Hi
Its great to be able to spend a big bucket of money on your Norton, to me after owning my beloved Norton for 36 years from new, my pleasure is doing most of the work myself, to me that is what owning a Norton is all about, knowing ever bolt and nut on the bike and if any thing pops up that don't sound right you have more idea what is causing it and to go straight to it and fix it.
Not all the work you can do and has to be sent out, like any engeirning that needs to be done to the motor, paint work, but replacing old parts with new and inproved parts is not hard at all and it gives you a good feeling to say yes I put those new parts on, but every one to their own, I have rebuilt my Norton for not being a show winner, its always clean but I don't go over board with keeping it spotless, I built my Norton to ride (6 days out 0f 7) and the smile I get on my face every time I ride it knowing that everything that went on my Norton was put on with my own 2 hands.
My Norton has gone throught a lot of changes over the years I have owned it, its not a Commando anymore, I don't care what some think as to what I have done to my Norton over the last 36 years, I built my Norton the way I wanted it, but everything I have done to my Norton has made it a good reliable bike (has never let me down in all the time I have owned it) it has a hot motor, better handling frame (Wideline featherbed) has all the inprovements to the frontend, better brakes on the front, but the best thing I have ever done was to put a Joe Hunt Maggie on it, yes it sticks outside of the bike but I like it there keeps it nice and cool, I think it looks mean and it starts first kick every time.
So do what ever you like with your money but my two cents worth is there is no pleasure in this world that can beat building your own dream bike the way you want it, not someone elses ways, its just not the same to me.
Anyway all the best with what ways you decide to go, but the 14 months waiting for it to come back would kill me.
Ashley
