Hello all,
just thought I'd introduce myself. Just got a basket (well, plastic-tub) case MkII 850 that was another guy's project until he decided to focus on a different one. He bought it from the original owner who'd let it sit for *many* years (it only has 4500 miles), and then took it completely apart, which was necessary as the frame needs work and it has a stuck valve.
I've owned two other Commandos (Combat 750, and a 71 Hi-Rider) plus an Atlas so I'm a little familiar with them. I've been looking for a few years for another, but nothing ever seemed the right price and once they get listed on CL they're gone.
What really got me on this one, even though there's lots of corrosion and rust, was how un-bodged (to put it politely) everything was. The drain screws at the bottom of the forks that are always gouged out and mangled? Pristine. Primary case? No pry marks from screwdrivers. Wiring harness? Appears uncut and brand new. Things like that. The other good thing was when he took it apart he labeled everything. Then he went and bought a lot of stuff at swap meets to replace the beyond-hope bits (wheels, fork tubes, headlight shell, etc). All nicely stored in three plastic tubs.
I think the final kicker was that he had gotten the tank and covers painted - I guess I'm a sucker for nice paint. So long story short, it'll be a bit of a project getting it together but it'll be nice to get it on the road. Hopefully after the frame / head work it'll mainly be assembling without having to buy too many new bits. I'll keep you all posted. Oh, and because "this bike doesn't exist without pictures" here's some art; not sure if I should call it "Norton, deconstructed" or "Hope springs eternal in my basement"...
-Steve
Frame looks better in this pic than it really is (Krylon paint job):
Not so pretty, but mainly cosmetic:
2 wheels rusted beyond hope, 2 good ones plus 3 fenders:
Purty:
just thought I'd introduce myself. Just got a basket (well, plastic-tub) case MkII 850 that was another guy's project until he decided to focus on a different one. He bought it from the original owner who'd let it sit for *many* years (it only has 4500 miles), and then took it completely apart, which was necessary as the frame needs work and it has a stuck valve.
I've owned two other Commandos (Combat 750, and a 71 Hi-Rider) plus an Atlas so I'm a little familiar with them. I've been looking for a few years for another, but nothing ever seemed the right price and once they get listed on CL they're gone.
What really got me on this one, even though there's lots of corrosion and rust, was how un-bodged (to put it politely) everything was. The drain screws at the bottom of the forks that are always gouged out and mangled? Pristine. Primary case? No pry marks from screwdrivers. Wiring harness? Appears uncut and brand new. Things like that. The other good thing was when he took it apart he labeled everything. Then he went and bought a lot of stuff at swap meets to replace the beyond-hope bits (wheels, fork tubes, headlight shell, etc). All nicely stored in three plastic tubs.
I think the final kicker was that he had gotten the tank and covers painted - I guess I'm a sucker for nice paint. So long story short, it'll be a bit of a project getting it together but it'll be nice to get it on the road. Hopefully after the frame / head work it'll mainly be assembling without having to buy too many new bits. I'll keep you all posted. Oh, and because "this bike doesn't exist without pictures" here's some art; not sure if I should call it "Norton, deconstructed" or "Hope springs eternal in my basement"...
-Steve
Frame looks better in this pic than it really is (Krylon paint job):
Not so pretty, but mainly cosmetic:
2 wheels rusted beyond hope, 2 good ones plus 3 fenders:
Purty:
