93,000 miles, no major problems

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medomuffn

medomuffn

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Feb 20, 2010
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Hi, everybody, I am new to this site as of last weekend and have been reading about many of the problems people are having with their bikes
I'm very glad to see that somebody here always has the right answers and is willing to help. I bought my 73 Commando in 1978 with 10,000 miles and have been riding it ever since.
The pistons went 10 over in the mid 90's and replaced the rings again in 2002. other then that no major problems. Parked it last fall with 93,480 miles and I know it's going to start on the first kick this spring and go another 3 or 4 thousand miles this year, (still a foot of snow here). I have pics in http://www.beltdrivebetty.com in the on-line show and shine in the British and Antique class's. but it dosn't even come close to the pretty bikes that you have on here. You can't miss it , it's the only Norton there, feel free to vote if you like.
Keep up all the good advice...............ride em don't hide em
 
That's pretty impressive medomuffin. Are you still at that mileage on the .010 overbores and third set of rings? - you give me hope! Thanks - Brian
 
Yes, 93,480 and still going strong, still scoots along at 70-80 mph down the highway and rides like the day I bought it back in 78, I was thinking about doing the head again this winter, ( in the great white north we have 4 or 5 months of wrenchin time) but like one other post says...if it ain't broke don't fix it...just make sure everything is tight and all the fluids topped up before you head out. For me anyway, that's done the trick for 32 years..as far as I'm concerned their bulletproof. I found my other, 71 Commando leaning against the back of a garage when I was doing some work in the next yard. Asked the home owner if he wanted to get rid of it and I was trying not to look too interested . when he said "make me an offer" jokingly ...I said 300.00 bucks...he said his wife needed 350.00...I think I made a good deal...sorry guys. 16,000 miles on it, 8 over front end (that will be going first) it's a little rusty and has no seat. other then that it's all there and the #s all match...this one will keep me from fixing things that aren't broke on the 73.....Happy Trails..Medomuffn
 
Well looked after, Nortons are just about bullet-proof. If I remember correctly, my company "hack" 650SS had 117,000 on it and it still ran well. I was doing a 90-mile round-trip commute 5 days a week for a year and the only problem I had was a blown head gasket - from the combustion chamber out towards my left leg. I was half way to work when it started to blow, but it still ran. Nearly set my leathers on fire, though! I fixed it during lunch break and rode home that evening.
 
because of the factory improvements in 1973 and the slightly smaller pistons, your 73 Roadster may
be the best Commando, just my opinion
 
Yes I think they had something there, with the low compression head and the switch to 932 amals...I think it was after the serial #s 200000
 
" Yes, 93,480 and still going strong,"

Using a vehicle a lot is the best way to keep them running well and reliable. I'm on a particular sport car site quite a bit where the majority view is "drive it on Sunday, never let it get wet, and never over 50 miles unless you want to be stranded." But there are a few of the "drive it like you stole it" types (I'm one of them) that don't hesitate to drive across country and rack up the miles. Those are the cars that never seem to need anything other than routine maint and never let anybody down...

Nice goin!!!
 
Very inspirational, particularly as I have a '73. I have just been tuning my carbs and to listen to it burble away on tick over is a pure joy. I hope I can get a good mileage out of mine. It won't be for the lack of care anyway. I ride mine now and plan a lot more miles this summer. Good luck with next 93

Rob
 
MexicoMike said:
... there are a few of the type that don't hesitate to drive across country and rack up the miles. Those are the cars that never seem to need anything other than routine maint and never let anybody down...
Click to expand...

It's BECAUSE they get routine maintenance that you can drive 'em cross country!

The neglected/abused ones are the unreliable sort.
 
"The neglected/abused ones are the unreliable sort."

Agree but many folks seem to think that you are abusing an old vehicle of any sort by operating it when the opposite is true. The worst thing for any mechanical device is to sit unused UNLESS it's for display purposes and not expected to actually do what it was intended to do.
 
Welcome to the forum! When it tics over to 100,000 it will be cause for celebration! Are you going to make it to the 2010 Norton Rally in Lumby?
 
100,000 will still be a few years yet and maybe more if and when I get the 71 up and running. Actually, I have been invited to the "Nortorious" rally in B.C. I just don't make plans that far ahead anymore, it's usually a spir of the moment thing, If it feels right, I'll just get on and go. July 20 is still too far down the road yet...I can't even remember what I had planned yesterday, to do today.
 
Major congrats on your machine.
I am curious as to what type of oil you have been using?

thanks
 
always used SAE 50 Castrol or Quaker State when I could find them....new filter in the spring, change oil every 1,500 mi. dump the oil and filter in the fall... and start fresh again next year...never used any oil between changes...you can pay now or you can pay later
 
Thanks for the reply and peace of mind. I too run sraight 50, sometimes 40 depending on temp.Sometimes I mix them together.

I know the one oil I wont use again is 2o/50, after 8000 miles my fresh rings were shot, when I bought my 71 the owner said the motor was still fairly fresh and he used 15/40, when I disassembled it the rings and the left rod bearings were shot.

As Les Emery says mono sticks to the parts better.

cheers
 
believe it or not...I've never had to open up the bottom end, yet. Just about everything else has been changed or repaired at least once, since I've owned it, it has never seen anyone else's shop but mine...., just never could find a mechanic I could trust that knew enough about Nortons.
 
Welcome to the forum! Looks like you have a 16" rim on your rear, what size tire would you have on that? I have a 16" rim that came on a parts bike I have and have been thinking of useing it on my current restoration. How does it handle with that?
 
the rear is a 130-90/16 the front is a stock 4.10/19 I changed that over the first month got it that's why the 'S' chainguard, I had to cut it . I myself, feel a lot more secure in cornering, to me it feels like a much softer ride.... still have the stock wheel and chainguard and their still only 5 years old.
 
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