Have a '69 in a box...

Well, in several boxes In 1970, I saw a crashed roadster in a back room at Ed Labells in Phili. The rider had t-boned a car... Bent wheel, forks & frame. Only had (if I remember correctly) less than 300 miles on the odo. I had just turned 16 & bought it for $100, then bought a frame for $125 (from Ed) Got a set of Ceriani forks, put it together, and had a wild & crazy time. Just before I turned 18, fearing for my life if I kept up my fast pace & utter disregard for safety, I boxed it up, and did not do it very well It sat like that in a barn till now.
So, it is 3000 miles away, and I was going to get it shipped out to SoCal a box at a time. Like the gearbox & cradle, then the motor, then the frame, etc. It is now out of the barn and at my brothers, so he will be handling the shipping. I guess the real question here is any suggestions on packing this stuff? I imagine the engine will require a pretty substantial box; and how about the frame? Or will it be easier (and/or cheaper) to crate the whole thing? If anyone has done this, I am open to suggestions. And once I get it, well, you will certainly be hearing from me There is going to be a lot of work that will need to be done and I will have a couple of questions

Dave Harding
SoCal

Get a quote from uship.com. Then the whole thing goes door to door hand delivered.

OK, filled out the UShip info. Thanks for the link. I will update when they get me a quote. So, any suggestions on crating? The pieces are in Delaware,anyone know of a company there that will build to suit?

As far as uship goes, it's up to the individual doing the transport. I had a transmission and transfer case moved in a suburban. And a cycle on a flatbead. You might luck out and find someone with an enclosed truck where some sturdy boxes would work out.

If the bike is in pieces you can ship them in large tupperwear type containers. The frame can just be wrapped and sent. If that's the case then price it out via UPS or USPS.

Or you can do what I did and ask your brother to visit and bring the bike out. :mrgreen:

For shipping engines I have always used the "Buzz Walneck method":

Get a METAL! trash can with a lid (for a Commando engine one of the little ones should be perfect),
put a piece of foam (think Couch cushion) across the top of the can,
set the engine down into the can so that the foam surrounds it on the way down,
Put a piece of foam on top (jam it in there!),
Tape the top on (Duct tape is your friend),
Write the address on the lid,
Call UPS (they like it because it has handles).

This system works well (but it's not forklift-proof, ask me how I know).

Vince

Hm, somehow I was expecting something completely different when I read the subject ..... :mrgreen:

Tim

Tintin said:

Hm, somehow I was expecting something completely different when I read the subject ..... :mrgreen:

Tim

Click to expand...

LMAO

1. Cut a hole in a box..

Tintin, you have to understand that the forum has changed over the years. Gone are the days of Manly posts about wet sumping, 50, 000 volt ignition coils, and naked women on our bikes. Today we debate at length whether the Os in Norton should have round or square holes.

At this moment, I am sure L.A.B., the moderator of the forum is sobbing inconsolably

Diablouph said:

Code:

by Tintin » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:23 am 

Hm, somehow I was expecting something completely different when I read the subject ..... 

Tim

Tintin, you have to understand that the forum has changed over the years. Gone are the days of Manly posts about wet sumping, 50, 000 volt ignition coils, and naked women on our bikes. Today we debate at length whether the Os in Norton should have round or square holes.

At this moment, I am sure L.A.B., the moderator of the forum is sobbing inconsolably

Click to expand...

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Get your act together, Diablouph. You're not nearly as feisty as you once were. :mrgreen:

The holes should be square(d) ovals!

Vince

I have my act together, KSUWildcatFan. There is a two drink minimum, 5 for me.

I see you are still avoiding the long arm of the law. Has you dad swiped you Commando yet?

Diablouph said:

I have my act together, KSUWildcatFan. There is a two drink minimum, 5 for me.

I see you are still avoiding the long arm of the law. Has you dad swiped you Commando yet?

Click to expand...

He's sure trying.

I think he's moved on to trying to swipe my new featherbed frame. He's a real bastard, that guy. :mrgreen:

He's a real bastard, that guy.

Click to expand...

A lesser man would say "like father, like son", but I choose to take the high road.

(trust me, he's after the Commando)

Diablouph said:

He's a real bastard, that guy.

Click to expand...

A lesser man would say "like father, like son", but I choose to take the high road.

(trust me, he's after the Commando)

Click to expand...

You're a real rat-bastard, lol. And you've completely derailed this thread.

I'm pretty sure he's more interested in the featherbed frame, which he's going to put his #16 Commando engine into. We'll have a shared title on that one, so I can expect to ride it probably...once.

DigitalDave, did you ever get that bike shipped? You could always cut up the frame, put it one of those "if it fits, it ships" boxes, and then reweld it when it arrives.

Well, thanks for all they advice. Though some were not so helpful No, it is not shipped yet. Trying to find prices and methods from shippers, so far the best price I have is $700, terminal to terminal. Then the difficult part of getting it boxed/crated to ship. In looking over part & prices, I am astounded at how much prices have risen since the '70's! I really like the trash can idea(), though the tupperware idea is also pretty interesting, too. I have to admit, I know nothing about most of the comments, guess I am not part of that conversation. Should have been prepared for this when I entered a group of Norton fiends. Who in their right mind owns a machine with whitworth() nuts and bolts and has a positive ground?

Diablouph said:

DigitalDave, did you ever get that bike shipped? You could always cut up the frame, put it one of those "if it fits, it ships" boxes, and then reweld it when it arrives.

Click to expand...

My featherbed frame was shipped via FedEx by taping two huge FedEx boxes together and then shoving tons of shipping paper inside. It arrived safely.

Wasn't cheap, though ($180). I can't imagine that being a cost-effective way of shipping when you have the other parts to send as well. I'd imagine U-Ship would be cheaper..?

Edit// I was alerted of Dave's reply after attempting to post.. $700, YIKES! Road trip? Also, any time Diaplough gets involved, you can count on shenanigans. He's here for no reason other than to cause trouble with the general population.

I hope you find a way to get everything shipped. $700 seems reeeeeeeeally expensive!

-Jordan

1. There has to be a fly in the ointment, and I'm the fly.
2. Since you are going to have to do a lot of work on the bike, the main problem as I see it is the damage that can be done to the bike. Frame bending, fin breaking, tank crushing.
That kind of damage can have serious $ consequences. Trying to find a new tank or reattach fins, major $$$$$$$$$$ ( and it may never be "right"). 700 bucks might seem like a bargain, especially if it is insured. If the shipper knows they will be liable for the damages, they MAY be more careful.

Remember, you are shipping you baby. You can always get a new wife, kids are just a pain in the ……… a house is just wood, glass, and a mortgage. But a Commando is a Norton. Let the family hitchhike, but put the Norton in a crate.

Diablouph said:

Remember, you are shipping you baby. You can always get a new wife, kids are just a pain in the ……… a house is just wood, glass, and a mortgage. But a Commando is a Norton. Let the family hitchhike, but put the Norton in a crate.

Click to expand...

LMAO