New guy, old bike

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Snorton74 said:
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.
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Thank you!! I have some friends who will be able to help. I'll make them do the heavy lifting to make sure my hands are safe haha.
 
Ya, cool as hell ! But, your mistake was even mentioning it here......see, there are lots of real old dudes here (not me), and i wouldn't put it past them that they might (i wouldn't) ask grandma out, worming their way into her heart, in pretense you see! Uh, btw, how old is grandma, son?
 
RedApe53 said:
Ya, cool as hell ! But, your mistake was even mentioning it here......see, there are lots of real old dudes here (not me), and i wouldn't put it past them that they might (i wouldn't) ask grandma out, worming their way into her heart, in pretense you see! Uh, btw, how old is grandma, son?
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Hahaha, if the Grandma let a guy touch those bikes he'd end up "missing". Kidding kidding!! She is 68 yrs old.
 
You have a ton of friends with Harlies, if they have never had any experances with British bikes before I would keep them away from the Norton, your best bet would be to get a good workshop manual, read it and go from there.

Was the Norton going before it was put away?

Just go through everything before you ride it as well replace the old tyres, change all fluids and check all rubber seals and you should be OK to go.

Its a great bike and a good story and I am sure your Grand dad will be riding with you when your out on the bike when you get it back on the road.

All the best and have fun with the Norton, but the good thing about it is every time you look at it you will be thinking of your grand dad.

Ashley
 
ashman said:
You have a ton of friends with Harlies, if they have never had any experances with British bikes before I would keep them away from the Norton, your best bet would be to get a good workshop manual, read it and go from there.

Was the Norton going before it was put away?

Just go through everything before you ride it as well replace the old tyres, change all fluids and check all rubber seals and you should be OK to go.

Its a great bike and a good story and I am sure your Grand dad will be riding with you when your out on the bike when you get it back on the road.

All the best and have fun with the Norton, but the good thing about it is every time you look at it you will be thinking of your grand dad.

Ashley
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My gma would shoot me if I let anyone ride it. Yes it was well very well kept, it was literally parked after a ride an never touched again. It sat in the same spot for about 16 years before I moved it cleaning the garage. My Grandpa would wipe it down once a week. Lol little anal about it. I'll be def. keeping it very clean like he did.
 
You are fortunate to have a very good British Motorcycle shop in your area. Rabers is one of the best from various reports I have heard.You are also fortunate to have inherited the most desirable Commando of them all, the 850 MK3 Interstate. So desirable that some forum members would like the MK3 to be split off into it's own forum so that it no longer steals the limelight from lessor, but still acceptable, earlier models. :lol:
Glen

http://www.rabers.com/
 
I concur about Rabers, they are first class and every one in the shop is an enthusiast. I have bought many parts there and received a good deal of advice and assistance.
 
You have a great machine there, along with the others. You are lucky it was not covered up as that tends to trap moisture and rust everything. I never cover mine. I think she will be a beauty when you get her shined up. If you wrench VW's you will have no problem on this Brit bike. I am up here in Pleasant Hill if you need a hand with anything.
 
your in luck as Rabers in San Jose (or Phil at Fair spares in SJ too) have everything you need and are excellent sources of information too (and free of the some times conflicting internet experts-haha!). If you have problems getting it going you can always take the bike to them (tell Bob and Mike Raber that mike gray sent you and they'll charge you a few extra bucks for any work - i've known them for 30 years) and learn about it as time goes on and you become more familiar with it.

best of luck
 
As the others said, change oil, check bearings, brakes,cables, etc.
Cosmetically it looks like it will shine up like a diamond.
Clean it up and check it all out.
Looks way better than mine does after sitting for 20 years.
Good luck and be ready to start throwing $ at it.
Tell Grandma that you will be careful.
 
Something we do notice in those pics is that the spark plugs have been removed.
If its been like that for a while, dust and dirt and even water could have got in there.
Though from the look of the dust, maybe only a little dust.

Could be worth tipping a spoonful of oil down each spark plug hole, to lube things up a bit.

Has it been turned over any time recently, or kickstarted and run ?
 
mikegray660 said:
your in luck as Rabers in San Jose (or Phil at Fair spares in SJ too) have everything you need and are excellent sources of information too (and free of the some times conflicting internet experts-haha!). If you have problems getting it going you can always take the bike to them (tell Bob and Mike Raber that mike gray sent you and they'll charge you a few extra bucks for any work - i've known them for 30 years) and learn about it as time goes on and you become more familiar with it.

best of luck
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Try a call to Ken Armann in Campbell 408 626-0061. He runs a small shop for Brit bikes and is the president of the local Norton Club. Go to www.nortonclub.com for local contacts in your area.
 
And absolutely we will try to recruit you to the Northern California Norton Owners Club. Always looking for the twenty something next gen to take over the stewardship of Commandos. :)
 
worntorn said:
You are fortunate to have a very good British Motorcycle shop in your area. Rabers is one of the best from various reports I have heard.You are also fortunate to have inherited the most desirable Commando of them all, the 850 MK3 Interstate. So desirable that some forum members would like the MK3 to be split off into it's own forum so that it no longer steals the limelight from lessor, but still acceptable, earlier models. :lol:
Glen

http://www.rabers.com/
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dave M said:
I concur about Rabers, they are first class and every one in the shop is an enthusiast. I have bought many parts there and received a good deal of advice and assistance.
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Thanks guys, my Grandfather actually used to go there yearssssss agoo!!! I'll def swing by one of these days an talk to them!
 
illf8ed said:
mikegray660 said:
your in luck as Rabers in San Jose (or Phil at Fair spares in SJ too) have everything you need and are excellent sources of information too (and free of the some times conflicting internet experts-haha!). If you have problems getting it going you can always take the bike to them (tell Bob and Mike Raber that mike gray sent you and they'll charge you a few extra bucks for any work - i've known them for 30 years) and learn about it as time goes on and you become more familiar with it.

best of luck
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Try a call to Ken Armann in Campbell 408 626-0061. He runs a small shop for Brit bikes and is the president of the local Norton Club. Go to http://www.nortonclub.com for local contacts in your area.
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Where at in Campbell? I actually live in Campbell, but I put San Jose, because more people know where that is than Campbell. Yes!!! A reference for additions charges!!! My favorite kind of reference!! Thank Mike, I will have to check them out. I told my gma about them an she smiled cause thats where my gpa would go.

illf8ed said:
And absolutely we will try to recruit you to the Northern California Norton Owners Club. Always looking for the twenty something next gen to take over the stewardship of Commandos. :)
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More the merrier!!
 
68 yr old is dating age to a lot of us that seasoned well like your 'new' Mk3. Must as we'd all like to wipe off and hop on the hydraulic brake vitals will be rusted un usable and likely forks full of rust from springs down. Grandpa might of let plugs out to oil now and then but could of almost stolen for something else. Better learn about the Stragthope degigned electric start gizmos before using it or may jam or break. We know your excitement and feed on it. Oh yeah I might as well be the one to break ya in on these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CmaMZRRWlo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws513Esq74k
 
I would tread very lightly. Your Grandma's feelings may run deep for that bike as it might represent happier times. Just opening the garage may be painful for her. Be careful in your enthusiasm. The fact that she is letting you do this is big in and of itself. That said, a Norton, in that condition, is just a huge laugh riot of excitement and possibilities. I speak for myself when I just drool over the find.
 
hobot said:
68 yr old is dating age to a lot of us that seasoned well like your 'new' Mk3. Must as we'd all like to wipe off and hop on the hydraulic brake vitals will be rusted un usable and likely forks full of rust from springs down. Grandpa might of let plugs out to oil now and then but could of almost stolen for something else. Better learn about the Stragthope degigned electric start gizmos before using it or may jam or break. We know your excitement and feed on it. Oh yeah I might as well be the one to break ya in on these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CmaMZRRWlo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws513Esq74k
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Ya I am def. going to take my time before I just hop on an ride it. Even as much as I want to. I think I'll clean it up, change the tires, brake/fuel lines, battery. Make sure all the wiring is intact, then trailer it over to Rabers or Ken.
 
Big_Jim59 said:
I would tread very lightly. Your Grandma's feelings may run deep for that bike as it might represent happier times. Just opening the garage may be painful for her. Be careful in your enthusiasm. The fact that she is letting you do this is big in and of itself. That said, a Norton, in that condition, is just a huge laugh riot of excitement and possibilities. I speak for myself when I just drool over the find.
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They do, we finally talked about it this past weekend. She see's me a lot like my Grandfather, and she knows I would take great care of it like he did. So I will be taking my time, showing that I really am into this. As I get it back to its glory days from when my Grandfather had it.
 
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