MK3 rebuild

I have created a story for my MK3 rebuild for those that want to have a look:
http://jerrydoe.com/MK3-Norton-Rebuild/NortonCommando-MK3-Rebuild.php

I also created a database to hold all the receipts so my insurance company can see it. I figured I would post it so all can see. It can be queried by catagory. I spent a fortune on it! Click the link after you get to the rebuild page,

Cheers

Well it is a beauty Jerry.
It does make me think twice about casually picking up a baskecase to restore as a fun project. You always know in the back of your mind that it will be expensive, but when it is all itemized as you have done, Wow!

Glen

Archival level record of just about full Monte' Commando re-creation. If ya count your labor worth a nickle.98 an hour then could validly claim 25 grand invested. I agree with your basic rule of thumb to figure 4x's what ever a reasonable person would first estimate to cloud thinking enough to pull trigger on a project. Hope you get to show and enjoy this beauty now ya got free time and money again.

steve, now what is that in your new avatar? More photos please

Absolutely beautiful! You did an outstanding job, a work of art.

Art

"If you are not used to rebuilding Norton Commando's and you get obsessed like I do, then always allow 4 times the amount of money that you thought it was going to cost and the same goes for time."

Now you tell me. I started before you, have spent considerably more, and will probably never be done. So I guess what I'm saying is congratulations, lol. Hope you got a new old lady to go with the new bike!

Cheers,
Brad

Time and money$ well spent.

Jerry Doe said:

I have created a story for my MK3 rebuild for those that want to have a look:
http://jerrydoe.com/MK3-Norton-Rebuild/NortonCommando-MK3-Rebuild.php

I also created a database to hold all the receipts so my insurance company can see it. I figured I would post it so all can see. It can be queried by catagory. I spent a fortune on it! Click the link after you get to the rebuild page,

Cheers

Click to expand...

Very nice bike and lots of good info that I shall enjoy reading in detail later.

That is probably the best JPS paint job I've seen. So many get the lines wrong, or not level, or wonky, or all of the fore mentioned!

I'll be saving the picture to give to m painter, but it'll have to wait as I'm also learning that the costs escalate (OK, I already knew it, but was just kidding myself)!

Good job, Jerry. You'll enjoy that bike for years to come. Thanks for doing the writeup. I look forward to reading it in detail as I have time.

My 850 build was pretty much the same. I started with a parts bike that I bought off ebay. Like yours, it took a lot more time and money than I thought it was going to. It's all worth it in the end though.

Debby

My wife and I were watching CBS Sunday Morning when I noted this thread. I showed her the final result and said, "Sweetie, this is what my bike's gonna' look like when it's finished." She's still laughing.....

What a beautiful bike! Thank you for posting the build breakdown as well,and glad your troubles are behind you.

I am officially getting nervous, I am just in the beginning and that is certainly more than 4 times what I planned on.

It is also an absolutely Georgiou's bike

Dennis

I really get into PHP and making databases too, like I did in the costs summary area: http://jerrydoe.com/MK3-Norton-Rebuild/Mk3-Rebuild-Receipts/norton-MK3-rebuild-costs.php
It is good for my brain.

It has got me wanting to finish a database and some programming I was working on last year before I got obsessed with the MK3. My next challenge is to build a database and program the front end so we can input our Commando data in a form, like:
Model Number
Frame/ engine number
Location
Owner name

And then print this information to the screen, and allow searching by the same parameters. The tough part is the location as it has to be in a drop down menu so it is entered the same way each time and stored the same and of course there are too many locations of commando owners in the world to go in a drop down menu. I will find a solution somehow or leave the location part out.

Stay tuned

Jerry

Great job. I am going through this now also, hope to have it done before summer. I used most of what you did and then on the motor went a little crazy with the FullAuto head and all the JS stuff inside. I think I will do what you did on the chain also, have to give Matt a call and my credit card….again. Thanks for the site and all you do.

Maybe those 961 Commandos are not overpriced after all!
I cant talk, I stopped keeping track of my Vincent project bike costs quite awhile ago. The rolling chassis of bike itself wasnt much as it was mostly SS tubing, welding rod and sheet aluminium, but the engine parts have been rather costly.
All self inflicted, of course :mrgreen:

Glen

Just read the rebuild story, inspiring stuff Jerry well done. I will be starting my MK3 rebuild this year (again!) so looking at your end result I will need to get my wallet out and spend some dosh on the old beast.
Do you have any more info on the starter motor? is it an off the shelf unit? I will need to replace mine and I've not decided which one to fit.

Cheers
CB

Jerry,
Looks like you got an awesome result. What kind of electrical connectors did you use?
Brendan

Hey Brendan- I soldered most of my connections using butt connectors and heat shrink. I have a different philosophy when it comes to wiring and am used to using a meter in the event of problems. I figure that there is not much of a need to disconnect wires and if I do I will cut the wire and re-solder. I use all black wire too, except the starter motor. I hate those crimp on connector's, Lucas are terrible too and to be honest the only failures that I have ever had have been due to wiring (connectors coming off). Well, I soldered as much as possible. I still use spade connectors on ignition switch etc, but I solder them and don't crimp. I had the same wiring setup on my MK2 and did have one problem in 10 years. I had to unravel the wires and took me all afternoon, but could not find the problem. It turned out it was the boyer power box. I kind of wished I did not solder them all at that time as that was not even the problem lol.

So far I have just over 700 miles on my MK3 and it is really running well. Spending the extra time and money has paid off. It keeps going though, now I just ordered digital speedo and tacho from Tom as I couldnt stand the speedo bounce.

Cheers-- Jerry

It's a beauty,
I think I was bidding against you on eBay, but it went to the better man
It would still be garage art if I had bought it.
Jim h

It's beautiful Jerry, if I can get a break from working on my cars. & BSA I'll get the wiring done for my new switch control & master cylinder and go for a ride with you.. Glenn.