Fletch's Commando

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

First post here- I have a variety of vintage bikes and have come across this site numerous times while searching for parts but have never joined . . . I am a member of other forums where the Nortons go under appreciated . . .

Here's my '73 850 Commando, 10K miles from original owner's brother-in-law. It was all stock when I got it and I still have the stock parts. One of my favorite bikes.

olChris · Nov 2, 2013

Looks hit hot to me.. was it a major refurbishment?.. Are those rims alloy?? Love the Corbin seat, bars and general look.. Exactly the "look" i'm after.. (with a bucket load of original spares in a box. Bolt on/off).

Chili · Nov 2, 2013

Welcome,
Nice! Clean and neat.

john robert bould · Nov 2, 2013

Nice bike, enjoy her. www.lansdowne-engineering.com

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

Thanks fellas. Not a refurbishment at all- just a deep clean and polish. Spent most of its life under a bed sheet in a climate controlled garage in PA.

Just picked up the wheel set- I wanted a complete set so that I could remove the originals in tact and install these. On an original bike like this, I did not want to disturb any of the original parts, therefore I waited until I found a complete wheel set rather than dismantling the stock wheels.

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

Just picked up some rear sets off ebay- plan to put them on today

Al-otment · Nov 2, 2013

Nice bike Fletch. I'd be surprised if the carbs didn't need replacing at 10,000 miles. Amal Premiers are the way to go apparently. If you enjoy life I'd upgrade the front brake by resleeving the master cylinder with a smaller piston and possibly lockheed racing caliper and proper Norvil disc from Mick Hemmings. Not cheap, but it's funny when recovering in hospital how a few hundred quid dosen't seem that much.

acotrel · Nov 2, 2013

Very nicely done, great to see a bike with few obvious aftermarket parts looking so good. I think your philosophy when you built(?) it was really sensible. The rims and seat are what should have been supplied as standard.

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

Regarding the front brake, good advice, thanks; I don't ride it enough to justify the swap though. I have a couple of modern Triumphs that are for riding

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

I refreshed the carbs with new gaskets and seals and they are doing well. Might some day go to a single Mikuni . . .

Matt Spencer · Nov 2, 2013

Or RH & LH 1 3/16 monoblocks .

Nice Bike . Like the attitude .

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

Haha, thanks . . . this one's for riding:

Al-otment · Nov 2, 2013

Fletch said:
Regarding the front brake, good advice, thanks; I don't ride it enough to justify the swap though. I have a couple of modern Triumphs that are for riding

Commando's ARE for riding. 10,337 miles between last years MOT in August to this years August MOT.

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

10k in a year, that's fantastic!

With all due respect, I guess it all depends on one's purpose for owning a vintage bike . . . I guess I fall more into the collector category.

ILLF8ED · Nov 2, 2013

Fletch said:
10k in a year, that's fantastic!

With all due respect, I guess it all depends on one's purpose for owning a vintage bike . . . I guess I fall more into the collector category.

You must be riding it at least a little or you wouldn't have put the non stock parts on. You might find the Commando a superior riding experience to the Triumph

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

Yeah, too fun not to ride at least a little :wink:

Fletch · Nov 2, 2013

The Thruxton in stock form leaves a lot to be desired. With the lighter/wider wheels, Ohlins, Arrow exhaust and airbox removed, it is quite hard to resist. Plus, if it falls over or goes down, there are a plethora of spare parts and even bikes for that matter out there to replace it. Finding an original '73 Commando with 10K miles might be a bit more challenging.

Hobot · Nov 2, 2013

Alrightly an ancient lamp off sea bottom the flame still lit! As its unmolested could you take some photo's of the factory wire loom arrangement behind the stem under tank area with all the bullets loaded neatly in magazine. Tell your other forums we know what we like so properly appreciate what they must put up with. I think Norton got special deal on black and gold paint over other colors.

dennisgb · Nov 2, 2013

hobot said:
I think Norton got special deal on black and gold paint over other colors.

Because they are "baby" Vincent Black Shadows

ILLF8ED · Nov 2, 2013

dennisgb said:
hobot said:

I think Norton got special deal on black and gold paint over other colors.

Click to expand...

Because they are "baby" Vincent Black Shadows

"They" are Commandos and don't need to be a Vincent

A couple of decades later shows there was some progress in the British motorcycle industry.

Fletch's Commando

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