- Joined
- Jun 18, 2011
- Messages
- 4
Hi folks,
I'm brand new to the whole retro vintage bike scene, though I'm an expat and remember my dad owning a Commando in the 70s so I have that connection thing going on.
I just picked up a 1972 Norton Commando (20,000 miles). The guy I got it off is a friend , also an expat, who put it into winter storage in 92 where it remained until two weeks ago .
It has a small amount of rotten gas still in the tank so I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get it relined. The overall condition of the bike is good, though the chrome is a little pitted in places, the rubber seals have dry rotted and the engine looks visually worn. It doesn't have a battery and it hasn't been kicked over since the early 90s.
Anyway, here are my questions;
1. What would be the best thing to do in regards to getting it roadworthy;
a. Attempt to rebuild the bike with all of it's original parts, Clean, keep original paint, polish the old chrome etc...- E.G It looks like an old Commando because it is.
or
b. Repaint the frame, replace any damaged parts with newer parts, rewire etc... - E.G. It looks like a shiny 1972 Commando but it's actually only 50% of the original bike with a bunch of newer replacement parts.
2. How does this affect the value?
All the best,
Steve Mac.
I'm brand new to the whole retro vintage bike scene, though I'm an expat and remember my dad owning a Commando in the 70s so I have that connection thing going on.
I just picked up a 1972 Norton Commando (20,000 miles). The guy I got it off is a friend , also an expat, who put it into winter storage in 92 where it remained until two weeks ago .
It has a small amount of rotten gas still in the tank so I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get it relined. The overall condition of the bike is good, though the chrome is a little pitted in places, the rubber seals have dry rotted and the engine looks visually worn. It doesn't have a battery and it hasn't been kicked over since the early 90s.
Anyway, here are my questions;
1. What would be the best thing to do in regards to getting it roadworthy;
a. Attempt to rebuild the bike with all of it's original parts, Clean, keep original paint, polish the old chrome etc...- E.G It looks like an old Commando because it is.
or
b. Repaint the frame, replace any damaged parts with newer parts, rewire etc... - E.G. It looks like a shiny 1972 Commando but it's actually only 50% of the original bike with a bunch of newer replacement parts.
2. How does this affect the value?
All the best,
Steve Mac.