73 Norton 850 Commando

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Hey Everyone,
Not to worry I have a year before I start on it! I have to complete my 72 Kawasaki H2 (two stroke three cylinder for those not into jap bikes) first. I should have the H2 done by winters end, then I will possibly start on it in the spring. I will definitley start with a service manual (recommendations please) then I will just start to take inventory of what is missing, and unuseable, and what is salvageable. Then the great hunt will begin. I will post a couple detailed pictures and the VIN after she arrives in December. I hope everyone can give me a little more insight into what I have? Once again "Thank You" to Everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving!
John
 
Re: 70

dynodave said:
I would agree with Micheal B almost 100%.
1. major service.
Check

2. Boil carbs? I use methylene chloride type carb cleaner/paint stripper. killer clean except for zinc oxide.
Picky. picky. picky

3. My 70 was a roadster, I like the roadster, they are obviously better. LOL
Roadsters are nice, but S models....


your budget of $1000...well my friend just bought a new "S" exhaust, brackets, guards ect. .....$800
Oh well, there's ebay....
Picky, Picky, Picky

4 learn BEFORE you spend
Roger that

5.Welcome to "NORTON HEAVY TWIN"
Once your in, there's no going back. Good Luck
Click to expand...
 
John,
One more thing a newbie needs to know. DO NOT put grease in the jerk fitting on the swing arm. It is tempting and looks logical. It is filled, or at least supposed to be, with 140w. gear oil. This is one of the those 'Norton' things.
 
Hello Micheal,
Thank`s for the all the tips. I have seen a couple of service manuals on cd on Ebay for like $15.00 are these any good? Or should I get a factory manual? any other recommendations.
Thank`s John
 
Well ~ I bought my 1973 850 from a dealer in Brisbane (Australia) back in 1973, for $3000. It was a US import which seemingly have an 'unsavoury' reputation for some reason in Australia ~ (US imports in general) for some reason (??) .

While it was no 'barn bargain' as the above ~ I figure that was quite a reasonable price. I had planned a 100% restoration from the beginning.. In fact the engine was in such good nick inside we could have 'run' with the 'currently' ~ original rings , bearings etc.. which was a total contrast to the outer delapidated appearance , including exhaust which was wired on, stuffed paint and wrecked seat cover!

In your case Triple J .. I for one would have the cash out before the bloke could blink.

Some years back I was offered a Commando (750) for $50 ~ carry away in boxes ~ but it slipped through my fingers ~ (Mutters~ :evil: )
 
John,
I have a CD, but not the ones listed. There used to be only one, from Kim the CD man, from our friends down under. Now I see there are others.
I can only comment on mine, it has all the original parts, shop and owners manuels for all the Commandos and more. It is handy because I can print whole manuels, parts lists whatever. I can easily access different years and see the changes.
There is a website listed, www.classicstyle.com.au/ and an e-amail, witepapr@techinfo.com.au
It also used to be available at www.britiron.com/ but seems to be not available now. I don't know.
I think I paid about $40.00 several years back.

The other CD's look O.K., but with no experience I can't really comment.
 
One more word, isolastics

After the wheels/bearings, clutch, electrics, carbs, tires, brakes and finally you start it up and take it around the block. Don't be dismayed by the crappy handling, it's just the isolastics.

Don't forget to join the INOA and buy the Norton Tech Digest.

$300.00 is a steal. On ebay the head and transmission would bring more than that.

Good luck

BTW, do some research on the local Brit Bike shops. :wink:
 
imported Commandos

SSS,

You wrote:
Well ~ I bought my 1973 850 from a dealer in Brisbane (Australia) back in 1973, for $3000. It was a US import which seemingly have an 'unsavoury' reputation for some reason in Australia ~ (US imports in general) for some reason (??) .

Interesting comment as the inbound ebay Commandos from Australia to the US have a similar reputation. One local guy here in the SF bay area bought two that were total junk bitsas. Goes back to buyer be ware!
 
Helllo All,
First thing I will do is get a manual, 2nd: I will take VERY detailed digital pictures of the whole bike and parts, and then I will start stripping, and cataloging all the parts. The guy I bought it from was named Dan. I will send an email to classic style to see if they are still available. If not I guess I will try one of the eBay CD`s. BTW here is a picture of my Kawasaki H2 restoration project:
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/5461/vsdvsdvdf.jpg
 
John,

I like the looks of your Kawasaki. I've owned two Kawasakis: a '78 KZ 1000 and an '84 Concours. Lately I've been pining for a two-stroke something.

You're on the right track buying a service manual. I recommend you get a parts manual as well. When taking pictures, pay attention to how the wiring harness is installed/oriented.

Regards,

Jason
 
Hello Jason,
Too bad you don`t live closer! I will be selling two of my Kawasaki 350 triples in the next couple weeks....to fund the new Norton :D of course!
 
John

Do you do much with the frame of these triples.. I recall the H1 etc were evil in the handling department.

When I built my Commando I got hold of the NOC service handbook .. some may know as the NOC hand Bible.. only a small text , 44 pages, ~ cost me $4.

Much of it is still very relevant today .. but it certainly is "little book " of horrors that one can expect to encounter with the Commando. And given you are considering a restoration or even just a maintenence schedule.. it is a valuable piece of clobber!
 
Hello SSS,
No I do not touch the frames. My H2, I beadblasted the frame to bare metal, and then I look for any cracks or other problems, then I had it repainted before for reassembly. I have spent the last year putting it back together as close to original as possible. As far as the handling question, my H1 handles ok for its time. I ride all my bikes, but I don`t ride them very hard, so I don`t see the need to start modifying them. I don`t like modified or custom bikes, unless it is too far gone to keep original. I will try to keep the Commando as close to stock as possible. Where do I get the NOC service handbook? BTW???
 
John
Hi
Bill's is very probably on a good suggestion there as the reference I suggested was originally printed in 1978. And I guess there has been A LOT ~ LOT of innovation made since then.

Another good reference site is the NSW NOC (Sydney) http://www.nocnsw.org.au/index.html

I am sure Reg / nortonfan will agree.

I was a member of the club some time back and the blokes and goils are extremely helpful and I found the article on the tyres by 'Ben English' is good value!

As for your comment on the handling characteristics of the H1 and Kwacka triples.. I am in agreeance as while I enjoy pushing the Commando up and down some of our local mountains, I am no Troy Bayliss or Matt Maladdin. (Despite that *&**( useless centre stand dragging along behind! ~ and left hand bends.)

(Ironically this was demonstrated only last weekend when I was powering up "our local mountain" of 192 bends over 22 KMs from sea level to 650 metres when I was totally blown away by a big bore Ducati.. I guess todays high tech stuff is not really going to be challenged by a 1973 Norton though! :twisted: )

Cheers : Stuart SS
 
Hello All,
My Christmas presesent arrived late last night. Someone asked for the frame and serial number, if anyone can shed a little more light on what I have I would appreciate it! Frame# 137687 & engine number 20M3S/137687, So I assume the engine is correct for the frame?
Here are some links to a couple more detailed pictures.
http://img27.exs.cx/img27/1317/p10101894wy.jpg
http://img27.exs.cx/img27/1336/p10101952fr.jpg
http://img27.exs.cx/img27/1301/p10101941pu.jpg
http://img27.exs.cx/img27/3712/p10100185tg.jpg
 
I share your kawasaki love, i am finnishing up my 74 Z2 750, a rare bike outside of japan, my daily driver is this kz 1300 i redid last winter http://www.whitemountainarmoury.com/z13a.jpg
Its not "norton cool" but a liquid cooled straight 6 is a blast to drive. endless power and torque with a total investment of 900.00, the type of bike you can spent 8 hrs on no problem
I think you made a great score.
 
santa has come

$300 what a deal...

It is ugly but depending if nothing serious is wron you could have it up and running for as little as the price of an exhaust and a battery.
More than likely it will need lots more. like I said more like $4000.

It looks like a 70. Just like my first new commando, the 70 roadster is the only years that should have the decal "roadster" under 750 commando.
 
John,
Looking at your pics, I noticed the left hand handlebar switch is broken. Don't throw it away! This is a Wipac Triconsul switch used in '68-'70 and is nearly impossible to find. However, Wipac Ducon and Tricon switches are being repopped and you can take a Tricon and either pirate parts from the broken switch and/or make some parts from small pieces of brass to convert the Tricon to a Triconsul. Externally, the Tricon has a red "push to ground" button for a magneto, while the Triconsul has a green "headlight flasher" button. Using the Tricon and connecting the headlight flasher will result in an instant short and a blown fuse. I can provide wiring diagrams of these switches if you need.
 
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