Commando Restoration: Advice on Value and Machine

Mark, you're doing it for the right reasons but rebuilding a bike of this type is a considerable committment and you'll find yourself making improvements and not just bolting back together.

In my opinion, what you're intending to do is the only way to obtain a bike that you know to be in good order and which is exactly as you want it. Really good, properly set-up Commandos don't come on the market all that often. They're either kept because they're addictive or sold on because the owner can't sort them.

The major advantage of restoring first is that you'll know exactly what's inside and will be able to deal with any future problems based on an understanding of how it all works. Bringing a bike back to life gives you a connection to it that no cheque book can equal.

You may (will ?) end up spending more than the cost of a tidy runner but appearances can be deceptive and you could end up with a bill for thousands there.

Gino, you're overstating the mileage that I do these days. I'll have to do something about that. I like the Whisky comparison. If my bike pumped out liquid like I do when I've been downing scotch then I'd definitely tear its head off the next morning. :roll:

I think 1500$ is quite doable. I only put $700 in mine to make it perfectly road worthy. And a big chunk of that was for new replacment bronze clutch plates to replace the barnett crap that was in it and didn't work proper.

Tires, swingarm bushings, head stud, top end gasket kit, mc and caliper kits, carb kits, air filter, oil filter, fork seals, oils, clutch, battery. and a couple rattle cans of rustoleum for the frame. That really was all it needed. The other was just labor.

She's a 1 or 2 kicker at most and runs just beautifully. Picture was posted earlier so I think the results speak for themselves.

Again, to what I posted earlier. I could have taken the advice of some and tore everything down to check and replace, by why do that if it doesn't need it. I figure it had an oil filter so most of the crap should have been kept out of the motor. I flushed everything real well, primed everything well, and got her running with little effort. That was over 2 years ago and she's served me well since. But I bought a good low miles bike that was stored in a dry climate. Money saved on the restore was spent on getting the right bike and getting it home.

They go for 3000$ for a complete bike,fix it and you will be rewarded with 40 plus years of fun and adventure,I got mine new in 1974 ,still ride it daily,rebuilt it once,only .10 over, ( you have three generally ) the wont cost so much as long as you don't take it apart,lose things,use the wrong tools ect.. They are positive ground! Whit worth thread ( not metric or American) sockets go for about six bucks apiece. Try Randy Baxter,he has a good rep . I've had a permanent smile since I got mine in 1974! Enjoy it! They don't make them like that anymore! Lucky SOB!!!' Good luck

Hey, Bone, you realize the post you replied to is over 3 years old?

Yeah, cobwebs on the bike and post, so update ? Value should be in the eye of the beholder. :shock:

marknorton said:

Sorry Guys my assumption was a UK forum, but anyways, prices will reflect what you say as I have no intention of purchasing at any cost.
I think I will start at 500 pounds and go up from there to 1000 pounds ( about 1790USD). After this I think I will leave it. Its not going to be worth the hassle and cost.
Thanks so much for the identification tips. I will investigate this and see what an immaculate example will fetch though am not interested in a money making project, but want too ensure I dont send too much over the sale price of a good example. Thanks Guys for all your advice and I will keep you posted on developments.

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Your spot on !!! Here in OZ i would gladly give up $2k and possibly $3k Not running but rolling and "complete".. You will be very suprised how well it will clean up... Nortons have crappy electrical systems but generally their chrome and alloy's were of good quality ... Buy for ~ $3 + $4-$6 resto = Up to $10K .. Well and truly within the OZ market value.. What are you waiting for?

This was an interesting thread...even tho it's really old.

One thing that wasn't said was reading all the information here on this forum. It's an enjoyable part of the project. So much experience and how deep it takes you into searching for knowledge.

This place "Access Norton" is an amazing place with people from all over the world with a common interest and so much knowledge to share.

I think about the projects I did before the internet existed and wonder how I ever figured it out...took much longer then and likely not as good of choices as today.

So far the Norton has been the most fun project ever, and I think it's this forum that has made it that way as much as the bike

Nice to hear. Or read.