New Member/Owner From The Great Lake State

OldBalz · Dec 12, 2011

Hi,

I'm a new member and have recently acquired a matching numbers 1974 Commando Roadster. The previous owner passed away about a year ago and his wife is just now starting to let go of some of his posessions. The bike didn't run when I bought it and after some tinkering I was able to get it running and have put about thirty miles on it just before the cold weather set in. The last owner had this bike for over twenty five years and I was able to get some extra parts, manuals and a Kendon bike lift with it. It's Candy Red and has a single Mikuni with Boyer ignition and generally in pretty nice condition. It will need a new paint job and I'm also planning on doing a complete tear-down and restoral. I have all of the receipts and repair paperwork on it dating back to 1984 as I believe that he was the second owner.

A little about myself....I'm retired and live in Ortonville, MI, which is located north of Detroit, and have been riding motorcycles for over forty years.
I am a member of the VJMC (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club) and have been restoring 70's era Honda CB Four Cylinder bikes. So, this Norton is my first British bike and something that I've wanting to acquire for quite a few years.

I've been lurking on this forum for a while and thought that it was about time to introduce myself.

I may have to ask some dumb questions during the re-building process and am finding that these old Nortons are vastly different than the Japanese bikes that I've been working on. This forum is a tremendous source of information and knowledge.

Ray

1up3down · Dec 12, 2011

Hi Ray!

Welcome to the wonderful world of Norton Commandos!

Ask and ye shall receive here.

bill · Dec 12, 2011

the only dumb question is the one not asked. also don't be afraid to use the search function as most thing's have already been asked and some several times. oh and welcome aboard.

OldBalz said:
Hi,

I may have to ask some dumb questions during the re-building process and am finding that these old Nortons are vastly different than the Japanese bikes that I've been working on.

Ray

grandpaul · Dec 12, 2011

Welcome to the forum, Ray!

Sounds like you will have a busy winter with this one...

travelerjerry · Dec 12, 2011

Hi Ray, welcome to the Forum. Lots of good info here. Do a search for the Michigan Norton Owners Club, good group of motorcycle enthuistists. There are alot of Norton owners in a 50 mile radius from Ortonville. I have a Kendon lift also, is yours the Stand Up type?

OldBalz · Dec 12, 2011

travelerjerry said:
Hi Ray, welcome to the Forum. Lots of good info here. Do a search for the Michigan Norton Owners Club, good group of motorcycle enthuistists. There are alot of Norton owners in a 50 mile radius from Ortonville. I have a Kendon lift also, is yours the Stand Up type?

Thanks for the info. I did forget to mention that I just joined the Michigan Norton Owners Club last month. And I've met Suzi Greenway, who's on the board, and also puts on the All Clubs Day event in Stockbridge during Sept....She's quite a character and a great asset to that group!

Yup, my Kendon is the stand-up model and now works quite well after I replaced a couple of parts on it....Now if I can only get my Harbor Freight lift to quit puking hydraulic fluid out of it...I've replaced the o-rings twice already! :evil:

Ray

Hobot · Dec 12, 2011

Welcome to the fold. With JVMC back ground you will appreciate the ease-prices to source stuff for these old beaters and even the Lucas electrics will be a relief much as we complain - unless having Asian versions to compare too. For those Brit Iron readers, Lucas faults cover a few pages while the Japanese headaches takes volumes and volumes to list and still expanding ...

With you nail the Norton throttle you will feel and hear a motor that sounds the business over the huffing puffing pitter patter of want a be real motorcycles. Like women that all have similar equipment some just feel better to ride, Norton is like that to me even if faster types all around.

VintAge · Dec 12, 2011

Hi Ray,

Interesting combo, the Brit and the Japanese bikes. I've owned my 71 CB750 (now an 836) for almost as long as my 74 850 Commando and I love the differences but also find certain similarities as well. I enjoy looking at them side by side and thinking about the history which was playing out in those years when Norton and Honda were on opposite slopes of the run of a business. Though the ohv twin in 74 was a far cry from the dohc 4 cylinder already 5 years old by then, I must agree with Hobot. I love the sound that 4 into 1 howls out going through the gears, but the Norton sound and feel is in a class of its own. (I'm gonna leave his analogy alone however :wink: ) Welcome.

travelerjerry · Dec 12, 2011

Ray, would you happen to know Andy Nichols that was or is the President of the VJMC? He's from Caro, used to do a few rides with them here in the Thumb.

OldBalz said:
travelerjerry said:

Hi Ray, welcome to the Forum. Lots of good info here. Do a search for the Michigan Norton Owners Club, good group of motorcycle enthuistists. There are alot of Norton owners in a 50 mile radius from Ortonville. I have a Kendon lift also, is yours the Stand Up type?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I did forget to mention that I just joined the Michigan Norton Owners Club last month. And I've met Suzi Greenway, who's on the board, and also puts on the All Clubs Day event in Stockbridge during Sept....She's quite a character and a great asset to that group!

Yup, my Kendon is the stand-up model and now works quite well after I replaced a couple of parts on it....Now if I can only get my Harbor Freight lift to quit puking hydraulic fluid out of it...I've replaced the o-rings twice already! :evil:

Ray

grandpaul · Dec 12, 2011

OldBalz said:
...I just joined the Michigan Norton Owners Club last month.

"Norbsa" will become a familiar face to you; he's over there, and on here.

OldBalz · Dec 12, 2011

travelerjerry said:
Ray, would you happen to know Andy Nichols that was or is the President of the VJMC? He's from Caro, used to do a few rides with them here in the Thumb.

I'm not sure If I met Andy but VJMC is a very hands-on group with some very enthusiastic members.

I've ridden through Caro quite a few times, as "The Thumb" is one of my favorite places to ride....although mostly flat, there are a lot of very nicely paved roads through the farm country and on to Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron.

Torontonian · Dec 12, 2011

Hi Ray and Welcome. I tell everyone new to do the forum thingy to do the roller bearing layshaft conversion for safety's sake. You have some papers and receipts so go through them and if no mention of this is there then your winter rebuild will include this. 74 850s were the most sketchy with their Portuguese bearings made of pressed grappa vino and grape leaves mixed with revolutionary fighter shell casings and goat cheese. Lookin' out for you and yours, Peter.

OldBalz · Dec 14, 2011

Torontonian said:
Hi Ray and Welcome. I tell everyone new to do the forum thingy to do the roller bearing layshaft conversion for safety's sake. You have some papers and receipts so go through them and if no mention of this is there then your winter rebuild will include this. 74 850s were the most sketchy with their Portuguese bearings made of pressed grappa vino and grape leaves mixed with revolutionary fighter shell casings and goat cheese. Lookin' out for you and yours, Peter.

Thanks Peter,

I went through all of my receipts and couldn't find that it had been replaced however, I did find an old layshaft bearing that was in the pile of old parts that came with the bike. I'll check it out when I disassemble the 850 for refurbishment.

Ray

New Member/Owner From The Great Lake State

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