Just what every girl needs!

A spare Norton!



I picked it up Thursday and trailered it home from the far side of Denver in a snowstorm. Under all the road grime there's some nicely polished alloy and fresh powdercoat. How could I resist?

It's a '74 850 project bike. It's not complete, but I have many of the missing bits. It came with some cool Gus Kuhn body work, but I'm planning to bring it back as an Interstate. The cafe riding position just isn't compatible with my aging body.

Interestingly, it came with a 34mm Mikuni. I can try it out and see what I think. The last time I tried a Mikuni I wasn't impressed, but that was a long time ago. Maybe I'll have better luck tuning it this time.

I'm hoping to have the bike back on the road by the end of summer. We'll see how it goes...

Debby and the expanding herd

You indeed seem to be bitten by the bug...

Have fun, and keep us informed. Sure someone will relieve you of Kuhn items if you wish....just so they don't take up too much space in that tiny, overcrowded garage of yours... :wink:

And to think, some people make fun of some people with multiple Nortons.

How does it go, one cranky old Brit is enough. :lol:

Once bitten, there is no known cure but to ...

Good find Debby, keep us posted.

Congratulations on the latest member of the herd! This one appears to have a distinct personality; I like it!

Was it an ebay find or other?

Jason

Hey Jason! What have you been up to?

Yes, once again I fell victim to the lures of ebay. It's evil I tell you! :lol:
This bike was located in Phoenix and the seller's friend drove it up to Denver in the back of a minivan, so I got it up here at a reasonable cost.

It'll be fun, but I think I'm gonna have some big credit card bills this summer! :shock:

Debby

Hi Deb,

Good to hear from you. Unfortunately, I haven't engaged in any interesting motorcycle projects for several years. I still regularly ride my MK3, my '90 Electraglide and my Raleigh Competition GS and perform all the necessary maintenance. But I'm itching for a project similar to yours. Or maybe an old Guzzi V7 Sport? Do you have any Guzzi experience?

Just a data point for those that still run a points-ignition system: I have accumulated some 14,000 miles on the current ignition points and condenser in my MK3. And it's still running great!

Jason

Debbie is that an original (Blue) tank? I like that style i'm thinking it must be a fast back model? or maybe a replacement to give it that cafe racer look?

Jason I'm running points and though the bike runs great, idling is a bit up & down. I have new carby's fitted but have to keep the hand on the throttle to give it a blip if it drops too low.( to prevent it stalling at the lights) Some times its ok. If I adjust the idle screw then it can rev too much sometimes. It sounds like sticky slides but haven't been able to rectify the problem and it only happens at idle.

Have a great Easter.

dgwilson said:

Debbie is that an original (Blue) tank? I like that style i'm thinking it must be a fast back model? or maybe a replacement to give it that cafe racer look?

Click to expand...

*Gus Kuhn* was a well known Norton (later BMW) dealership that tuned, raced and also built and supplied their own sports road versions of the Commando with their own bodywork kit etc., so these Kuhn Commandos can really be regarded as separate models in their own right although Debbie's may not be an actual Kuhn Norton?:

Race:
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Dir ... s-1971.htm

Road Kuhn for sale (this one has been offered for sale for some time not too far from where I live!! But could be asking a bit too much money I think as it hasn't sold yet? http://motorbikes.uk.freeads.net/1975_N ... 122205.htm (it's also on eBay at present, item number 150106306306 with a buy it now price of £4,750.00)

DGwilson wrote:

..I'm running points and though the bike runs great, idling is a bit up & down. I have new carby's fitted but have to keep the hand on the throttle to give it a blip if it drops too low.( to prevent it stalling at the lights) Some times its ok. If I adjust the idle screw then it can rev too much sometimes. It sounds like sticky slides but haven't been able to rectify the problem and it only happens at idle.

Click to expand...

The idle problem you describe is classic for worn auto advance unit. It wears notches in the slots and the pins hang up in the advanced position. A blip on the throttle sometimes dislodges them and the idle drops. A switch to an electronic ignition (RITA, Boyer, Sparx, or Pazon) will no doubt eliminate this and give you a consistent idle.

Debby, congrats on your new purchase! It looks like it will be a fun project. I suppose most everyone here knows about Craigslist on the internet, but I just recently discovered it. I've seen several Brit bikes for sale in the Phoenix area going for substantially less than most things on e-bay. Boulder also has a listing. If I remember correctly, you had purchaced a dirt bike (can't remember what kind) some time ago. You have a great area around there to ride in. Craigslist has a 1979 Maico 250 GS enduro for $1,000.00 listed today. Very tempting....but I told myself-no more bikes until I get the Norton up and running. It's just that I still have room for a couple of more bikes in the garage. Hi, My name is Jack and I have an addiction! At any rate, I'm sure you will bring about a bike from that Norton that will have us all drooling!

Jack

Hey Debby, is that your garage (and if so, will you invite me over some time?!?) Actually, my question is regarding the bike lift the Norton is on - what kind? How do you like it? I need to get one for my Commando, both for winter projects and so it doesn't feel left out cause my other bikes (including a 97 Duck same color as the one in your pic, 'cept I think yours is newer from the tank shape) all have 'em for work and to keep the tires round.

Thanks - BrianK

Hi Brian,

The bike lift is from Checker or Autozone. It cost something like $50. It works ok, but Sears and some other places have a similar one with a footpedal that would be easier to use. With this one you have to balance the bike with one hand while you operate the lift with the other.

The Ducky is in fact a 1997 900CR. It's a fun bike, but my vintage bikes all log more miles these days.

And now, a little update on the 850 project. It turned out to be another ebay special, basically a basket case loosely assembled for sale. I currently have it completely apart for a full rebuild. The frame had been pretty thoroughly butchered by the DPO, so I traded off all the cafe stuff for an NOS factory replacement frame. A friend had one just hanging from the rafters :lol: The bike will be coming back to life as an Interstate.


The project is going to take longer than I thought due to all the extra work required, but there's still a chance I'll have it on the road by the end of the season. If not, I'll finish it up over the winter.

Debby
--------------------
72 750 Roadster
74 850 project bike
03 Royal Enfield Bullet
79 Suzuki GS1000
70 Bultaco Sherpa T
97 Ducati 900SS/CR

(too many bikes, but I can't bear to part with any!)

Awesome, Debby Congratulations. Love that tank. Other than your Nortons, you seem to have a good stable of other bikes going as well.

BTW, your recommendation to go through Matt at Colorado Norton Works for the oil tank was dead on. Came back looking like new. Money well spent.

Again, congrats on the new acquisition!

wrench