My '73 850 rebuild..

My dad and I went up to Chicago some number of months ago to pick up my first Norton, a '73 850 Commando.

Naturally, it wasn't quite what I expected when we got up there because I had been lead to believe that it was in good running condition and was pretty much ready to go. Had it not been a long (and costly) trip, we probably wouldn't have brought it home, instead deciding to continue looking. Nevertheless, we brought it home for $4,000 and I started shopping for parts. I'd say at this point I've probably purchased an additional ~$1000 in parts (including swapping the Commando tank for an Interstate tank). Naturally, I'll spend more as my dad and I rebuild it. Hopefully it slows down a bit, though!

Anyway, here are some "starting point" pictures..

Today we [finally] started tearing the bike down, at least a bit.

We took my new Interstate tank and sidecovers and my dad's Interstate seat from the shed and put it on the bike just to get some mock-up pictures..






And then the work began.. Our only mission today was to remove the wheels and take the [new] tires off. Some jackass mounted the tires completely backwards--front tire on the rear wheel, rear tire on the front wheel. In addition to that, the rotation was backwards also!






After much fighting with the tires, we finally succeeded and the tires were put into the corner. The tubes aren't right as one is old [looks like the original] and the other is the wrong damn size. Those will get chucked and new ones will be ordered.





The next step for us is to clean the wheels (they are disgusting) and then re-mount the tires (CORRECTLY!) with new tubes.

Hey, it's a start, right?

-Jordan

The pictures you show are Dunlop K81 TT100 tires 4.10H19. These tires fit front or rear..same tire. You show a rear wheel from the right side with front rotation pointing backward...that's correct. Rear rotation is opposite from front rotation.
The roadster looked pretty good. What were the issues where it isn't ready to ride? You said you are $1000 more into it with addition of interstate body parts. If you were able to get these for $1000, it was quite a bargain.

Looks like a great start & that's not a bad price. How's the motor/trans ? Looks pretty much complete so you just get the fun (and cost ) of making it all like new again. I can't say I know anything about the header pipe "splice" but maybe someone changed muffler mounting brackets and needed the longer tube ? No idea... Well enjoy it.

$4000 looks like a good buy, but here's betting $1000 is just a start on parts! :wink:

illf8ed said:

The pictures you show are Dunlop K81 TT100 tires 4.10H19. These tires fit front or rear..same tire. You show a rear wheel from the right side with front rotation pointing backward...that's correct. Rear rotation is opposite from front rotation.
The roadster looked pretty good. What were the issues where it isn't ready to ride? You said you are $1000 more into it with addition of interstate body parts. If you were able to get these for $1000, it was quite a bargain.

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I bought some new parts (oil filter, gaskets, fork rebuild kit, brake pads/shoes, etc.), a used exhaust (since some jackass welded the left side), some other general parts I'll need to "refurbish" the bike as we tear it down, and then the Interstate parts. Mom bought me a new kickstart lever since mine was a piece of crap (not even a real Norton part, I don't believe), some Barnett clutch plates, handlebars, and a t-shirt from CommandoSpecialties for Christmas.

I paid $1075 for the Interstate parts and then sold my Roadster parts for $650 (net $600 after shipping fees) so the total damage on the Interstate parts is only $475.. The Roadster tank and sidecovers were in OK condition (not great, but decent enough for a daily rider), I'm just not a fan of the Roadster look. I think the Interstate provides much cleaner lines for the bike, and the 6gal tank is a definite plus. When I saw the black tank on eBay I decided I *needed* it (although it's not as "OMG AWESOME!!!! PERFECT!!!!" as the seller indicated--it's still pretty nice) so I bought it ONLY on the notion that I figured I could sell my Roadster stuff for a few bucks to offset the cost.

Interesting thoughts on the tire rotation. I'd be a little annoyed for having spent time removing the tires except those tubes were all wrong and really needed replaced anyway.

-Jordan

gtsun said:

Looks like a great start & that's not a bad price. How's the motor/trans ? Looks pretty much complete so you just get the fun (and cost ) of making it all like new again. I can't say I know anything about the header pipe "splice" but maybe someone changed muffler mounting brackets and needed the longer tube ? No idea... Well enjoy it.

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It ran OK when we were looking at it in Chicago, it was just nowhere near "ready to ride" like I was told--not really surprising considering the bike hadn't been ridden much for the past several years and the guy who owned it didn't know a damn thing about it. One of the problems we'll have to address is the fact that it came with a Mikuni that has simply not been set up worth a damn. Dad's used to amals so we'll get a chance to learn something new as we figure that thing out. Nevertheless, the motor seemed strong and the transmission shifted fine through the gears, it was just that the bike ran a bit rough as it was.

It did come with the original amals and the filter as well. I think we'll make use of those in my dad's Interstate (it's just sitting in the shed sans-motor and trans at the moment, with a possible motor/trans sitting elsewhere on the property) and stick with the Mikuni for mine since I don't really care about having everything necessarily "correct" on my bike.

-Jordan

KSUWildcatFan said:

Some jackass mounted the tires completely backwards--front tire on the rear wheel, rear tire on the front wheel. In addition to that, the rotation was backwards also!

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illf8ed is right, the tyres/tires appear to have been mounted correctly.

Dunlop TT100s are not "front" and "rear" fitment tyres, they are universal.

You were looking at the marking on the wrong side of each tyre, as both your tyres should have "ROTATION REAR WHEEL" on one side, and "ROTATION FRONT WHEEL" on the other, with the arrows facing in the opposite direction.

L.A.B. said:

KSUWildcatFan said:

Some jackass mounted the tires completely backwards--front tire on the rear wheel, rear tire on the front wheel. In addition to that, the rotation was backwards also!

Click to expand...

illf8ed is right, the tyres/tires appear to have been mounted correctly.

Dunlop TT100s are not "front" and "rear" fitment tyres, they are universal.

You were looking at the marking on the wrong side of each tyre, as both your tyres should have "ROTATION REAR WHEEL" on one side, and "ROTATION FRONT WHEEL" on the other, with the arrows facing in the opposite direction.

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Well hell. At least we discovered the mangled rim lock, the old tube, and the tube that's too small, and I learned a few things about removing tires in the process..? I think the tires needed removed in order to properly clean the spokes anyway (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) since they're so disgustingly dirty..

-Jordan

Good way of looking at the tire debockle is you now know your tubes are new! As for the single Mikuni carb, if you don't care about it being stock, read up on how to dial one in and you should be happy with it. My bike came with a well set up one & although I do plan on going back to twin Amals I have to admit the Mikuni seems to work well. I'm sure it's extreamly long lasting and reliable. I just want to go back to dual Amals for the silly reason that they are much prettier, I have a basic understanding of how to work on them and at least in my memorie the bike was smoother and more responsive with them. In your case I bet that thing just sat and has some crud in it. Find out how to clean a Mikuni proper & I bet it will run fine. I still think for the money your way ahead of the game. It's not 1984 anymore, any real nice Commando has cost what you have paid and more. P.S. Sorry about the "splice" coment about your headers, I got your thread confused with another.

For some reason I like the looks of that bike w/o the front fender. Though I am not a fan of the interstate look I do have a set of interstate bodywork and seat I am trying to get myself to use, but as is now mine sits up in the loft of my garage. Speaking of garages, I couldn't help but notice how empty and HUGE your garage is, bigger than my whole house, I am envious. :mrgreen:

gtsun said:

Good way of looking at the tire debockle is you now know your tubes are new! As for the single Mikuni carb, if you don't care about it being stock, read up on how to dial one in and you should be happy with it. My bike came with a well set up one & although I do plan on going back to twin Amals I have to admit the Mikuni seems to work well. I'm sure it's extreamly long lasting and reliable. I just want to go back to dual Amals for the silly reason that they are much prettier, I have a basic understanding of how to work on them and at least in my memorie the bike was smoother and more responsive with them. In your case I bet that thing just sat and has some crud in it. Find out how to clean a Mikuni proper & I bet it will run fine. I still think for the money your way ahead of the game. It's not 1984 anymore, any real nice Commando has cost what you have paid and more. P.S. Sorry about the "splice" coment about your headers, I got your thread confused with another.

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Lol, the exhaust has been butchered--no worries!

Dad bought basket cases for $150-$300 back in the day so he's got a good amount of parts to work with. When it's all said and done, we should have my Interstate, dad's Interstate, dad's Nortumph, and possibly another Commando.

britbike220 said:

For some reason I like the looks of that bike w/o the front fender. Though I am not a fan of the interstate look I do have a set of interstate bodywork and seat I am trying to get myself to use, but as is now mine sits up in the loft of my garage. Speaking of garages, I couldn't help but notice how empty and HUGE your garage is, bigger than my whole house, I am envious. :mrgreen:

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I did buy a replacement stainless front fender, I just haven't yet installed it.

My parents put up a new outbuilding--half for dad's auto projects, half for mom's sewing. I'm jealous, too!

If you really don't want the interstate stuff, you could probably EASILY fetch $700+ for it on eBay..

-Jordan

"Dad bought basket cases for $150-$300 back in the day so he's got a good amount of parts to work with. When it's all said and done, we should have my Interstate, dad's Interstate, dad's Nortumph, and possibly another Commando.".....and you picked this one up for 4 grand. Seems to me, in looking at the pictures, you didn't get hurt. I wouldn't be too concerned with dirty spokes until you can tell us if it runs or not.
Sounds like you bought this from afar. What did the seller provide you for information/pictures prior to your trip? Good luck with this one.

850cmndo said:

"Dad bought basket cases for $150-$300 back in the day so he's got a good amount of parts to work with. When it's all said and done, we should have my Interstate, dad's Interstate, dad's Nortumph, and possibly another Commando.".....and you picked this one up for 4 grand. Seems to me, in looking at the pictures, you didn't get hurt. I wouldn't be too concerned with dirty spokes until you can tell us if it runs or not.
Sounds like you bought this from afar. What did the seller provide you for information/pictures prior to your trip? Good luck with this one.

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The seller gave me some information prior to us making the trip. I just expected a little too much out of a 37-year old bike. It will be just fine once we've refurbished it.

Dad went with me because he knew what to look for. He test-rode it and said it was ok but would need some work. We offered $500 less than I had agreed to pay and brought it home.

I knew I wouldn't get to ride it until we tore it down and rebuilt it. That's ok. Hopefully I'll know a little bit about Nortons once I'm done!

-Jordan

Noooo no. If you're the one walking around with dirty hands, you'll know a lot more about it. Not all, but a lot more. By the way, I was watching the bidding on that Interstate tin and think you did ok on it as well.

850cmndo said:

Noooo no. If you're the one walking around with dirty hands, you'll know a lot more about it. Not all, but a lot more. By the way, I was watching the bidding on that Interstate tin and think you did ok on it as well.

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I know literally nothing about anything mechanical at this point, so this is going to be a great opportunity to learn about Nortons and to spend some time with my dad.

I panicked a little bit when I paid $1075 for that tank but I felt a lot better when I sold my Roadster parts for $650. Having $475 in the Interstate tank, I really can't complain in the least. It looks a lot better, IMO, than the Roadster tank did (considering the paint was a bit rough).

Now, if I could just find an Interstate seat that I like and could unload my old Roadster seat..

-Jordan

lol..

So, dad called and said "Yeah.. I realized we were wrong about the tires being mounted incorrectly. They were correct if you were looking from the correct side of the bike." -- lol

Nevertheless, removing the tires was still good for us since we found out about the tubes that needed replacing and we also found that the cush drive buffers were dry, hard as rock, and that some of them weren't even there (neat!).

My dad doesn't like to admit that he overlooked anything, so this is quite amusing to me.

-Jordan

The pics of the red roadster ( an extremely original looking Mk1 850 by the way, apart from pinstripes and grab rail ) appear to show twin amals with the original air cleaner setup ??

Its rather rare to see the original air cleaner setup still intact.
Bikes without this aren't as fast or torquey ?

And also the basket weave patterned seat, rare as hens teeth...

I agree with the part about it being a quite original example of a MKI, having a one owner out in the shop. I too agree with the bit about the basketweave pattern. I have the same on a roadster seat and a couple of Interstate seats. Ya mind sharing the VIN on this unit Jordan?