New guy, old bike

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Fowl3r

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum as well as Norton's.
After years an years of harassing my Grandmother she is finally allowing me to take on my Grandfathers Norton. From what I am told it is a 1975 Commando 750 CC, with just over 4K miles. My Grandfather changed the gas tank to the interstate tank. I have never worked on a motorcycle, but I have worked on cars. I would like to keep it as stock as possible.

This was my Grandfathers baby, always kept it cleaned, serviced, always ready. I have a few pictures. Keep in mind the bike has been sitting a little over 20 years, luckily its been in a garage. He was the original owner. Unfortunately not under a cover. I want to get this road ready again, so I have no idea where to start. Any ideas, direction? Anything is helpful. I don't know much about Norton's I have been reading on this site.

New guy, old bike


New guy, old bike


New guy, old bike


New guy, old bike


New guy, old bike


New guy, old bike
 
Welcome, you've come to the right place. How old/young are you? Do you speak fluent carburetor?
 
Search, read. Clean, inspect the bike. Draining the drynowwet sump, pre-oiling via exhaust rocker covers, carb cleaning. E-starts best left for layer, use the kicker for now. Get a new AGM battery. Etc...
 
L.A.B. said:
Welcome.

Fowl3r said:
From what I am told it is a 1975 Commando 750 CC, with just over 4K miles.
Click to expand...

It's actually an '850'cc MkIII.

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... LineUp.pdf

You will need the factory MkIII manual and parts book to start you off:
http://britmoto.com/manuals/Manuals/850_man.pdf
http://britmoto.com/manuals/Manuals/8503e_pt.pdf

Other useful tech. information:
technical-information-how-post-photos-t2357.html
Click to expand...

Look at that, learning things already. Thank you for the info!! Is there a way I can verify through VIN? Just cause I'll get in a pissing match with my Gma over it. I'd like to show her with some proof. I know he changed a bunch of parts too. So idk.
 
give it a good bath and see if you can find a guy in the San Jose area who knows Commandos

someone who can come over to your garage and take a good look, checking all the electronics, can help you with changing the fluids and seeing if it will start

how to find such a person in San Jose I don't know, but it should be pretty easy, call around to Phil at Fair Spares America at least he is a great guy and Norton parts supplier who ought to be able to put you in touch with the right people there
 
I didn't think the Mk III came with Interstate tank (That looks like a fiberglass tank to me).
Grandpa didn't stash a black Roadster tank in the rafters did he?

Looks like the bike will clean-up nicely. A real time capsule.
 
Fowl3r said:
Is there a way I can verify through VIN?
Click to expand...

Definitely an 850, definitely a '75-on MkIII (by which time they'd stopped making the 750 version) and a check of the engine and frame plate numbers should confirm that it is indeed an 850 MkIII = 325xxx or higher.
Edit:
Some 850 6-digit engine number stamps have an *850* prefix while others do not, the frame certification plate number as a rule does not have the 850 prefix (although some do) and you should also find another number stamped on the frame headstock alongside the plate? This frame number generally has the 850 prefix but the actual 6-digit number may be different to the plate number or it may match, it might also have an 'F' prefix?

Sorry if that sounds confusing, blame the factory numbering system for that, not me! :wink:
 
mschmitz57 said:
I didn't think the Mk III came with Interstate tank (That looks like a fiberglass tank to me)
Click to expand...

They certainly did, but then as he said, it's not the original. I think it's a steel tank.

mschmitz57 said:
Grandpa didn't stash a black Roadster tank in the rafters did he?
Click to expand...

If it wasn't an Interstate originally, then the seat will not be the original, either.
 
1up3down said:
give it a good bath and see if you can find a guy in the San Jose area who knows Commandos

someone who can come over to your garage and take a good look, checking all the electronics, can help you with changing the fluids and seeing if it will start

how to find such a person in San Jose I don't know, but it should be pretty easy, call around to Phil at Fair Spares America at least he is a great guy and Norton parts supplier who ought to be able to put you in touch with the right people there
Click to expand...


Thank you, I will. I know my grandmother wouldn't be to happy about bringing someone over, but I'll look for a shop or something. I have a ton of friends who ride Harleys. As well as a couple older guys who are mechanics for bikes.
 
mschmitz57 said:
I didn't think the Mk III came with Interstate tank (That looks like a fiberglass tank to me).
Grandpa didn't stash a black Roadster tank in the rafters did he?

Looks like the bike will clean-up nicely. A real time capsule.
Click to expand...

There is a black tank, as well as the battery covers. The red tank is steel as well. I'm excited, I know the bike means a lot to my family. So I will be doing a lot of research prior to touching that.
 
L.A.B. said:
Fowl3r said:
Is there a way I can verify through VIN?
Click to expand...

Definitely an 850, definitely a '75-on MkIII (by which time they'd stopped making the 750 version) and a check of the engine and frame plate numbers should confirm that it is indeed an 850 MkIII = 325xxx or higher.
Click to expand...

You are correct! An after talking to my.mother she even knew it was an 850, looks like Gma is slipping up a bit. Hahaha. The case starts with 326. I wasn't questioning you personally. Just needed some ammo just in case gma got a little grumpy :)
 
L.A.B. said:
mschmitz57 said:
I didn't think the Mk III came with Interstate tank (That looks like a fiberglass tank to me)
Click to expand...

They certainly did, but then as he said, it's not the original. I think it's a steel tank.

mschmitz57 said:
Grandpa didn't stash a black Roadster tank in the rafters did he?
Click to expand...

If it wasn't an Interstate originally, then the seat will not be the original, either.
Click to expand...

I believe he changed the seat an tank at the same time. Yes it is steel.
 
Your grandpa clearly had excellent foresight, as either of the two tanks you have are worth a fair bit. Seems that used roadster steel tanks go for a solid $300-400 in good shape, and an interstate tank goes for a chunk more than that.

Don't make the same mistake I (and many others) have done with bikes like this: Search and inventory your spares first. You'll find you might actually have all the parts you need to clean it up.

If it's been sitting around for a while, the things I would do are check the wheel bearings, the cables (will likely need new ones), and the carbs (will almost definitely need a rebuild). If it kicks over fine, has decent compression, and has those bits sorted out, you're in the home stretch.
 
Sorry for all the posts, but I wanted to respond individually to your posts.
Hopefully this weekend, I'll have a chance to pull it out clean it up an go from there.

Also there is a black tank wrapped up.

It's just going to be hard sorting through all the parts. Because there are 2 other bikes in the garage. A BSA an a Moto Guzzi. Gma says the BSA is a 1964.5 Catalina Spitfire?? Not sure. One bike at a time lol.
 
midnightlamp said:
Your grandpa clearly had excellent foresight, as either of the two tanks you have are worth a fair bit. Seems that used roadster steel tanks go for a solid $300-400 in good shape, and an interstate tank goes for a chunk more than that.

Don't make the same mistake I (and many others) have done with bikes like this: Search and inventory your spares first. You'll find you might actually have all the parts you need to clean it up.

If it's been sitting around for a while, the things I would do are check the wheel bearings, the cables (will likely need new ones), and the carbs (will almost definitely need a rebuild). If it kicks over fine, has decent compression, and has those bits sorted out, you're in the home stretch.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Hopefully this weekend. But I need to get new garage door springs. It hasn't been open since my grandfather rode. He passed away in 1999. He was sick for about 6-7 years prior. So none of the bikes or garage have been used since the early 90's.
 
Real nice bike ya scored. Be real careful with them garage door springs, you'll need both hands to hang on to your new ride.
 
mschmitz57 said:
How exciting!
Click to expand...

I am very excited, I've been bugging my gma for years!!! Hopefully have it on the road in a few months. I will be attacking this project very cautiously.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top