the power of the bike once in the corners, very rarely I use my brakes while in the twisties, use the engine and body to slow the bike down, never use brakes in a corner.