Hello Access Norton, new member here with my first Norton. I've owned many bikes through the years but this is my first Norton, I've always wanted one but somehow never made the effort to attain one until last weekend when I found a 1972 Commando 750 through my local Craigslist. I'm a lifelong mechanic and engineer, eager to get this bike sorted for some nice fall riding here in Los Angeles. I don't know much about Nortons but I am learning fast. My bike came with a nice stack of reference material including several parts catalogs and service manuals. I just ordered the Clymer Norton/Triumph/BSA service manual too.
About the bike, here is what I know. She's a matching numbers 1972 Commando, Engine #20M3S149338. I was told it is a pre-combat motor bike. She is running at the moment but was sold to me as a project due to the fact it still needs some sorting. It is relatively leak-free and is running on a single Mikuni T34 carburetor. Has a Boyer ignition box zip tied under the gas tank, and a dual output coil. Bike has a very tired original exhaust system but luckily came with a brand new full exhaust system. Bike came with a Corbin seat which I will be replacing with a standard bench since I want to be able to take my lady with me.
Here is my to do list in no particular order:
1. Rebuild forks, desperately needs to be done since forks leak badly and there is zero damping. Continuous bottoming upon hitting any bump.
2. Replace rear coilovers, same story.
3. Sort electrical, possibly re-wire whole bike, too many crappy repairs through the years.
4. Identify and learn more about my ignition system.
5. Replace all control cables, they are all too long for the current handle bars.
6. Add an original ignition key switch, bike is currently running an on/off switch on headlamp.
7. Get handle bar switches working, they are currently disabled
8. Rebuild swingarm, bushings are wasted
9. My dream Norton would have aluminum rims, so I'll be getting some Akronts/Suns/Borranis built soon for it.
Well just wanted to introduce myself and my new bike. This is one of the most beautiful bikes ever made, I really hope to sort and ride my bike a lot. I trucked my bike over to Steadfast Cycle today and spent nearly $1000 on parts, I'll waste no time getting this bike sorted.
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About the bike, here is what I know. She's a matching numbers 1972 Commando, Engine #20M3S149338. I was told it is a pre-combat motor bike. She is running at the moment but was sold to me as a project due to the fact it still needs some sorting. It is relatively leak-free and is running on a single Mikuni T34 carburetor. Has a Boyer ignition box zip tied under the gas tank, and a dual output coil. Bike has a very tired original exhaust system but luckily came with a brand new full exhaust system. Bike came with a Corbin seat which I will be replacing with a standard bench since I want to be able to take my lady with me.
Here is my to do list in no particular order:
1. Rebuild forks, desperately needs to be done since forks leak badly and there is zero damping. Continuous bottoming upon hitting any bump.
2. Replace rear coilovers, same story.
3. Sort electrical, possibly re-wire whole bike, too many crappy repairs through the years.
4. Identify and learn more about my ignition system.
5. Replace all control cables, they are all too long for the current handle bars.
6. Add an original ignition key switch, bike is currently running an on/off switch on headlamp.
7. Get handle bar switches working, they are currently disabled
8. Rebuild swingarm, bushings are wasted
9. My dream Norton would have aluminum rims, so I'll be getting some Akronts/Suns/Borranis built soon for it.
Well just wanted to introduce myself and my new bike. This is one of the most beautiful bikes ever made, I really hope to sort and ride my bike a lot. I trucked my bike over to Steadfast Cycle today and spent nearly $1000 on parts, I'll waste no time getting this bike sorted.
[ATTACH=full]62709[/ATTACH]