My 71 commando is still completely apart and all over the basement....I got a 82 Yamaha xj650 4 banger for a 100 bucks and now have it running. I no the old norton is mad but now I have a rider. I know ...what a turn coat! The four pipes in the front sold me ..what can I say?
I've been bad
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ntst8
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I have a mate who still occasionally rides an XJ750 he bought new in "81(?), original unrestored but very tidy. Not bad bikes - for non Brits :wink:
Having a rider is great, you can give the Norton the tlc it deserves rather than rushing the job.
Having a rider is great, you can give the Norton the tlc it deserves rather than rushing the job.
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I must confess.... I got a honda vt500c for 100 bucks. it needs a carb cleaning, a few cables and a rattle can spray paint job on the tank for it to be a commuter. It's uglier than a bag of hammers but it has a 'start' button and h20 cooling . It's going to be my get to work and back bike.
The way I look at it, that allows 'strunzo' to live a charmed life of careful polishing, scenic Vermont country roads, and mountain twisties instead of dodging connecticut and new york touristas
that's my story and I'm sticking with it!
kfh
The way I look at it, that allows 'strunzo' to live a charmed life of careful polishing, scenic Vermont country roads, and mountain twisties instead of dodging connecticut and new york touristas
that's my story and I'm sticking with it!
kfh
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I have a '79 Suzuki GS1000 that I bought for $800. You can barely buy a Norton gas tank for that! It's a great bike but it needs new valve guide seals and a new base gasket now, and I haven't been looking forward to pulling that big four cylinder motor apart.
Old UJMs are great to have around!
Debby
Old UJMs are great to have around!
Debby
Most days I ride a 76 Goldwing that runs like a Civic and you can ignore it until a once a year service. Bikes like that allow you to fiddle with your Norton and still have wheels, I'm all for the concept. I paid $500 for the yellow one a couple years back as a non runner.
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The neightbor has something like a Yamaha Virago or something sitting outside for the last couple months. Believe it or not, no urge whatsoever to ask about it. :mrgreen:
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I bought an XJ650 back in '83 - and had it until a year ago. I had actually gone to the Yamaha dealer to buy an XS650, but he had this leftover '82 XJ for the same price - $1999 OTD. It was a fantastic bike - 4 cylinder, shaft drive, 5 speed - and served me well for over 20 years, but seemed dull after getting the Triumph.
Once I had the Speed Triple, the XJ only got ridden a couple times a month. Once the Norton was in the garage, that was it. I sold the XJ to a kid who needed cheap transportation - he loves it.
Now the Triumph and the Norton each get about 1/2 my riding time.
Once I had the Speed Triple, the XJ only got ridden a couple times a month. Once the Norton was in the garage, that was it. I sold the XJ to a kid who needed cheap transportation - he loves it.
Now the Triumph and the Norton each get about 1/2 my riding time.
Since my Norton isn't a good cruiser like the Commandos you guys own it has a different place in my life. The Honda does boring transportation, the Chang does errands, and the Norton comes out to fiddle with on a nice day when I feel a bit like a hooligan. It sure does remind me of being 16 until I look in a mirror. Any aches and pains or cold knees are forgotten in the short blasts and vibration.
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