Introduction

Hi
I am brand new to the forum and wantd to introduce myself and start asking some questions. I own a 72 Commando which I have owned for about five years but has never run. I bought it on a whim with thoughts of restoration, but have never gotten around to it. I have owned many British cars, have a couple now, but this is my first motorcycle. A friend of mine owns an early eighties Ducatti 900SS and we are have decided to restore our bikes and do a motorcycle tour of Europe next year (I am located in Arizona).

I have read the INOA modifications list and am planning on implementing most of the suggestions on the bike. I would like to send the engine and transmission out to have it rebuild and am looking for suggestions of who to send it to. I am not too concerned with originality, I want to build the Commando to enjoy it not to show it. The bike is mostly there, although it has a fiberglass interstate tank which I will need to be replace. Other than that, I think I have a good starting point. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ed

'72 Commando rebuild

Hi Ed,

Two sources come to mind for rebuilding your engine and gearbox. Phil Radford of Fair Spares America does excellent work, in San Jose, Ca. Colorado Norton Works has a good reputation although I have no experience with them.

I restored by '72 combat roadster 11 years ago with many of the mods. In my opinion the breather and oil pickup mod is a waste of time. Recommend swing arm mod, layshaft roller bearing, superblend main bearings, stainless sleeved slides for the Amal carbs, add an oil filter if it doesn't already have one, oil seals for gear shift and kickstart shafts and tach drive, gel cell battery, electronic ignition - boyer doesn't work well for combat engines, find a Lucas RITA, Dyno Dave's clutch pushrod seal.

Good luck, however don't believe you will be able to get all this done by summer as rebuilders are taking months. Rabers in San Jose took 6 months to do the bottom end rebuild on my BSA A50 Cyclone.

Regards,

David

Good day to ya sport. Where to send stuff for a rebuild might depend a lot on where you are.
A lot less parts to these bikes than cars so this should be easy for you.

Leo Goff of Memphis Motor Werks is an excellent Norton guy, too.

When discussing your rebuild, if the builder starts telling you, "You don't need that" when it comes to these upgrades, find another builder. In aggregate, there are hundreds of years experience on this forum. I'd take it to the bank.

Thanks for the replies. I am located in
Phoenix but travel all over the US for work, so location isn't an issue. What I am hoping to end up with is the collective knowledge on the board building a powerful reliable motor. I have read a ton of stuff, but nothing compares to real world knowledge. I appreciate the replies.
Ed

If you get out this way there are a few good places, my Northern CA mate has mentioned one, Rabers in San Jose is also excellent, and isn't there a well thought of Norton guy in Campbell?
By the way I was in Brentwood yesterday and you sure can get a good sandwich there.

Rebuilders

Hi Cookie,

Yes, the guy in Campbell is Ken Armann. Phone is 408 626-0061. Phil Radford is the one that rebuilt the raffle '73 Commando for the All British Clubman's Show and Swamp meet - Mar 28 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. You can see it at the northern Cal BSA Owners website.

I'll be at the show in and around the NCNOC club booth.

I don't see any other Nortons in Brentwood since Gar Jorgenson moved to Wyoming.

David Crader

2009 All British Clubmans Show Raffle Bike

Here's the 2009 Clubman's Show raffle bike.

I think you may need [/img] on that for the picture to show.
Look forward to seeing you down there.

Done



but missing some of the link now