1971 Norton

Hello I am new to this forum and of course have a question to get started. I am looking at a 71 Commando to buy. The owner states it is all stock with maybe the exception of the front fender. I have looked at some information and all the 71's I have seen have a drum brake on the front. This bike has a disc up front.
I am confused as always, did bikes going to the US have a disc or were all 71's drum brakes. How would I tell if this front end was changed out? Thanks Jon

I can't answer your question about Norton having Disc's in 71 with any certainty but others will. I can tell you that the disc can with a few upgrades be made into a very good brake you can ride hard & be safe. The drum while I agree is very cool looking & if you want a all "stock show bike" should can be a little scary although you can make them work better then stock. If you can you should post some pictures so the guys who know that year can help you.

Thanks for the reply, I do understand the disc is better for riding safety, but, the drum is so cool looking. I have a few old bikes along with modern ones so I understand the need to pay attention on the vintage bikes,. My purpose with this one is to own a bike I have always wanted (I'm 59) . I do love to ride and have been on the road every year since I was 15. This bike will be restored and ridden to shows and on special day so originality is important to me.

Welcome, JonC! Sounds like you got some "Knowhow". That will surely come in handy. I am 58 with roughly the same history as you.

You should check frame numbers vs crankcase number and even the gearbox numbers. Get the build date from the frame tag as well. See if the breather is off of the cam Left or maybe off the lower left back of the crankcase. Gotta get some photos. Don't rush into it, tell us what you can.

I too am unsure of the year of the disk/drum change, it seems to me there was a crossover date when both were available. However, if you want to browse through some brochures, it may shed some light on your question, plus you will get to see how they came from the showroom. http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... chures.htm

The drum brake can be made to work acceptably. It takes about 2 hours, unless you just want to throw about $500 at it and send it out. It's my understanding the early disk also need some work.

Check the numbers and get a photo if possible and check back.

Dave
69S

Could be the seller sees the 1971 build date stamped on the i.d. tag, and thinks it's a '71 (could even be titled as such) and is actually an early 72.

Or, it could simply be a a '72 brake or front end, on a '71 Commando. Not a bad setup.

Welcome to the forum, Jon!

I was wondering if the build date had something to due with it, it makes sense. I was looking for a drum brake but I guess it really doesn't matter, thanks for the tips. Jon

Unless it has a frame/engine serial number higher than 200000 (1972) then it's unlikely to have had the standard Lockheed-Norton disc brake originally.

IIRC Combats were the first issued disc brake and Interstate tanks. Only thing ya need to have tire squeal and lock up on tap with bone stock Lockheed brake it to remove the teeny tiny restrictor hole at the end of the big black rubber boot 'valve' thingy deep in master cylinder. But also my best buddy Wes's '71 ex-HyRyder refuses to put on the Combat front end I'd collected for him, because the drum just looks cool to him too. There is NO Logic to recommend any motorycling over 250 cc's, so there is no logic to apply to what you ride over that size, so go for it and enjoy what you want and show to the world at large. Main downside of drums is more strength to work good and more fade if worked good and often. I believe if not for the sexy cocked engine and over all cool stance of Commando, hardly anyone would bother with em.

hobot said:

I believe if not for the sexy cocked engine and over all cool stance of Commando, hardly anyone would bother with em.

Click to expand...

LOL! might be right. However, they are all that, and a Box of chocolates. So we are bothered by them. :mrgreen:

Let us know the first couple numbers of the vin and the build date. We'll get it worked out.

Thanks again. I will be seeing the bike again tomorrow, the owner is meeting me so I can go over it well. He wants $5K for it and it shows 11K miles on the clock. Overall it looked pretty clean but had some issues with leakage and torn rubbers all over. I did not start it but it has good compression and the shop it's at tells me it ran down the road good, what that means to a harley repair shop is questionable. The paint is faded but black and the decals are still there. The owner told me he thought the front fender may not be original but maybe that came with the later front end, I do not know if it was wrecked or not but will look closely tomorrow. Thanks to your input I am sure it's not supposed to have a disc or at least 80% sure but will check the numbers. I need this bike like I need a hole in my head I have 7 in the barn now, but it's a norton and I don't have one of those, besides my son is in love with them so maybe it's a project for both of us. More tommorrow. Jon

If you know or can get hold of a Norton enthusiast to look at the bike with you, you will learn more than you'd like to know. It might be worth a try. $5K is not bad if it runs and doesn't appear wrecked. The parts are worth that. But you will be spending more than that to fix it up to your desire, I'm sure. I had all my original parts and spent about $8K on it to finish and am still not done, but acceptable to me. I can piece it together from here.

Dave
69S

Yes to taking someone who knows Nortons along with you. I just learned of one in beautiful shape go to a good home for 6500 ,no work required. You will be spending money remember so it's important to start off with what you feel was a good deal and then figure what will be spent on fenders and all new rubber. And the surprises too.

Thanks to all who replied to my questions, I am now a proud owner of a 1971 Norton Commando, serial # 158xxx. It is not totally stock but it runs well and is a great start. It has been upgraded some time with a 72 or later front end, rear sets, steering stabilizer, fork brace and different rear shocks. But did I mention it is a Norton, and it's mine. I plam on clubman bars, new cafe seat and gators on the front end, why an old man like me needs this bike is up for debate but better old and foolish than just old. I will post pictures when I pick it up next week. Jon

Congrations on the new addition to your family

Good for you Jon. Can't wait to see it.
There are no 158xxx "s. You must mean 148xxx. What is stamped on the motor?