checking in

DogT said:

rvich said:

Harleyesque?!!! Just because they don't put scrambler pipes on em?

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No, it's the lowered rear and Corbin. Just not my preference.

Dave

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Dave,
Matt has built a few lowered bikes but they have been done at the customers request. For some reason they seem to be the most photographed. Fortunately the vast majority of the CNW bikes are standard height. Jim

DogT said:

I'm sure CNW will build a bike for you in any style or fashion you like. Personally I don't care for the 'Harleyesque' look to the CNW typical models. Not to say they're not good bikes.

Dave
69S

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Maybe I'm blind (wife could be right) but I see no similarity between the CNW Nortons and a Harley.

Maybe I should say 'Sportsteresque'. I'm not trying to offend anyone, I just prefer the traditional look. It is strange that most of the pics of the CNW bikes I see are lowered, I thought that was their style, apparently not.



Dave
69S

No offense considered.

That one is definately a lowrider. I bet I could grind the pipes off in less than a day. I think Matt likes them because they are the only ones he can touch the ground on.

Actually Matt builds them to order and some people obviously like that look. Jim

steveyacht said:

Maybe I'm blind (wife could be right) but I see no similarity between the CNW Nortons and a Harley.

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-2 wheels
-handlebars
-gas tank
-seat
-2 cylinder engine

Need I go on?

hee hee

DogT said:

Maybe I should say 'Sportsteresque'. I'm not trying to offend anyone, I just prefer the traditional look. It is strange that most of the pics of the CNW bikes I see are lowered, I thought that was their style, apparently not.

Dave
69S

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I see what they mean.
It's that saddle that really throws the look off. Add stock seat, fenders and a 19" rear wheel and you are back to normal....sort of. Not to say that the rear shocks aren't shorter, but the seat really throws the look off, and the wheels, and the fenders.
I like the look of that Triumph bobber better. A little more traditional.

I wonder how our new member is getting along with this thread. I dunno if he is learning about vintage Nortons but certainly should be learning something about the crew here!

As for what "look" is the best? They are all great! I just don't want to compromise the handling of my bike to go after a certain look.

Russ

Hi Guys,

Ok ....so I definitely wanted to get in on this thread a bit.

First off. If somebody doesnt like a certain style of bike...its perfectly ok to say so and if the owner/builder takes offense, then they just have to grow up a bit a realize that people have different tastes and will therefore certainly like different kinds of machines. When it comes to bikes, I think part of what makes them so much fun is how many different looks and types there are. Even though they do pretty much the same thing they can look extremely different. Whats also cool is how many of my customers show up at my shop riding completely different bikes than a Commando and they still cant get enough of what these old Britt bikes has to offer.

...anyway. Back to an interesting fact. Many (I see comments on this forum all the time) think that a typical CNW machine is lowered and fairly different looking. For those that think so I invite them to go to my website (under 'about us' on the home page) and check out the gallery pages. Of the 80 somewhat bikes that I have built so far, its actually only a few ( 12 to date) that have been lowered and only a handfull that have been REALLY lowered (like the white #013 bike pictured) So take a good look on those pages and you will see that most of the bikes delivered so far are actually stock ride height.

Since I started the company I have always really pushed the word 'Customs'. This since that is what these machines really are. Custom ordered and built to spec. Some like the low. For practical uses and the look. The #013 bike was originally built for a woman that was 5' 3". I also built one for a woman that was just over 5'. Put those women on a std Commando and most likley they will get off of it and say that this is not a bike for them. Set them on a lowered bike where they feel comfortable....and guess what....they like it. Its light weight, low and feels great. Sure some of the ground clerance is compromised but then again, not everyone rides their bike like they are in a vintage GP, fighting for first place.

Comstocks comment is also correct......I dont like to ride a bike that I am not flat footed on. I'm 5'7" and I want my feet on the ground. So I built a few bikes that were lowered for myself and some people really liked the way they looked and felt....so I built them a custom.

So why do people think a CNW bike is typically lowered ?? I think it was mentione earlier, and I agree, that those bikes stand out and get a lot of attention. Its the ones that are photographed the most.

So there you have it. And just to set the record straight.....I am absolutely not offended when somebody doesnt like a particular CNW machine. To each his own. Also, without a doubt, I personally really like the look of a lowered Commando and when a customer comes to me and wants one (assuming it will work for him size wise) I get all exited....cause that what I really like to build since it allows me to get out of the box even more than usual.

Thanks for all the nice comments and keep checking in (on the site) as there are some changes being made (by New Years)

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

For the record, the work that CNW does is amazing. Some models do not suite me while others make me swoon. The fact that they can both emphasise tradition or veer toward diversity only heighten my respect for their abilities and attention to detail.

DogT said:

My wife spent the equivalent of 2 CNW bikes on the gardens around the house the last few years, and here I am spending 8K on my 69 and it still doesn't have a belt drive or Sparx alternator.

Dave
69S

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well Dave I hope she's growing something you can smoke.....

I'm 6'6" with the same 38-inch inseam I had in the '60's--my '72 Combat had 6-inch-over forks installed the day I bought it new--I was tired of looking like a parade Shriner on a minibike when campaigning my '62 650SS in Africa.

The Combat now has two-inch rear-shock risers (you have to swivel the oil-filter head on its bolts slightly) and modified Harley shock-lowering forks on the footrest supports to drop the rider pegs about two inches, which keeps my knees parallel to and no higher than the top of the tank.

Normal-size riders straddle the bike with difficulty, but the current setup feels great and handles surprisingly well. I completely understand why professional athletes commission custom bikes with bigger wheels and frames to fill in the inseam and provide a decent sense of proportion


Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net

It ain't what you ride, It's THAT you ride.

Welcome goo, These bikes seem to get in your blood, I've had a '69 750 basket case for a really long time and between deployments and now the kids never could find time to put it together. Last thanksgiving bought a '75 850 MKIII and now looking at another. Wth all of the support from OldBritts, RGM & Norvil to name few and the aftermarket products from CNW and JS motorsports it's possible to give these bikes a new lease on life. Lots of good folks on this forum with a wealth of knowledge that is gladly shared. again good to have you here. Cj

I am 6 foot and my Norton has been raised about 2 1/2 inches. I am tippy-toed at a stoplight. I love it up high. It handles flawlessly and if you are dragging anything it is because you crashed. Jim

thanks for the welcome aboard, gents.

glad i found this place. i was leaning toward a new norton when they become available. now i'm leaning toward a nicely rebuilt classic.
my bonnie is cool but nortons trancend cool.
..

..

..
fwiw, surplus 20 mm ammo bags make passable and reasonably priced saddle bags.

Jim

I believe you're right--I've subconsciously lost my fear of grounding with the extra clearance. As Keith Code recommends, I dial in a hundred pounds or so onto the inboard peg and heel it right over in a 90-degree corner--it tracks like a tetherball


Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net

goo said:

..
fwiw, surplus 20 mm ammo bags make passable and reasonably priced saddle bags.

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Thanks goo... when you get a chance, can you show how you got those fastened on?

cheers,
Don

kraakevik said:

I'm 6'6" with the same 38-inch inseam I had in the '60's--my '72 Combat had 6-inch-over forks installed the day I bought it new--I was tired of looking like a parade Shriner on a minibike when campaigning my '62 650SS in Africa.

The Combat now has two-inch rear-shock risers (you have to swivel the oil-filter head on its bolts slightly) and modified Harley shock-lowering forks on the footrest supports to drop the rider pegs about two inches, which keeps my knees parallel to and no higher than the top of the tank.

Normal-size riders straddle the bike with difficulty, but the current setup feels great and handles surprisingly well. I completely understand why professional athletes commission custom bikes with bigger wheels and frames to fill in the inseam and provide a decent sense of proportion


Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net

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Post some photos when you get a chance.


Please.

The '72 is presently hors de combat with a hole in the left-hand piston you can stick three fingers in--if someone would like to post photos of the modifications please e-mail me and I'll send you some representative examples to post here--thanks


Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net

Welcome goo
You can see our collection of Norton Commando fans come in all stripes and preferences and even some that like the HighRider form!
None should be criticized since a lot of the fun is in the having the bike that suits your taste.
Maybe the only exception I make is when a pristine low mile bike comes into the hands of someone who wants to customize it instead of finding one that has been abused and working with it.
If you like getting your hands dirty and kick starting a serious machine that gets second looks wherever you go the Commando does the trick.