Commando 850 (1975)

CrazyTrain · Jan 22, 2013

Over the past couple of weeks (since I've been looking into this Norton) I've been introduced to a number of people who have incredible classic bike collections. I've gone from one garage to another and the amount of classic Britbikes is incredible. Mostly 50's and 60's Triumphs and BSA's. One chap had a garage of over 60 restored classic bikes. Incredible.

CrazyTrain · Jan 22, 2013

.....so, in your opinions, from what you've managed to find out about this bike....and the following assumptions:

Tank has been re-sprayed
Stripes on tank not 100% true to original
Need to replace hand grips
Need to replace mirrors
Electric Start needs upgrading (pretty useless as is)
Modified seat
Possible front mudguard replacement
Amal Carb
Points Cover not original
Replaced brake lines

Would YOU buy it?

L.A.B. · Jan 22, 2013

CrazyTrain said:
Would YOU buy it?

Yes, I think so, if I was satisfied that I wasn't paying over the odds for it.

gory · Jan 22, 2013

CrazyTrain said:
.....so, in your opinions,
Would YOU buy it?

If I wanted it, and I could afford it, yes.
The value of anything is what it is 'worth' to the buyer.
I paid less for mine - but it's nowhere near as nice as yours, doesn't run, doesn't charge, the list goes on. When I get around to it, with what I paid for it, and what I would have to put into it, it probably won't be much cheaper than the asking price you listed, plus goodness knows how much time and labor.
If you want it and can afford it, buy it, you'll regret it if you don't
If you are looking to 'turn it around' and make a quick profit - I don't think you will be able to.

Mark F · Jan 22, 2013

CrazyTrain said:
.....so, in your opinions, from what you've managed to find out about this bike....and the following assumptions:

Tank has been re-sprayed
Stripes on tank not 100% true to original
Need to replace hand grips
Need to replace mirrors
Electric Start needs upgrading (pretty useless as is)
Modified seat
Possible front mudguard replacement
Amal Carb
Points Cover not original
Replaced brake lines

Would YOU buy it?

Those faults(?) you have listed are all pretty minor issues.
Don't forget this is a nearly forty year old motorcycle so the chances of things having been changed/upgraded/worn out are pretty good. If I was you and I wanted it I would grab it before someone else does. There not getting any cheaper you know.

pete.v · Jan 22, 2013

CrazyTrain said:
.....so, in your opinions, from what you've managed to find out about this bike....and the following assumptions:

Tank has been re-sprayed
Stripes on tank not 100% true to original
Need to replace hand grips
Need to replace mirrors
Electric Start needs upgrading (pretty useless as is)
Modified seat
Possible front mudguard replacement
Amal Carb
Points Cover not original
Replaced brake lines

Would YOU buy it?

I think with very little effort you could add 20 or 30 items to this list under a sub catagory "normal wear and tear".

I would think you, CrazyTrain, have enough info to get this price down a grand or two.

JRD · Jan 22, 2013

Question is : Do you want a Commando or not ?
If you are willing to buy one , this one is a very good one, (from wat we can see) only minors flaws , and very important , nothing preventing to ride it.

regarding price question is : how many other Commando will be proposed soon and how many potentiel buyers for this one : simple supply and demand question.

FYI in France such bike will be sold 7000 to 8000 € , I guess a little less in UK.

mike996 · Jan 22, 2013

Well, that's what it all boils down to - supply/demand in the location. In the US, I might consider the bike if it was 5k USD though I think you could do much better. BUT obviously there are not a ton of COmmandos on Malta and if that's what you want and going elsewhere to get one is not workable, then that's what you have to do. As noted, if they are that rare there, at least when you leave you should be able to sell/get your money out of it.

AntrimMan · Jan 22, 2013

CrazyTrain said:
.....so, in your opinions, from what you've managed to find out about this bike....and the following assumptions:

blah, blah, blah...

Would YOU buy it?

I had to go to the book for this:

You shall have no others before me.

You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

And you shall not covet your neighbor's wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.

Do you see anything above about Norton's?
Of course you should buy it, unless you intend to steal it, then no, because there's a "You shall not" about that business too.
It's only money, almost every one has some, many fewer have a Norton.
In the end neither one can be taken with you but the Norton will be a lot nicer to look at.
Money itself generally depreciates, Norton's not so much.
It's a silly question to ask in a room full of Norton owners anyway.
Yours yet?
All the best.

worntorn · Jan 22, 2013

[quote="mike996" In the US, I might consider the bike if it was 5k USD though I think you could do much better.[/quote]

Much better(lower) than 5 k in the US? Mike, I think you are in the wayback machine!

Reality - there is lots of junk out there (lots of it over 5 k too) but nice bikes bring nice prices.

Here is a decent looking MK3 that, according to the seller, "just needs a little clean up" . Located in Wisconsin and sold for $9,000
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-NOR ... _850wt_822

Some say Ebay prices are high, some swear that they are below market. I'm thinking that they really are the market, since so much stuff moves thru there and anyone can use it.

Glen

concours · Jan 23, 2013

worntorn said:
[quote="mike996" In the US, I might consider the bike if it was 5k USD though I think you could do much better.

Much better(lower) than 5 k in the US? Mike, I think you are in the wayback machine!

Reality - there is lots of junk out there (lots of it over 5 k too) but nice bikes bring nice prices.

Here is a decent looking MK3 that, according to the seller, "just needs a little clean up" . Located in Wisconsin and sold for $9,000
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-NOR ... _850wt_822

Some say Ebay prices are high, some swear that they are below market. I'm thinking that they really are the market, since so much stuff moves thru there and anyone can use it.

Glen[/quote]
+1

Reggie · Jan 23, 2013

79x100 wrote:

Is that a UK motorcycle club badge ?

LAB wrote;

NOC Yorkshire branch badge perhaps?
http://yorkshire.branches.nortonownersclub.org/

LAB I just wondered why you thought the brass badge was a Yorks NOC badge......or am I missing something again?

The details for this machine has been circulated around the Yorkshire NOC members.

L.A.B. · Jan 23, 2013

Reggie said:
79x100 wrote:

Is that a UK motorcycle club badge ?

Click to expand...

LAB wrote;

NOC Yorkshire branch badge perhaps?
http://yorkshire.branches.nortonownersclub.org/

Click to expand...

LAB I just wondered why you thought the brass badge was a Yorks NOC badge......or am I missing something again?

No, not the brass badge. There's a circular NOC type badge fixed to the R/H front mudguard stay with what appears to be the Yorkshire Rose on it.

mike996 · Jan 23, 2013

"Much better(lower) than 5 k in the US? Mike, I think you are in the wayback machine! "

Based on that ebay listing, you appear to be correct...

Reggie · Jan 23, 2013

LAB wrote;

There's a circular NOC type badge fixed to the R/H front mudguard stay with what appears to be the Yorkshire Rose on it.

Oh yeah..............it does look like a Yorkshire rose doesn't it

I must have missed page 2.
(That's twice in a week I've shown myself up!)

The Yorkshire Norton owners club did disappear ?? sometime in the 1990s and was reformed sometime around 2004 (I'd have to ask Ian Jayne, the man primarily responsible for its re-formation for the exact year) and noting that the last tax disc is from 1990, it is probably unlikely that any of the present members know about this bike, and I certainly have never seen a badge like that before, suggesting that it was from the former incarnation of the club. Anyway as I previously said, the members are being consulted.

CrazyTrain · Jan 24, 2013

Can anyone recommend the best places to get spares this side of the pond.
Thanks

Rohan · Jan 25, 2013

Which side of the pond is Malta on, precisely - you have some H2O called The Med somewhere down there ?

Andover Norton and Norvil in the UK are the 2 usual sources, mail order being no problemo.
There could well be a Dealer near you, ask around, you may be surprised.

L.A.B. · Jan 25, 2013

CrazyTrain said:
Can anyone recommend the best places to get spares this side of the pond.
Thanks

http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/Distributors.htm

CrazyTrain · Jan 25, 2013

Only a handful of Nortons on the rock......so no dealer here.

JRD · Jan 25, 2013

Crazy train,
I'm located in France . I buy direct from Andover Norton for most parts. from Amal for Carbs. I prefer to buy direct from the source.
For some non standard parts I use RGM . All are located in UK.
I guess costs will be a bit more for Malta than continental Europe (and transportation a bit longer ) . Thanks to European Union , there are no customs charges or delays .
Both are top service providers.

for our US readers : Malta is about the same size as Staten Island , with a lot more sun

Commando 850 (1975)

CrazyTrain

CrazyTrain

L.A.B.

Moderator

gory

Mark F

pete.v

JRD

mike996

AntrimMan

worntorn

concours

Reggie

L.A.B.

Moderator

mike996

Reggie

CrazyTrain

Rohan

L.A.B.

Moderator

CrazyTrain

JRD

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