Frankenbike

MichaelB · Jun 13, 2020

Norcoastal said:
Whatever they call it, finding one in a crate in New Jersey for sale 47 years later is absolutely amazing. I agree with Horton, what would you do with it? It’s a unicorn. Do you put it together and ride it? Admire it? Put it up for auction at a Barrett Jackson or Mecum? Sell it to a Museum? If it were me, I’d build it and have it in my collection as my prized possession and ride it whenever the weather was nice.

That's what I would do, even if it did devalue.
I don't see the value of leaving it in the crate, not to enjoy.
I need to be able touch, feel, see, smell, appreciate and most important, operate my motorcycles.

Hortons Norton · Jun 13, 2020

I wish I could find the listing of all the bikes that were in that auction, when I first saw it I couldn't believe it. How could that many new bikes still be in their crates?? Did he want to do that or did the place close before he could sell them? Ok i'm going try to find some info. on it.

Hortons Norton · Jun 13, 2020

Here we go guys, for those that didn't see it. https://www.hdforums.com/articles/new-unboxed-norton-commando/

Norcoastal · Jun 13, 2020

The guy that has this bike owned a Triumph dealership in New Jersey from the 60’s through 2000. He actually has 2 Commandos in crates; the one in the picture I posted and a black, one but apparently he’s keeping the black one. He wants to sell the red, white and blue one to fund a corvette that he wants to buy. He’s 79 and still got fire in his veins. Love that.

Horton, great read on the crated Commandos. The picture of the open crate is packed exactly like the one I posted.

Hortons Norton · Jun 13, 2020

About the JPN, Maybe they were not able to use the name due to legal reasons. But I also remember them being referred to as such?

Norcoastal · Jun 13, 2020

Hortons Norton said:
About the JPN, Maybe they were not able to use the name due to legal reasons. But I also remember them being referred to as such?

Yeah I agree, I’ve seen them discussed and referred to as JPN. Regardless, they are unique and cool bikes.

Norcoastal · Jun 18, 2020

Not that I would spend $500 on this...well if I had it maybe...

This is on eBay from Spain.

Looks pretty cool.

Below the picture is a yellow Norton with this seat and the same tank and fairing as mine. It would look good in white with red and blue accents.

Norcoastal · Jun 18, 2020

Most likely I’ll do this (below) and do more of a Norman White replica opposed to a JPN replica and spend what money I have on getting my engine together.

Mine will have a black frame and steel wheels, but the spirit will be there!

Norcoastal · Jul 4, 2020

I hope I don’t regret this, but I’m dumping the Proddy racer for a Gus Kuhn racer which actually makes sense since I have an original Gus Kuhn tank.

Anyway I did it. I bought the JPN seat and I’m buying an original Gus Kuhn fairing.

I’m pretty excited. Something was never right in my eye with the proddy reproductions.

Here’s what I’m getting.

Norcoastal · Jul 4, 2020

And since I decided to get these new parts, I spent the 4th of July on stripping paint on the side cover that I painted red and repainted it black.

Norcoastal · Jul 4, 2020

And hours wet sanding and priming. I used the SprayMax 2K primer. This stuff is probably the best you can get to body shop primer. It’s an epoxy so you have mix the two in a can. Pretty smart.

Anyway the tank and fender are ready for white!

gortnipper · Jul 4, 2020

Looking sweet. you going to keep the cool sticker patina of the fairing and seat, or strip and paint?

Fast Eddie · Jul 5, 2020

You’re gonna have to choose your white carefully to try and blend in with your seat and fairing as best you can...

Norcoastal · Jul 5, 2020

gortnipper said:
Looking sweet. you going to keep the cool sticker patina of the fairing and seat, or strip and paint?

I’m going to keep it the way it is. May remove some stickers. But I’m not sure

Norcoastal · Jul 5, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
You’re gonna have to choose your white carefully to try and blend in with your seat and fairing as best you can...

Yes I was thinking about that. There are so many shades of white. I’ll probably test a bunch before I paint the tank.

Fast Eddie · Jul 5, 2020

I used the words ‘blend in’ rather than ‘match’ deliberately, as your seat and faring may already be different to each other...

Norcoastal · Jul 5, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
I used the words ‘blend in’ rather than ‘match’ deliberately, as your seat and faring may already be different to each other...

I can bet 100% that they don’t match, but they both seem to be in the ‘70’s decade so maybe they’ll be close?

Norcoastal · Jul 5, 2020

I actually like the primer better than the red already.

It’s funny how often you change your mind during the build process. If I wanted a straight standard Commando, my life would have been a lot easier.

Norcoastal · Jul 6, 2020

I’m totally getting cold feet. I already bought the seat which I’m happy about. But the fairing will be over $700 shipped.

I may pass. Not sure what to do. It’s a lot of money and I’m not really sure exactly what it is???

What should I do???

grandpaul · Jul 6, 2020

I could have warned you about shipping costs on a JPN fairing...

"been there, done that"

Frankenbike

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