Introduction

Hello all!

As is customary on other forums, I thought I'd introduce myself....

I recently acquired a 72 Commando from the original owner. He bought it in Pennsylvania in 1973, rode it for quite a few years, and parked it for the last 20 years. I answered an online ad for a "FREE Norton", and became her new owner earlier this week. The bike is nearly complete, minus peashooter mufflers (replaced years ago due to rusted baffles), a battery, and the key. It also has just under 17K original miles on the clock, and its factory-installed front tire.

This is my 7th motorcycle, but my first British bike. She's in a bit of a neglected condition. I intend to get her running and road-worthy first. I want to enjoy her "as is" for a year or 2 before I do a complete restoration.

I know very little about Nortons, but am excited to learn as I go. I've always felt the best way to learn is hands on. I will also be looking for quite a few parts and a good service manual very soon, so suggestions are appreciated.

Welcome to never ending study and attention on the potential Cream of the Crop Commando. Manuals and part number book are basics to acquire immediately but tricky to point out the errors till ya encounter them, then special tools at some point but don't expect 20 yr of sitting up to leave disc brake working safe enough at the very least and keep in mind I collect old contact break ignition systems. Need to know not to over tighten primary chain when cold as seriously tightens once hot. If mechanical advance clapped out and Amal slides and bores beaten up you may find it won't idle down below 2000 till fixed.

Thanks hobot! Front brake system is dry and full of garbage. I intend to rebuild whole system before doing anything foolish like actually riding. Rear brake is mechanical, so just a tune up there. Carbs are iffy. Both open and close, and were drained before storage. One primer button is frozen. Will need all new hoses and new petcock(s). Oil in tank is low, but looks brand new. Not sure about any electrical yet. Oh, and fork seals are shot. I'll need to attend to those.

gearboxx70 said:

Oil in tank is low, but looks brand new. Not sure about any electrical yet. Oh, and fork seals are shot. I'll need to attend to those.

Click to expand...

What that means is that all the crap has settled to the bottom of the tank. Best to drain ,remove and clean. You don't want to start it and stir up all the sludge in the tank. The rest of the oil will be in the bottom of the crank cases. Drain that also.

Hi there box

Full service manual on tinternet. It's a great read.

The L.A.B man has a wealth of commando craik.

Happy days

A 20K mile early era Combat has had the snot run out of it wear and tear wise if not blow up breakage wise then put up wet so you have 2 choices, nit pick this and fairly superficial item to ride but then have leaks, noises and shifting and rolling and electrical issues that spoil your rides and have to undo most of what ya just did to get down to the basics or just pull completely down to center then work back out. My first Combat had bent crank and bent tranny shafts that drove me nuts leaks, vibes and parts wear wise until found and fixed. 2nd Combat was set up like yours and worked fine with just renewing fluids to ride around 3 wks timidly until blown out cases about coating at 50 mph d/t bad type piston with bad type ALuminin gasket rubbing piston til parted. So -How lucky do ya feel punk?

Welcome gearbox lots of fun on a Norton ... study up ,all you need to know is here somewhere ... lots of good people to give advice ... enjoy
Craig

Welcome GB
I suggest you update your personal info to include city and country.
Makes it easier to offer suggested suppliers and mechanical help if needed.
You may even find another Commando owner down the road who could nip over to offer help.
In the US OldBritts is the supplier I've found offers great service on line as well as a lot of how to do it articles.
They even offer a 10% discount for repeat customers and have an excellent web site for ordering.
Commando Specialties for some items offers very good value if on a tight budget.

Free is good!

(but it's going to cost you)

Welcome.

Well.... I've been taking a few minutes here and there to study my "free" Norton, both the actual bike and parts and info online. My latest study, a compression test, tells me I'll be getting to know the bike real well before it ever hits the road. The right cylinder tests at 120 psi with only 6 kicks, and I even forgot to open the throttle! The left cylinder isn't so happy. 60 psi at 10 kicks, dry. I dribbled a little oil down the plug hole, and went for round 2. Better, but tells a different story. 90 psi in another 10 kicks. Looks like rings AND valves. Ugh! I've heard "OldBritts" tossed around a time or 2, even once on this thread. Guess I need to introduce myself to my new best friends. :?

By the way, Thanks for all the encouragement and greetings! Oh, and I did enter my location during registration. Not sure why it doesn't show up. I'm in Grass Valley, CA, USA. About an hour out of Sacramento, CA.

Pics?

gearboxx70 said:

Front brake system is dry and full of garbage. I intend to rebuild whole system before doing anything foolish like actually riding.

Click to expand...

Although master cylinder rebuild kits are easy to obtain, you'll most likely find that the master cylinder is pitted, necessitating either a new master cylinder, or, better yet, re-sleeving yours to a smaller 1/2" diameter. As you begin to search these threads, you'll note a recurring theme of weak ("wooden") front brake. The 1/2" returns a much better hydraulic ratio than stock.
Welcome to the club!

Nathan

You got a great deal for "free"
Bike looks 98% complete and very restorable.
My guess if it was on EBay here in the states it would bring $2,500 - $3,500.
Australia/NZ easily double that.
If you do most of the work yourself I'd plan on $3,000 - $5,000 to be invested depending on how perfect you want it.
Looks like a great project.

Ugh whose gonna tell him what to expect in the water sump caliper area...

I've been reading many other posts over the last week or so. I expected not to be able to use much of the factory front braking system. I also plan to convert to solid state electrics. I've had a little experience with older bike electrics. My first Harley was a 71 Sportster. The good news is the carb slides appear to be in good shape!

Welcome to the forum!