1971 Commando 750 no spark ! need help

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71Norton750

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hello, im new to the norton world! I have been waiting for a norton to come around for a loooooonnnngggg time, finaly I bought a 1971 Norton commando 750 :D but it dosnt start because its not kicking out any spark, but it does turn over just fine. the head light works too. so I know its not the battery! or atleast i hope, the guy who I bought it from rode it last november and left it parked. got a new battery and still dint start. the wireharness is not in the best of shape and I see that he or someone rigged a couple of things here and there. How should I go about fixing this problem? any help or tips are welcome ! thanks guys !
 
Welcome to the forum 71Norton750,

Does your '71 Commando still have its original points ignition, or has electronic "Boyer Bransden" or similar ignition been fitted and if so, which type is it?

In any case, if there are no sparks at either plug, then fist you need to check if battery power is actually reaching the (2x 6V) coils or not (via the handlebar kill switch and ballast resistor) for points, or electronic amplifier box if it has electronic ignition?

Here's the '71 wiring diagram: http://rocbo.lautre.net/technique/norto ... p/150.html

Although it isn't shown on the diagram, the wire between the ballast resistor and coils will probably be White/Purple.
 
Thanks for the quick reply! im taking the bike apart right now and when I have a chance to check the wire harness and match it to the diagram I will get back to you, right now theres alot of crap in there that I need to clean up and take off! but thanks again and talk to you soon.
 
cash said:
Has a 71 750 got a kill switch ?
Click to expand...


Yes it should do, according to the '71 wiring diagram*? Whether the switch is still there or actually works of course is another matter.

*(White wire from Ign/Sw. through multi pin connector to R/H (or L/H if they've been swapped?) handlebar switch unit, then White/Yellow out from switch to multi connector, where it changes to White/Blue to the ballast resistor and then White/Purple to coils from the ballast resistor)
 
If you were to put your location in your signature or something perhaps you live close enough for somebody to come over and help you. Ten minutes from a lot of the guys here could save you much time.
 
I took a look at Marco's bike today. The wiring is truly dismal and will take a bit of time. He will bring it over to my shop tomorrow.

The bike is interesting, he's got some good stuff there, steel tank, electronic ignition, oil cooler, a regulator I'm not familiar with.
I'll bow to the experts here but I think it might be a genuine high rider. I've only seen one in the dealer's showroom more years back than I care to recall, but it has the gear I remember on it. It's solid orange, taillight is black which I think solid colors had. He's got a seat that looks like a high rider to me and fairly high bars.
Marco will post pix when he has time.
 
Cookie said:
I took a look at Marco's bike today. The wiring is truly dismal and will take a bit of time. He will bring it over to my shop tomorrow.

The bike is interesting, he's got some good stuff there, steel tank, electronic ignition, oil cooler, a regulator I'm not familiar with.
I'll bow to the experts here but I think it might be a genuine high rider. I've only seen one in the dealer's showroom more years back than I care to recall, but it has the gear I remember on it. It's solid orange, taillight is black which I think solid colors had. He's got a seat that looks like a high rider to me and fairly high bars.
Marco will post pix when he has time.
Click to expand...
here are those pics! its a 1971 norton commando 750 and we think its a possible high rider . Im not for sure but cookie said its a possibility! so what do you guys think? thanks again cookie for all the help.
1971 Commando 750 no spark ! need help

1971 Commando 750 no spark ! need help

1971 Commando 750 no spark ! need help

1971 Commando 750 no spark ! need help

1971 Commando 750 no spark ! need help
 
I'm not an anorak, but I'm sure the High Rider had a unique small tank and the tank in the photo looks pretty much Roadster to me.

Anyhow is a Commando and that's all that matters :D

Cash
 
cash said:
I'm not an anorak, but I'm sure the High Rider had a unique small tank and the tank in the photo looks pretty much Roadster to me.

Anyhow is a Commando and that's all that matters :D

Cash
Click to expand...
thanks, yeah we arnt sure so i thought i would put it online and see what people would say. its hard to find pics online, ive only found a handfull of pics on google to match it to. but ya def a commando!! :mrgreen:
 
The only high rider I recall seeing did have the unique fiberglass tank. That is a steel tank, I don't know if it is original. It is also possible that an owner was just influenced by the same styleing trends the high rider designers were.
I was hoping that somebody had seen a high rider up close. Either way it is an interesting bike but historically there sure aren't many high riders left.
 
I don't think that seat is stock Hi Rider. Or it's been refinished. Sissy bar is wrong. Handlebars are too short. As noted, tank is Roadster.

1971 Commando 750 no spark ! need help


My best uneducated guess? Someone tried to replicate a Hi Rider from a Roadster.
 
That would actually be a bit of a relief as far as changing the bike goes. Marco is thinking of a low bar roadster.
 
Regarding swooshdave's photo (from the Real Classic website) a Hi-Rider would normally have the same shape side panels as a Roadster, the one in the photo is fitted with Interstate style side panels.
 
It looks like Marco can bring it back to roadster status with no guilt then.
 
Cookie said:
It looks like Marco can bring it back to roadster status with no guilt then.
Click to expand...

Certainly, as finding the original body style could be just about impossible.

(But it also has the correct headlamp unit for a Hi-Rider!)
 
It 's definitely a bit of a pound puppy, but it appears to have th 5" hi rider headlight even though the tank and seat aren't quite right for a hi rider.
 
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