Café au Lait
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2024
- Messages
- 158
Hi Guys,
Been lurking in these parts for a while now but feel it’s time to put my head above the parapet and make my first post.
As you’ve probably guessed, both from the title and my avatar I’m the the proud owner or I should say, soon to be to be more specific, of cNw #101 Norton Commando 850.
Now let me start by saying that this is not just any cNw (not that anyone should ever call these ‘any’) but actually, in all probability, the worlds best known example of Matt’s incredible creations. Those of you with a great memory for numbers (#101) will know immediately but for the rest, here’s a reminder.
With over 300k views (many of which are mine I must confess) this video was posted eleven years ago shortly after Bill Greene, a retired Hollywood Special FX exec took delivery. You’ll note that the bike is lowered from stock for Bill but it’s been returned since and also now benefits from an cNw electric start kit. As for the overall spec, well Bill covers that so I won’t further.
I cannot possibly fully express my excitement. Up until quite recently I confess I’d never heard of cNw, indeed it wasn’t until Bill’s video popped up in my YouTube suggestions but was immediately struck by the bike’s beauty and incredible attention to detail. Exactly a year ago I bought my Kawasaki W800 Cafe partly because in my mind this was as close to owning an old Brit bike from a new machine partly by looks and it’s 360 crank. I’d previously discounted buying a classic due to lack of knowledge, tools and engineering expertise I associated with their ownership. So this certainly whetted my appetite.
Having found the cNw website I was astonished to find that this very bike was indeed up for sale and by sheer luck, by dint of it no longer meeting Matt’s sky-high standard of polish due to its coastal abode, was actually a financial possibility.
coloradonortonworks.com
Long story short. After a number of email exchanges and ultimately a 2hr + phone call with Matt, whom I know you all know is just one incredible guy, I pulled the trigger.
It has to be said that there is no way I could countenance the idea of buying any bike let alone one of this value from thousands of miles away, unseen let along un-ridden had it not for the massive reputation and regard the entire Norton community holds for Matt Rambow of Colorado Norton Works. I too can attest to this. Matt has already carried out some requested improvements including some at his own cost, eg a new swing arm, the current one being damaged by the previous owner due to an inappropriately sized exhaust fastener, I mean, there’s service and then there’s service!
Anyway I won’t ramble any further. Yesterday Matt informed me, now that his ‘bulletproof’ crate is finished (he constructs them himself of a welded steel frame and plywood), his preferred shipper is 2 weeks away from collecting from Colorado to be driven to Oakland for a waiting container ship bound for Blighty, #101’s ancestral home.
Like Bill, who put on over 10k miles, this wonderful machine is for riding not just showing and I can’t bloody wait to swing a leg over for the first time.
(After) Replacement inner rotor & repolished calliper
Replacement swing arm and repolished Z plates
(Before) Pitted chrome inner rotor
The photos show some of the progress but I’ve also had all new stainless clutch and brake hoses fitted. The only real issues remaining and they are all purely cosmetic are the chromed parts. Most if not all show some mild pitting although the header pipes do look a bit further gone from the HR pictures Matt has supplied. If I fail to get them how I want them I’ll wait until the winter and get the necessary parts re-chromed. The rest, which is all aluminium just needs a good polishing to get closer to cNw show standard which I actually quite enjoy; it’ll be a bonding process.
Simon
cNw #101 Norton Commando 850
Kawasaki W800 Cafe
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Reborn
Been lurking in these parts for a while now but feel it’s time to put my head above the parapet and make my first post.
As you’ve probably guessed, both from the title and my avatar I’m the the proud owner or I should say, soon to be to be more specific, of cNw #101 Norton Commando 850.
Now let me start by saying that this is not just any cNw (not that anyone should ever call these ‘any’) but actually, in all probability, the worlds best known example of Matt’s incredible creations. Those of you with a great memory for numbers (#101) will know immediately but for the rest, here’s a reminder.
With over 300k views (many of which are mine I must confess) this video was posted eleven years ago shortly after Bill Greene, a retired Hollywood Special FX exec took delivery. You’ll note that the bike is lowered from stock for Bill but it’s been returned since and also now benefits from an cNw electric start kit. As for the overall spec, well Bill covers that so I won’t further.
I cannot possibly fully express my excitement. Up until quite recently I confess I’d never heard of cNw, indeed it wasn’t until Bill’s video popped up in my YouTube suggestions but was immediately struck by the bike’s beauty and incredible attention to detail. Exactly a year ago I bought my Kawasaki W800 Cafe partly because in my mind this was as close to owning an old Brit bike from a new machine partly by looks and it’s 360 crank. I’d previously discounted buying a classic due to lack of knowledge, tools and engineering expertise I associated with their ownership. So this certainly whetted my appetite.
Having found the cNw website I was astonished to find that this very bike was indeed up for sale and by sheer luck, by dint of it no longer meeting Matt’s sky-high standard of polish due to its coastal abode, was actually a financial possibility.
# 101 | cNw
coloradonortonworks.com
Long story short. After a number of email exchanges and ultimately a 2hr + phone call with Matt, whom I know you all know is just one incredible guy, I pulled the trigger.
It has to be said that there is no way I could countenance the idea of buying any bike let alone one of this value from thousands of miles away, unseen let along un-ridden had it not for the massive reputation and regard the entire Norton community holds for Matt Rambow of Colorado Norton Works. I too can attest to this. Matt has already carried out some requested improvements including some at his own cost, eg a new swing arm, the current one being damaged by the previous owner due to an inappropriately sized exhaust fastener, I mean, there’s service and then there’s service!
Anyway I won’t ramble any further. Yesterday Matt informed me, now that his ‘bulletproof’ crate is finished (he constructs them himself of a welded steel frame and plywood), his preferred shipper is 2 weeks away from collecting from Colorado to be driven to Oakland for a waiting container ship bound for Blighty, #101’s ancestral home.
Like Bill, who put on over 10k miles, this wonderful machine is for riding not just showing and I can’t bloody wait to swing a leg over for the first time.
(After) Replacement inner rotor & repolished calliper
Replacement swing arm and repolished Z plates
(Before) Pitted chrome inner rotor
The photos show some of the progress but I’ve also had all new stainless clutch and brake hoses fitted. The only real issues remaining and they are all purely cosmetic are the chromed parts. Most if not all show some mild pitting although the header pipes do look a bit further gone from the HR pictures Matt has supplied. If I fail to get them how I want them I’ll wait until the winter and get the necessary parts re-chromed. The rest, which is all aluminium just needs a good polishing to get closer to cNw show standard which I actually quite enjoy; it’ll be a bonding process.
Simon
cNw #101 Norton Commando 850
Kawasaki W800 Cafe
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Reborn
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