New Owner in Houston, Texas

HouTexNorton · Jan 28, 2023

I just purchased a fully restored '72 Combat (that was built by an old friend of mine in Maine that does beautiful work) and am looking to connect with any Houston area owners and also get some recommendations for any local service shops. I'm interested in installing a cNw electric starter and, although I'm a tinkerer and moderately handy with tools, I'm not at a level of doing any major work like this yet (but interested in learning eventually). Any help would be appreciated.

mean gene · Jan 28, 2023

If you are a VIP member you search members map and send personal message to whom ever is closest

HouTexNorton · Jan 28, 2023

Thanks, I'll do that.

marshg246 · Jan 28, 2023

HouTexNorton said:
I just purchased a fully restored '72 Combat (that was built by an old friend of mine in Maine that does beautiful work) and am looking to connect with any Houston area owners and also get some recommendations for any local service shops. I'm interested in installing a cNw electric starter and, although I'm a tinkerer and moderately handy with tools, I'm not at a level of doing any major work like this yet (but interested in learning eventually). Any help would be appreciated.

Welcome!

Surprisingly the cNw e-start kit is big and looks complex but the instructions are so good and the kit is so complete that a "tinkerer" can do it. There are a couple of needed tools so if you find someone in your area with them, you may get it done and learn a lot along the way. Lots of people here, including me, have done it.

Cuppy · Jan 28, 2023

HouTexNorton said:
I just purchased a fully restored '72 Combat (that was built by an old friend of mine in Maine that does beautiful work) and am looking to connect with any Houston area owners and also get some recommendations for any local service shops. I'm interested in installing a cNw electric starter and, although I'm a tinkerer and moderately handy with tools, I'm not at a level of doing any major work like this yet (but interested in learning eventually). Any help would be appreciated.

Welcome HouTex Norton. I too have a 72 Combat that I need some help with. Any chance you could put me in touch with your friend. I know there's not many Norton owners here in Maine. I am located in Southern Maine.

HouTexNorton · Jan 28, 2023

Cuppy said:
Welcome HouTex Norton. I too have a 72 Combat that I need some help with. Any chance you could put me in touch with your friend. I know there's not many Norton owners here in Maine. I am located in Southern Maine.

Hi Cuppy,

Unfortunately, my friend has retired from building and working on bikes and has sold most of his collection--that's how I managed to wrangle mine out of him. However, he often used a place called Classic Bike Experience in Vermont, not far from him, from time to time for help. You might give them a call.

Home - Classic Bike Experience

Located in Essex, Vermont CBE/KickMagicPO Box 8141Essex, VT 05451 Call: 802.878.5383 Email: jack@classicbikeexperience.com PRODUCTS & SERVICES Repairs & Restorations Special Services Labor Rates & Services GOOGLE REVIEWS

classicbikeexperience.com

Richard Tool · Jan 28, 2023

Cuppy said:
Welcome HouTex Norton. I too have a 72 Combat that I need some help with. Any chance you could put me in touch with your friend. I know there's not many Norton owners here in Maine. I am located in Southern Maine.

I have a 72 Combat as well - I am in NJ. Lots of knowledgeable people here on this site that can help you if you want to tackle it yourself . Love Maine - spent my honeymoon there in Bar Harbor and have good friends who built a house on Great Diamond Island in Portland Harbor - did some carpentry for them on it . Did some Grouse hunting a few years back in Oqousic ( spelling ?? ) - the grouse won . If I can help in any way I’ll pm you with my phone / e mail if you want . LMK

concours · Jan 29, 2023

Cuppy said:
Welcome HouTex Norton. I too have a 72 Combat that I need some help with. Any chance you could put me in touch with your friend. I know there's not many Norton owners here in Maine. I am located in Southern Maine.

We have a New England Norton Owners club. Meet the Second Saturday of the month.

Cuppy · Jan 29, 2023

HouTexNorton said:
Hi Cuppy,

Unfortunately, my friend has retired from building and working on bikes and has sold most of his collection--that's how I managed to wrangle mine out of him. However, he often used a place called Classic Bike Experience in Vermont, not far from him, from time to time for help. You might give them a call.

Home - Classic Bike Experience

Located in Essex, Vermont CBE/KickMagicPO Box 8141Essex, VT 05451 Call: 802.878.5383 Email: jack@classicbikeexperience.com PRODUCTS & SERVICES Repairs & Restorations Special Services Labor Rates & Services GOOGLE REVIEWS

classicbikeexperience.com

Thank you for the response. I am looking for someone who might just stop by and give some pointers. I have heard of CBE in Vermont but a 4 hour drive away. I have received much help from forum members here (especially Greg Marsh) and will get it runnung eventually.

Cuppy · Jan 29, 2023

concours said:
We have a New England Norton Owners club. Meet the Second Saturday of the month.

I'm aware of the club. Where's the meet? Mass?

concours · Jan 29, 2023

Richard Tool said:
I have a 72 Combat as well - I am in NJ. Lots of knowledgeable people here on this site that can help you if you want to tackle it yourself . Love Maine - spent my honeymoon there in Bar Harbor and have good friends who built a house on Great Diamond Island in Portland Harbor - did some carpentry for them on it . Did some Grouse hunting a few years back in Oqousic ( spelling ?? ) - the grouse won . If I can help in any way I’ll pm you with my phone / e mail if you want . LMK

Cuppy said:
I'm aware of the club. Where's the meet? Mass?

Varies, Barnstead, NH, Ayer, MA Tewksbury,

CanukNortonNut · Jan 29, 2023

HouTexNorton said:
I just purchased a fully restored '72 Combat (that was built by an old friend of mine in Maine that does beautiful work) and am looking to connect with any Houston area owners and also get some recommendations for any local service shops. I'm interested in installing a cNw electric starter and, although I'm a tinkerer and moderately handy with tools, I'm not at a level of doing any major work like this yet (but interested in learning eventually). Any help would be appreciated.

HouTexN,
A good place to start for people in your area would be to join the INOA.
here is the link: https://inoanorton.net/
Scroll down on the left and click on chapters.
Find a group of fellow riders and Norton owners close to you. They might have rides, cafe runs or monthly get togethers.
Check it out.
Cheers,

HouTexNorton · Jan 29, 2023

CanukNortonNut said:
HouTexN,
A good place to start for people in your area would be to join the INOA.
here is the link: https://inoanorton.net/
Scroll down on the left and click on chapters.
Find a group of fellow riders and Norton owners close to you. They might have rides, cafe runs or monthly get togethers.
Check it out.
Cheers,

Thanks. Unfortunately, the INOA only has a North Texas chapter in Dallas (250 miles away) and nothing in Houston in the southeastern part of the state. However, there's a British Motorcycle Owners Association (BMOA) with a Houston chapter that I found and will be joining. It's chartered by the American Motorcyclist Association and affiliated with the INOA through various members.

marshg246 · Jan 29, 2023

If you've found the membership map, you'll see that there is another member very close to you and 6 more close to you.

Tornado · Jan 29, 2023

HouTexNorton said:
I just purchased a fully restored '72 Combat (that was built by an old friend of mine in Maine that does beautiful work) and am looking to connect with any Houston area owners and also get some recommendations for any local service shops. I'm interested in installing a cNw electric starter and, although I'm a tinkerer and moderately handy with tools, I'm not at a level of doing any major work like this yet (but interested in learning eventually). Any help would be appreciated.

For the CNW E-start...here is an excellent video series showing the process:

Be sure to check out that channel's other Commando & other classic brit bike videos...

cjandme · Jan 29, 2023

Hello & Welcome HouTexNorto

) I'm from North Houston up in Spring, however I'm currently living in Japan working for the Army on Blackhawks. I seem to remember seeing a post from a guy working on a commando and who owns or runs a shop up in Conroe if I'm not mistaken. Also I think H-Town16 on here is from our neck of the woods.

HouTexNorton · Jan 29, 2023

cjandme said:
Hello & Welcome HouTexNorto )) I'm from North Houston up in Spring, however I'm currently living in Japan working for the Army on Blackhawks. I seem to remember seeing a post from a guy working on a commando and who owns or runs a shop up in Conroe if I'm not mistaken. Also I think H-Town16 on here is from our neck of the woods.

Thanks, I heard that there was a guy up in Splendora that used to work for British USA-Gulf Coast BMW that works on classic British bikes, but I can't seem to track him down. I have corresponded with htown16.

Big_Jim59 · Jan 30, 2023

HouTexNorton said:
Thanks. Unfortunately, the INOA only has a North Texas chapter in Dallas (250 miles away) and nothing in Houston in the southeastern part of the state. However, there's a British Motorcycle Owners Association (BMOA) with a Houston chapter that I found and will be joining. It's chartered by the American Motorcyclist Association and affiliated with the INOA through various members.

It doesn't really matter. I live in Sherman, TX on the northern outskirts of the Dallas area. I have been a member of the NTNOA (North Texas Norton Owners Association) in the past but riding my Norton down to Dallas through the insanity that passes for Dallas traffic kind of kept me from attending meetings. They might as well have been in Houston. I would join but figure that I would be wasting money on dues.

When I was visiting the Norton Corner, at Barber Vintage Days last October, I thought joined the INOA. I printed my contact info, signed the sheet and gave them my money. They said I would get a newsletter and so far I got nothing. I guess I really suck at joining groups.

HouTexNorton · Jan 30, 2023

Big_Jim59 said:
It doesn't really matter. I live in Sherman, TX on the northern outskirts of the Dallas area. I have been a member of the NTNOA (North Texas Norton Owners Association) in the past but riding my Norton down to Dallas through the insanity that passes for Dallas traffic kind of kept me from attending meetings. They might as well have been in Houston. I would join but figure that I would be wasting money on dues.

When I was visiting the Norton Corner, at Barber Vintage Days last October, I thought joined the INOA. I printed my contact info, signed the sheet and gave them my money. They said I would get a newsletter and so far I got nothing. I guess I really suck at joining groups.

Yeah, it's really a crapshoot with some of these organized groups. The meeting spot for the BMOA here is at a restaurant that's not too far from me, so I'll probably give it a try before I join.

HouTexNorton · Jan 30, 2023

Tornado said:
For the CNW E-start...here is an excellent video series showing the process:

Be sure to check out that channel's other Commando & other classic brit bike videos...

I've become quite a fan of the Mighty Garage video series. This one on the E-start is very informative and makes me think I could probably tackle it with a little help.