I would like to buy an Atlas
- Thread starter pierodn
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2010
- Messages
- 8,215
There is a steady trickle of them on ebay in the UK.
Finding a 'good one' may be tricky though, and the asking price might not be much less.
Spares are not quite as good as for a Commando, although some Commando bits will fit, obviously.
Detailed information on them is a little scarcer, although this forum has some knowledgeable folks.
More questions for you to ask !
Yes they were only ever 750cc.
Many folks suggest the 650SS was a better bike, but they may be even harder to find in good condition.
And parts and info scarcer again...
Finding a 'good one' may be tricky though, and the asking price might not be much less.
Spares are not quite as good as for a Commando, although some Commando bits will fit, obviously.
Detailed information on them is a little scarcer, although this forum has some knowledgeable folks.
More questions for you to ask !
Yes they were only ever 750cc.
Many folks suggest the 650SS was a better bike, but they may be even harder to find in good condition.
And parts and info scarcer again...
texasSlick
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2013
- Messages
- 4,165
I have no problem finding parts for my Atlas. As Rohan says, there are more parts for the Commando, but all the critical parts, engine, gearbox, wheels, brakes, forks, are available newly made. Mudguards and fuel tank will be pricey if original (not India made) and good condition.
Good luck Pierro.
Slick
PS: I love a Featherbed Norton.
Good luck Pierro.
Slick
PS: I love a Featherbed Norton.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
- Messages
- 322
Surely not another male wishing to buy the girlfriend a vibrator??? What was it Andover Norton put on their web site??
'The Commando was never meant to happen in the form it did. Its development was very much rushed and corners were cut to get a new model into the market, with a more modern appeal, and without the vibration and hassle the big Dominators were plagued with.'
Yep that about sums it up although our olde so called 'classic' race Atlas was a very pretty bike but the vibes came close to turning the riders nuts to dust!!!
Development rushed?? what development??? Surely not the original frame that failed big time?? Wasnt it err designed(?) by someone fresh from the nuke industry. LUCKILY someone had the brains to consult Renold Tubes who made the suggestions that sorted the breakage problem. Tee hee.
'The Commando was never meant to happen in the form it did. Its development was very much rushed and corners were cut to get a new model into the market, with a more modern appeal, and without the vibration and hassle the big Dominators were plagued with.'
Yep that about sums it up although our olde so called 'classic' race Atlas was a very pretty bike but the vibes came close to turning the riders nuts to dust!!!
Development rushed?? what development??? Surely not the original frame that failed big time?? Wasnt it err designed(?) by someone fresh from the nuke industry. LUCKILY someone had the brains to consult Renold Tubes who made the suggestions that sorted the breakage problem. Tee hee.
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2012
- Messages
- 13,223
Why does it have to be an original Atlas ? For 2000 Euro you could buy yourself a replica wideline featherbed frame. Then go ahead and convert a tatty 850 Commando into what an Atlas should have been. It is mainly a matter of cutting out a set of engine plates from aluminium with a jig-saw.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2011
- Messages
- 5,773
J. M. Leadbeater said:
RE; " Yep that about sums it up although our olde so called 'classic' race Atlas was a very pretty bike but the vibes came close to turning the riders nuts to dust!!!"
Stone the crows :!:
I swear to you my Atlas didn’t turn my nuts to dust-and I have looked- they are still there :!:
The bike vibrated my teeth fillings out, ruined my (as was then) neat hand writing and gave me a vibration that you couldn’t get in any type of chair or bed –have you ever owned one :?:
texasSlick
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2013
- Messages
- 4,165
It seems to me that the Atlas has come into demand as Commando owners find that Commandos are smooth, but the Featherbed Atlas handles better.
I was warned in '62 not to buy a Norton because they shook a lot. I was told the Norton would shed bits as I went down the road. I was told I would have to tighten up nuts and bolts on a weekly basis. This came from BSA and Triumph owners, and the Atlas had not been in the US market long enough to to establish its own record. So I guess all these dire warnings actually applied to the 650 Dommies. Balderdash!
I find the Atlas vibrates no worse than the 650 BSA's and Bonnies. True, one cannot cruise either of these bikes at 4000 rpm (70 mph) comfortably, the tingle in the hands and feet are not tolerable for hours on end .... neither is holding on against the wind force sans fairing at 70 mph comfortable either.
I rode my Atlas trans-continental in 1966. the first day at 70 mph cruise speed. After that, I cruised at 60 mph ... quite comfortably from a vibration and wind force standpoint. Guess what? .... at the end of the day, I made just as many miles at 60, as at 70! The difference was the better fuel economy at 60 meant fewer fuel stops (a 2 1/2 gallon fuel tank and the wide open western US means 10 plus stops per day because one does not dare to run the tank down to the reserve before looking for a pump).
Never have I lost any bits, nor have I had to tighten nuts and bolts on a regular basis (but the Triumph guy who told me so had a weekly bolt tightening ritual), my lamp filaments last reasonably long (US made lamps, not Lucas), and I have my nuts and fillings intact.
I suspect those who criticize the Atlas most, have ridden it least. My only lament, is that it is not smooth as a Cdo .... if a Cdo owner were true to himself, he would, or should, lament it does not handle like a Featherbed!
Slick
I was warned in '62 not to buy a Norton because they shook a lot. I was told the Norton would shed bits as I went down the road. I was told I would have to tighten up nuts and bolts on a weekly basis. This came from BSA and Triumph owners, and the Atlas had not been in the US market long enough to to establish its own record. So I guess all these dire warnings actually applied to the 650 Dommies. Balderdash!
I find the Atlas vibrates no worse than the 650 BSA's and Bonnies. True, one cannot cruise either of these bikes at 4000 rpm (70 mph) comfortably, the tingle in the hands and feet are not tolerable for hours on end .... neither is holding on against the wind force sans fairing at 70 mph comfortable either.
I rode my Atlas trans-continental in 1966. the first day at 70 mph cruise speed. After that, I cruised at 60 mph ... quite comfortably from a vibration and wind force standpoint. Guess what? .... at the end of the day, I made just as many miles at 60, as at 70! The difference was the better fuel economy at 60 meant fewer fuel stops (a 2 1/2 gallon fuel tank and the wide open western US means 10 plus stops per day because one does not dare to run the tank down to the reserve before looking for a pump).
Never have I lost any bits, nor have I had to tighten nuts and bolts on a regular basis (but the Triumph guy who told me so had a weekly bolt tightening ritual), my lamp filaments last reasonably long (US made lamps, not Lucas), and I have my nuts and fillings intact.
I suspect those who criticize the Atlas most, have ridden it least. My only lament, is that it is not smooth as a Cdo .... if a Cdo owner were true to himself, he would, or should, lament it does not handle like a Featherbed!
Slick
worntorn
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
- Messages
- 7,956
Hi Slick
I have an 650 ss and it shakes more than I like. I have a few things left to try. Dynamic crank balancing and lightweight pistons might help. If the vibration can be reduced, it will be a really nice machine.
I also have a 650BSA Super Rocket, last year 1963. Now that bike is smooth even at 70 mph and I don't know why. The 650SS is a bit more powerful and does handle better, but the vibes are a bigger concern than handling or power.
But when you mention the Commando as being perhaps inferior to the Atlas, I can't agree. Have you ridden a Commando?
I have an 850 MK3 and they are superb all around.
60 MPH will cover the miles as you say, but when traffic is moving at 70-75 you really don't want to be stuck doing 60.
I find for an old bike to be of much use in my area, it needs to at least keep up with traffic.
The 850 Commando does this easily, so does the Vincent, the BSA is working a little harder but will do it, the 650 SS has enough power and/speed but you do not want to go there for long.
Glen
I have an 650 ss and it shakes more than I like. I have a few things left to try. Dynamic crank balancing and lightweight pistons might help. If the vibration can be reduced, it will be a really nice machine.
I also have a 650BSA Super Rocket, last year 1963. Now that bike is smooth even at 70 mph and I don't know why. The 650SS is a bit more powerful and does handle better, but the vibes are a bigger concern than handling or power.
But when you mention the Commando as being perhaps inferior to the Atlas, I can't agree. Have you ridden a Commando?
I have an 850 MK3 and they are superb all around.
60 MPH will cover the miles as you say, but when traffic is moving at 70-75 you really don't want to be stuck doing 60.
I find for an old bike to be of much use in my area, it needs to at least keep up with traffic.
The 850 Commando does this easily, so does the Vincent, the BSA is working a little harder but will do it, the 650 SS has enough power and/speed but you do not want to go there for long.
Glen
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2015
- Messages
- 213
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2012
- Messages
- 3,154
Found in Italy, but the NOC Records says my Atlas dates from 4th November 1967 and went new to the Berliner Corporation of New York.
Finally, after a lot of Commando, i have an Atlas.
Is complete original and seems to be unmolested.
It was stopped from 1982.
Polished the clutch plates, carburetors, changed oils, new battery and started at third chick.
Only main and deep beam do not work! Not a great problem! Easy to solve, i hope.
Ciao
Piero
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2012
- Messages
- 206
Great bike you've found.
NOC has the headlight bulbs in theirs shop. EMGO unfortunately but at this price…
Be careful with your fenders and the exhaust pipes. They're hard to find.
Good luck with the Atlas.
Fritz
NOC has the headlight bulbs in theirs shop. EMGO unfortunately but at this price…
Be careful with your fenders and the exhaust pipes. They're hard to find.
Good luck with the Atlas.
Fritz