The Unapproachable Norton Commando

tuono · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 22

How do you guys manage to spend so much on these rebuilds? I thoiught some of the UK 'specialists' were rip off merchants but you must have the monopoly in the USA. Get it over to me and I will do a good rebuild for $6K easily.

Ron L · Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 1101 Location: Ohio

$6k??? I can probably do a resto for myself on that budget, but I would not attempt to do a quality resto for a "customer" without some monetary consideration for my time.

debby · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 890 Location: Boulder, CO

I spent $6K on my 750 restoration not including the cost of the bike. I started with a complete original bike that ran (sort of) and was in good cosmetic condition.

So far I've spent $8K on my 850 restoration, not counting the cost of the parts bike I started with. It was missing a lot of parts and most of what was there was bad. I can tell you the cost of all those small bits adds up very fast.

I've done all the work myself except machine shop services and powdercoating. I have not had the bodywork repainted on either bike. Both bikes were completely disassembled and had 100 percent rebuilds from the ground up (they needed it, too). Unlike others on this forum I did not have access to a large stash of parts, so I've had to purchase a lot of new parts. Those new parts are expensive and are getting more expensive every week thanks to the continually-sinking US Dollar. I've also purchased a fair amount of used parts for the 850 from ebay, but quality used parts aren't cheap any more either.

Skeptics are welcome to come out to Colorado and see my receipt stacks!

Debby

grandpaul · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

Back to the build after nearly a month-long timeout for racing at Daytona.

Installed camchain & geartrain for same with rubber faced camchain adjuster, plus refurbished oil pump.

Free advice - don't "test fit" the crank pinion without the back plate and triad spacer, it's a MOTHER to remove otherwise!

We're awaiting the imminent arrival of 60 pounds of Cad-plated bits & bobs, all component and sub-component assembly work is pending fasteners, etc. from this batch!

Got in the freshly skimmed and drilled front brake rotor, it looks a treat and should provide slightly better braking due to cooling effect; also get a few ounces of unsprung weight shaved off as a side benefit.

grandpaul · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

Concerning the cost to do a restoration in the UK, I can believe $6K, that's $12k over here.

JimC · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 168 Location: Port St. John, FL

$6000 US seems about right, maybe a bit on the low side with the recent devaluation of the dollar and that's doing most of the work oneself. That's just bringing everthing back to spec and having all the shiny parts once again shiny. Start making upgrades and it's pretty easy to get into five figures.

Ron L · Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 1101 Location: Ohio

I don't disagree if you are doing a personal restoration, but this does not take into consideration the number of hours spent in disassembly, cleaning, fitting, parts ordering, and assembly. I would expect to be compensated for those hours if working on some one else's machine.

Chris · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:12 am Post subject: Thank you!!!

Trouble is Ron Most of my friends say thanks!

My best friend owns a lathe & we "help each other" Fair trade.

Only buy what you need not what you would like!

I had bikes in the garage for years making them perfect. They never left the garage.

Must force myself back out there.
all the best Chris

Ron L · Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 1101 Location: Ohio

I understand what you say, Chris. I have done a total restoration of a '68 Fastback for a good friend, no compensation expected, he just paid for the parts and did the legwork. I also have a buddy with a lathe and a garage full of Nortons and parts. He helps me with machine work and I do his engine and gearbox work and we raid each others parts stashes. That's what makes this hobby fun.

What I am talking about is when a friend of a friend of a friend's co-worker calls and wants me to "fix up" his newly purchased Norton. They bring the poor beast over and it needs lots of help, but he doesn't want to spend much cause he only paid $1000 for it. These people will get charged for my time.

grandpaul · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:47 am Post subject:

Ron L - You have a healthy understanding of "friends" when it comes to bikes.

I help out friends all the time, even people on forums that I've never met, but I know where to draw the line. After all, this is also my business when it's time to pay the electric bill.

grandpaul · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

Okay, stuff going on "behind the scenes" not worth photos and posts, but got the tranny finished today and set it aside for installation this weekend along with all the Cad plated stuff to mount the tranny cradle, swingarm, engine, engine mounts, and isolastics.

"before and after" shots of the tranny-

All nipped up, waiting for the polished cover (after it's in the frame)-

71basketcase · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 79 Location: CapeCod

I'm with you, Debby: I haven't totaled up the reciepts but the 71 basketcase was missing lots of stuff (oil tank, all the electrics, etc....) and much of the stuff that I had was in bad shape: I don't think I've reached 6k but I'm pretty close to that mark......

and the 'highlight' of the build HAD to be cutting off and fairing the REBAR (concrete reinforcement bars) highway pegs the previous redneck... er... owner had welded on to the down tubes Rolling Eyes

For a guy who makes sawdust for a living , turning wrenches is a great passtime...... I can't wait (very shortly) to hear this baby spring to life after about a 30 year 'rest'

Karl

grandpaul · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:

The Cad plated bits and bobs came out nice-

The rest of your nuts, bolts, screws, and washers are in here somewhere-

Assembly now starts in earnest.

grandpaul · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

Tranny installed, all isolastics, tranny mounts & engine mounts done and all nipped up along with highly polished Z-plates.

grandpaul · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject:

Swingarm & rear shocks installed, and many bolts, nuts & washers sorted and set aside.

By the way, Chip, the swingarm pivot pin was full of GREASE! (Supposed to be 140W oil). Hey, it happens a lot; a guy sees a grease fitting, by golly he greases it!

The Unapproachable Norton Commando

At the end of 1967 the Norton Commando was announced.