My 750 Commando

SteveMinning · Aug 9, 2009

Just finished the latest round of fettling on my Commando and thought I'd post a pic. It was previously decked out in Fastback body work, but today's fuel had a nasty effect on the tank. I decided to drag an old original metal tank out of the attic and have it painted up. The fender is the old Fastback fender with an early 70's Triumph tail light modified to fit. I'm planning to ultimately put the original rear fender and tail light back on at some point, but they are both too rough to use right now . It's been kind of a rolling refurbish bike for a number of years. I've chosen to ride it while I paint, plate, repair and replace pieces one at a time.

Cookie · Aug 9, 2009

It reminds me of why I bought a Commando at a time when the Honda 750 ruled. Beautiful bike and tasteful changes.

SteveMinning · Aug 9, 2009

Thanks Cookie. I really appreciate the compliment. I just rode it this morning for two rides of about two hours each. Some in-town and some open road. It really is smooth once the revs get up a bit. Really fun to ride.

Cookie · Aug 9, 2009

Then you probably have good balance and your isos about right. I rode mine today and at the RPMs I was stuck at in traffic it shows you why they developed the Commando.

aceaceca · Aug 9, 2009

Nicely done. The black with the gunfighter is prob the best looking bike around IMHO. I like your guage set up. I find mine virtually un readable at such a low angle and with my waning vision. Could we see your guage set up up close and what you used for the re mounting. Thks.

bigstu · Aug 10, 2009

Lovely setup bike. I also like the clocks, a bit like the setup on my Triton.
What is the front mudguard, fibreglass? 4" wide?
I do like that seat, I must buy one for solo riding, but I always seem to have the other half on the back.
What is the strip of yellow on the frame tube, a sticker? It spoils the lines.

SteveMinning · Aug 10, 2009

I'll get a closer picture of the gauges for you. They mount the same way as the originals. I used to have a BSA RGS, so got used to the angle of the gauges. I never liked the looks nor the angle of the stock gauges, so changed them.

The front mudguard is steel; it's from Colorado Norton Works. I almost bought a seat that OldBritts used to sell that allowed a passenger, but settled on this one. The unsightly sticker is a Boyer Brandson sticker; it really does need to come off.

SteveMinning · Aug 14, 2009

Here are a couple of pictures of the instrument mountings as requested:

And from the other side:

69750S · Aug 14, 2009

Steve
I really like the look of that Corbin Gunfightre seat, but when I called Corbin to ask about fitments they said it wouldn't fit a 69 Norton.
What year is your bike? The only thing I can think of is the oil tank on the 69 must interfere with the seat fit.
THX

SteveMinning said:
I'll get a closer picture of the gauges for you. They mount the same way as the originals. I used to have a BSA RGS, so got used to the angle of the gauges. I never liked the looks nor the angle of the stock gauges, so changed them.

The front mudguard is steel; it's from Colorado Norton Works. I almost bought a seat that OldBritts used to sell that allowed a passenger, but settled on this one. The unsightly sticker is a Boyer Brandson sticker; it really does need to come off.

pelican · Aug 14, 2009

I wouldn't put too much faith in corbin's answers. I've been waiting for my seat almost 5 months now. Everytime I call and ask they tell me it's just about ready, and will go out by the end of the week...lol I wait a month, call again, and get told the same thing.

SteveMinning · Aug 14, 2009

My bike is a 71/72 model. I'm not familiar with the earlier models, but suspect that the oil tank mount may be an issue.

The Corbin seat does not mount using the standard Norton seat mountings. It has a custom mount that bolts across the frame between the upper shock mounts. It's a pretty trick mount that allows the seat to be locked onto the mount and releases with a key. The early oil tank may preclude the Corbin seat mount.

I didn't have any problem with seat delivery. I went onto the Corbin website and ordered directly from it. They gave me a delivery date, which I think was about 6 weeks and it actually arrived earlier than they projected. It was exactly as I ordered it.

As I indicated above, I considered one of the OldBritts seats which allowed two-up riding. That may work better for you. However, I visited Fred and Ella Eaton at OldBritts a couple of weeks ago and Fred told me that he was getting out of stocking seats. You may want to call Fred and ask him about options for your seat though.

Rob94010 · Aug 17, 2009

I like the instrument mounts. BSA RGS base with a homemade plate for the speedo and tach.

BrianK · Sep 17, 2009

Tis a beauty all right. Apropos of the Corbin seat, do you have a contrasting color welt, and if so, what color is it? I can't quite tell from the pic.

And yes, more pics would be MUCH appreciated.

Nice work, mate.

dave M · Sep 18, 2009

I have just popped down to the workshop and tried my new Corbin seat (which i bought for a 1972 Roadster I am restoring) on a 1970 S-type that I am also restoring. The S-type has the correct earlier frame and central oil tank and there is no impediment to mounting the Corbin whatsoever, however I believe that if you have an earlier fastback model or indeed an Interstate model, both these tanks end further back on the frame than a Roadster tank. I am convinced that the Corbin is specifically designed to work with the Roadster tank only, as the rear of the tank flows seamlessly into the front of the seat when mounted on the bike.

Regarding the welt on the seat, Corbin will build you a seat to order with any combination of colours and leather finish on the basic platform.

grandpaul · Sep 18, 2009

Steve, that's a beauty. Nicely done all the way 'round. "Classy"

Dave, the Interstate and most Dunstall tanks require an Interstate-fit seat mounting as well. The Roadster and high rider tanks will both work with standard Corbin gunfighter seats.

dave M · Sep 18, 2009

Paul, You are correct the high rider tank also works with the Corbin, but I don't think it looks nearly as nice as with the Roadster tank. I have an early Dunstall kit that I will be putting on yet another project and the tank is indeed about the same length as an Interstate one.

Now what about that G15 that you have pending? I'm waiting for you to start so that I can get some useful info on my own 'Commando engine into G80 rolling chassis' project. I am about to send the crank to the U.K. for re-balancing to suit the new frame application.

grandpaul · Sep 18, 2009

Sorry, Dave. the G15 will take a Triumph pre-unit engine, not Norton. "Matchumph" or "Triumphless", i'm still undecided.

It's a fourth-priority back-burner deal anyway...

dave M · Sep 18, 2009

Depending on the model of engine you use it could be a 'Boneless', or a 'Dateless', or even a 'Tripless' if you put a 3 cylinder motor in there!

Fullauto · Sep 18, 2009

Yeah, it's like all the different names for Harley motors in Featherbed frames. I think probably the best name would be a, wait for it.........

A HARley Davidson nortON. You work it out.

My 750 Commando

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