A 1500km introduction to Norton ownership. England to Norway.

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L.A.B. said:
Raydyot made lighting equipment and mirrors. I've not heard of other side panels being marked Raydyot. Are they stickers?
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yes they're stickers. Previous owner told me they were worth alot of money, but i dont think they are. I think i will just repaint them, the metal themselves are in good condition, just the paint is original and bad. I was hesitant to repaint them if they're special or original, but now i think i'll just go for it.

A 1500km introduction to Norton ownership. England to Norway.
 
stevenfoxall said:
,I’d like very much to replace the side panels and seat, the seat I guess I have to stick to an interstate one, but I can fit any side panels ?
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I ran my interstate tank with roadster panels for many years. I think it looks better than the big panels, actually.

As far as seats, there are other options besides the stock log of a seat. I have a solo hump that is a one off, but poorly done.

I quite like this seat style, and I am sure Burton could do it on an interstate pan.

www.britishbikebits.com

06-5612H Small Hump Seat - Norton Commando Roadster MK3 - BBB

Norton Commando Roadster MKIII Dual Small Hump Racing Seat - UK Made
www.britishbikebits.com www.britishbikebits.com
 
stevenfoxall said:
yes they're stickers. Previous owner told me they were worth alot of money, but i dont think they are. I think i will just repaint them, the metal themselves are in good condition, just the paint is original and bad. I was hesitant to repaint them if they're special or original, but now i think i'll just go for it.

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Those are just stuck on by someone.
 
If you haven't already downloaded the riders, shop and parts manuals then you should.

This thread should be useful to you.

850 MkIII Shop Manual & Parts Catalog Errors (2017)

snipped There are online copies of the manual and parts book. https://issuu.com/sealycycleservice/doc ... iiies-1975 http://britmoto.com/manuals/Manuals/850_man.pdf The parts drawings at Andover Norton are also useful. https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-drawings/7 Use the Fig.H3(a)...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
stevenfoxall said:
yes they're stickers. Previous owner told me they were worth alot of money, but i dont think they are. I think i will just repaint them, the metal themselves are in good condition, just the paint is original and bad. I was hesitant to repaint them if they're special or original, but now i think i'll just go for it.
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There's nothing particularly special about the RH/oil tank Roadster panel as it was fitted to earlier models so is not particularly scarce or sought-after.
The LH/battery panel, however, is specific to the 850 Mk3 Roadster (also Hi-Rider) and had a tendency to fall off and be lost.
 
stevenfoxall said:
Hello everyone, id like to introduce myself and the new to me 76 850. I have a million questions but i'll save these for specific threads.

Im a 29 year old British guy, working in Oslo, Norway as a Porsche technician. After lusting after a commando for some time i found one back home in England last November. After weighing up the costs of driving over to trailer it back, the wild thought came and i decided to fly over and ride it back, much to the shock of the previous owner. A somewhat stupid thing to ride a 45 year old, unknown to me bike the 1500km or so back to Oslo, and it wasnt without its hicups.

I flew out from Oslo to London and took the train to meet a nice man called Peter (pictured), and had my first glance in the metal of my (soon to be) new motorcycle. After inspecting the machine and striking a deal, i secured my stuff to the back and headed off to the port in Harwich to catch the ferry to the Hook of Holland.
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After the initial ecstasy wore off and the length of the journey ahead of me started to sink in. This was the first week of november and after the sun set, the temperature started to drop, however coming from Norway, i was very prepared with my riding gear. I stopped at a Halfords on the way to pick up some basic tools 'just in case'. Little did i know how much i could rely on this small tool kit in the coming days!

I made it to the ferry and got my head down for some well earned rest. Arrived in the netherlands in the morning and started in the long haul across the continent. After clearing the bulk of traffic around amsterdam, i started to pick up a slight miss. Whilst riding i reached down to see if the lead was properly seated on the plug and as i touched it, it fell apart! Not great. Luckily id broken down next to a small house with some chaps in side who came out to see what was going on. After rummaging around in his shed, one of the guys managed to find an old plug i could throw in to get me to a parts store. Two new plugs later and i was back on the road. But not for long.

View attachment 85209View attachment 85210

Swallowing up another few hundred kms i started loosing spark again, this time in the middle of the dutch countryside, i pulled over to start to find out what was going on. Within a few moments i found myself deep into the harness trying to chase the loss of spark. Turned out to be a very corroded main earth cable. Big thank you to some kind dutch guys who gave me a ride to another parts store to get hold of some cable. After some hours in a lay by, and then some more in a mcdonalds carpark, the harness was tidied up, main earth replaced, and a few other loose bits here and there sorted, i was again back on the road.

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After loosing a day in the netherlands i rode through the night in the cold and rain to make some distance towards the ferry departure in Keil, Germany. This was almost 500km of high speed but very cold (2c) countryside roads, stopping only for petrol and coffee. Having only passed my test in september and only spent a few hundred kms on a 900 honda hornet, this was really a good chance to get acquainted to the Norton. Other than some rather aggressive vibration caused by a suspected non adjusted front iso mount, it was quite the pleasant experience.
View attachment 85214View attachment 85215

And then, after a rather length ferry ride from Kiel to Oslo (20hours) all of the sudden she was parked up in the garage next to my 964. Next step is to take the Norton to the authorities to get it inspected and onto some Norwegian plates, and then i can get to fixing all the little bits before spring comes! Thank you for reading, sorry if it was a little long but i thought it was a story some of you might enjoy!

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with 964 AND a 850 in the stall, you are a very blessed individual. i gave up a 987 Box to further my motorcycle fetish, you will find the the wiring harness is trash. expect to replace the whole thing.
 
Not a long story at all, its a great story, good on you, as for rewiring the bike pull the old wiring out and make your own harness and get rid of wiring that is not needed, keep it simple , tidy and good quality connections, keep the maintenance up and it will be a very reliable bike and welcome to the party.

Ashley (from down under)
 
Great story. There was so much in the tale that I wistful about; the bike, the journey, the problem solving skills, but I think the key is "29 year old". I think many on here did similar journeys when we were that age and it's great to know it's still being done.
 
bsaboss said:
Great story. There was so much in the tale that I wistful about; the bike, the journey, the problem solving skills, but I think the key is "29 year old". I think many on here did similar journeys when we were that age and it's great to know it's still being done.
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Yes. 29 years old.

I'm a bit more than twice that. :) :)
 
850commando said:
with 964 AND a 850 in the stall, you are a very blessed individual. i gave up a 987 Box to further my motorcycle fetish, you will find the the wiring harness is trash. expect to replace the whole thing.
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i can assure you when its good its good and when its bad its bad. I fit spiked tyres and drive the 964 through the winter here (sacrilege to some) and today the fuel pressure regulator failed which will be close to 500 usd in parts alone :confused: i have also just sold my land rover defender to try and avoid spending every penny i earn on keeping these old machines alive!

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I was 17 when I bought my Norton new, it was my only transport when I was young, rode it in all weather conditions, but then we can ride here all year round, our winters are very mild here, but we do have a good rain season and it just happens to be now lol, but as I say mine has been reliable all the 46 years of ownership, with only minor breaks, but my Norton went through big changes way back in the early 80s and the wiring was the first thing to go, I have done a lot of long distant travels on it and have clocked up a lot of miles, but the last 8 years it is now semi retired (just like its owner lol) but still ride it regularly, my Triumph Thruxton 1200 has take over its everyday riding and use, so enjoy your new to you Norton, by the way I own a 2000 TD5 duel cab Defender and always loved the old Porsches but they are to deep for my pockets.

Ashley
 
Well done Steven ! To echo others, an intrepid great first ride. Welcome to the wonderful world of Commandos
 
Welcome. Great story. SO GLAD to see younger guys with SKILLS! And the wits to APPLY THEM in the field.
There is hope for our gearhead future!
And great pics of the other rolling stock. Is the Defender diesel powered?
 
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Welcome stevenfoxall, Nice looking Interstate you've got there! Thx for posting details of your recent trip, those temperatures you rode thru were enough to have dissuaded me, you must have had some very good foul weather gear indeed. Keep on truckin' amigo :)
 
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