73 Commando 750 - Further Opinions Needed

As a follow-up to an earlier post I finally had the chance to view in person, take pics of a 750 sitting since 1999. It does appear to me mostly all there with the exception of the original air cleaner. The bikes appears straight with no road damage. It does have extensive rust, pits, etc to almost areas containing chrome. I'd say the exhaust and both rims are junk. The left side primary cover has heavy flaking chrome. The shifter, brakes pedals, etc have fairly deep rust pits, along with very little chrome remaining. All aluminum engine parts, along all other aluminum bits also has extensive patina - to be kind. I do know this can be cleaned up with elbow polish and time. In addition, it has a single Amal carb - what to think? Not factory correct, right?
As I mentioned it has been sitting since 99, but it did not run when put away, nor does it run now. I did put the kick starter in motion and it is not seized, appeared to have compression. The tank paint and side covers paint is completely shot - no buffing out here.
I would enjoy taking apart and completely restoring top to bottom, but am worried about the cost to rechrome almost every single piece. Any ideas cost of doing all the chrome bits? I would plan to simply replace the rims and exhaust, likely handlebars.
I know how easy something can be a money pit, hence at the moment, I've chosen to pass at $2.5K. What do you guys think given the price and condition? The link provides numerous pics to better show the true condition.
Thanks for the space and any and all thoughts/opinions, etc!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Cobyboss/19 ... nCommando#

How much are you prepared to spend to restore that bike?

There was a nice runner here for $4500. I think there are a few like that around.

The bike looks pretty decent as far as being there. Cost is relative to how you feel about the deal. If you are uncomfortable with 2500, how do you feel about at least doubling that cost to get it looking and running tip top? If you plan on doing most of the work yourself you'll save a big chunk of money. If you plan on someone else doing the work you'll want to more than double the initial cost. Sometimes it is better to just find a good runner or restored bike and pay upfront unless you are a die hard project junkie. If you do buy restored make sure you know what your looking at. I've been smitten twice now on expensive Norton restorations and dumped several thousand dollars into completed bikes to get them to my expectations mechanically and cosmetically once they were home and I started looking closer.

I paid just over $2000 for a complete '73 850. It was completely apart, but all there, with a powdercoated frame, brand new vernier isolastics, and a handful of other Andover Norton parts. Doing everything myself, I was able to put together a very nice runner for another $5500.

Its up to you what you want to do, but I enjoyed putting mine together - so much so, I picked up a much more challenging basket case.

Amen, no old Commando can be road worthy or nice to eye close w/o many $1000's.
A ratty runner is only about half as much. $10,000 is about average I'd say spread out over some years. Hopped up to really impress your self or others, easy double this.
$2-3,000 for a complete bike is about right. I saw whole basket case Commando's at Barber's swap meet for $1800. Its similar to other bike restorations, but Cdo cost less over all but deliver more bang for the bux, so your call. If you want to learn mechainics in all its scope like i did, then DIY, but if just want to get on the road I'd save up some more and spend $5-6000 to a distressed owner. CNW rebuids are in the $20-25,000 range. You will never ever recoup what's invested but for the experience and manhood testing. A famous builder sold his world class Commando special at Barbers for $7000 but had at least $10,000 in it. Rather great deal going by what I've seen in past trends.

How long your think you will live, how much time money to get something that can change rest of your life into never ending adventure and style and sound.

I have started with worse, by the look it is a quite rare mkv 750 ie the last 750 in an 850 chasis factory built, a good basis to start with and by doing it your self you will know every inch of that bike, if you are building it to keep the money doesn't matter as the value will esculate.
Al

I did my 74-850 last year. It was in somewhat better cosmetic condition. Cases were better and rear wheel was in much better shape (chain oiler can be thanked for that) and all the pegs, brake and shifter were OK. I still spent $4500 in parts. Buy this and your at least into $8000 to put on road in a nice condition.

The only way I'd consider getting into that project is if I owned or had access to a chrome shop. Smart move to step away at that price. AND it didn't run when put away? What a shame that it's so complete yet looks like that.

Thanks for all the feedback and comments. My interest really lies in taking a Norton completely apart and putting it back together again. I did the same to a 66 Mustang and found a lot of satisfaction in doing so, but turned a $10k car into a $25k cost car, which also assumes no cost for my time spent - measured in high hundreds of hours. So I do understand the money pit potential, but would still like to tackle a complete project. I would be comfortable at the end of a project doubling my cost, but I fear the chrome alone would bus the budget?? Any thoughts on this? Are there good reproductions available in lieu of re-chroming? If so, where to look?
I guess at what initial dollar value would you guys pay, feel somewhat comfortable, for a project such as this one, or would you suggest passing?

Thanks!

The price is a bit steep, but someone might pay it. As with any old bike, unless it's a rare, 100% stock original, you're gonna have more $ in it than it's worth no matter what sort of a resto you do. It might be cheaper to source the rusted chrome parts used rather than replating, which is expen$ive. Also, the more work you do yourself, the less jack you'll have tied up in it. If you can do the painting, polishing, mechanical work and assembly yourself, you could probably put this back on the road for around $3K over the purchase price. The main consolation when you go through something from top to bottom is knowing exactly what's there, whereas when you buy a decent runner, you'll never know until something pops.

I would not get too hung up on chrome plating costs. Commandos have very little chrome to re-plate, (it's not a Harley :roll: ) but a lot of aluminum to polish. The '73 model uses stainless fenders that can be polished nicely. The handlebars, fork tubes, headlight bucket, chainguard, and pipes and mufflers are better to source as new than re-plate. That leaves the grab rail, foot peg rests and maybe the rims and a few small items to have plated. Steel aftermarket rims are somewhat dicey in quality. I would replate originals if they are not too badly pitted. If you aren't hung up on originality you can lace up some polished aluminum rims and shave off a little unsprung weight.

hockeylife said:

I would be comfortable at the end of a project doubling my cost, but I fear the chrome alone would bus the budget?? Any thoughts on this?

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As the old saying goes, know thyself. You are a restorer. You will not finish that bike for an additional $2500, even on the cheap; which doesn't seem to be your inclination anyway, if the Mustang is any indication. The bike has a lot going for it, like the steel tank and the fact that the bike doesn't look like it's been mangled. It's overpriced by around $500. Compared to the $6000-$7000 it's going to be when all is said and done it's not a deal breaker. In fact, the as yet unknowns could make $2500 seem like a steal or robbery.

bpatton said:

As the old saying goes, know thyself. You are a restorer. You will not finish that bike for an additional $2500, even on the cheap; which doesn't seem to be your inclination anyway, if the Mustang is any indication. The bike has a lot going for it, like the steel tank and the fact that the bike doesn't look like it's been mangled. It's overpriced by around $500. Compared to the $6000-$7000 it's going to be when all is said and done it's not a deal breaker. In fact, the as yet unknowns could make $2500 seem like a steal or robbery.

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Yeah Bob, good point - I do know myself, sounds like you do too. Probably why I'm afraid to even start - the outcome would be certain, despite preset budget.
Anyway, thanks all for the thoughts and ideas - time to just make a decision.

Monte