Commando buyers guide
- Thread starter Hobot
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Time Warp said:
It's obvious to me that there is (another) bubble building very quickly on the prices of old cars and motorcycles. It is a cyclical (no pun intended
market that has occurred before (I think the '90's?) and will burst like it always does for whatever reason, probably the world economy. AUTOMOBILE Magazine contributor Jamie Kitman writes a great and timely piece about it in the March 2014 issue, in an article titled "Future Non-Classics Futures." Kitman begins the article with: "Old car values have skyrocketed in recent years, and once again, too many of us now get another chance to feel like sorry losers who've missed the last boat to fun and prosperity. Forget about the $27M Ferraris at Pebble Beach. Be gone noble but second tier 1930s Alfa Romeos selling for $9M plus. I'm talking about the bottom end of the spectrum, where forgettable $2500 60's and 70's cars that we couldn't afford are now $12,500 cars we can't afford. I'm talking about the whole rest of the brave new world of $15,000 slant-six Dodge Darts, $25,000 Triumph TR6s, $35,000 Citroens, and $45,000 BMW 2002tii's."
me: BTW, I would not suggest the Norton Commando was "forgettable." On the contrary, it's an icon in the cycle world....
It's really an interesting and funny article worth the read IMO, and puts a light on the impossible prices for '60's and '70's muscle cars that you see on TV these days, like Chasing Classic Cars, American Car Prospector, Graveyard Carz, Wheeler Dealers, Desert Car Kings, Fast 'N Loud, Mecum Auctions, Cafe Racer, What's in the Barn, and all the rest (and there are more, and I watch them all!!) where these guys make a living buying and flipping cars (and motorcycles).
Bill
My guess is that Commando prices have a way to run, but Vincents and possibly Goldstars might be topped out. There are five Vincents for sale on the Vincent.com right now. They are all asking big prices and have been sitting for sale for about a year. There was a sixth bike for sale on there for almost two years for 50k, a good running bitsa. The seller finally removed the ad recently, bike never did sell. Maybe the prices have finally gone beyond the market?
Glen
Glen
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Yes, Japanese bikes were cheaper than Commandos and so they sold more of them
However, let's be honest and admit that people also rightfully viewed Nortons as unreliable, oil leaking, crummy electrics,
and having no electric starter
those well known issues likely had as much to do with the Japanese outselling them as price did?
However, let's be honest and admit that people also rightfully viewed Nortons as unreliable, oil leaking, crummy electrics,
and having no electric starter
those well known issues likely had as much to do with the Japanese outselling them as price did?
1up3down said:
Not to mention the origin of the Commando engine can be traced back to the Model 7 in the '40's (from Wikipedia). I mean, come on, the Honda OHC-4 was a jewel compared to the old Norton OHV twin. Sure, the fenders were chrome plated steel instead of S.S. as I recall and the tank was not the prettiest shape, but the 4 individual exhausts and mufflers really made a statement and the visual as a whole was really groundbreaking.
But Norton really pulled a rabbit out of its hat when it designed the Commando around that old motor and canted it forward. The result was a classic and artful design. Anyone remember the "Art of the Motorcycle" exhibition at the Guggenheims and other venues back in the late '90's? The Commandos were some of the prettiest bikes on display IMHO. The planning for the exhibition was always the main topic on the old Brit-Iron forum. Hobot was part of those discussions back then. Many other names I don't see here like Ultan Guilfoyle and Charles Falco, both heavily involved in making it happen. Ah, those were the days....
Wish i could have actually seen it, but I had to settle for the hard-back copy of the book.
rvich
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When I was 18 I went shopping for a "real" motorcycle. I almost bought a Honda 750-4. But I saw a classified ad for a 1974 Commando. I went to look at it and gave it a ride. Up until that point I was laying awake at night thinking about that Honda. About 30 seconds into that test ride of the Commando I forgot about the Honda completely. There was no comparison. I'm not knocking Honda. I have a lot of stuff around here with the Honda name on it. If I had picked the bike intellectually I would have bought the Honda back then. But I didn't. I made my choice based on what it felt like to ride the bike. I doubt I could have been happier with the choice I made. I suspect all these years later that I would still choose the Commando. Oh, wait, I did!
Russ
Russ
Re the Honda, I just don't see how a slower, inferior handling bike with tingly vibration was overall superior to the Commando. The electric starter did not mean much to me then or now, you only use it for second or two, or kick for same, then it is what is the bike like to ride? Its Command hands down on that question.
Glen
Glen
Time Warp
.......back to the 70's.
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worntorn said:
Superior or not Honda sold over 500000 CB750's.
What people got (in 1969) was a electric start,over head cam,5 speed four cylinder motorcycle that could go coast to coast without drama as easy as commuting.
Put a 4 into 1 pipe on it and it seemed like a different bike (not that I have actually owned one)
What might be interesting is resale values on the Norton 961 in a few years and what effect they might have on Commando's either way.
I have a hunch a $20000 961 will be worth a lot less,maybe even 30% down and Commando's up another 20%+.
Old is Gold.
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