1976 Mk3

worntorn submitted a new listing:

1976 Mk3 - 1976 Mk3

A neighbour contacted me about this bike. He is selling it and thought I might be interested. I already have one and don't need two, although it's had a Dave Sunquist full rebuild so it would be a good one. I told him I would list the bike here.
His price of 21,900 CDN or $16,500 US might seem a bit high, but I can imagine the rebuild alone cost most of that. I suppose when you think of the cost for a nice CNW bike it's maybe not a bad price. Dave Sunquist's work is exquisite. Talking myself into it...

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Hey Glen,
I think I have met the new owner of this bike. He posted on the BMOC FB group of having a problem with the starter not working. He told me he got the bike some months back locally, was told it was a David S. rebuild and was offered for a price north of $22k I believe.

Suspected the sprag had gone based on his description and when I visited to see it first hand, hearing the starter spin when trying to start it up. Kicker not ratcheting so no option to use it to hear it running. He ordered up a list of parts I gave him to renew the sprag (Ali-express) I went back last W/E to help him with the job. Got it swapped but before putting P.case on, we tried pressing the starter...got the exact same whirring sound as before and no gears moving in primary! Began thinking maybe something the starter motor itself, but then re-confirmed if battery was fresh and charged...he confrimed only a couple of months old batt and he'd charged it. I asked to see the charger...turned out to be a batt booster, not a charger at all. We used it to jump the batt and sure enough, full starter ops returned with all the gears and crank turning (this was a plugs out test, so not trying to fire up). So likely not originally a sprag issue at all.
He's getting a proper charger and will see if the battery is salvageable or not, then investigate if anything wrong with the alt/rec/Zener system.

What's the SN on that 76?
Jaydee

jaydee75 said:

What's the SN on that 76?
Jaydee

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I'm unsure but can check it when I next see it (assuming it is same bike of course).

It sure sounds like the same bike from your description. I'm a bit surprised that it sold as the price was quite high, although the seller had that much and more in it. Good to hear that there is still a strong market for nice Commandos.
A lot of the older bikes, from the 50s and earlier, appear to have dropped in value.
The Bonhams Spring Stafford Auction will be interesting.

Glen

For that much money, I'd have expected MUCH better photos than un-cropped blurry screenshots...

Mine is a very clean one owner (me) and I was offered 18k at a bike show last year.
Probably should have taken it, but I'd rather hand it down to my son.
jaydee

worntorn said:

It sure sounds like the same bike from your description. I'm a bit surprised that it sold as the price was quite high, although the seller had that much and more in it. Good to hear that there is still a strong market for nice Commandos.
A lot of the older bikes, from the 50s and earlier, appear to have dropped in value.
The Bonhams Spring Stafford Auction will be interesting.

Glen

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Not sure what actual selling price was. New owner told me there was a bit of back and forth. Might ask him more details later.
Bike is in nice condition but quite a way from concourse level. For that asking price, I'd of rather gone straight for one of Dave S.'s superb bikes he's been trying to sell for some years now. A brilliant Dunstall in red for around $16k CAD last I saw it advertised for.

grandpaul said:

For that much money, I'd have expected MUCH better photos than un-cropped blurry screenshots...

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I suspect the fellow who purchased it looked at it in the flesh before making the decision, so the photos didn't matter much?

Glen