barber via norton

I didn't know if this should go to the general section, but since it involves the commando I figured good to go here. I have my route somewhat planned and need help with locations for possible contacts, camping and dealers I can call if needed. I hate to ask for help on this, but I would never know where to look in other states for emergency help. Any help is appreciated. Coming from Illinois and will be taking all secondary roads or two lane highways in hope to avoid a lot of traffic.
After getting south of where I live, I'll be heading south on 50/51 in southern Illinois, continuing 51 through tip of Kentucky.
At the Tenn state line the road turns into 45 and looks like 45 all the way through Tenn.
45 turns into 72 in Mississippi and corinth is the largest town. 72 into AL which turns into 20 to decatur then it goes a little zig zag to Leeds. 31 to cullman over to brooksville area and 231 to oneonta and 411 into the destination.

HI, I live in NE AL about 85 miles north of Barber's on Lookout Mountain close to Fort Payne. I will PM you my cell and email for future use, I have a trailer and tools and do not hesitate to call and come by if you like. I also know a really good Brit Bike wrench that lives about 2 miles from Barber's, he does it for a livings and has 4 Commando's,
we belong to a vintage moto club in Birmingham and will have a booth set up in the flea market area, they are great guys and you can count on them for help. You definetly want to stay on Hwy 72 Alternate/20 out of MS, 72 runs thru all the small towns and is a snail's pace to drive. If you have not been to Barber's for the vintage fest you are in for a real treat. I suggest buying tickets online before you come as you get a pretty good savings in time and hassle.

Oh man BB220 now you done messed with my mind, cross country riding a Commando to world class gathering, oh oh. Fortunately seems the further south you get the more motorcycle friendly and handy it gets. Best to keep a list of vendors on ya as usually its a part holding ya up not the wrenching welding machining. Vendors often know who along your route can help put up and fix up.
I love-hate the initial shove off into what I call "scared confidence" on what lies ahead. My On No part, is I may have a fresh Combat by then and friend with pU going too. But we will have to take turnpike to do the trip and back to work in time. Hours on hours on smooth Commando new vistas unflolding ahhh.

Keep something to wipe bugs off, or wipe glove off after wiping bugs off.
Any animals not easy to dodge, aim at making noise flashing lights to part them in panic for any way being away. Be cautious of traffic of side roads below higrade trying to pull out in time and would but for the mud or gravel spin delay into you.
Always expect something in your way at every blind by road of traffic.
If you see some dudes in beater PU with shot guns in rear window, give a SNORT they will cheer ya not shot ya any more down here.

And when you arrive, be sure to meet up at my pit. There will be a gaggle of Nortons there (a couple of Seeley Commando 750s, a Manx I'll be riding, a 500 Domi Lowboy, etc).

Barber is like no other. Prepare to spend a day in the museum. The swap meet will be the biggest in the country, next to Mid Ohio, and the racing, well... it's as good as we get. This track gets me happy.

If there is any way to get there by Thursday morning, do so, and see the museum in relative leisure and quiet for a full day.

Otherwise, you won't get to appreciate it as much unless you are missing out on all the racing and fellowship.

...or stay an extra day AFTER the racing!

All I have to say is that I'm jealous...... Post a bunch of pictures please.

Paul, I am leaving Illinois on the 5th and have three days to putz around and have until the 16th to get home. I have no real plan except to ride a norton around the back country for a week and a half, unless it decides to break down on me. That is where contacts and dealers would be handy. Southern Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and AL for dealer info and contacts. I am hoping I don't need to contact anyone, but any help with contacts is certainly welcome.

I don't think you will get this far east in Tn but if you do come this way you must stop and stay a day or three. I have a camp ground in shady valley it is the farthest north and east in the state. I would be more than happy to show you around some of our great road's.
my contact info is at switchbackcreek dot com.

It's VERY nice to have time to do your own thing. Definitely go early and stay late! Sounds like Windy has made you an offer you ought not refuse, too!

Paul, I know that is a very generous offer from Bill, but it is way out of the way and I don't know how the bike is going to hold up. As of now it has given me only a few hiccups in 8K miles, but I have very bad luck. I rode through the cherokee national forest on my daytona a few years ago. I think highway 421 from lexington to manchester. Not a real tuff road, but so much fun for a guy from the flatlands that I though I'd died and gone to heaven that day. I will keep his info for the next trip. By the way thanks a ton Bill!