New member with "new" 71 commando and some questions

Hello motorcycle riding gentleman,
I just acquired my first norton about a week ago. i've been reading all about them, but most of my hands on experience is with triumphs (my daily rider when its not 20 degrees is a '70 tiger)

here are a few pictures of the commando






I've been looking over this forum now and again as i always wanted a norton, but i figured now would be a good time to join.
I saw this 71 commando on craigslist for what seemed like a good price and couldn't help but pick it up.
hiding under the interesting cafe seat (dont have pictures of it now but i will post some) i found the end part of the rear loop to have been cut and rewelded back together and made to point upwards following the lines of the seat. I was wondering what the best way to go about returning the rear loop to stock might be. i thought the best way would be to find a beat up frame with a intact rear loop and then weld that on to mine. is this the most practical idea? what year frames will have the same rear loop as mine (maybe all commando frames do?).
i've started the process of getting her running again, she hasn't been on the road since the early 80s as you can see from the nice old NY plate. throwing a battery on there i've found that the pilot light and highbeam are still operational but i didn't seem to be getting any spark just yet. this winter i hope to bring her closer back to stock. if anyone has any interest in that cafe seat please let me know, it is for sale -ok if you really want it you can have it. if you guys could point out anything you see on the bike that has been changed besides some of the obvious things i'd definitely appreciate it. looking forward to your responses.

cheers,

thedrunkman

One of the first things i notice is the rear wheel appears to have been modified to a 16" or so. Stock was 19"

That is one groovy tailsection.

Where do you want to go?

Suggestion, there are many, many pic of Nortons on this forum and elsewhere. Find a couple you really like (love) and post them. Then watch how many people reply with ideas and suggestions on how to get from where you are to where you want to be.

Congrats, your going to enjoy the ride (pun intended).

drunk,

That is one heck of a relic from the 70s! You can almost smell the LSD...

Hiding (not very deeply) under those trappings is the unmistakeable joy of Norton-ness.

Diablough got it right, find pix of what you want to end up with, then start morphing!

I would leave the rear loop alone 'till you have the parts to complete the bike with, you never know whrn you'll find a seat / tail you like that can benefit from a modified rear loop. Definitely finalize the modification BEFORE paint/powdercoat!

Drunkman,

Very cool old example..... One thing is for sure, you're in the right place, whatever you need to know/learn about Nortons is somewhere on this website and forum....

I'm not so sure I would throw that tailsection out with the bathwater.... Once the bike is cleaned up and the tailsection is properly installed, it might be pretty cool. I predict you'll have no trouble sorting the spark out and there will be signs of life before you know it.

Good find!

HI Drunk,welcome aboard,16 " rear wheel.looks like a small Highrider tank could have started life as a HIRIDER? nice project it'll keep you busy and poor!!!!!!

Drunkman,

If you are gonna heave that tail piece, I will gladly take it off your hands.
Thanks,

Tom

Just thinking out loud here...

If the rear loop off the early "dangerous" '68 frame would fit...there is a guy on Ebay who has one and you could probably get the rear loop sawed off the frame for a reasonable price. The negotiation process might be a bit interesting as he removed it from auction when some concerned members of this forum told him he was selling a dangerous item. I am not a frame expert, but I believe the rear loops would be the same on those years. The loop was not why the frame was considered dangerous. Just something to consider.

friends-don-let-friends-buy-this-frame-t8233.html

Russ

I'll buy you the Harley seat!
Philippe

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I'm in love with the way the "roadster" setup looks, the upswept peashooters - doesnt seem to get much better than that. don't know how tough it will be to find that tank. I'm not sure how I feel about all this fiberglass stuff, as light as it may be. I don't know if that is the general consensus about it.

grandpaul, the rear loop wasn't modified nicely. you would probably be right about your suggestion if this modification wasn't so haphazardly done. i'll have a picture up soon. I think i wan't to run a stock rear fender so i assume i need that rear loop to properly support the fender (at least support it in the way it was done originally)? seems that way from the parts diagram i looked at.

rvich, funny enough, i saw that same frame up on ebay that was taken down and emailed him already asking him to do just that, but i havent gotten a reply from him just yet. hopefully i'll hear back from him. if anyone does know which frame's rear loop would be the same geometry as mine, that would be especially helpful to know.

as pretty as some of the bikes ive seen on here look, i'm not goin for a full restoration on this one, but i'll definitely spruce her up the best i can... of course trying to do it on a drunkman budget. the yellow painted manifold and cylinder jugs are gonna have to be changed, though i think i want to get the bike running first before i take the top end apart.

thanks again everyone, will keep you updated with my progress. have some free time coming up, ill take lots of pictures.

all the best,

thedrunkman

Welcome aboard to the Norton Forum ! The seat/tail section is either a slightly modified "boat-tail" from a 1971 Harley Davidson Superglide ... or some kind've aftermarket job. Is that a "cat's eye tailight I see also ??? Steel Roadster gas tanks are available, (I would checkout walridge motors, as thay have roadster tanks on sale for $455 now, and Interstate steel ones for $525 !!! ... you won't find cheaper right now.) If your tank is fiberglass, I would throw it in the nearest dumpster. I've had nothing but grief from most of the fiberglass gas tanks I have had over the years. If your going to just get it running, I also RECOMMEND changing the layshaft bearing in the transmission to a caged roller; BEFORE you do any riding on it. The original bearing there has failed and "munched" alot of gearbox cases, and caused some riders to wreck, not good. It was the wrong bearing for the job. (Please search this forum for more info on it and you'll see what I mean.) BTW, I luv the Triumphs too, but you can get a great deal of pleasure from a properly setup Norton. Cheers !

Drunkman, It's good advice not to throw anything away or do any modifications until you have finally decided which of the many options you would like your Commando to follow. Some Production Racer, Cafe Racer, or Flat Track treatments often require the removal of the rear loop. I have repaired a shortened one which still had the curved section by adding a couple of straight sections made from appropriate sized tube just behind the rear shock mounts. I believe all of the Commando models share the same basic dimensions on the rear loop, although there may be subtle differences depending on where the frame maker was based during the period any particular frame was made (there are Imperial and Metric tube sizes used depending on year of manufacture). It looks like you have a good basis for a nice bike there, persevere and you will be rewarded with hours of fun.