New Member to the Forum

[Big_Jim59]

Like I said, my favorite bikes are the ones that are ridden and if necessary sensibly upgraded. It may be a Roadster but that Interstate tank is a marvelous upgrade. Thanks for posting a picture. I will never forget the Alps. We have mountains here in the US. Some, like the Colorado Rockies, I am quite familiar with but the Alps, to my eye, (and yes I was there a very long time ago) look less worn, more rugged and a bit more formidable. It's very special country.

 

[CanukNortonNut]

SC,
welcome aboard.
Enjoy your ride and happy trails.
Cheers,
Tom

 

[Torontonian]

Thanks @MexicoMike for the electric starter info. I'll look into it. And thanks, @1977years for the welcome. You might be interested to know that some of the mountain communes (equivalent to 'counties' in the States) are talking about banning motorcycles on their mountain roads because of the noise - it will not happen in the near future though, for several reasons: the noise is very seasonal; and many local farmers use quads to get around and those beasts are even noisier. Nonetheless, there may come a day when it happens, and then the question will be are ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES evolved enough and affordable as substitutes? But that is a whole other topic. Right now, I enjoy the classic internal combustion engine, the gear changing up and down, and the sweet noise coming out of those pipes!

Harley Davidsons ? Not allowed by bylaw in Caledon now after a group of them decided to stop in front of the local church on a Sunday morning as Parisioners ? Sp. , were leaving the church after service. Many Police there now with speed traps etc.

 

[SwissCommando]

Probably a Roadster as it has the drum front brake*, silver barrels*, 30mm carb intake manifolds* (carbs not the originals as you say), and peashooter exhaust system although any of those things could have been changed.

*Therefore could be 15xxxx series if it has the timed (camshaft) breather?

@L.A.B. your question had me double-checking the breather setup, pulling out the workshop manual and so on (the layman on a steep learning curve). The bike has a 'timed and ported mechanical crankcase breather' coming out of the left crankcase. However, Engine/Frame number is 147266, so not sure if I understand your question. I'll soon be getting the factory dispatch record for the bike and also grilling my brother about the bike's early history. What I know is the manufacture year is 1971 (YAM1971 on the frame plate), I don't know what the 'YAM' stands for but at least one of the letters is a month from what I read (I'm sure that there are separate posts about this). First Swiss 'mis en circulation' is 08.06.1972.

 

[L.A.B.]

What I know is the manufacture year is 1971 (YAM1971 on the frame plate), I don't know what the 'YAM' stands for but at least one of the letters is a month from what I read (I'm sure that there are separate posts about this).

That's not the first "YAM" stamp we've heard about. The worker must have had a heavy drinking session the night before as he/she stamped the month (MAY) backwards!

 

[SwissCommando]

AHHhahaha! No kidding!?!? Really? So, May 1971. That answers that! The bike didn't come off as an Interstate then since, according the the NOC history, that model was only introduced in 1972.

 

[L.A.B.]

AHHhahaha! No kidding!?!? Really? So, May 1971.

Yes, really, as it should be a month/year date stamp. Edit: Later the factory stamped the month in numerical form instead of JAN, FEB, MAR, etc.

That answers that! The bike didn't come off as an Interstate then since, according the the NOC history, that model was only introduced in 1972.

Correct, it's too early to be an Interstate.

 

[Deckard]

Yes, it's a '71. My s/n 148XXX was also May 1971. A good vintage, but some areas needed addressing. The side stand was a poor design, can't be remedied easily without welding in a new mount. There's no spin on oil filter, but easily installed. Headsteady and center stand weren't very robust, both cracked. 850 components for each the fix. It kicks over easily due to 9:1 compression, so I wouldn't make an estart a priority. I never was a big fan of the front drum brake, plenty of aftermarket disk brake upgrades available. Otherwise, maintenance as required and ride as often as you can............

 

[Fast Eddie]

Yes, really, as it should be a month/year date stamp. Edit: Later the factory stamped the month in numerical form instead of JAN, FEB, MAR, etc.



Correct, it's too early to be an Interstate.

Hmmm… personally I suspect cheeky humour, rather than excess alcohol, a more likely cause of that…

 

[cjandme]

Welcome SwissCommando, as you've stated already, the"pages" here on the forum are a wonderful thing. Nice looking bike you have there. I sold all of my other bikes when my wife and I started having kids in 2002. I busted myself up on dirtbikes when i was younger, and did some foolish things "at triple digit speeds" on street bikes in my late teens and early twentys). My Dad raced speedway or flat track, and was an avid owner and rider of motorcycles. I grew up watching Evel Knievel and did a few jumps - scared myself enough to knockit off. But I didn't want to introduce my kids to the same dangers. However, I realized later that all they cared about were video games, so I bought my '75 "electric start" 850 back in 2011. It's a bit of a "bitsa" as it has parts from different years and some aftermarket parts - seat and pipes - but I do love the damned thing even though I've tried to sell it a couple times in the past. Anyway welcome to the forum and keep on truckin'!

 

[SwissCommando]

Yes, it's a '71. My s/n 148XXX was also May 1971. A good vintage, but some areas needed addressing. The side stand was a poor design, can't be remedied easily without welding in a new mount. There's no spin on oil filter, but easily installed. Headsteady and center stand weren't very robust, both cracked. 850 components for each the fix. It kicks over easily due to 9:1 compression, so I wouldn't make an estart a priority. I never was a big fan of the front drum brake, plenty of aftermarket disk brake upgrades available. Otherwise, maintenance as required and ride as often as you can............

Thanks for those points @Deckard. So far, I'm OK with he front drum brake... I just have to drive at a speed appropriate to my age which is fine considering you can't drive swiss mountain roads at highway speeds. Your point about the kick stand rings loud. I got the bike from my brother without a kickstand. My first mechanic, an old Norton race driver, pooh-poohed them anyway, saying they were useless and didn't look nice. However, I think they are convenient from time to time, so I ordered one from Andover Norton, only to find that the internal diameter of the spacing bush doesn't fit the pin that is welded to the frame. I'll have to bore it out or find/get one that fits. A small circlip holds the whole thing on, which is a little scary.

 

[SwissCommando]

Welcome SwissCommando, as you've stated already, the"pages" here on the forum are a wonderful thing. Nice looking bike you have there. I sold all of my other bikes when my wife and I started having kids in 2002. I busted myself up on dirtbikes when i was younger, and did some foolish things "at triple digit speeds" on street bikes in my late teens and early twentys). My Dad raced speedway or flat track, and was an avid owner and rider of motorcycles. I grew up watching Evel Knievel and did a few jumps - scared myself enough to knockit off. But I didn't want to introduce my kids to the same dangers. However, I realized later that all they cared about were video games, so I bought my '75 "electric start" 850 back in 2011. It's a bit of a "bitsa" as it has parts from different years and some aftermarket parts - seat and pipes - but I do love the damned thing even though I've tried to sell it a couple times in the past. Anyway welcome to the forum and keep on truckin'!

Thanks, @cjandme. My past motorcycle experience is relegated to a 1975 BMW R90S, bought new in 1975, which was used summers only to tour Switzerland and Europe and an Aprilia Pegaso in London for a few years.

 

[SwissCommando]

Like I said, my favorite bikes are the ones that are ridden and if necessary sensibly upgraded. It may be a Roadster but that Interstate tank is a marvelous upgrade. Thanks for posting a picture. I will never forget the Alps. We have mountains here in the US. Some, like the Colorado Rockies, I am quite familiar with but the Alps, to my eye, (and yes I was there a very long time ago) look less worn, more rugged and a bit more formidable. It's very special country.

Your memory serves you well @Big_Jim59! The Alps are a lot younger than the Rockies and therefore less eroded down. There are many sheer, vertiginous drops which are quite scary when it comes to driving on the roads cut into them.

 

[cliffa]

Welcome @SwissCommando (Or can I call you SWICO ). I live about 25Km south / east of Zürich and have a MkIIa with an Alton starter fitted. I have to say it was one of the best updates I have done. Some folks have had issues with the Alton but I have had only one problem with mine since I fitted it 4 years ago. A wire broke off the starter solenoid which was easily repaired. The CNW starter is undoubtedly more robust, but the "Ham Can" air cleaner will no longer fit on the bike.

Access Norton member @holtcorseaux lives near Basel and we keep saying about meeting up for a ride. Perhaps you would be interested as well ?

Cheers,

cliffa.

 

[SwissCommando]

Welcome @SwissCommando (Or can I call you SWICO ). I live about 25Km south / east of Zürich and have a MkIIa with an Alton starter fitted. I have to say it was one of the best updates I have done. Some folks have had issues with the Alton but I have had only one problem with mine since I fitted it 4 years ago. A wire broke off the starter solenoid which was easily repaired. The CNW starter is undoubtedly more robust, but the "Ham Can" air cleaner will no longer fit on the bike.

Access Norton member @holtcorseaux lives near Basel and we keep saying about meeting up for a ride. Perhaps you would be interested as well ?

Cheers,

cliffa.

Hi @cliffa, thanks for the welcome and your experience of the Alton starter. I might be interested in a drive, however I live down the hill from Verbier, quite a ways south from you, although nothing like North American distances, of course - I would have to see what you propose. For the time being, I scour the map at https://map.geo.admin.ch/ looking for interesting roads in the relative vicinity and if I find something, I go for a ride, either alone, or with my nephew, who has a MotoGuzze Stone. Many of the rides are on smaller roads, slow and tight, although I also like to open up on roads with bigger, sweeping turns where the Norton handling comes into its own.
I think that there are probably quite a few more Norton owners than Norton club members here in Switzerland, although not many altogether. There is no NOC club representative here. Part of the problem may be language with english being far and away the current language when it comes to Norton tech-talk. My first mechanic is a french-speaking Norton guru who ended up servicing lawn mowers for a living after he got too old to race. His cigar tattooed my Commando's seat the first time I met him! It is a shame, but the language barrier may well have an impact.

 

[Deckard]

Thanks for those points @Deckard. So far, I'm OK with he front drum brake... I just have to drive at a speed appropriate to my age which is fine considering you can't drive swiss mountain roads at highway speeds. Your point about the kick stand rings loud. I got the bike from my brother without a kickstand. My first mechanic, an old Norton race driver, pooh-poohed them anyway, saying they were useless and didn't look nice. However, I think they are convenient from time to time, so I ordered one from Andover Norton, only to find that the internal diameter of the spacing bush doesn't fit the pin that is welded to the frame. I'll have to bore it out or find/get one that fits. A small circlip holds the whole thing on, which is a little scary.

Yes, the circlip won't last as the weight of the motorcycle overwhelms it and it just pops off and the stand with it. Need to cut off mount and weld on later mount that has a nut to secure it. No easy fix, unfortunately. Also, carbs don't really like the angle when on sidestand, so left carb tends to flood. I learned to live with just the center stand after upgrading to an 850 center stand.
Front drum brake is fine for most riding unless you have a passenger and need to exercise it in high heat. There's nothing like the confidence of two finger braking that can lock up the front wheel at will to set your idea of how fast you want to ride regardless of age.

 

[lcrken]

Very nice bike, and a regular rider too, not a collector or trailer queen. Looks like many happy miles ahead for you. I've had several Interstates, but converted the ones I kept to roadsters. I like the looks of the Interstate, as well as the additional mileage between fuel stops, but the roadster ergonomics are a lot more comfortable for me. I'm in the process of rebuilding a '72 Combat Interstate, and fitting rearset foot controls to see if that makes the riding position better for me. That's one of the pleasures of Commandos, being able to tweak them to suit individual needs.

Ken

 

[holtcorseaux]

Hi @cliffa, thanks for the welcome and your experience of the Alton starter. I might be interested in a drive, however I live down the hill from Verbier, quite a ways south from you, although nothing like North American distances, of course - I would have to see what you propose. For the time being, I scour the map at https://map.geo.admin.ch/ looking for interesting roads in the relative vicinity and if I find something, I go for a ride, either alone, or with my nephew, who has a MotoGuzze Stone. Many of the rides are on smaller roads, slow and tight, although I also like to open up on roads with bigger, sweeping turns where the Norton handling comes into its own.
I think that there are probably quite a few more Norton owners than Norton club members here in Switzerland, although not many altogether. There is no NOC club representative here. Part of the problem may be language with english being far and away the current language when it comes to Norton tech-talk. My first mechanic is a french-speaking Norton guru who ended up servicing lawn mowers for a living after he got too old to race. His cigar tattooed my Commando's seat the first time I met him! It is a shame, but the language barrier may well have an impact.

Hi, nice machine. The mech. isn’t the guy in Route de la Crottaz in Vevey, is he? A coincidence if so, I lived in that street 2004-2006. I remember the Commando racer very well. it‘s probably 3 hours ride from Basel to Martigny anyway.

Personally I don’t think language is an issue. I think, if there were interest, it would happen anyhow.

Welcome to the forum people are very helpful.

Martin

 

[cliffa]

Hi, nice machine. The mech. isn’t the guy in Route de la Crottaz in Vevey, is he? A coincidence if so, I lived in that street 2004-2006. I remember the Commando racer very well. it‘s probably 3 hours ride from Basel to Martigny anyway.

Personally I don’t think language is an issue. I think, if there were interest, it would happen anyhow.

Welcome to the forum people are very helpful.

Martin

In my experience motorcycling camaraderie (especially amongst Nortoneers) transcends language barriers.

 

[SwissCommando]

Hi, nice machine. The mech. isn’t the guy in Route de la Crottaz in Vevey, is he? A coincidence if so, I lived in that street 2004-2006. I remember the Commando racer very well. it‘s probably 3 hours ride from Basel to Martigny anyway.

Personally I don’t think language is an issue. I think, if there were interest, it would happen anyhow.

Welcome to the forum people are very helpful.

Martin

Hi @holtcorseaux, and thanks for the greeting. And yes, what a coincidence! Olivier Guyaz is his name. Doesn't have that shop anymore as he has retired. Works out of his garage near Attalens. By the way, several years ago, I found a brilliant mechanic and old-timer dealer whose workshop and showroom are worth a visit. http://www.motorrad-technik-wyss.ch. He is in the Jura not far south from Basel. Thomas Wyss has based his life, ethics, and aesthetics on old-timer bikes, specialising in Nortons. He acquired an old watch factory for the purpose. Recommended if you need work doing that you can't do yourself.