New to forum

[jeffmack]

hello all. looking for a little advice for a newbie. I am a long time motorcyclist but have been iching for a classic vintage bike for years. I have my heart set on a 74" 850 Commando and am shopping hard for one. Any pitfalls I need to be aware of? planning on treating myself to a Vintage gem for my 40th next month.
thanks ya"ll

 

[grandpaul]

You are right on the heels of another new member who was looking for a '74, and I believe he found one already.

Nothing significant about the 74 that needs special attention. Some people think that's the best year of all.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[pete.v]

I all depends on your budget. The pitfalls will be determined by how much you can afford. There is a fine financial balance between a basket case and a fully refreshed unit. Either one can cost more or less than the other in the end.

I do not want to say it is a crap shoot but the gamble will be reduced to the extent of which you can validate the condition before purchase. I know this sounds simplistic but these things seem to magnify the aspect.

The other train of thought is "damn the torpedoes" and get what you want or what look best to your eye. What ever problem you may get stuck with is part of the gratification and charm of Norton ownership.

All things are fixable and quite frankly, if you end up with a fair use unit, you will want and need to go through pretty much everything any ways in order to bring it to a safe and dependable bike.

A great pleasures is riding this 40 year old bike, in your case at 40, is knowing that not only does it kick ass, handle like a dream and looks phenominal but is also safe and dependable by your own hand.

 

[rvich]

Welcome to the forum,

Here is a link to the other recent conversation:

newbi-looking-for-advice-purchasing-norton-commando-t11792.html#p135651

There is some good advice in there. Give it a read and fire away with questions. We are good at giving advice, particularly when we are spending your money!

Russ

 

[jeffmack]

way cool guys, thanks for posting the link to the thread. hope my search ends as happy as his. I was thinking of bidding on 2 diff bikes on ebay, a interstate and a straight commando. I will see if I can find/pay someone to maybe check the bike out before a bid. sellers said he'd have no problem letting a tech check them out, but I know that is a long shot. would much rather find a private enthusiast seller. thanks again guys.

 

[rvich]

It wouldn't hurt to go to the classified section of this forum and post in the "wanted" section that you are looking for a bike. Good luck in your search.

In the end it is like getting married...In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. (Or is that pourer? I think I better pour myself another!)

Russ

 

[jeffmack]

any knowledge of these bikes??? hate to think of going ebay, but having a tough time finding the right bike




http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-C ... 885wt_1167

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-? ... 500wt_1182

 

[boz]

The first bike is a bitsa. The gas tanks looks like a high rider or from a fastback and the seat is off a BSA. The foot pegs are rear sets none of this is very original. The second bike appears to be an Interstate. The only thing that struck me was I have always been told that Nortons did not come with the Made in England stickers on them and this one has one on the rear fender. So in my opinion it is someones interpretation. Does not make either one bad just a place to start.

 

[rvich]

I bought a '74 Interstate in 1977 that had a Made In England decal on the rear fender. Just FWIW. It could have been something dealers in the US did. I don't know.

The main thing I see when I look at those two bikes is that one is an Interstate with a large tank and seat on which you sit upright. It is intended for longer distance cruising than the other which has rear set and lower bars. I haven't tried cruising on a cafe bike of that style but you should think about what kind of riding you want to do. A lot of people don't much like the way the Interstates look, but the tank being twice as large has a real bonus if you get away from urban areas for riding. Some people can't handle the body posture of the cafe bike.

Russ

 

[batrider]

My '72 and friend's '71 bought in England had the Made In England stickers on the rear fender. It is in the parts books.

 

[jeffmack]

Thanks for looking and the advice. I think I'd prefer the style of the str8 commando over the interstate. I
Am ver new to this forum but already very impressed with the knowledge you guys have. I look forward to learning
As much as I can about these bikes. Are there any ball park estimations on the cost to return the bitsa (first bike)
Back to stock? It's something I'd do over time, but curious from what you guys can see what it would take. Thanks again

 

[boz]

The bike looks to be all there and the seller is claiming that the tank is metal. That is a big plus over the glass tanks with todays corn gas. If you like the look all the better. It looks like the oil lines to the head have been replaced by Stainless lines another good thing. The bike is sporting the stock head steady. You should check the plate for cracks. After market ones from Colorado Norton Works and others are a good idea. The seat, as I said before, I don't believe that style ever came on a Norton. With a cafe bike the Corbin Gunfighter is a popular choice.
http://corbin.com/norton/nortongun.shtml
After that it is up to you. If you take the plunge it can be the best of times or it can be the worst of times.
Good luck

 

[jeffmack]

cool, thanks. I will ask him about the head condition. I did confirm with him the tank is metal and it is a G15 tank. You had the seat nailed as it is a BSA seat. I am very close to trying to go for this one. trying to find a reason not to and being very careful. I have the seller 17 questions and he has been forth coming. Was able to track doen on my own 3 previous classic bike buyers from him and all very happy. we will see!!

 

[L.A.B.]

The rear brake cable on that ebay Interstate needs to be re-routed over the Z plate-not under it! :shock:

 

[jeffmack]

good catch. I spent about a hour on the phone with the gentleman who is selling the interstate. He resto's 2-3 BSA's, Nortons, or Triumphs a year and is a full time tech. This gives me a little piece of mind. he did tell me that I will want to have new tires put on the bike as the side walls are starting to crack. one thing he did mention and I wanted to run by you guys is this:
he mentioned that these nortons when sitting for a while will leak oil into the crank case," not a bid deal as long as you drain it and refill without letting the amount leaked get to excessive while adding oil to your oil tank at the same time" hope I worded it right. He did mention a fix for this issue but he doesnt like the fix due to if that fix fails and you allow the crank to get inundated with oil and keep riding without draining that area damage can be done, and to just keep it drained and all is well. he also mentioned he has the stock (lower bars) for the bike and would include them. I do believe i prefer the lower bar or semi cafe look. he also stated the tank is origional and metal, all fluids changed (engine oil, fork oil, gear oil, etc). he was very knowledge able and obviously a fan of these bikes. still makes me nervous thinking about buying this way. but 74' 850 is my dream bike.

 

[swooshdave]

good catch. I spent about a hour on the phone with the gentleman who is selling the interstate. He resto's 2-3 BSA's, Nortons, or Triumphs a year and is a full time tech. This gives me a little piece of mind. he did tell me that I will want to have new tires put on the bike as the side walls are starting to crack. one thing he did mention and I wanted to run by you guys is this:
he mentioned that these nortons when sitting for a while will leak oil into the crank case," not a bid deal as long as you drain it and refill without letting the amount leaked get to excessive while adding oil to your oil tank at the same time" hope I worded it right. He did mention a fix for this issue but he doesnt like the fix due to if that fix fails and you allow the crank to get inundated with oil and keep riding without draining that area damage can be done, and to just keep it drained and all is well. he also mentioned he has the stock (lower bars) for the bike and would include them. I do believe i prefer the lower bar or semi cafe look. he also stated the tank is origional and metal, all fluids changed (engine oil, fork oil, gear oil, etc). he was very knowledge able and obviously a fan of these bikes. still makes me nervous thinking about buying this way. but 74' 850 is my dream bike.

Search "wetsumping" and be prepared to spend the rest of the week reading about it.

search.php?keywords=wetsump&terms=any&author=&fid%5B%5D=1&sc=1&sf=all&sr=posts&sk=t&sd=d&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

Short answer: Many Nortons wetsump. Cheapest solution is to ride often. :mrgreen:

 

[Matt Spencer]

The Hi Rider tank one ( STEEL ? ) looks bitsa ish , Interste looks good . Seems to have had a good overhaul .
Things to bitch about ? , Plastic air box , no worries , better with the ears off , better still K&N or whateva .
Original Interstate had pipes that cleared panniers , Horizontal mufflers . So What .
Noisier with seperate pipes , Thats the ' Noise Emissions ' model .

The ' labour of love ' checkover would be a few grand , commercially .
Hopefully its mechanical serviceing only , not a tart up / retouch on the visual stuff .Looks like a good buy at any price .

Other approach is , Build youreself ' a bitsa ' if mix n match is youre game for Bendswinging / Canyon Raceing . :wink:

Wetsumping , ? Fire it up Ea. fortnite, gives oiling on startup . A decent Oilpump wont bleed down , so is the Cure .
Plus the correct oil . Ownership entails maintaing things IN Adjustment , NOT recifying when theyve gone out off .
Essentially ' Aircraft Standards / Proceedures , if you want it to Fly . Or Race Standards if youre going to Race It .
Even at Traffic Lights . :twisted: :lol:

 

[jeffmack]

Anything bad about the bean can exhaust???? I have read they are quieter. Any performance or reliability issues with that set up?

 

[swooshdave]

Anything bad about the bean can exhaust???? I have read they are quieter. Any performance or reliability issues with that set up?

Nothing bad about them, except as you mention, they can be quiet.

 

[jeffmack]

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem ... 0916278298


Any info on this one? I want a roadster if Ivan find the right one