New Commando owner

djoyce93 · Nov 16, 2011

I haven't owned a British bike in over 30 years but on Saturday I'm picking up a '71 Commando! Am I right to presume it will run on regular unleaded? And does anyone know of a good British bike mechanic in the Ottawa Ontario area? Thanks, I'm sure I'll be asking lots of other questions after I pick up the bike!@

CanukNortonNut · Nov 16, 2011

djoyce93
Welcome to the forum.
Your 71 will run on unleaded but if you have a fiberglass tank I would choose Shell hi-Test only as they are the only fuel company that I know of that doesn't use ethanol additives to the gas as a % of 5-10. Ethanol will eat away at your glass tank and cause gumming in the fuel delivery system. If your tank is steel then you are ok on the lower grades of fuel.
I am not familiar to the Ottawa area for mechanics but if you get on Ontario Norton Owners website
http://www.ontarionortonowners.ca/
There is an Ottawa chapter that would steer you in the right direction. Also try Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. They have also chapters all across Canada. http://www.cvmg.ca/Ottawa
Also you have found a great site here which will help you along the way
That will get you going.
Cheers.
CNN

Torontonian · Nov 16, 2011

All good leads above. I am Peter Toronto rep. of O.N.O.A. who 30 yrs. ago bought my 1970 S in Ottawa.My buddy Nigel Near Manotick is one good recommendation. Nigel at 613 692 2694. Yes to Shell V Power ,you do not want ethanol.Also I tell every new owner to install a roller layshaft bearing for safety.

MikeM · Nov 16, 2011

CanukNortonNut said:
djoyce93
Welcome to the forum.
Your 71 will run on unleaded but if you have a fiberglass tank I would choose Shell hi-Test only as they are the only fuel company that I know of that doesn't use ethanol additives to the gas as a % of 5-10. Ethanol will eat away at your glass tank and cause gumming in the fuel delivery system. If your tank is steel then you are ok on the lower grades of fuel.
I am not familiar to the Ottawa area for mechanics but if you get on Ontario Norton Owners website
http://www.ontarionortonowners.ca/
There is an Ottawa chapter that would steer you in the right direction. Also try Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. They have also chapters all across Canada. http://www.cvmg.ca/Ottawa
Also you have found a great site here which will help you along the way
That will get you going.
Cheers.
CNN

Around here, Illinois, you are going to get ethanol whether you like it or not. Even in Premium fuel. Very few stations offer non ethanol fuels. I dont know about your area. I have to have my tank sealed. Something at the top of my list. A steel tank is on the horizon for me. After i get the thing running properly of course. :lol: Good luck and welcome.
MikeM

cjandme · Nov 16, 2011

Good ta meet ya djoyce93, lots of answers here on this site. Cj

john robert bould · Nov 17, 2011

Wellcome to the flock.
www.lansdowne-engineering.com

AussieCombat · Nov 17, 2011

G'day from Australia, djoyce93.
Hope all is well with the new baby, if not you will get plenty of help here.
AC.

crusadersports · Nov 17, 2011

Welcome aboard Djoyce93,

just be sure to post loadsa photos of your new P&J and advice will surely follow.... :mrgreen: What Brit bikes did you run 30 years ago?

djoyce93 · Nov 17, 2011

Hey thanks everybody for all the welcomes and the good advice! There are no shell stations around here, where can I get a steel tank? The Brit bike I used to have was a BSA441 Shooting Star. I loved it and was thinking about getting another but then I remembered how it used to shake the heck out of me and decided that I should go all out and get a Norton. My dad always wanted to buy one but never gave himself the pleasure. You're only here once !

aceaceca · Nov 17, 2011

Do not distress about the fuel. I have been running whatever comes out of pump in my 71 for over 10 years with no ill effects

moorejm · Nov 17, 2011

Welcome djoyce93. Shell, Esso and Crappy Tire all have ethanol free 91 octane gas in Ontario. Check here for availability in your area http://pure-gas.org/ .... check the pump.
Mick

DogT · Nov 17, 2011

aceaceca said:
Do not distress about the fuel. I have been running whatever comes out of pump in my 71 for over 10 years with no ill effects

What about all the people that have had issues? Was something done to your tank, I assume F/G? I'm not trying to start something here.

Dave
69S

aceaceca · Nov 17, 2011

Nothing done to my fiberglass tank. If it spews gas all over my leg I will fix it. I keep my bike what it started life as, a 1971 Norton Commando. It has a Boyer as it came with one and no other gizmo's. I chuckle when I read all the posts telling newbie's that they need to upgrade this and that. The bike will run no better nor provide any more joy. Put gas in the thing and ride it. If something falls off or breaks then you are blessed to have the joy of the Norton experience. I have done 50-60k miles on Norton's and never been stranded nor had anything fall off and hit the ground. Liar, a seat knob fell off and I found it a few days later in the middle of an intersection. It was all scuffed up from being run over but my friend chucked it in his lathe and made it like new again.

Torontonian · Nov 17, 2011

Nigel has a flatbed trailer to pick it up from seller and take it to the farm/shop.

JimC · Nov 17, 2011

I chuckle when I read all the posts telling newbie's that they need to upgrade this and that. The bike will run no better nor provide any more joy.

Your post elicits the same response from me.

New Commando owner

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