Gasp! Another silly newbie joins the fold...

Greets to all here in Nortonland.
I just picked up my first ever Norton this week after a late night Craigslist scan.
1975 850 Commando Roadster (sold as new in 76) from the original owner, 5700 original miles, engine rebuilt about 100 miles ago, a little rough around the edges from poor storage, not been run in a couple years...begging for a nice restoration.

This is my first "true" British bike (although I did have a modern Bonneville for a short time recently). Ive had a wide variety of other cycles in the past and the Commando now brings the two wheeled population of my garage up to 8 (now equalling the 4 wheeled contraptions that share the same space). I have been dreaming of a true British bike for some time, I read the magazines, I've been to the Ace, and I have the sickness deep within....now Im high on the final satisfaction of my itch and cant wait to get started with the whole experience and let it seep in.

But...I'm as green as can be...just starting the walk down the path...really glad to find this forum and see that y'all appear quite helpful and know the breed. I wanna thank you in advance for any and all helpful advice and virtual slaps upside the melon when I do something stupid (which I am bound to do).

Below is a link to a blog page I started for the project along with some photos...feel free to take a peek!
broken link removed

Let the games begin!

Cheers!
Randy

Welcome, Randy, and congratulations on the new Commando! I've bookmarked your blog and look forward to watching your progress. You will find everything (and more) that you could ever need on this forum.

Welcome! I'm right here with you on just starting out.

Best of luck!

-Jordan

Great blog!

I especially like the crystal clear photos of your target example bike. You rarely see good side-on clear shots of bikes from BOTH SIDES.

Welcome to the forum.

Randy, anyone who says that they don't like 850s in red / white / blue is probably just a jealous 750 owner - best thing is to ignore 'em !

- Yours has much nicer lining than the auction bike by the way. If you re-do the paint, have a look at several threads on here and measure and photograph your OE example.

Welcome aboard.
So the brother buys it, on installments. Abandons it, freezes the motor
and then doesn't want to make payments on a broken motorcycle.
:lol: :roll: :roll: :roll: :lol:


Nice find...............

Thanks for the welcomes.

The paint does need re-doing...the tank especially as the owner spray canned the white at some point (but thankfully masked off the stripes). I will take many photos and measurements before the re-spray. On the lettering though...I see the computer cut vinyl stuff out there...is that the best way to go? Stick it on and then bury it in clear?

I loved the "brother" story...and the whole stuck in a snowdrift for months thing...it took them a LONG time to find it when they went out for it. Hard to remember where you parked when it's a blizzard out!!

The battery side cover flew off while the bike was in the back of the previous owner's truck just days before I bought it...horrible shame. I thought of re-tracing his steps on the total needle in a haystack chance of finding it (and hoping it isnt smashed to bits)
Any clues on where I might be able to dig one up?

Stock airbox is gone...go back to stock or just go K&N?

MichaelB... I see Yorba Linda as your location. I grew up in Yorba Linda...my Mother still lives there!

Welcome aboard! Now if you want a real British bike you get one without E-start...

OK, just kidding around. Nice purchase. First, yes I would retrace and look for the side cover. Keep an eye out on Ebay or in the For Sale section of this forum and you can probably come up with a side cover, eventually. Second, why is the photo of the pub all blury?

Russ

PS - Regarding that bike that will be coming up for auction. The stripes on the tank and side cover are not parallel. You can do better than that!

Already taking a ribbing for the e-start :lol: :lol:

How about if I promise never to use it?

I don't think it will need much of a real restoration at all. Looks great and very original as it is. Ride it around town a bit and see how you like it. Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

Welcome.

bugnbox said:

MichaelB... I see Yorba Linda as your location. I grew up in Yorba Linda...my Mother still lives there!

Click to expand...

My aunt, uncle, cousin and her family live in Yorba Linda! [Edit] Correction: Should be: aunt, uncle and TWO cousins, and I think a third cousin lives in Corona about 10 miles from Yorba Linda!

-Small world.

$2900.. Wow, very nice.

Holy Toledo! For that price your are well on the way to being a 'Norton Enthusiast", all you have to do now is ride it. Cool.

Dave
69S

left it in the snow for a couple months haha priceless. welcome to the club

$2700 actually...seemed like a screaming deal to me.

More Yorba Linda connections...(insert Twillight Zone music here) :shock:

That's quite strange.

The bike looks much better in the photos than it does up close. It seems that most everything is loose and several broken bits like a headlight bracket, the ignition switch dealie is broken, pipes are loose and hanging, turn signals are a mess...etc etc. I will take some detailed photos to post on the blog page so you all can see what I am dealing with.

I do want to fire it up and try to ride it at least once before I tear it down though.

Welcome to the forum.

Nice find !!!

I also have a 75 850 the I am restoring but it is in a lot worst shape. Mine has the front disk on the left and yours has it on the right, other then that they look the same.

Chuck

Wow, you did get a steal! I love that color scheme as well.

OK...I have posted a whole boatload of "before" photos on the blog page...take a peek!
Tell me what you see that I might have issues with!

here is the link again
broken link removed

bugnbox said:

$2700 actually...seemed like a screaming deal to me.

Click to expand...

Randy,

I just went into your blog. Wow, what a really great story , and you have secured one amazing find! It even looks like you may have a runner you can enjoy before doing a full resto. I know you have come to the right place for help as there are allot of wise souls on this forum.
Gary