New Guy with a barn find

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samiamiv

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Dec 30, 2009
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Hello all! I have been lurking around this forum for a month or two learning a lot about my latest project. A family friend passed away and left me his 1970 Norton Commando, which was his pride and joy since it was new. Back in 1983 his health made him put it out in the barn, where it sat uncovered for about 15 years. From there it got worse, it ended up in a three sided shed up until now! It now lives in my basement, where I have been meticulously soaking it with break-free and various other solvents to take it apart. So far everything has been going well! I am almost down to the bare frame at this point, and I have a few (more like 1,278) questions. I just wanted to introduce myself so when I chime in with a stupid question or two you know who I am! I live in Richmond, VA and I always have at least 1 really fine beer on tap for the people who stop by to give me a hand lifting heavy things. Today is Michigan's finest Bell's Two Hearted Ale.
New Guy with a barn find
 
Oh Boy, Looks like you got a real money pit there. No, it looks like most all of it is there and in pretty original shape. I'm redoing my 69S, as are several others on this forum, so you will have no end of answers, I am sure. Mine was not quite that rough.

Dave
69S
 
My bad, Just need a bit of polish and some money.
 

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samiamiv said:
....left me his 1970 Norton Commando,
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That looks pretty much complete which is a very good starting point. I bought a 1970 (no. 1370XYm can't remember) in much more sorry state a few weeks ago, e.g. the side covers, oil tank and the seat are missing, some moron drilled holes in the frame to put the wiring in and the roadholder was replaced by a Betor-Kawasaki-fork thingie. Even if some parts of your machine can't be rescued they'll serve as a reference.

Best regards,

Tim
 
Hi Tim
are you looking to move the Betors on?
If you are send me a photo
Thanks
all the best Chris
 
Welcome! Nice to see more Virginians with barn fresh Nortons! I can empathize with you having bought my first Norton this fall , fresh from a NOVA barn where it had lived since 75. As you've probably gathered, this a great forum, probably the best for Nortons. Lots of knowledgeable folks who've had (and made) their bikes forever. Don't be too discouraged about the cost, sounds like you bought it right and it's all there and unmolested which really helps. You can do it in stages and you don't have to use the most expensive parts/techniques to get your bike on the road. Don't be afraid to ask questions, there is a lot to learn and more difference between the various models and years then one might think at first. I think you'll find the your new adventure worth the time and cost.

Cheers,
 
That's a great before photo, Can't wait to see the after one. When I purchased my second Norton I forgot to take a picture when I picked it up and only did so after it was almost completely apart. Try not to rush any part of it and just take your time and enjoy the process, I was a little bummed when I finished mine as I think I like working on my bikes almost as much as riding. LOL Welcome to the forum and remember the only stupid question the the one not asked, Or so I have heard, Chuck.
 
I just bought a 1970 Norton also, have not even got it yet! It will be arriving in many boxes. We'll have to compare vin#'s and notes on progress. My prior owner had begun a restro project that got out of hand in relation to his life. My first job will be to inventory parts and see just what is there. He was fairly specific on what is missing so I will hopefully just be confirming that. Seeing what you are up against gets me excited to begin the process.
kurt
1970 Noroton many boxes
1975 Norton still a few boxes, soon to be just a single box
 
This is serial #138925, which I believe puts it in the mid 1970 production timeline. It's perfect for me because I was born in June of '70, so it will be nice for both of us to get back on the road at 40! It does all seem to be complete, although some of it needs replacing altogether. The fork tubes are too pitted, the wheels may be too far rusted out, etc. But so far the engine seems to be in good mechanical shape, so the rebuild shouldn't be too bad. The carbs are too oxidized to get apart, so those may go, too. I need to figure out whether I want to keep this bike all completely original or make it more of a rider with some aftermarket help (Mikuni carbs, boyer ignition, ect). I'm not made of money like I was when I was single and childless....
 
I hear you on the Two Hearted Ale, best beer I ever had, about a two hour ride to the brewery and pub for me and about 10mins to the Michigan Brewing Company where I frequently find myself. By the way welcome to the forum and I am also working on a pre '71 Commando, good luck and enjoy.
 
sidreilley said:
As you've probably gathered, this a great forum, probably the best for Nortons.
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THE best forum for Norton Commandos. Let's not mince words here. :mrgreen:
 
Hello, take lots of pictures before and during the dismantle, they are the best manual you can have. And here of course.
Regards Graeme.
 
GRM 450 said:
Hello, take lots of pictures before and during the dismantle, they are the best manual you can have. And here of course.
Regards Graeme.
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Seconded!
It's difficult to drop everything and take snaps when you're in the middle of a tear-down, but I wish I'd had more restraint when pulling mine down...it would have saved more than a few hours :roll:

Welcome aboard - you've got a great starting point there ;)
Have you decided on what type of resoration you're going for?... 100% original? ...Practical rider? ...CNW replica? ...Colour?

Do tell :!:
 
swooshdave said:
sidreilley said:
As you've probably gathered, this a great forum, probably the best for Nortons.
Click to expand...

THE best forum for Norton Commandos. Let's not mince words here. :mrgreen:
Click to expand...

Have to agree, and getting back to the bike it looks virtually complete so a good starting point compared to some I have seen on this forum.
 
Right now I am leaning in favor of making it more of a rider than a complete original rebuild, mainly due to costs! I am certainly not going to do anything that can't be undone and redone at a later date (ie drilling holes in frame for wiring). I am waiting on some tools that I have ordered to take the head off, and been researching what to do with these wheels. I want to keep it black and rechrome the fenders and wheels (if they can be saved). I will probably go with a mikuni single carb and maybe add the electronic ignition.
 
samiamiv said:
I am certainly not going to do anything that can't be undone and redone at a later date (ie drilling holes in frame for wiring).
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How kind of you ... :wink: However these drillings can be undone, relatively easy and without too much head put into the frame to disturb it.


Tim
 
Rechroming those rims and fenders is probably a lost cause. They would take a lot of grinding and copper plating to restore and that will be costly. New stainless fenders will probably be cheaper, or finding some decent used chrome fenders. The wheels will need new spokes, so you can get new chrome steel or alloy rims from Buchanan's for what it would cost to recover your originals. Perhaps the original fenders and rims can be sanded and painted or powder coated if that's a look you might like?
 
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