- Joined
- Oct 31, 2009
- Messages
- 5,193
Is it this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-C ... 20b03c9ed4
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-C ... 20b03c9ed4
Actually, what I meant about taking a long time to post is that by the time I got around to sending it most of the topics had since been covered.Mad Daego said:bpatton said:(I just checked the posts after taking a really long time writing this before I post it, dinner and all. I'm gonna post it anyway.)
Welcome. These are generic questions, not specific to make, year, or whether it's a Combat or not. But they do beg to be asked. You said this is a one owner bike, so you're buying from the original owner? Have you asked him why he parked it for 30 years? Has he tried to start it? If not, why not? Any bike will sell for more if it runs, even badly. Will he let you try to start it if you change the oil, bring a battery, ect.? 90% complete, what makes up the other 10%? Depending on what that 10% is, it can be really pricey. And lastly, what's the gastank made of :?: :!: :!: :!:
Even if this was one of those 'Crate Bikes', which aren't just virginal, they are neonatal, there's issues on a bike that's been sitting that long. Anything rubber probably needs replacing. Iso's, tires, possibly seals, oil lines, seat cover, and even the wiring. The insulation gets brittle and the sheetmetal in the bullet connectors just crack all by themselves. Lastly, go over to BritBike and look under the Norton forum for a thread called Bad Shell Bearings- FROM LOOSENED CRANK SLUDGE. It takes a long time for that to happen, but 30 years would just about do it. And it bears repeating, does it happen to have an Interstate STEEL tank? If so it counts for a whole lot.
Despite your frustration, that's exactly the sort of stuff that matters. Thank you. The tank, anyhow. While I had discovered there were two styles I did not know which was preferred. I have not SEEN the bike yet. The guy is sort of cagey with his emails (probably an older gent I assume who never made the full e swap) so many of these questions are unanswerable. That's precisely why I'm picking at your brains! I am preparing for our meeting in advance, he has promised to save it for my first shot at it. Listing off these known failure is a big help, I know all the standard old bike protocol (rubber, electrics, rust, showing up with a charged battery and some tools just in case), but each manufacturer and model had flaws specific to themselves, and enthusiasts like yourself can rattle them off as no brainers while my expertise is in other models. So please, yell at me some more, I NEED it!