'74 850 - Update:

fr8shkr · Jun 3, 2009

A few pics of the '74 I brought home this weekend from my Dad's shed. Note the aftermarket (jc whitney) pipes, bars, and rear fend. Also the 16" rear rim - What do think should I stay w/ the 16" or switch to an 18? The bars and the seat are already on the chopping block.

Unfortunately the bike fell in the trailer while transporting it back home and dented the tank- It was a pretty big heart breaker, but I think (hope) I can pull the dent out. If anyone has a used dent free steel tank they'd like to sell - send me a pm.

Overall the bike is in pretty good shape. It hasn't been ridden in over 25 years, but the engine, carbs, and trans are all still moving freely.

dave M · Jun 3, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

That's a nice project to sink your teeth into. I would go back to a standard 19" rear wheel this should give superior handling to what you have now and If you change to 18" you would probably be well advised to change the front to this as well - some owners do this because of a wider choice of tyres available in 18".

swooshdave · Jun 3, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

Looks like a rider!

Cookie · Jun 3, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

Looks like everything you need is there, good score.

Coco · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

The seat aint so bad.

I'd definitely loose the 16" rear in favour of an 18" or go with a stock 19".

Scooter62 · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

fr8shkr
I love your optimism! :roll:
The dent in the tank will be the least expensive thing to fix on that rider.
Scooter

swooshdave · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

fr8shkr said:
so it would appear a general overhaul of the engine should be all it takes.

All it takes for what?

grandpaul · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

Clean the carbs, swap the battery, chech the oil, and get it fired up!

Hee hee

Not stellar advice after such a long slumber.

No, a tear-down and re-fresh is probably much better advice.

Cookie · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

I'm supposed to look at a project Commando soon. I hope it is as complete as this one.

fr8shkr · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

Scooter62 said:
fr8shkr
I love your optimism! :roll:
The dent in the tank will be the least expensive thing to fix on that rider.
Scooter

It should be since I'll be the one welding on the studs and taking slide hammer to it myself.....

swooshdave said:
fr8shkr said:

so it would appear a general overhaul of the engine should be all it takes.

Click to expand...

All it takes for what?

For it to make noise...The pistons aren't siezed - I haven't seen the conditions of the cylinders yet, but the engine cycles relatively smoothly so it should save me on some machine shop work.. The trans shifts and the slides in the carbs aren't suck (not smooth either though) so what I'm saying to get it running is to do a teardown, inspection, and refresh to get it running without having to go after major components....

Do the brakes, engine, trans, carbs and clean /seal the gas tank, rebuild the forks and it's rideable - not pretty, but rideable. Plenty of time to make it look pretty after that.

Man you guys are critical! Give a guy a chance.... :roll:

swooshdave · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

fr8shkr said:
Man you guys are critical! Give a guy a chance.... :roll:

What, you don't have it completely restored by now. I mean, you posted this what, yesterday? :mrgreen:

nomadwarmachine · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

They're just jealous! And so am I. That's a great find and will make for a fantastic project! Welcome aboard.

Hortons Norton · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

That's really cool to be able to restore your Dad's bike, Just take your time and clean all the parts and replace as you see fit. These guys don't mean to give you a hard time, This is a great site and they have helped me along my rebuild that's for sure. It does look to be fairly complete and that's what counts. Good luck and enjoy, Take pictures along the way as these kinds of threads are my favorite to watch and I think others also. Just be sure of good brakes and tires. Have a great day, Chuck.

71basketcase · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

MAN, I wish mine was that complete when I started......

have fun with that baby! for what it's worth, I really like the riding position of the nearly flat drag bars I put on mine.... Not too aggressive a stance for a 56 year old back, but not a full upright position either......

have fun and keep us posted!

kfh

seaguy · Jun 4, 2009

Re: The project is in the garage

I'll buy your tank. Have to make sure it will work on a 1972 . Looks like it should. Beats nothing for now. PM me :wink: .
Rich

fr8shkr · Feb 9, 2012

So I haven't touched this bike (or thread) in over 2 years. Discovering the cracked case really put a halt on things as well as some other financial priorities (including a Harley Vrod - now sold - and a Triumph Speed Triple).

Fortunately, this years tax return and work bonus doesn't have any other financial priorities assigned to them, so I'm dedicating funding to the Norton.

I just got the frame bits back this week from the powder coater (kinda p*ssed they didn't mask the engine cradle bolt holes like I asked them to. I'm currently in the process of polishing the aluminum (all by hand - scotch brite, 600 thru 2000 grit, and Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish), and waiting on steering and suspension parts. I'll be sending the hubs out to be laced with new rims soon. The goal is to have it into a roller by the end of the month. Then decide how much further I can take the project this year based on time and finances. As the weather gets warmer, it's hard working on a bike when I could be out riding.

Also took a gamble on a set of used 850 cases on Ebay this week. I'm hoping they'll be in as good a shape as they looked in the pics.

gtsun · Feb 9, 2012

Wow all condolancese sent after seeing that crack in your case. Right through the #'s too like adding insult to injury. Congrads on having the go-nada to rise above it!! Keep on tract it's looking good.

Chris T · Feb 9, 2012

That's a heap of polishing by hand. Are you sure that you don't want to invest in a grinder, stand and polishing mops? For not too much investment you should save a heap of elbow grease and time.

fr8shkr · Feb 10, 2012

Chris T said:
That's a heap of polishing by hand. Are you sure that you don't want to invest in a grinder, stand and polishing mops? For not too much investment you should save a heap of elbow grease and time.

I do have motorized methods for the polishing and will probably use them on some of the heavily oxidized pieces. However, I don't entirely trust my abilities when using power tools on polishing, and doing it by hand gives me a lot more control in what the finish product looks like which is what's most important to me.

I actually don't mind sitting next to a warm bucket of mild soapy water and sanding away. It's almost therapeutic and it gives me something to do while I'm waiting on parts, thinking of paint schemes, rim size/tire choice, etc...

grandpaul · Feb 10, 2012

fr8shkr said:
I actually don't mind sitting next to a warm bucket of mild soapy water and sanding away. It's almost therapeutic and it gives me something to do while I'm waiting on parts, thinking of paint schemes, rim size/tire choice, etc...

"The patience of Job", as they say...

'74 850 - Update:

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