At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms

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Thanks a lot gnolan…… There's no way I'll ever be capable of un-seeing that monstrosity. The only crime greater would be for someone to pillage/plunder/assault a Vin or Velo in that manner.
 
Steve I see you joined this great forum on my B’Day and that’s cool ! Also that you have a new Ducati and that cool too ,while I do own and put lots of kilometres on my Ducati ST3s it is hardly new (2007) but it is my youngest .... haha! ..... since Norton going to be your hobby bike , I will stick with original suggestion above !
 
You joined the day before mine. I'm astounded someone would do such a thing to a Vincent. Unsettling & unnatural.
 
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms
 
Norcoastal said:
I know, I’m interested in opinions. Since I’m new to Norton’s, I’d hate to build a bike that is frowned upon by the Norton community
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How about a '71 850 SS with Mk III power unit, Mk III front end, Triumph fenders, es eliminated, converted to RHS, and a basket of handmade parts? Oh, yeah, and all LED lighting.
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


Build what you want and worry about someone's opinion later. You have to ride it and live with it. When i climb off the bitsa and on the stock '73 it feels clumsy because the '71 was set up exactly as I prefer, not to anyone else's tastes. It feels like a well-broken in pair of leather gloves.
 
Norcoastal said:
Yes, and I’m ok with that. They become available from time to time. I have a lead on an original GK tank and I’m ready to pull the trigger, but this is a big decision.
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The bike in the picture is nicely done and represents someones hard work and skills, we would all change details, probably including the guy who built it.

Personally I don't like the lines of the tank and would use something smaller if looks were the only issue.....however....practically....

I would not be likely to ride very far in that riding position at my age! If you can you are blessed, but I would have little need of the large tank, fuel stops would be welcome!

An original item, or an original specialist tuner item, is one thing, but if there is one part that I would find an unnatractive buy at over 40 years old it is a fuel tank, in almost any material!
 
I have the very rare '73 850 Fastback model in British Racing Green!

No, there never was such a bike produced by Norton. ;)

As noted, a Commando can be any model you want in a short time if you have the bolt-on body parts. Mine started life as a Roadster w/US bars and I converted to a FB/European bars in '08. My intention was to swap back and forth as I felt like it...but I have never done that; it's been a FB for 12 years. I added CNW rear sets. The OEM pegs were too upright for me - I'm more comfortable riding with the rear set.

The point is, as others have said, do what you want to do with the bike!
 
Norcoastal said:
I’m in the early stages of my build.

I haven’t decided what style I’m going to do.

Roadster or Interstate.
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I think you have more than enough answers to influence your final choice, unless more photos will help?

Evan Wilcox builds absolutely beautiful alloy bits, just be prepared for the price and delivery time...
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


Airtech now has all JPN bodywork bits, I have CAD drawings for the mounts if you can't find them.
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


Dreer VR stuff sure looks sleek, and you can graft on almost any classic suspension stuff...
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


Hard to argue with a clean, classic black Interstate's lines-
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


Not too much wrong with a PR replica either...
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


High-rider tank sure looks good with a Corbin seat-
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


Gotta love the Dreer VR stuff...

At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


Kind of a "Paul Smart" look
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


...did i mention I love the VR880 look?
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms


Or, why NOT just a good ol' black Roadster?
At the Risk of Opening a Can of Worms
 
A long time ago, a racer was criticized for all battlescars and lack of paint. He answered:
Paint ain't fast.
But on a roadbike or a racebike where sponsors pays, it's nice with a good paintjob.
Back to the original question.
I think that most changes that resemble what was made then is acceptable.
Half a century ago, we regarded a British motorcycle as a raw material that after a winters work could be turned into something decent to ride.
But I will probably never fit LED turn signals on my Vincent.
 
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Raggededge racing do a pattern full Gus Kuhn fairing, and a John Player Works fairing.
 
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