New guy, old bike

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mschmitz57 said:
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??
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Wow, that Spitfire is a rare bird.
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Thats what I hear, I reached out in one of the other sections and one of the guys sent me a link. The link was for 1963, not sure if they made 1964.5? I'll have to do more research. I think it just needs to be cleaned up and some good pictures taken. So I can find out what exactly it is.
 
good luck with the Norton and read up as much as you can before you do anything mechanical to it regards baz
 
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.[/quote]

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.

Ken is off Camden near I880. Give him a call, he'll talk your ear off. Also save you some money on repairs. By the way was you grandfather in the local club? I joined in 1981, so curious if I knew him.
 
illf8ed said:
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.

Ken is off Camden near I880. Give him a call, he'll talk your ear off. Also save you some money on repairs. By the way was you grandfather in the local club? I joined in 1981, so curious if I knew him.[/quote]

Looks like Ken is close by, I found his info on his website through the Norton page. Not sure if he was, his name was Dan Wood. Taller, skinny guy. Blondish hair. Usually wore glasses.
 
Rohan said:
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 ?
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Hey, sorry I skipped over you. No it hasnt been turned over or anything since early-mid 90's.
 
I don't remember the name Dan Wood. I've got club members lists from 1982 onward. Will check when I get home. Would be nice to have a third generation member. We do have one twenty something member, Angel, now. You wouldn't be alone. If you can handle a bunch or old farts, you should come to one of the monthly club meetings. Check the website for when and where. If you do go let me know in advance and I'll make sure to attend also....I'm David Crader. August meeting is at the Darndanelles Resort this Saturday night on Hwy 108 near Kennedy Meadows due to it's our annual campout and meteor shower viewing. We also have a great ride over Sonora Pass into Nevada on the Commandos. Sonora Pass is just under 10,000 ft, makes the engines run very differently.
 
illf8ed said:
I don't remember the name Dan Wood. I've got club members lists from 1982 onward. Will check when I get home. Would be nice to have a third generation member. We do have one twenty something member, Angel, now. You wouldn't be alone. If you can handle a bunch or old farts, you should come to one of the monthly club meetings. Check the website for when and where. If you do go let me know in advance and I'll make sure to attend also....I'm David Crader. August meeting is at the Darndanelles Resort this Saturday night on Hwy 108 near Kennedy Meadows due to it's our annual campout and meteor shower viewing. We also have a great ride over Sonora Pass into Nevada on the Commandos. Sonora Pass is just under 10,000 ft, makes the engines run very differently.
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He might not of been a part of it, I think he liked to ride solo a lot, but hey you never know.

Thank you for the invite! Unfortunately I will be at a wedding on Saturday!! Cleaning the Norton on Sunday. Sounds like a good time!! You guys have a fun, safe trip!!
 
Got home and checked old club membership lists...no Dan Wood.
Check the calendar on the NCNOC website for monthly meeting date, time, location.
 
illf8ed said:
Got home and checked old club membership lists...no Dan Wood.
Check the calendar on the NCNOC website for monthly meeting date, time, location.
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I spoke with my Gma she said he was in one for BSA's.
 
Fowl3r said:
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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I was thinking that you might slowly introduce her to friends from the local Norton or British bike club. These are people dedicated to the preservation and the use of old bikes. They understand what it's like to have an attachment to old bikes.
 
Fowl3r said:
1up3down said:
I have a ton of friends who ride Harleys.
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Get a Commando and be prepared to lose the Hardly Ableson mates. No matter how much bling they hang off their Hardly's, when you stop, everyone wants to look at the Norton. That really upsets the mid life cycle riders.

As Norton owners, we understand the suffering that this creates, but its a cross we must bear. Hang in there.
 
Nortiboy said:
Fowl3r said:
1up3down said:
I have a ton of friends who ride Harleys.
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Get a Commando and be prepared to lose the Hardly Ableson mates. No matter how much bling they hang off their Hardly's, when you stop, everyone wants to look at the Norton. That really upsets the mid life cycle riders.

As Norton owners, we understand the suffering that this creates, but its a cross we must bear. Hang in there.
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I ride both even if I consider the Commando as my main ride. See my signature. One does not exclude the other.
 
Fowl3r said:
illf8ed said:
Got home and checked old club membership lists...no Dan Wood.
Check the calendar on the NCNOC website for monthly meeting date, time, location.
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I spoke with my Gma she said he was in one for BSA's.
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Ah, yes the BSA Owners Club of Northern California. Bigger than our group, but started by Don Danmeier while a member of the NCNOC. Don is still a member of our club and was member #6.
 
Welcome to the addiction !! To support what LAB said, it is definitely a 1975 mk3 850. I have a '75 as well and my s/n starts with 330. The '75 MK3 interstate and roadsters differed only in the tank, seat, and side covers. So, along with that roadster tank, you should also look for a roadster seat (won't fit with the big tank), and a set of matching steel side covers. Looking at your pictures I noticed that your grandfather put on a set of pea shooter silencers. Certainly acceptable, but your bike came with what is sometimes called "black cap" silencers. It would be pretty cool if you could find the original set. You also appear to be missing the chrome grab rail that fits on behind the seat.

A word of caution: even if she was good to go and you could start her right up; don't ride the bike, even a little bit, with those tires. They look to be original and could potentially throw you and the bike on to the street, and that usually hurts (a lot).
Good luck and stay in touch.
Cameron
 
Commando Cam said:
Welcome to the addiction !! To support what LAB said, it is definitely a 1975 mk3 850. I have a '75 as well and my s/n starts with 330. The '75 MK3 interstate and roadsters differed only in the tank, seat, and side covers. So, along with that roadster tank, you should also look for a roadster seat (won't fit with the big tank), and a set of matching steel side covers. Looking at your pictures I noticed that your grandfather put on a set of pea shooter silencers. Certainly acceptable, but your bike came with what is sometimes called "black cap" silencers. It would be pretty cool if you could find the original set. You also appear to be missing the chrome grab rail that fits on behind the seat.

A word of caution: even if she was good to go and you could start her right up; don't ride the bike, even a little bit, with those tires. They look to be original and could potentially throw you and the bike on to the street, and that usually hurts (a lot).
Good luck and stay in touch.
Cameron
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I wouldn't ride with those tires, nah uh. Noooo way hahaha. This weekend I plan on cleaning the bike and looking for all the spare parts. Just have to figure out what belongs to the Norton, BSA, an Moto Guzzi.
 
So a little bit of back story, my Grandfather bought the bike from the original owner. It had less than 500 miles on it. The OO's wife forced him to sell it so she could keep the money. My grandfather called the guy, stating there was a misprint on the ad. The owner said nope, thats the correct price. My grandfather got to the bike that day and purchased it. So this is a second owner bike. Just a little bit of info if anyone cares haha.
 
Fowl3r said:
New guy, old bike
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Your front disk looks like mine did. Believe it or not, these were chrome plated! Not only was it a lousy braking surface, but, once it begins to break through (like yours is doing to the rear of the axle in this picture), it'll return a nasty pulsing while trying to brake. You should consider having the disk blanchard ground down to virgin iron, and the wheel and master cylinder will need new seals at the least. As happens with a lot of these bikes, my master cylinder was pitted after sitting for twenty five years. You can either go the re-sleeve route or just replace it with an aftermarket. I went that route initially, but will be re-sleeving mine this winter for originality's sake. A good bit of background here: http://www.nocnsw.org.au/technical/comm ... linder-mod

Blanchard grinding can be hit-or-miss through the supply houses, so check around locally for someone in your area that regularly resurfaces flywheels. Make sure they understand exactly what means to have it Blanchard Ground (a lathe won't do). Also, search google + accessnorton + blanchard for more info to weed through.

Welcome to the crazy world of Norton!

Nathan
 
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