1974 Norton Commando 850 MK2A starts again

Mike T · Jun 3, 2013

Hi all
Thought you might like to see and hear the Norton starting up for the first time tonight!
This was the 'store find' bike that I learned about during the ONE (Oregon Norton Owners) club meeting just a few months ago

This is the first time starting since early 90's I believe. There are two clips, each from a different angle.

I love how on the second clip at 03:58, the dust and rust blows out as the bike coughs into life again

Need to fix a few things, like sealing & tightening the smoking mufflers where they meet the exhaust (have new mounts to install).
Have also located where those parts that dropped on the floor (ahem, at 00:51 and 01:25 in the first clip) and the rocker spindle plates need better gaskets.

Also notice that the engine is a little bouncy at low revs. Need to tighten up the engine mounts

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7QZgD4_ED8[/video]
Cheers
Mike

Rohan · Jun 4, 2013

Mike T said:
Also notice that the engine is a little bouncy at low revs. Need to tighten up the engine mounts

The engine does joggle round a bit at low revs, don't overdo the tightening bit.
Its how it behaves at road speeds thats probably more important.
Along with having the carbs perfectly synchronised.

But it could be that the iso bits have worn over the years, so may need replacing more than tightening ??

Matt Spencer · Jun 4, 2013

" Also notice that the engine is a little bouncy at low revs. Need to tighten up the engine mounts "

You Know What Happened to the Last Person who did THAT . The FRAME BROKE .

There thee ISOLASTICS , the most cunning contrivance known to Man , since the Vertical Twin .

' We ' would suggest you spend some time studying the suject " Isolastic " & ' ISO 's " on Search .

What is ONE THING a Commando Has , that no other motorcycle does ? Is IsoLastics .

8) :shock:

WITHOUT THEM , it just woulddnt be a Commando , and the word ' refinement ' would still be just in the dictionary .

Egad !

Matt Spencer · Jun 4, 2013

YOU failed to mention that puddle forming underneath .

:wink:

Looks very good , actually . If it were ZERO Miles , the chrome piston rings settle in at 2.000 miles
so oil consumption zeros . Before that Keep Topping Up .

If it just a refresher , take it out to settle in , away from the cars & stop start stuff .
Keeper Kool & the throttle relitively light ( see how FAR round it Goes , to the Stop . :lol:

Let the revs match the throttle . Not this on off rubbish , out cruseing and up & down a way .
Nice to see a clean original machine .

ISO drivle : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcIJo5BXZ3Y

Did I tell yoou about the time the mufflers had been filled with oil for a year in the shed , before useing . :lol: :wink: 8)
well , memorial drive is Navy , and a perfect smokescreen between the Norfolk pines was most apt . Appropriate would
probaly be used , these days .

Holding the Front Brake Lever right out at the end , can help .

pull up on rear . Heal may help .
Curvey roads a must . Till Then , you Dont Know What Youre Missing . :idea:

acotrel · Jun 4, 2013

Just watched the video, thanks for that - a bit of inspiration. My bike doesn't sound like that ! I will be in my shed in a couple of hours time pulling my bike to bits to replace the selector drum in the 6 speeder. When I get around to starting it, I will get my wife out in the yard with the camera, and I will post the result to this site. My bike really doesn't sound like that !
'Some things are so bad that they are good' ? - I think you will enjoy a good laugh. The neighbours will probably attack me.

pete.v · Jun 4, 2013

Matt Spencer said:
ISO drivle : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcIJo5BXZ3Y

Is this your video? The last scene said lake Michigan. Which side.

Mike T · Jun 4, 2013

Matt Spencer wrote:
ISO drivle : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcIJo5BXZ3Y
then Pete wrote
Is this your video? The last scene said lake Michigan. Which side.

Hi Pete
It's someone else's ISO video who goes by the name cashstore1 on Youtube.
I believe Matt is located in the UK (or some other undisclosed location

) and I'm in Portland, Oregon
Cheers
Mike

pete.v · Jun 4, 2013

Mike T said:
Matt Spencer wrote:
ISO drivle : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcIJo5BXZ3Y
then Pete wrote
Is this your video? The last scene said lake Michigan. Which side.

Click to expand...

Hi Pete
It's someone else's ISO video who goes by the name cashstore1 on Youtube.
I believe Matt is located in the UK (or some other undisclosed location ) and I'm in Portland, Oregon
Cheers
Mike

Thanks Mike,
The reason for the question is that i am on the east shore, sort of, and the only Nortons are on the other side of the state. I know of none anywhere near me. This guy is more than likely on the Chi-town or Wisconsin side anyhow.