Look what followed me home...

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Whiterabbit said:
Wrong "white rabbit". :cool:
Look what followed me home...

White rabbit is my nick name and my old call sign when I was in the Army.
Yep, the HT leads are destined for the bin too. I didn't realize there was a "muted" version of those pea shooters. Guess I'll put 'em on my Christmas list. :D
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Me thinks you may be a bit younger than me....please, no criticism intended...a lot of guys in here my age, thus my assumption and the Jefferson Airplane lyrics reference.;)
 
FWIW this site does host photos with a VIP membership. It's less than 40 bucks per year. A lot of us went that way when Photophuckit screwed us.
 
Congrats, '71 is a fine vintage. There are a few focus items. The cylinder head ISO bracket cracks, get an 850 or aftermarket to replace. The center stand cross member is weak/ breaks, replace with an 850 unit. The side stand is a poor design, usually falls off and never seen again. A later style mount is available from Old Britts, welding required. No oil filter, but again, kit available to retrofit. Yes, those mufflers are restricted, I'd bin them when you are ready. Maybe you're best performance mod would be finding '74 carb manifolds to mount 32mm
Amals as bolt on. Flows real nice. Someone upgraded your kickstart lever, so all good there.
 
As for Grace Slick, has time been kind to any of us?

She looks like she is doin' OK to me...

Look what followed me home...
 
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Run away... You're gonna have fun. My first Norton was a 71 Commando brought in 1996 from Ing Montgomery. It's changed a lot since then.
Look what followed me home...
 
Whiterabbit said:
loved the fact it was low miles and pre disc brake. Seems like everything in the garage has drums front and rear.
Look what followed me home...
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Funny how drum brakes have such a following. In the 80s all the Norton owners wanted to dump the drums and convert to disc. All my Commandos have had and do have discs.
 
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She looks well for her age...much like any well ridden and maintained Commando. Just don't push either like new production and you'll receive fine service.
 
As far as the Koni shocks, unless they've been rebuilt, there's a plastic seal that melts and causes a mess. Still, when they're right a great shock for Commandos.
Drum brakes, not so much. I couldn't get rid of mine fast enough once a disc was introduced in '72.
 
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There’s a reason automotive technology developed disc brakes to replace drums....something about being able to stop sooner and more safely.
 
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My wife's bike is wearing twin Brembos, modulation is the key there when you go to that from a 1970 HD drum brake! LOL!! Though I gott'a say the drums did fine while on the Dragon (129). The key is good friction material and proper fitup. I got to the point where I rebuild and contour my own shoes.
Look what followed me home...

Look what followed me home...
 
XLCH's were nice back in the day....
Drum brakes are OK until you need them repeadly in hot weather. Especially with a passenger. Even the OEM Norton-Lockheed suffers from aggressive use and boils the brake fluid. Modern 4 or 6 pot calipers are certainly a worthwhile upgrade.
 
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