1974 Norton Commando 850 help!

Hey guys,
Brand new to the thread, looking forward to getting to know all of you.
Was lucky enough to pick up a '74 850 Commando a few weeks ago-it wasnt starting when i bought it, but was able to get it going by adjusting the carb. It was starting on the first or second kick for a good week (wasnt riding it though) since then, I adjusted the handlebars and now its not turning over, doesnt even seem close to goin.
still feels like i have the same compression, will double check the sparkplugs in a bit.
Any ideas?
Cheers!

Hi and welcome to the forum - I'm a rare contributer, but you'll find lots of help here. My bet is fouled plugs. Cheap and easy to swap them for new ones and try again.

Good luck,

Paul.

Welcome to the forum, it's obvious to me that you never should have adjusted the handlebars as this has had a clearly detrimental effect on the running of said 828 c.c. vehicle. Perhaps ? Peter.

haha yeah i know, it was the only thing that i changed- was worried i somehow did something with the kill switch/ throttle maybe.
thanks for the replies- will check the sparkplugs asap.

Two things. Can you put your location in your profile?

Second, do you have a choke on you handlebars?

As Dave said, a profile would be nice. Your question is way too broad, it could be nearly anything from electrics, ignition, carbs, nearly anything. You need to narrow down the options with some basic trouble shooting. Give us something to go with. I'm not trying to be rude. I doubt if it's the handlebars.

Welcome, it's always nice to see new bikes.

Dave
69S

welcome ajacob85, You mean the PO didn't tell you about the old --adjust the handlebars and the engine quits trick--seriously though, lots of good folks & info here. Cj

hey guys thanks for the replies, updated profile- i live in Toronto, Canada. no choke on the handlebar, will be checking spark plugs tomorrow after work, any other obvious things i should be looking for?
thanks!

Welcome ajacob85
When you adjusted the bars is there a chance the wiring going up to them was pulled on, maybe connection pulled loose at the area below tank where a whole mess of wires are joined.
Check plug on head to see if you have spark, both sides.
Confirm gas, should smell after a few kicks, if amals tickle them until overflow.

Assuming spark setting hasn't changed and you have spark, gas and compression it should start.

We all enjoy pictures.

Good luck
Bob

ajacob85 said:

hey guys thanks for the replies, updated profile- i live in Toronto, Canada. no choke on the handlebar, will be checking spark plugs tomorrow after work, any other obvious things i should be looking for?
thanks!

Click to expand...

Don't bother looking for the Cup, it's in Boston. :mrgreen:

But seriously, perhaps post some pics?

No choke so my next guess is that you muck up the wiring and now are experiencing the dreaded kill switch syndrome.

Why Dave?? I hope he's not a hockey fan. Bob's got it, check for spark first.

Also check that battery is fully charged if electronic ignition after only starting on/off for a week without riding may have depleted battery.
Tim

ajacob85 said:

Hey guys,
Brand new to the thread, looking forward to getting to know all of you.
Was lucky enough to pick up a '74 850 Commando a few weeks ago-it wasnt starting when i bought it, but was able to get it going by adjusting the carb. It was starting on the first or second kick for a good week (wasnt riding it though) since then, I adjusted the handlebars and now its not turning over, doesnt even seem close to goin.
still feels like i have the same compression, will double check the sparkplugs in a bit.
Any ideas?
Cheers!

Click to expand...

How far did you move the bars? Did you just loosen the clamps and move them forward or back?

You say, "adjusting the carb", assuming you have ONE carb and assuming it is the common conversion to a single Mikuni. You should have plenty of cable so doubtful that the throttle got messed up just by adjusting the bars. Not that you want to make a habit of it, but twist the throttle wide open and let it go...can you hear the slide "slam" shut? If the cable is too short and you moved the bars forward, it's possible that you have opened the throttle which is not allowing it to start. The cable would have to be ridiculously short for this to happen though. If this is the case, you may be able to adjust the cable to lengthen it to allow the slide to drop and close the throttle. The reason I mention this is that you felt it necessary to adjust the bars, possible the previous owner rigged up a cable that was way to short and pulled the bars back to compensate. A complete guess on my part.

Pull the plugs and lay them on the head, kick the bike over and see if you can see them spark. In daylight, you should be able to see the spark...do this in low light to help see if you have any spark at all. If no spark, check the easy thing first...make sure you didn't simply hit the kill switch.

Lots of assumptions here...if the single Mik is on, quite possible bike was also converted to electronic ignition...if this is the case, probably a Boyer. Make sure you have a full charge on the battery...if all you did is start the bike and let it idle you may have depleted the battery enough so that the Boyer cannot work properly, if it has one installed. How old is the battery? Give it a full charge and try again.

No reason to start pulling things apart and looking for loose connections until you check the easy things first.

G'Day from Aust, ajacob85.
Welcome to THE Norton forum for help, guidence, and all round good guys from all over the world.
There is a Kill switch on handlebars, if you find an electrical problem, look there.
May be dirty fuelfilter/s from dirty fuel sitting in bottom of the tank for a while.
Nuff said.

hey guys thanks for all the replies, sadly i am a hockey fan but thankfully didnt expect to see the cup in toronto this year.
ive got a single mikuni carb- i actually removed the handles which is why i think something couldve happened with the kill switch.
will check spark this afternoon and will post pics as well.
cheers!

Remember with the Mikuni it may not start without the choke " on ". That is with the lever in the down position, lever up is off. Once in a while mine won't start unless the choke is on. You will get more direct help if you tell the guys what is on the bike ahead of time. Find out if you have points or electronic ignition & if you do you need to tell them what type it is. Look under the tank between the coils for the black power box if it's a Boyer, spray contact cleaner in the switches to clean the kill switch contacs etc etc. Welcome, one thing for sure is some one here will help you & you will get it running.

Someone here will help you get it goin you Torontonian, anywhere near St.Clair and Christie perchance ? Might cost you a bit of Steam whistle premium pilsener though...

Hey torontonian I live at yonge and steeles, and I always have plenty of beer!

Good,I am the Toronto Rep.for Ontario Norton Owners, Peter Gillett. Google the club and how to connect ?

swooshdave said:

ajacob85 said:

hey guys thanks for the replies, updated profile- i live in Toronto, Canada. no choke on the handlebar, will be checking spark plugs tomorrow after work, any other obvious things i should be looking for?
thanks!

Click to expand...

Don't bother looking for the Cup, it's in Boston. :mrgreen:

But seriously, perhaps post some pics?

No choke so my next guess is that you muck up the wiring and now are experiencing the dreaded kill switch syndrome.

Click to expand...

Actually his choke is found in Vancouver!! ha ha