New member introduction..

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Mike T

Mike T

Joined
Dec 30, 2012
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Hello all
Just a few words to say Hi and introduce myself

I’m Mike from Portland, Oregon and have just purchased my first Norton. I’m originally from Scarborough, North Yorkshire but have lived in the States for about 15 years and am still nuts about British bikes.

My friend and frequent contributor SwooshDave introduced me to the Norton and to this forum

Below is a link to the most recent thread that provides a little background concerning how we came about this bike and a recent pic. There’s still some work to do to get it running, but enjoying every minute of it!

not-looking-for-another-norton-but-t14975.html

Special thanks to Sam & the ONE (Oregon Norton Enthusiasts) team for the lead on this barn/storeroom find

Cheers
Mike
 
Alrighty another soggy Oregon Commando suffer'r. Your area is rather rich in Norton and Commando lore, get going and add your own to it.
 
Mike, don't you have a blog or something? Folks might want to see your other bike... :mrgreen:
 
haha, here's the "before" shot from late Dec 2012 before I got the bike
New member introduction..


..and here's the latest shot, which hasn't reached the "after" state yet.. that might take a while!
New member introduction..


Cheers
Mike
 
Welcome, Mike. I'm an ex-pat from Leyland, Lancs, originally, now retired and living in Anacortes, Washington. For the last 18 months before I emigrated to work for Boeing in 1968, I was in the Development/Competition department of Norton-Villiers in Wolverhampton.

The first 10 months or so, I was heavily involved in the protoype testing of the Commando, then was transferred to the AJS Stormer motocross program. It was apparent quite early after I joined that N-V was going to slide off the cliff, hence my move to Seattle.

I had a lot of enjoyable experiences on both programs. I wish you luck with your bike. I decided, after arriving in the Seattle area, that I didn't want my wife and two kids (later four) meeting a State Trooper at the door, so I gave up riding on the street. Back then, the number of 4' 11" old ladies in Cadillacs, who couldn't see over the steering wheel, was significant. Now, At 71+, I don't think I could kick a Commando into life without suffering a major injury!
 
Wait a minute here... Swoosh has friends?

Welcome Mike! Looks like a decent Commando there; best of luck and keep the rubber on the ground!

Cheers,

Don
 
Latest progress

Thanks for your welcomes!

Spent a satisfying day continuing to remove years of grime off the bike. I don't think there is a single section of frame or other parts that doesn't have a scratch or ding on it! The dust hid a lot of secrets. I think the previous owner must have ridden it pretty hard as it seems like it has done a lot more than 12k miles.

Removed the carbs & air box (see below) for a good inspection and cleaning. I will be putting the air box back on as I would like to keep the bike as original as possible.. for now:
New member introduction..


Bike looks great from 5 feet but don't stand too close:
New member introduction..


Air box removed after putting up a good fight. The foam filter elements just disintegrated when I touched them:
New member introduction..


Air box after a good old clean with hot soapy water:
New member introduction..


Cheers
Mike
 
Greetings . V Nice .

But accesabilty & serviceing is improved but leaveing al those bits on the shelf , where they dont wear out . :P
The odd Commando was oerated with the thottle ' switch ' 'ON ' of ' off ' . A knowedgeable type nevertheless will have seen it was all
in sync. , top tune . So it could be in top mechanical order .

just my thought , but a foam air cleaer ( big socks ) or K&N ,
New member introduction..

and 2MC capacitor , tossing the battery tray , battery , and other unnessesary bits ,
leaves accessability for cleaning up in there , and lets the air through . If your going to be out touring on the thing , rather than stuck in town .
 
K/N's ain't really much of a filter more of a rock and bug screen. Not Norton neither so I vote keep factory paper element box and get a electronic ignition and send the old points and AAU to me. Expect brake piston and caliper to be rusted up and keep eye on fluid level each gas stop so no surprises of one good pull down to next instant nothing at all. Rear wheel cushions might be chewed up gone too. Forks full of rusty fluid and crank full of sludge but not blocking flow.
 
Welcome! I'm taking a risk saying it here, but that's a beautiful Triumph behind it in that one picture. Is it yours also?
 
htown16 said:
Welcome! I'm taking a risk saying it here, but that's a beautiful Triumph behind it in that one picture. Is it yours also?
Click to expand...

Yeah Mike, what about the Triumph? :mrgreen:
 
swooshdave said:
htown16 said:
Welcome! I'm taking a risk saying it here, but that's a beautiful Triumph behind it in that one picture. Is it yours also?
Click to expand...

Yeah Mike, what about the Triumph? :mrgreen:
Click to expand...

Hold on there Mike, This is Access Norton, Not Access Triumph. We do have a Other Classic section. I guess it could go there. :roll:

You could also expound on the Trek also. :D
 
haha, yes I hate to admit it here, but the Triumph is my first love.. for now!

SwooshDave is trying very hard to convince me that once I have ridden the Norton, I won't look at the Triumph in the same way again :)
Here's a link to my blog which follows the 2-year build of my T110. Just waiting for my Magneto to return and then it's time to start her up. But the Norton may get there first at this rate.

http://www.56tiger.blogspot.com

Cheers
Mike
 
Re: Latest progress

Mike T said:
I will be putting the air box back on as I would like to keep the bike as original as possible.. for now:

Air box removed after putting up a good fight. The foam filter elements just disintegrated when I touched them:
Click to expand...

If you intend to use the original airbox, be sure to use the latest genuine AN (green) filter element.

New member introduction..


You may find the bike runs better without the two 06-4839 'venturi' that partially block-off the intakes.
Mike T said:
New member introduction..
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for your advice guys, much appreciated.
Just having a little challenge in obtaining a new title, so pausing work (and $pending) until I know that a title has been secured. Trying not to panick too much.
Cheers
Mike
 
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