73 Commando for sale in Michigan?

I seem to get the Norton bug every few years but have never been able to pull the trigger. This one looks awfully good in the ad and is very close by.

Anyone have thoughts on this one or familiar with this particular bike?

http://m.cycletrader.com/listing/1973-N ... -113881045

Looks very clean. Part of the fun is rebuilding/repairing for some... what do you WANT? Just do PM and ride? Got ten large ready to travel? What is your skill set? :?:

Opportunity in not a lengthy visitor ... buy it. 8)

Break that fellas heart and his investment before someone else does. If ya don't have to get it down to the crank and back up, of course you'll miss out on the mechanical pride and knowledge and extra expense and down time - but what the heck I'd rather be a happy pilot with only a dust rag for upkeep. Gorgeous Red.

I am only 2 hours away. As soon as the bank opens, I am going to get my money and head to Deetroit...

Just kidding, but that looks like a nice bike. $10,500 is a bit high for a '73, in my opinion. However, prices keep creeping up. Just a bit high, but not totally outrageous. Good luck and hang out on this forum. There is much knowledge and experience here.

concours said:

Looks very clean. Part of the fun is rebuilding/repairing for some... what do you WANT? Just do PM and ride? Got ten large ready to travel? What is your skill set? :?:

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I have the skills to do about anything short of an engine and/or gearbox rebuild. Tools, knowledge and garage space not an issue to restore something. That being said, I would rather buy one that has already been fully restored. Seems to be the wise financial move if you can find one done right and these old machines will keep you busy just with regular maintenance, tuning and the occasional part that wears out. Last year I sold a beautiful, original BMW airhead (R90/6) that I had for a few years and that was a good ownership experience - very solid running bike that I could ride all I wanted and just tinker with a bit. I also have a couple of other bikes and a hobby car so just keeping all the toys maintained and on the road is enough for me to stay busy in the garage.

SquareHead said:

I am only 2 hours away. As soon as the bank opens, I am going to get my money and head to Deetroit...

Just kidding, but that looks like a nice bike. $10,500 is a bit high for a '73, in my opinion. However, prices keep creeping up. Just a bit high, but not totally outrageous. Good luck and hang out on this forum. There is much knowledge and experience here.

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Thanks for the feedback. I think the $10,500 is a little high as well. 8-9k is what I thought these sold for in great condition.

Prices have been creeping up for sure though.

Proceed with caution - the bike has plates from Ontario Canada, not Michigan. It may be a legit ad Ontario borders Michigan, and Cycle Trader is a US website that does not allow for the input of Canadian addresses. I'm not sure what the import ramifications would be. With the exchange rate as it is today, the Canadian seller would be walking away with over $13,000 Canadian funds in his back pocket if he got asking price.

Gatsby

Looks like a good buy from here. If you purchase a rough bike for half the price, send out engine and transmission for rebuild, buy shiny new parts, send things out for professional painting and chroming then assemble the chunks, 10,500 will be surpassed very quickly, plus you will miss out on a lot of riding.
I guess the only advantage in buying a rough bike then rebuilding or paying for rebuilding, you will be secure in the knowledge that things have been put into top condition, whereas with a purchased pristine looking bike there is always the chance that it is a wreck internally.
The biggest potential cost is restoring what is inside the the engine and gearbox, so if you can be sure that is done well, I would go for it.

Glen

gatsby said:

Proceed with caution - the bike has plates from Ontario Canada, not Michigan. It may be a legit ad Ontario borders Michigan, and Cycle Trader is a US website that does not allow for the input of Canadian addresses. I'm not sure what the import ramifications would be. With the exchange rate as it is today, the Canadian seller would be walking away with over $13,000 Canadian funds in his back pocket if he got asking price.

Gatsby

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Right. I noticed the ad said "Detroit" but it has Ontario plates. Sent an e-mail to the seller asking about where the bike actually is and the status of the title.

I am a big fan of no hassle transactions so dealing with any sort of extra paperwork may be a deal breaker for me.

The bike is also advertised on British Cycle Supply's website with a South Western Ontario phone number.

Says '73 but serial number 315796 would place it well within 1974 (or Mk2/Mk2A) season production.

Looking a bit more closely and reading thru the Brticycle ad, it sounds like a cheapie engine trans rebuild was done. From the ad, it sounds as though the whole engine and trans was stripped down then put back together with old pistons, rings valves,guides, rockers, crank, cams,lifters, untouched crank etc. Also no mention of new parts in clutch or primary drive.

The only new parts mentioned are seals and bushings plus mainbearings. It may be that all was in good condition or it may be that the owner avoided replacing the more costly items and went for a rebuild-lite, focusing on cosmetics.
There is no mention of the number of original miles, only that 570 miles have been covered since the complete rebuild, which sounds like more of a take apart for a look see then reassemble with minimum$ outlay rather than a rebuild.
If it happened to be a low miles original bike, most would prefer an untouched (non combat) factory assembled engine/trans that had not been pulled apart then reassembled, particularly if it is an amateur backyard type reassembly.
Glen

You could buy this for $10,500 and even if you had to freshen up the tope end; boring, pistons, rings, valves, valve guides and seat grind for another $2,000, you'd still be ahead of building a ratter up to this condition. Go for it, I say. For sure, toss that check valve into the tall weeds. Also, get the master cylinder sleeved or replaced with a 12mm master.

Seller responded that he has already received a deposit and has a pending sale.

I do appreciate everyone's input just the same.

Last time I posted here was in 2010 when I was looking at a different one.

See you all in 2020 maybe!

It wasn't me!

Hang in there, you will find one you are looking for. I am going to let two of mine go this spring. PM me if you would like to talk...

Wow,

I may have to increase my 'Agreed Value ' insurance policy if that's what they are going for now days. Mine is a true low miles original 1973 bike, and I have a hell of a lot less in it than $10k.

What a great hobby to have, fun to own, fun to ride, and increases in value