Engine rebuild '72 750 Commando

Hello, new guy here.

My brother in law recently passed away and my nephew wants to put his commando back together as a tribute. It's currently a basket case. The engine is apart - we're still looking for the pistons/crank and heads under all the junk in the basement.

Looking for recommendations on rebuilders in the U.S. (we're in Pennsylvania). We have some of the engine guts. I know it will take new cams (it's a Combat engine I believe) and cylinder boring, and new pistons of course. The jugs have one of the hold-down holes broken but I think perhaps that could be nickle brazed. I have found one shop who quoted $5k for a complete rebuild. Alternatively we might be willing to buy a rebuilt engine with our parts thrown into the mix for core exchange.

Any help appreciated. I'm sure we'll be in here a lot in the next few years.

Thanks.

I would be wary of anybody who says they can take your basket case and turn it into a well sorted machine for 5k. I am not sure I could do it for 5k with all my labor being free. This is assuming a sent out jobs like paint, head, crank grinding, etc. This is why so many bikes like the one you have get sold as parts. It costs more to bring them back to life than what they will be valued at when they are done!

It doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Just be prepaired. What kind of shape are the chrome bits in? How close to "new" do you want it to be when you are done? Do you want a stock bike or a custom? Does it have a steel tank? Is the tank in good shape? How about speedo and tach? Tanks, speedo and tach can run into some money if they all need replaced. The more assembly you are willing to do yourself the less it will cost and often the better off you will be. I got some really good advice once on a big restoration project..."You can't afford to buy the kind of work you are willing to do for yourself." Colorado Norton Works is the pinnacle in builders, but they will want somewhere around 25k plus your donor bike. They hand you back a piece of functional art. There are guys on this forum who offer services, I will let them speak for themselves. The Classic Bike Experience in Vermont has gotten some good press.

Russ

For JUST THE ENGINE overhaul, $5K is not unreasonable for a total overhaul; however, that typically assumes all your core parts are good. Just a cam is a couple hundred dollars...

Try Colorado Norton Works.



http://www.coloradonortonworks.com/services/rebuild.asp

A total motorcycle engine rebuild is $4,495.

Includes:

New Motorcycle Engine Parts
New camshaft (several grinds available)
New oilpump
New rod bearings
New crank and connecting rod hardware
New main bearings (Superblend on drive side, high capacity ball on timing side)
New stainless steel crankcase hardware
New stainless steel engine to cradle mounting hardware
New stainless steel head fasteners, complete set
New cast stainless steel rocker spindle covers
New Black Diamond valves
New bronze guides
New valve springs and insulators
All woodruf keys are replaced
Crankcase magn et is installed
New rocker arm thrust washers and springs
New mushroom head tappet adjusters
New ignition points wire lead
New pistons, rings, and wrist pins
New stainless steel valve cover nuts
New stainless steel allen head steady bolts
New braided stainless steel overhead oil lines
New barrel base studs
New factory gaskets used throughout
New NGK spark plugs
Cam chain replacement
Motorcycle Engine Machine Work

Barrel is "decked" for flatness
Head is "decked" for flatness and combustion chambers equalized for volume
Precision rebore
Precision three angle valve seats are cut
Valve lifters are surface ground
Crankshaft is split, magnafluxed, and turned or polished
Tachometer drive seal modified to prevent leakage
Wet sumping prevention modification is applied
Cases are drilled for improved breathing as required
All covers are "glassed" flat for oil tight fit
Motorcycle Engine Detailing and Finish

All covers are show polished and fasteners replaced with stainless steel allens
Barrel is shotpeened and coated with a durable high gloss finish
Head and cases are glass bead blasted and pressure washed

CNW, hmmm . . . . That's a good deal.

Yuh, talking about just the engine. I've built bikes from the ground up before, just didn't want to tackle the engine. Thanks to all.