About to buy a Commando

Mrchips · Oct 17, 2013

Folks:

I have an opportunity to buy an original Commando with the number plate date of February, 1969 & #130832. This would be my first Norton, but not first Brit bike, and I'm a little concerned that I don't make a mistake and overvalue what is a somewhat rough piece. It has not run in quite some time, but the engine is free and so is the trans. Carbs are with the bike but not on it. It sports an interesting set of ape hangers and extended forks, along with a Harley rear wheel. (Had to have been done in the 70's because it's almost exactly the way my '70 Triumph looked when I found that) Stock Norton front wheel and brake. The frame appears to be intact and unmodified. Tank & seat are ok. No tach or speedo, but the headlight looks original.

Even though it's rough, I can deal with that. There's only one thing that worries me, and that is that I believe a prior owner removed the original tach drive mount on the side of the engine case, ground it smooth and then filled the hole with metal. It's the only explanation I can give to the way that area of the case has a much rougher surface than the rest of it, and I don't think it was the result of being dropped on that spot. I don't see that there would be a mechanical problem with them removing the tach mounting and filling the hole, but since I don't know what I don't know about Nortons I figured I'd submit this to the wisdom of the Elders to see what you have to say.

I realize that it's a bit unfair to ask your opinion of value without photos (I have none), but if you feel so inclined just consider it one step above a parts bike and you'll be close.

Thanks

Chips

Torontonian · Oct 17, 2013

So tell us how little they want for the chopperized old thing with the common problem of tach -drive damages. :?:

Mrchips · Oct 17, 2013

I'm thinking $1400. They're thinking $1800...plus a Suzuki Water Buffalo front end! Not sure what I'd do with that, but it might come in handy someday.

1up3down · Oct 17, 2013

my guess is you will be putting literally many thousands into it plus untold hours of your time

there are other Commandos out there for sale in much much better shape for 5-7 grand

if you really want to take on this project I would offer them $600 to "take it off their hands"

rx7171 · Oct 17, 2013

Mrchips said:
I'm thinking $1400. They're thinking $1800...plus a Suzuki Water Buffalo front end! Not sure what I'd do with that, but it might come in handy someday.

I'm guessing your $1400 is reasonable, since that may be what's it worth parted out and sold on Ebay.
Without pictures and not sure how perfect you want the final result and you doing 90% of the labor you probably are looking at $4-5,000 in addition.
So total of about $6,000 all done.
But if you want to skip all the work and add $1,000 for $7,000 stateside you could get a machine in very good order.
But I could have done the same myself and would have missed all the fun of the rebuild. :wink:

RennieK · Oct 17, 2013

The tank is likely fiberglass so it has to be replaced and quite often fenders and rims are rusted or damaged enough to need replacing. $!400 is not ideal but what other choices are there. If the engine + trans serial #'s match the frame at least it's a matching #'s bike which is always nice and that is basically what you're buying here. Plus wheel hubs and lower fork legs and some small bits. If they wouldn't take $1400 I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

Hobot · Oct 18, 2013

RennieK » Thu Oct 17, 2013 8:40 pm
The tank is likely fiberglass so it has to be replaced and quite often fenders and rims are rusted or damaged enough to need replacing. $!400 is not ideal but what other choices are there. If the engine + trans serial #'s match the frame at least it's a matching #'s bike which is always nice and that is basically what you're buying here. Plus wheel hubs and lower fork legs and some small bits. If they wouldn't take $1400 I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

Amen, being its in the worse possible configuration to the Commando crowd mind, it'd be worth over $2500 as soon as it was taken down to just engine tranny and frame and the rest trashed. $3000 easy if each of these main items separated and priced. Taken apart even further could get even more with the hassle involved to sell off to expanding market. A 6-7000 tagged titled runner is a freaking steal the seller is taken a hard hit on in a forced sale or would still be nur$ing it. The few who'd gotten an old chopped Commando and got it decent going with any remaining chopperness left get rotten eggs thrown in disgust at em here, though some of us get off on them - as long as not ours.
https://www.google.com/#q=commando+chopper+please

There is still Water Buffalo cult so that front end has some value you can scan ebay for idea and Norton stuff too.

pierodn · Oct 18, 2013

Buy a Commando can lead to some problems: right after you buy another!
Welcom aboard.
Piero

ashman · Oct 18, 2013

Even $1800 is a good price, here in Australia a basket case would be worth a lot more than that, you yanks have it to good, here a Norton weather its going or not will fech $6000 as I was ofter 2 at that price and both not going and not knowing what needs to be done, a going Norton will go from $8,000 to $16,000 depends on what condition it is in, $16,000 would be top of the range (show room), so for under $2,000 I would jump at it as they will get harder to find as we get older.

Ashley

Jed · Oct 18, 2013

The price of doing them up in the states is unbelievable!
Here you can spend $6-7k on something that was in pretty good nick to start with. Something rough would be substantially more
Engine and gearbox is $1500 for a start just cleaning it up and replacing a couple of gears. (If you don't own your own machine shop)
BTW there is a nice MK3 on Australian ebay (the only norton listed) right now $12650. Thats about $2k less than mine cost all up
Could be something suss about it or maybe all the buyers are waiting for the bell but no bids so far which is really strange
Couple of years ago something like that would have fetched more than $18k. It will be interesting to see what it brings

Cheers

olChris · Oct 18, 2013

$1400-$1800 Is here nor there and will mean SFA at the end of the project............. Just do it FFS, IMO if you are worried about a budget and $400 before you even start, then you probably wont be able to take the "pain" of the resurection process.. Being here in OZ (WA) people would be going nuts to get a hold/chance of it.. I cant believe you hesitate!!

Matt Spencer · Oct 18, 2013

TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS , For A Pile of JUNK . Whatever you do , dont tell the missus .

:x :lol:

Yea , possable . DEPENDS ON THE MILAGE . and condition of whats there .

early isos are junk . Ya dont need the verineer ones , but need the later ( 73 / Mk5 750 ) rubbers etc .

glass tanks a worry . From the biggest Ha ha ha JAP ha ha , youre jokeing etc chap about , the waterbucket front ends not totally appalling ,
you could throw it on and wait for irdiots to bribe you excessively for the multi wotsit Front Brake , if it still has it . Or if its Twin Discs ,
tell em to F off . :wink:

Pulling the sump plug and seeing how many bits of engine , iron fileings etc fall out , would give you an idea of if youre soon to be bankrupt .
Same goes for primary & Gear Box .

IF it has a large exposed Oil Tank with a sight tube , on the Right Hand side . AND a ' pointy ' primary cover , over the CLUTCH , ( and theyre undamadged ) its early Kitsch etc & so on .
WITH the fastback intact , you can paint it Silver overall , and upholster the seat Orange .

This is Real cool , as its said it was only the prototypes thus , with ' green blob ' ( WHAT - BLOB ! :shock: ) tank badges .

So , whatevers smashed up and r :shock: ted , needs replaceing , and costs $ $ $ , so a leaky clapped out old piece of junk , minus 5 - 10.000 for resto , means HE should give YOU $ 2000 to take it.
And take you out to a decent dinner , for haveing the moral fortitude to take it on . :twisted:

good close check for smashed / broken / worn bits , establish milage ( sprocket / footrest wear etc . ) Has it been down the road ( grazes etc on extremeties )
your not really in it for financial gain , but if it wets your whistle , and youve the time , inclination & room , theyre not the worlds most complicated motorcycle .

olChris · Oct 18, 2013

Matt Spencer said:
TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS , For A Pile of JUNK . Whatever you do , dont tell the missus . :x :lol:

Yea , possable . DEPENDS ON THE MILAGE . and condition of whats there .

early isos are junk . Ya dont need the verineer ones , but need the later ( 73 / Mk5 750 ) rubbers etc .

glass tanks a worry . From the biggest Ha ha ha JAP ha ha , youre jokeing etc chap about , the waterbucket front ends not totally appalling ,
you could throw it on and wait for irdiots to bribe you excessively for the multi wotsit Front Brake , if it still has it . Or if its Twin Discs ,
tell em to F off . :wink:

Pulling the sump plug and seeing how many bits of engine , iron fileings etc fall out , would give you an idea of if youre soon to be bankrupt .
Same goes for primary & Gear Box .

IF it has a large exposed Oil Tank with a sight tube , on the Right Hand side . AND a ' pointy ' primary cover , over the CLUTCH , ( and theyre undamadged ) its early Kitsch etc & so on .
WITH the fastback intact , you can paint it Silver overall , and upholster the seat Orange .

This is Real cool , as its said it was only the prototypes thus , with ' green blob ' ( WHAT - BLOB ! :shock: ) tank badges .

So , whatevers smashed up and r :shock: ted , needs replaceing , and costs $ $ $ , so a leaky clapped out old piece of junk , minus 5 - 10.000 for resto , means HE should give YOU $ 2000 to take it.
And take you out to a decent dinner , for haveing the moral fortitude to take it on . :twisted:

good close check for smashed / broken / worn bits , establish milage ( sprocket / footrest wear etc . ) Has it been down the road ( grazes etc on extremeties )
your not really in it for financial gain , but if it wets your whistle , and youve the time , inclination & room , theyre not the worlds most complicated motorcycle .

Here ya go Sir would you like a "top up"..

rpatton · Oct 18, 2013

Mrchips said:
I'm thinking $1400. They're thinking $1800...plus a Suzuki Water Buffalo front end! Not sure what I'd do with that, but it might come in handy someday.

If it's has an early pre-disc brake then they are worth quite a bit for AHRMA racing. Depending on condition, it could cover a lot of the $1800 tab.

Nortiboy · Oct 18, 2013

If it is complete, I will give you $1600 the lot. A complete Commando under $2k ? Enjoy. (The psychiatrist said I can have another one)

Mrchips · Oct 18, 2013

Thanks everyone. I'll let you know that I'm fully aware of the potential cost in bringing this bike back to life. I resurrected a Triumph in similar condition a few years ago, I had actually considered doing what a few of you suggest, and buying a roadworthy machine for $5k or so, but I realized I'd have more satisfaction getting my hands dirty and doing the work myself. One note about the tank - I have seen it and it is in great shape.

None of you talked about that worry I expressed about the apparent removal of the tach drive mount from the side of the case so I am thinking it is not considered a problem. One of you mentioned the value of the front brake if it is the drum model. It is.

The general opinion seems to be - buy it. So I will begin the negotiations. I'll post photos if I get it.

Thanks for your input.

Chips

concours · Oct 18, 2013

Mrchips said:
Thanks everyone. I'll let you know that I'm fully aware of the potential cost in bringing this bike back to life. I resurrected a Triumph in similar condition a few years ago, I had actually considered doing what a few of you suggest, and buying a roadworthy machine for $5k or so, but I realized I'd have more satisfaction getting my hands dirty and doing the work myself. One note about the tank - I have seen it and it is in great shape.

None of you talked about that worry I expressed about the apparent removal of the tach drive mount from the side of the case so I am thinking it is not considered a problem. One of you mentioned the value of the front brake if it is the drum model. It is.

The general opinion seems to be - buy it. So I will begin the negotiations. I'll post photos if I get it.

Thanks for your input.

Don't worry about the tach drive, it can be fixed, milling machine eagerly awaits breakfast. Buy it, $1400 is reasonable, and the dumptruck load of cash will depend on how much you can do yourself.

Chips

pierodn · Oct 18, 2013

In italy, a Commando complete but in bed conditions you cannot find for less than 3500 euro.

htown16 · Oct 18, 2013

According to the Norton owner's tech digest prior to seriel #131257 the tach drive was mounted on the timing cover and the points were behind the rh cylinder. Is what you are refering to as the "case" the timing cover? Heart shaped piece held on by about 10 screws or so? If it is it should be replacable. Not a common part as only used for about a year and half, but a diligent search would probably turn on up. Don't be tempted to use an Atlas cover, they look the same on the outside and will bolt up but the internal oil drilling is different and will starve the crank. The other question is did the po alter the end of the cam as the tach drive runs off of it. Likely not as it would have involved splitting the cases and machining the end of the cam.
The cam may be toast and need replaced anyway. A good used cam might be hard to find, new one maybe 3-400? You would also need a tach drive, again not a common part because of the short model run.
All good points to drive the price down.
Google an image of 68 bike to see the tach drive on the timing cover.

cjandme · Oct 18, 2013

You only live once and life is short = buy it if you can. IMO :wink:

About to buy a Commando

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