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bonedigger

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Nov 5, 2011
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Hi everyone,
I am new to this forum. I just picked this up: It is a 1972 NORTON COMMANDO with the combat motor.
I have had it for a couple of weeks now.
I had to fix some oil leaks and put new tires on it so I haven't registered it yet but hopefully I can get it on the road this week.
It runs really well It is actually as old as me but I think it runs better than I do.
here are some pics.

NEW HERE!!!


NEW HERE!!!


NEW HERE!!!


NEW HERE!!!
 
Congratulations on a sweet bike. One thing worrys me though ,you state it is a 72 combat yet I look at the fueltank and can observe the two lugs at the back used for the big elastic band to secure earlier fiberglass tanks which were made illegal I believe early 72. Does anyone know exactly when the last fiberglass tank was production fitted to a commando ? If you plan on driving this beauty much, consider going metal.
 
I am not sure if it is fiberglass or not. The guy I bought it from claimed it was an original tank the production date on the frame says it was built 11/71 I don' know if that makes a difference or not.
 
Torontonian said:
One thing worrys me though ,you state it is a 72 combat yet I look at the fueltank and can observe the two lugs at the back used for the big elastic band to secure earlier fiberglass tanks which were made illegal I believe early 72. Does anyone know exactly when the last fiberglass tank was production fitted to a commando ?
Click to expand...

F/glass tanks were still listed for 1973 so they wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary on a 1972 model.
 
All three of my 750 Commandos had fiberglass tanks originally - two early '72 combat roadsters and a '73 roadster. If you use gas with ethanol, suggest you don't leave it in there very long. Ride it then drain it. My current '72 fiberglass tank succumbed to blistered gel coat a couple of years go and I reluctantly switched to steel. Reluctantly because I like the shape of the fiberglass tank over the steel version.
 
I suspect the numbers are important in this case. Perhaps it was one of the first Combats to retain a glass tank before the law came in relegating the last of them to the dustbin.
 
bonedigger said:
I am not sure if it is fiberglass or not. The guy I bought it from claimed it was an original tank the production date on the frame says it was built 11/71 I don' know if that makes a difference or not.
Click to expand...
Magnet :?:
 
yeah it is a fiberglass tank alright,
I checked inside the tank with a flashlight and there is some miner blistering of the gel coat any suggestions on how to correct without changing to a steel tank?
 
Torontonian said:
I suspect the numbers are important in this case. Perhaps it was one of the first Combats to retain a glass tank before the law came in relegating the last of them to the dustbin.
Click to expand...

The law requiring all newly built motorcycles to have metal fuel tanks didn't come into force until July 1973 in the UK so well after the end of Combat production.
 
Welcome Bonedigger. Beautiful bike. It's nice to see that a young person such as yourself is interested in an old British bike. How is it that you cam e to buy the Norton? Give some history here.
 
Here also early '72 combat - 202093 Jan 1972 date - had fg tank.

I really like that silver with black lettering.

Welcome!

de Russ
 
yeah it is a fiberglass tank alright,
I checked inside the tank with a flashlight and there is some miner blistering of the gel coat any suggestions on how to correct without changing to a steel tank?
Click to expand...

You tank and engine are at risk to keep using it w/o major repair-rescue work and then still may not work as the poison process has already started. I'd start shopping for a steel tank and mean time rinse out tank with acetone then use hair dryer or other moderate heater air movers for some days long then try two THICK coats of Caswell's Novalac or mr. Carbons offer for extra special secert ingredient coating.

There are two well boozed fueled fg tanks holding up fine last 8+ yrs here in Ozarks, so far so good. We got ours coated before evidence of damage found though.

Nice sliver/grey steed.

Steven hobot Shiver
 
radiofun said:
Welcome Bonedigger. Beautiful bike. It's nice to see that a young person such as yourself is interested in an old British bike. How is it that you cam e to buy the Norton? Give some history here.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I have actually been interested in british bikes for ever. Right now I also own a 2007 triumph speed triple. In the past I have owned:
51 norton dominater
56 bsa
and two 76 triumph bonnevilles
I have always wanted a commando and when the opportunity came up I didn't hasitate.
I found it by chance it goes something like this. My brother knew a guy who knew a guy who knew the guy that had it stored in a warehouse for the last 10 years. He had the top end rebuilt and then had knee surgery and couldn't kick start it any more. so there it sat all the while he would tend to the bike bike but never rode it again. once I saw it and heard it run I just gave the guy his asking price and loaded it up on a trailer and brought it home.
 
nice bike.
don't wait and get the tank coated asap. do as hobot tells you quickly.
I did not quickly enough and got screwed --> all the content of the tank on my garage's floor.
 
Orsonoce said:
nice bike.
don't wait and get the tank coated asap. do as hobot tells you quickly.
I did not quickly enough and got screwed --> all the content of the tank on my garage's floor.
Click to expand...
Just drained the tank and going to try to find the stuff to do it with tomorrow!
 
I'm not sure if it will make a difference with the inside coat blistered, but it seems like the Shell hi-test gas in my area is 100% petro.
 
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