cNw #101 Norton Commando 850

Thanks!
Excel rims are made of a 7000 series alloy. They are prone to corrosion when subjected to a humid climate.
I don't want to spoil your joy owning the bike, but you will be facing a challenge keeping the rims nice and shiny when subjected to the usual British climate.
I live in a coastal region in Norway, and ruled out Excel rims for this reason. Sun rims (by Buchanan) and Morad rims are made of 6000 series alloys, which are better suited to this climate (I am still looking into Borrani rims). Even so, I will be coating my rims using a ceramic paint.

- Knut
 
mdt-son said:
Thanks!
Excel rims are made of a 7000 series alloy. They are prone to corrosion when subjected to a humid climate.
I don't want to spoil your joy owning the bike, but you will be facing a challenge keeping the rims nice and shiny when subjected to the usual British climate.
I live in a coastal region in Norway, and ruled out Excel rims for this reason. Sun rims (by Buchanan) and Morad rims are made of 6000 series alloys, which are better suited to this climate (I am still looking into Borrani rims). Even so, I will be coating my rims using a ceramic paint.

- Knut
Click to expand...
I have Matt's rims (same as #101) on my #134.
It is now getting on for 5 years old and zero evidence of corrosion. I carefully inspected them at tyre change. 3rd rear going on soon (13,000 miles) so will be looking closely.
I live 1km from the sea in central Queensland, Australia.
Someone on the forum recommended White Diamond metal polish - best I have ever used, especially on rims. 👍 👍
Cheers
 
Nigel’s correct, no winter riding unless zero salt and dry as a bone; I have other bikes for that. The previous owner lived close to the sea too and the rims and the rest of the aluminium is only lightly tarnished, zero evidence of pitting from the photos I have.

Matt polished both Z plates when he replaced the scratched swing arm and they are back to show level so all bodes well for the rest.

At the end of the day the bike is for riding not trailering to shows nevertheless I’ll enjoy keeping looking smart even if I can’t get it perfect like Matt does.

Latest on shipping: the vessel docked in Long Beach yesterday and departs Wednesday; just hoping for no cock ups. Lands in Southampton 24th June after brief stops in Panama, Columbia and Canada.

I rode the Oxford DGR yesterday, shame I didn’t have the Norton for that or the Andover Norton bash on Saturday which I was hoping for; there’s always next year.
 
robs ss said:
I have Matt's rims (same as #101) on my #134.
It is now getting on for 5 years old and zero evidence of corrosion. I carefully inspected them at tyre change. 3rd rear going on soon (13,000 miles) so will be looking closely.
I live 1km from the sea in central Queensland, Australia.
Someone on the forum recommended White Diamond metal polish - best I have ever used, especially on rims. 👍 👍
Cheers
Click to expand...
Your bike looks fab Rob. I assume Matt had a one-off custom Corbin seat made for you as I understood they don’t offer one for the Interstate?

Is there a thread for yours, I love to hear some about you ownership?
 
Café au Lait said:
Nigel’s correct, no winter riding unless zero salt and dry as a bone; I have other bikes for that. The previous owner lived close to the sea too and the rims and the rest of the aluminium is only lightly tarnished, zero evidence of pitting from the photos I have.

Matt polished both Z plates when he replaced the scratched swing arm and they are back to show level so all bodes well for the rest.

At the end of the day the bike is for riding not trailering to shows nevertheless I’ll enjoy keeping looking smart even if I can’t get it perfect like Matt does.

Latest on shipping: the vessel docked in Long Beach yesterday and departs Wednesday; just hoping for no cock ups. Lands in Southampton 24th June after brief stops in Panama, Columbia and Canada.

I rode the Oxford DGR yesterday, shame I didn’t have the Norton for that or the Andover Norton bash on Saturday which I was hoping for; there’s always next year.
Click to expand...
Oxford DGR? You shudda said, cudda popped in for a cuppa !

What was it like? I did it some years ago and was utterly unimpressed. All stop / start and never got out of first gear. I had a Vincent at the time with rather high gearing. Needed a new clutch after that DGR !
 
I checked the list and didn’t see you on it. It was ok for my first one. As you say, lots of stop start. I rode the Enfield which was the right choice for sure. The issue I had was there wasn’t much riding in the city centre, stopped at Radcliffe Square and the headed out towards Witney. Looking on YouTube the one in Guildford looked far better winding through the cobbled lanes. Still, it was fun and Oxford ride achieved over £22k which was decent. There were 2 Vincents, a Rapide and a Black Shaddow, very nice.

Found a copy of The Classic MotorCycle Dec ‘15 with you on the cover, good read, nice bike. Have you added an electric start since?

Anyway I look forward to meeting up sometime soon. FYI classic car and bike night is back on at the Six Bells even though the pub is yet to open; hopefully they’ll find a new landlord by the time my bike is on the road, I’m guessing early-mid July; blimey it’ll be 6 months since I started proceed by then.😢
 
Café au Lait said:
I checked the list and didn’t see you on it. It was ok for my first one. As you say, lots of stop start. I rode the Enfield which was the right choice for sure. The issue I had was there wasn’t much riding in the city centre, stopped at Radcliffe Square and the headed out towards Witney. Looking on YouTube the one in Guildford looked far better winding through the cobbled lanes. Still, it was fun and Oxford ride achieved over £22k which was decent. There were 2 Vincents, a Rapide and a Black Shaddow, very nice.

Found a copy of The Classic MotorCycle Dec ‘15 with you on the cover, good read, nice bike. Have you added an electric start since?

Anyway I look forward to meeting up sometime soon. FYI classic car and bike night is back on at the Six Bells even though the pub is yet to open; hopefully they’ll find a new landlord by the time my bike is on the road, I’m guessing early-mid July; blimey it’ll be 6 months since I started proceed by then.😢
Click to expand...
Was that Dec’15 article about the Commando?

If so, yes, it’s had the E start fitted since then, along with a few other tweaks like different shocks and front end, new 920 engine, TTI box… :rolleyes:
 
robs ss said:
I have Matt's rims (same as #101) on my #134.
It is now getting on for 5 years old and zero evidence of corrosion. I carefully inspected them at tyre change. 3rd rear going on soon (13,000 miles) so will be looking closely.
I live 1km from the sea in central Queensland, Australia.
Someone on the forum recommended White Diamond metal polish - best I have ever used, especially on rims. 👍 👍
Cheers
Click to expand...
Rob,
After reading about White Diamond I got some and could not believe the results!Great polish
Mike
 
mdt-son said:
Thanks!
Excel rims are made of a 7000 series alloy. They are prone to corrosion when subjected to a humid climate.
I don't want to spoil your joy owning the bike, but you will be facing a challenge keeping the rims nice and shiny when subjected to the usual British climate.
I live in a coastal region in Norway, and ruled out Excel rims for this reason. Sun rims (by Buchanan) and Morad rims are made of 6000 series alloys, which are better suited to this climate (I am still looking into Borrani rims). Even so, I will be coating my rims using a ceramic paint.

- Knut
Click to expand...
I run the Borrani rims (shouldered) on mine and am very pleased. I live in a humid area but would never coat them with anything. They keep a beautiful shine with no oxidation whatsoever.Just my 2 cents.
Mike
 
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