New guy with a sleeping commando needs input!

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kevbo82

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Mar 12, 2012
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Hey folks,
I've decided to get serious about getting my dads 73 750 up and running. It's been sitting in my mothers garage for a good 10-15 years. I've never worked on a motorcycle before, but i've built a few cars/motors over the years, have good mechanical ability, and can learn quickly from instructions. so a few broad questions to get started, can anyone suggest any good books/videos/guides etc for working on the commandos? (i have my dads left over chilton guide which is OKAY) also take a look at the shots of the gas tank cap, what's that white goo, and what products have you guys had success with cleaning and treating the gas tanks?
Thanks in advance!
New guy with a sleeping commando needs input!

New guy with a sleeping commando needs input!
 
You have come to the right place, Welcome.

Is is a steel or fiberglass tank. If it's steel it might be spray white lithium grease, used to prevent the tank from rusting during storage. That's my guess.
 
yeah it's a steal tank, i was going to try and get a flashlight and mirror down inside the tank and see what things look like in there. I thought it might be some type of sealant or something because if you look down inside there you can see runs of it on the inside. There's also some gas still sloshing around in there as well.
 
Looks like "kream" tank liner? Seems like the tank didn't get prepped correctly around the cap area and that is why it is peeling. If the inside of the tank is in good shape, you should be able to clean up around the neck and leave the rest. Use a fuel filter to keep any that has peeled from making it to the carbs.

Check out http://www.oldbritts.com Read through the technical articles.
 
another newbie question, i can shift the trans from neutral to 1st, and 1st to 2nd but can't go any higher than second, is that normal when the bike is sitting and not running or does that point to a problem?
 
kevbo82 said:
another newbie question, i can shift the trans from neutral to 1st, and 1st to 2nd but can't go any higher than second, is that normal when the bike is sitting and not running or does that point to a problem?
Click to expand...


When shifting up / down engine off----try turning the rear wheel--by hand forward--in direction of travel---see if trans will shift then up and down 1st--4th--1st.
 
Welcome kevbo82, that's a good looking bike to start with, lucky that you've got a steel gas tank and not a fiberglass one. You've certainly come to the right place as this forum has lots and lots of great info. Cj
 
My advice would be to save yourself all of the agony and just let me buy it from you..... Of course I'm only kidding (somewhat). Good luck with doing something with it. I absolutely love (and want to have) the simple,elegant look of these bike ins black with the gold decals....
Pat
PS, if you might be selling don't hesitate and send me a PM!!!!
 
You have a great example and the 1973 750 already has the superblend bearings. That will take a lot of the sting out of getting the engine sorted out. This was the last and the best of the Commandos and I have been told a good running 750 will be faster than the 850's in the long run.
You need to go through the fuel system and clean it all out. The carbs will be a gummy mess and will need attention or replacing. I suggest that you change out the points to an electronic ignition system. The Tri spark would be easy for you although my preference is the Pazon Altaire. Make sure to look at the links for all the tech articles. They are a great help. Look at Fred's pages at Old Brits as well.
My friend, you are quite lucky to have stumbled upon this place early on in your adventure.
 
Kevbo,

You can look at this site two ways.

One: It will save you a lot of mistakes and money.
Two: It will cost you a lot in upgrades you never dreamed you needed, but now wonder if you can live without.

Just remember, the dumbest question(s) is the one you didn't ask.
 
haha thanks for all the input guys. i have too many memories of me getting the shit scared out of me on this bike as a child riding with my dad, so i don't think i could ever sell it (we also have his 69 camaro SS thats been sitting on the other side of the garage to restore too!) i think i just need to move it into my garage and start taking it apart to get me motivated and invested in it. oh and kingdaddyo i'm right in doylestown so maybe you should come down and help? :wink:
 
Wow, a Mk V 750 and a '69 Camaro!!!

The Norton looks to be in nice shape despite the bad tank lining job. I'd get a factory workshop manual, either paper or electronic and you can use the Old Britts site for a factory parts book. From the looks of it you ought to be able to get it on the road in just a few hours or so.
 
yeah the camaro and norton were the two things that had the cops showing up at our house looking for my dad. i have a great newspaper article about him and the norton and cops chasing him across three townships and setting up a road block to catch him lol Also a 91 harley sportser which is for sale if anyone wants a deal on that!
 
oh also kingdaddyo, do you know any good shops in the area? I might want to have someone rebuild the motor/trans rather than even trying to jump into that myself. I found one guy a friend put me in touch with, his price was $900 to rebuild the motor and trans, plus parts and any out of the norm machining. sounded fair to me
 
You might want to check with Colorado Norton Works (CNW) and Memphis Motor Werks (Leo Goff), both have impeccable credentials where Nortons are concerned.
 
Jim,
i went on colorado norton works website looking for the electronic ignition they sell, took a peek at the motor rebuild services the offer, $5k to rebuild the motor was a little too pricey for my blood!
 
Regarding rebuild. Make sure the person knows what they are doing before you give them your vintage motor. Saving a few bucks now could cause you a world of heartache later. It isn't like you can go pluck another one off the shelf if this one goes bad. Find a reputable business with a history on Nortons or do it yourself and learn to do it right by studying. These machines are not hard to work on. They were made in an era when it was expected that people would take them apart and put them back together.

Russ
 
They are indeed easy to work on. I would not trust any Norton engine or gearbox parts to anyone that did not have experience with the Norton. You can shop out some items that you may not have the tools for, but it is best to inspect all the items in detail before assembly. If I can do it, anyone that has taken apart and restored an engine can do the Norton. But make sure you have the information available, there are many here that will help. Get the workshop manual and go through it in any case.

Dave
69S
 
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