New member intro. mid-1970s, age 18, sold my Humber 80 for a 1955 AJS model 18 500 Single.
From the Hutt Valley NZ, I toured the South Island with 5 other Brit bikes, chaincase internals would kept falling apart an easy roadside repair, otherwise it was great, so much fun. Prided myself on having maximally-scraped-away footpeg rubbers from cornering. Forever gratefull to Brett for making me an open megaphone for occasional use.
Plus, for variety, it was readily converted into a Matchless G80.
Next year sold it for a 1974 Mk2 850 black & gold Roadster. The Hutt Valley has multiple windey-road hill exits, Wainui & the mighty Rimutakas were favourites. As a what's-risk? 19 year old I loved riding too fast & was always vulnerable to gravel & oil spills, so there's periodic replacing mufflers & painting tanks after low-side slide-outs. I loved tweaking it, changing bars, I would bash holes in the muffler baffles, I liked loud (fk you mum), man that grunty Commando sounded superb.
Several big scares from the fading disk brake, worst was 2-up down the fast straight Wairarapa side of the Rimutakas. No real mechanical issues. Lost licence multiple times for speeding. Adventures galore. Holiday long weekend runs with my Brit-bike riding mates, spontaneous excited youth.
After one prang I had to get another, again a black 1974 850 Roadster. On a good day it would do 115mph, and a Wellington Southerly wind behind would really boost it; other times it would struggle to do 110mph.
I hotted up the motor from the first bike, based on one article in an American magazine (Cycle World?), and swopped it in. No interweb, didn't know anything, just a workshop manual, I was a telecoms inside plant technician. Combat cam, shaved head, pocketed pistons for valve clearance, engine rebalanced, bigger gearbox sprocket. Somewhere around there it got a Dunstall 2-1-2.
It felt subtly smoother. Didn't seem to have lost lower-range torque, but it was cammy, & would routinely wind out on the Hutt motorway etc to a max indicated 128mph. Made the motorway exciting! Don't remember sprocket size or the rpm. I recall doing 128mph on a Manawatu farm road, insanely addicted-dangerous in retrospect. Broke a layshaft then carried a spare on trips. Oil cooler, steering damper to my disgust, relocated coils for aesthetics. Wiped out another muffler so 2-1-1. One summer toured the North Island from the Hutt to Cape Reinga two-up with 4 other bikes, then the whole South Island with a Ducati 750. Loved it.
Did this once: arranged a drag with a supposedly fast Commando 750, made sure tank was just half-full, we sat at the lights start of a motorway, I sat as forward on the bike as i could, blipping throttle, scared-excited, Green, WOT/dumped the clutch, didn't know what would happen, it wheel-stood and we thundered to past 100mph, bet him, so good!
early 80s its black n' gold again with short Dunstalls & looking grunty-handsome,
I sold it & all the parts, to go overseas. Later moved to a remote Fiji island, been there 16 years. Discovered Access Norton last year, avid reading ever since, fascinating to catch up on Commando mods & details. I likely won't get another, the island precludes it, and I have osteopenia, any accident could be messy. But I so appreciate you forum characters here, it feels like a little home. I love your bikes! a part of me. Six years of bikes as sole personal transport. Five of those years, Commandos.
Fellow NZers, 72Combat, Brooking 850, & co, Im writing this now rather than later as planned when my old negatives are properly scanned, to introduce me, cos Id love to bump into you at Hampton Downs Sunday this Waitangi Weekend. Id love a pit pass to see the bikes close. Gonna pm some of you. Im in NZ just till Feb 14th, West Akl, public transport, then Fiji. May have to rent a car to get there. My bike mates are working or down-country & Im dying to see hear smell some big Nortons again.
Cheesy I was enjoying your project 750 custom fastback, wondering how its coming on. Id love to see more shots of Rays black Commando
Here's some enjoyable-to-me quotes from the forum, and a big Thank You - Chris
(this one ain't me)
While owing a Norton is not inexpensive, try owning and operating a boat. At least we own an appreciating asset, even if it doesn't always appreciate us back.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/lava-lamp-syndrome-ponder-t18447.html>
i was lead into being a mechanic by being told how lawn mower simple they are to understand and work on - until you get into the Norton issues that keep list like this active 24/7. A torch will be needed often and fire extinguisher too, in case you reflexly just hold torch too long in disgusted frustration and on second thought decide its still a keeper.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/new-member-first-english-bike-t14630.html>
All original and runs idles great? In which alternate universe are you located?
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/new-addition-commando-family-t14889.html>
I'm just hoping to finish mine before the end of the world.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/most-improved-2012-t14484.html>
Nortons don't leak oil, they mark their territory.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/strange-commando-t14662-45.html>
Yep, you are correct, i found the two neutral switch wires lurking in the depths, all good now and the light works for the time being hahahah
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/dot-dot-electrics-t17744.html>
especially with the gearbox, it's not a magic potion from the engine to the wheel, it needs care and attention.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/layshaft-bearing-failure-t5715-75.html>
(re the wife) You've been married so long, if you'd have killed her when you first thought about it, you'd be out of jail by now.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/the-good-wife-t14588.html>
Understeer is when you hit the wall forwards
Oversteer is when you hit the wall backwards
Power is how hard you hit the wall
Torque is how far the wall moves.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/torque-horse-power-and-acceleration-t18413.html>
The Norton is a man's bike (no offense Debby!) and you have to be serious when starting it.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/got-started-now-more-questions-t15802.html>
typically the PO said it was a new system but it seems he was related to Pinocchio.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/750-roadster-exhaust-silencers-t17607.html>
Peter Williams once said 'nothing happens quickly on a commando'.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/been-sided-off-commando-t17486-15.html>
I've had enough gals to tell ya there ain't much special about movie stars but their expense to maintain. I only want to ride the socks off of Peel not become a boreing tedious machinist with investments in stuff sitting around I can hire out and be done with it. There is a saying, if It rolls, flys, floats or fucks Rent IT! - hobot
I could write Nortons for Dummies.
Chapter one: replace anything made of rubber
Chapter two: clean as many electrical connections as you can until you give up and buy a new harness or make your own.
Chapter three: Replace whatever carb you have with a different carb; if you have two carbs change to one and if you have one carb change to two
Chapter four: Replace all wheel and steering head bearings with sealed bearings
Chapter five: own a reliable car if you ever have to be someplace.
Chapter six: resources for seeking counseling on how to deal with disappointment and frustration
Chapter seven: why oil leaks are important to prevent rust on painted parts
Chapter eight: relocate the horn where it can be seen and heard
Chapter nine: everything made out of steel will be rusty
Chapter ten: everything chromed will need to be rechromed
Chapter eleven: change points to electronic ignition. If you already have EI, change whatever kind to another EI because it is better.
Chapter twelve: carry a cell phone
(thats all I know so far)
Appendices can be technical articles written by the smart guys
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/kudos-this-forum-t16860.html>
At some point you have to draw a line in the sand and build to a design specification. In other words you have to know when to shoot the good idea fairy.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/present-fastback-black-knight-t16601-45.html>
It's well known that road racers quit when they've spent all their money, and motocrossers quit when they've broken all their bones
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/road-racing-norton-commando-t14799-150.html>
With 4600 miles look for oil leaks. It's a Norton so that won't be too hard.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/1975-norton-commando-850-original-miles-t4563-15.html>
Most the best things in life have some cost and time involved to acquire and keep it that way and for all the faults and short comings of our Commandos they are always the center of attention and appreciation no matter dog's peeing on tires and cases and even gorgeous gals getting in the way of full viewing...-hobot
Ancient accepted southern red neck hillbilly motto is ...
If its got balls ovaries or an engine, expect trouble with it.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/most-disliked-least-useful-commando-part-edited-t18738-75.html>
I sure hope this thing eventually stops sucking my money like an unstoppable vortex.
...Well, SOME good news in the swirling vortex of waste that has been this project to this point..
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/850-rebuild-t8289-510.html>
(re racing) feels like I'm a sane shocked witness watching a wild man kidnapping me off w/o asking first...
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/gus-kuhn-seeley-commando-t18304-30.html>
"Purchase this fine motorbike and you will find yourself swimming in a ocean of pre-feminist, lose-moraled women in see-through clothing without any buttons." - PipeBurn
3RD FLOOR !!!!! I have a hard time getting mine on the freaking center stand much less up 2 flights of stairs!
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/the-good-wife-t14588.html>
Lacking in character- can complete a 5,000 mile trip without any hint of mechanical problem or the need to carry tool kit and spares.
Without Soul- complete lack of vibration at any speed.
Unpleasant riding experience - extremely rapid acceleration dislodged my dentures which I then swallowed.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/commando-character-t19547.html>
(Re harley posers) Wes and I also notice they tend to have women hanging around as part of the possing, while we hardly ever do ...-hobot
(Re druin) blow something up???you bet you are going to blow something up....the only hope you have is to delay the inevitable...
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/advice-please-drouin-superchargers-t676-15.html>
A corner is a terrible thing to waste.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/fast-slow-t17949-30.html>
firmly believe that the Norton Commando is the most practical classic bike to cut it with today's modern traffic and to use as a daily rider. Bar none.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/quality-spares-t19397-60.html>
All there really is, is our short magic time here. - hobot
From the Hutt Valley NZ, I toured the South Island with 5 other Brit bikes, chaincase internals would kept falling apart an easy roadside repair, otherwise it was great, so much fun. Prided myself on having maximally-scraped-away footpeg rubbers from cornering. Forever gratefull to Brett for making me an open megaphone for occasional use.
Plus, for variety, it was readily converted into a Matchless G80.
Next year sold it for a 1974 Mk2 850 black & gold Roadster. The Hutt Valley has multiple windey-road hill exits, Wainui & the mighty Rimutakas were favourites. As a what's-risk? 19 year old I loved riding too fast & was always vulnerable to gravel & oil spills, so there's periodic replacing mufflers & painting tanks after low-side slide-outs. I loved tweaking it, changing bars, I would bash holes in the muffler baffles, I liked loud (fk you mum), man that grunty Commando sounded superb.
Several big scares from the fading disk brake, worst was 2-up down the fast straight Wairarapa side of the Rimutakas. No real mechanical issues. Lost licence multiple times for speeding. Adventures galore. Holiday long weekend runs with my Brit-bike riding mates, spontaneous excited youth.
After one prang I had to get another, again a black 1974 850 Roadster. On a good day it would do 115mph, and a Wellington Southerly wind behind would really boost it; other times it would struggle to do 110mph.
I hotted up the motor from the first bike, based on one article in an American magazine (Cycle World?), and swopped it in. No interweb, didn't know anything, just a workshop manual, I was a telecoms inside plant technician. Combat cam, shaved head, pocketed pistons for valve clearance, engine rebalanced, bigger gearbox sprocket. Somewhere around there it got a Dunstall 2-1-2.
It felt subtly smoother. Didn't seem to have lost lower-range torque, but it was cammy, & would routinely wind out on the Hutt motorway etc to a max indicated 128mph. Made the motorway exciting! Don't remember sprocket size or the rpm. I recall doing 128mph on a Manawatu farm road, insanely addicted-dangerous in retrospect. Broke a layshaft then carried a spare on trips. Oil cooler, steering damper to my disgust, relocated coils for aesthetics. Wiped out another muffler so 2-1-1. One summer toured the North Island from the Hutt to Cape Reinga two-up with 4 other bikes, then the whole South Island with a Ducati 750. Loved it.
Did this once: arranged a drag with a supposedly fast Commando 750, made sure tank was just half-full, we sat at the lights start of a motorway, I sat as forward on the bike as i could, blipping throttle, scared-excited, Green, WOT/dumped the clutch, didn't know what would happen, it wheel-stood and we thundered to past 100mph, bet him, so good!
early 80s its black n' gold again with short Dunstalls & looking grunty-handsome,
I sold it & all the parts, to go overseas. Later moved to a remote Fiji island, been there 16 years. Discovered Access Norton last year, avid reading ever since, fascinating to catch up on Commando mods & details. I likely won't get another, the island precludes it, and I have osteopenia, any accident could be messy. But I so appreciate you forum characters here, it feels like a little home. I love your bikes! a part of me. Six years of bikes as sole personal transport. Five of those years, Commandos.
Fellow NZers, 72Combat, Brooking 850, & co, Im writing this now rather than later as planned when my old negatives are properly scanned, to introduce me, cos Id love to bump into you at Hampton Downs Sunday this Waitangi Weekend. Id love a pit pass to see the bikes close. Gonna pm some of you. Im in NZ just till Feb 14th, West Akl, public transport, then Fiji. May have to rent a car to get there. My bike mates are working or down-country & Im dying to see hear smell some big Nortons again.
Cheesy I was enjoying your project 750 custom fastback, wondering how its coming on. Id love to see more shots of Rays black Commando
Here's some enjoyable-to-me quotes from the forum, and a big Thank You - Chris
(this one ain't me)
While owing a Norton is not inexpensive, try owning and operating a boat. At least we own an appreciating asset, even if it doesn't always appreciate us back.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/lava-lamp-syndrome-ponder-t18447.html>
i was lead into being a mechanic by being told how lawn mower simple they are to understand and work on - until you get into the Norton issues that keep list like this active 24/7. A torch will be needed often and fire extinguisher too, in case you reflexly just hold torch too long in disgusted frustration and on second thought decide its still a keeper.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/new-member-first-english-bike-t14630.html>
All original and runs idles great? In which alternate universe are you located?
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/new-addition-commando-family-t14889.html>
I'm just hoping to finish mine before the end of the world.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/most-improved-2012-t14484.html>
Nortons don't leak oil, they mark their territory.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/strange-commando-t14662-45.html>
Yep, you are correct, i found the two neutral switch wires lurking in the depths, all good now and the light works for the time being hahahah
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/dot-dot-electrics-t17744.html>
especially with the gearbox, it's not a magic potion from the engine to the wheel, it needs care and attention.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/layshaft-bearing-failure-t5715-75.html>
(re the wife) You've been married so long, if you'd have killed her when you first thought about it, you'd be out of jail by now.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/the-good-wife-t14588.html>
Understeer is when you hit the wall forwards
Oversteer is when you hit the wall backwards
Power is how hard you hit the wall
Torque is how far the wall moves.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/torque-horse-power-and-acceleration-t18413.html>
The Norton is a man's bike (no offense Debby!) and you have to be serious when starting it.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/got-started-now-more-questions-t15802.html>
typically the PO said it was a new system but it seems he was related to Pinocchio.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/750-roadster-exhaust-silencers-t17607.html>
Peter Williams once said 'nothing happens quickly on a commando'.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/been-sided-off-commando-t17486-15.html>
I've had enough gals to tell ya there ain't much special about movie stars but their expense to maintain. I only want to ride the socks off of Peel not become a boreing tedious machinist with investments in stuff sitting around I can hire out and be done with it. There is a saying, if It rolls, flys, floats or fucks Rent IT! - hobot
I could write Nortons for Dummies.
Chapter one: replace anything made of rubber
Chapter two: clean as many electrical connections as you can until you give up and buy a new harness or make your own.
Chapter three: Replace whatever carb you have with a different carb; if you have two carbs change to one and if you have one carb change to two
Chapter four: Replace all wheel and steering head bearings with sealed bearings
Chapter five: own a reliable car if you ever have to be someplace.
Chapter six: resources for seeking counseling on how to deal with disappointment and frustration
Chapter seven: why oil leaks are important to prevent rust on painted parts
Chapter eight: relocate the horn where it can be seen and heard
Chapter nine: everything made out of steel will be rusty
Chapter ten: everything chromed will need to be rechromed
Chapter eleven: change points to electronic ignition. If you already have EI, change whatever kind to another EI because it is better.
Chapter twelve: carry a cell phone
(thats all I know so far)
Appendices can be technical articles written by the smart guys
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/kudos-this-forum-t16860.html>
At some point you have to draw a line in the sand and build to a design specification. In other words you have to know when to shoot the good idea fairy.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/present-fastback-black-knight-t16601-45.html>
It's well known that road racers quit when they've spent all their money, and motocrossers quit when they've broken all their bones
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/road-racing-norton-commando-t14799-150.html>
With 4600 miles look for oil leaks. It's a Norton so that won't be too hard.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/1975-norton-commando-850-original-miles-t4563-15.html>
Most the best things in life have some cost and time involved to acquire and keep it that way and for all the faults and short comings of our Commandos they are always the center of attention and appreciation no matter dog's peeing on tires and cases and even gorgeous gals getting in the way of full viewing...-hobot
Ancient accepted southern red neck hillbilly motto is ...
If its got balls ovaries or an engine, expect trouble with it.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/most-disliked-least-useful-commando-part-edited-t18738-75.html>
I sure hope this thing eventually stops sucking my money like an unstoppable vortex.
...Well, SOME good news in the swirling vortex of waste that has been this project to this point..
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/850-rebuild-t8289-510.html>
(re racing) feels like I'm a sane shocked witness watching a wild man kidnapping me off w/o asking first...
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/gus-kuhn-seeley-commando-t18304-30.html>
"Purchase this fine motorbike and you will find yourself swimming in a ocean of pre-feminist, lose-moraled women in see-through clothing without any buttons." - PipeBurn
3RD FLOOR !!!!! I have a hard time getting mine on the freaking center stand much less up 2 flights of stairs!
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/the-good-wife-t14588.html>
Lacking in character- can complete a 5,000 mile trip without any hint of mechanical problem or the need to carry tool kit and spares.
Without Soul- complete lack of vibration at any speed.
Unpleasant riding experience - extremely rapid acceleration dislodged my dentures which I then swallowed.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/commando-character-t19547.html>
(Re harley posers) Wes and I also notice they tend to have women hanging around as part of the possing, while we hardly ever do ...-hobot
(Re druin) blow something up???you bet you are going to blow something up....the only hope you have is to delay the inevitable...
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/advice-please-drouin-superchargers-t676-15.html>
A corner is a terrible thing to waste.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/fast-slow-t17949-30.html>
firmly believe that the Norton Commando is the most practical classic bike to cut it with today's modern traffic and to use as a daily rider. Bar none.
Pasted from <http://www.accessnorton.com/quality-spares-t19397-60.html>
All there really is, is our short magic time here. - hobot
