new to the forum and looking for some help on a aquisition

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macey109

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I belong to various forums and always hate the new guy who asks "how much is this worth?" I loved commandos for many years and gave been looking for the right one for a few years now. My success in locating the right bike in So Cal has been tough (which is understandable). I've been riding since my teens and have never owned an English bike. A local shop got an Interstate back in September and have made it into a roadster. The bike has a 34mm Mikuni and is overall a pretty good looker. I am concerned on how much they are asking and if the 34mm is the right carb? (I've read different things on it and profess to have limited knowledge on these bikes- but darn they are sexy). I've attached a link and would love to hear thoughts and what should/shouldn't I be paying attention to. Thanks for input. Looking forwarding to learning a lot from the vets.

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1975-Norton-850-Commando-5001911056
 
The bike looks pretty nice... that's a lot of gold though. What do you want to do>? Just ride? Or tinker/ride? Half the money will get you the same bike, elsewhere in the US. SoCal though...
Ask to see receipts, previous owner documents, etc...
 
Thanks for the response. More riding than tinkering. I can get it for a few grand cheaper- but still feels rich.
 
How reputable is the shop? What did they do with the Interstate stuff? Does it come with the Roadster?

It's a lot of money. If the bike is truly ready to ride without a lot of messing around some of the money is justified. You will still need to educate yourself in things Commando just to make sure you get along with it. The add says it runs like new and there are plenty who will tell you it wasn't that good from the factory. Most of us end up with a 6-million dollar man sort of make over. So it isn't like there aren't other owners who have 17k invested, it just takes most of us a little longer to get there.

The Tri Spark ignition is popular. The bike looks like it might be running stock coils. If so, they are not very compatible. Check to see what the coils are and that they are matched to the ignition. (Specifically the stock coils need to be changed to run in series and they then tend to make the ignition run hot, so it runs really good for a short while.)

Is the mileage original? Has the motor been rebuilt? If so who did it and what did they do? I am not a Mk3 guy but you will want to get advice on care and feeding of the electrical system and starter from someone who knows that model. Is the electrical system stock other than the ignition?

And for that price, I would want the Interstate stuff included!
 
That’s a very nice looking bike. I won’t comment on values as those more local have more knowledge.

Two points I’d note:

A negative: The add states it’s had a full cosmetic rebuild... so we have to assume it’s not had any mechanical rebuild. So, old faults like soft cams and weak layshaft bearings may still lurk inside.

And a positive: a 3 month / 3,000 mike engine warranty on a 40+ year old motorbike has to be a good sign that the seller is confident with it.
 
Personally, I think it's way too much money.

Doesn't say it has matching numbers for frame, engine, tranny
Stock brakes are marginal at best
Layshaft bearing almost certainly needs replacement
Stock starter is not especially effective or powerful
Single Mikuni 34 easier to tune, but many believe you lose top end power
Original carbs and manifolds avail? Next owner prob wants them
Stock lighting is archaic,as is the head steady

Great looking, though! Did you ride it and like it?
 
I agree with Rick on value. I always say that anything is worth as mcuh as some damn fool will pay for it and that seller is in search of a fool. They are out there.
 
In Australia Nortons are pulling big prices but thats fully rebuilt and in perfect condition its still a lot of money, I can't say what prices are asking for anywhere else, for a decent price here is about $12k to $14k any higher and they aren't really wanting to sell, being forced to sell maybe, but then prices are going through the roof, for that price I buy a new Triumph 1200 Thruxton.

Ashley
 
12K in Australia is about 11K in the US.
Why wd it need a new primary chain? They're almost indestructible. New clutch at 10k miles? Hmm.
And those "new rear shocks" are not gonna generate a letter to the homestead, either.

Critical by nature, sorry...
 
macey109 said:
I belong to various forums and always hate the new guy who asks "how much is this worth?" I loved commandos for many years and gave been looking for the right one for a few years now. My success in locating the right bike in So Cal has been tough (which is understandable). I've been riding since my teens and have never owned an English bike. A local shop got an Interstate back in September and have made it into a roadster. The bike has a 34mm Mikuni and is overall a pretty good looker. I am concerned on how much they are asking and if the 34mm is the right carb? (I've read different things on it and profess to have limited knowledge on these bikes- but darn they are sexy). I've attached a link and would love to hear thoughts and what should/shouldn't I be paying attention to. Thanks for input. Looking forwarding to learning a lot from the vets.

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1975-Norton-850-Commando-5001911056
Click to expand...

Last summer, I bought my stepson a late 1974 Interstate, fully rebuilt to stock, matching numbers, that took best motorcycle in it's first show (not a Norton show). I paid $6000 delivered from MI to VA. We had to sort out some things like they forgot to put oil in the gearbox, the primary was poorly adjusted, the clutch slipped, and so on. Now it runs great and has had no other problems. On eBay, it would have gone for around $10,000 but a dumb seller via a dumb shop turned out very good for me.

That said, at the same time I bought that bike, I bought a 1972 that I'll have as least $7500 in by the time I've finished rebuilding it. If the bike in the ad was a perfect restoration, it might not be way overpriced, but it is a long way from perfect and if I were looking for a 75 to keep for myself, I wouldn't consider more than $10,000 for that one.
 
...also, pin striping on the fuel tank appears to have been done by a kindergarden student, no crossover exhaust, rear wheel appears to have been converted to 18", handlebars are "universal fit" knurled all the way in the center, no rear view mirrors. Not deal breakers, but be informed, this stuff was all changed.
The silly price is not an unusual tactic for salesman to let the buyer beat him down all the way to what he really wants. $$$
 
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the ad lists the stamping number on the frame as the VIN which is incorrect . it looks good, except for the paint work but for $20,000 you can get CNW to build your pile of scrap into the worlds finest Norton and in the Norton world CNW is right at the top,(there are others on par). so until you get details of who the builder is, i wouldn't pay more than $8-10,000. because its only cosmetic, not total
 
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Mr. Rick said:
12K in Australia is about 11K in the US.
Why wd it need a new primary chain? They're almost indestructible. New clutch at 10k miles? Hmm.
And those "new rear shocks" are not gonna generate a letter to the homestead, either.

Critical by nature, sorry...
Click to expand...

That’s a very good point, primary chains and clutches should be good as new at 10k miles! So it begs the question as to why they were changed...
 
There are several Commandos listed in the "For Sale" section of this forum which will give you some comparison.
 
850commando said:
the ad lists the stamping number on the frame as the VIN which is incorrect . it looks good, except for the paint work but for $20,000 you can get CNW to build your pile of scrap into the worlds finest Norton and in the Norton world CNW is right at the top,(there are others on par). so until you get details of who the builder is, i wouldn't pay more than $8-10,000. because its only cosmetic, not total
Click to expand...


Last I looked this service was more like $35k + Norton.
That was a few years ago....

Glen
 
Oh, ouch! Rough crowd! Rough crowd! Let's face it, the 3,000 mile warranty costs about 7-grand.
 
It looks like a nice bike, but i would not pay that much for it. I see its in Socal. I live in socal, it does not look like a private sale. Where is it located?

Jerry
 
That's a good looking bike, I'd haggle for it at a reduced price, maybe 10-12k. They're getting scarcer every day.

Couple of small observations:
Pinstriping on the tank is not correct for a Mk3. Norton logo on seat should be gold, not silver.
Ask if layshaft bearing has been replaced, does starter work, has front master cylinder been sleeved. Mikuni will be fine.
Jaydee
 
worntorn said:
Last I looked this service was more like $35k + Norton.
That was a few years ago....

Glen
Click to expand...

what was i thinking :( , still stand by my comment on value,

the primary chain should not need replacing at that low mileage, unless the mileage indicated is only on the speedo. would be interesting to to see the correct vin and also engine/tranny numbers if they match.
 
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