It’s been an interesting few days. I was sitting on a bench at the only gas station in the small town of Rico, Colorado where we’re vacationing, when a guy pulls up in a beautifully restored Commando 750. Upon admiring his bike, he explained he was on his way to the INOA rally in Mancos, not far from here. I hadn’t thought about Norton in years, but I’ve always admired the classic look of these bikes and can remember lusting over Commando brochures when I was a kid in the early 70’s.
When I got back to an Internet connection, I discovered how much information there is about these vintage bikes and at the same time, I found you guys.
Yesterday, I drove to Mancos to check out the bikes. On the way, I stopped in Dolores, CO. to visit Colorado Norton Works and met Matt Rambow. What a great guy and a beautiful shop.
By the time we got to Mancos, most of the riders were headed out for a ride to Telluride. We passed several dozen on the way. At the rally campground I had a nice visit with a few of the remaining owners and was impressed with how friendly every one was and how much the loved their Norton’s. Unfortunately for the group riding to Telluride, it was an awful day to be on the road. Cold heavy rain in the mountains with a bit of ice and pea-sized hail to go with it.
Early that evening back in Rico, I saw a Commando 850 parked at the same station. The owner was nowhere to be found and I learned that he, like others, had ventured out without rain protection. The guy had come into the store cold, wet and shivering. Apparently, he had taken ill. His buddies ended up leaving him there and the store owner took him to his home to dry out and recuperate. Speaks well for the residents of Rico.
Needless to say, I’ve taken a renewed interest in Norton. I’ve been looking for a project, having completed a homebuilt airplane a few years back, and a Norton restoration sounds pretty challenging and exciting. I’m now beginning my search for a basket case, probably a 750 (I love the look of those drum brakes) to bring back to factory condition (or better). The idea of a factory restoration with only the modifications that improve reliability is most appealing to me. I’m glad I found the forum and look forward to having all my questions answered here.
Any advice on what to look for when examining bikes. . . How to spot a bent frame, for instance? Particular hot spots that I should be looking for? One basket case which I’ve only seen in pictures, a 1970 750, looks promising. All the expensive parts are there. The engine is complete and attached to the frame and the parts rotate. He’s asking $1,500.
Thanks in advance for all the help I know I’ll receive here.
When I got back to an Internet connection, I discovered how much information there is about these vintage bikes and at the same time, I found you guys.
Yesterday, I drove to Mancos to check out the bikes. On the way, I stopped in Dolores, CO. to visit Colorado Norton Works and met Matt Rambow. What a great guy and a beautiful shop.
By the time we got to Mancos, most of the riders were headed out for a ride to Telluride. We passed several dozen on the way. At the rally campground I had a nice visit with a few of the remaining owners and was impressed with how friendly every one was and how much the loved their Norton’s. Unfortunately for the group riding to Telluride, it was an awful day to be on the road. Cold heavy rain in the mountains with a bit of ice and pea-sized hail to go with it.
Early that evening back in Rico, I saw a Commando 850 parked at the same station. The owner was nowhere to be found and I learned that he, like others, had ventured out without rain protection. The guy had come into the store cold, wet and shivering. Apparently, he had taken ill. His buddies ended up leaving him there and the store owner took him to his home to dry out and recuperate. Speaks well for the residents of Rico.
Needless to say, I’ve taken a renewed interest in Norton. I’ve been looking for a project, having completed a homebuilt airplane a few years back, and a Norton restoration sounds pretty challenging and exciting. I’m now beginning my search for a basket case, probably a 750 (I love the look of those drum brakes) to bring back to factory condition (or better). The idea of a factory restoration with only the modifications that improve reliability is most appealing to me. I’m glad I found the forum and look forward to having all my questions answered here.
Any advice on what to look for when examining bikes. . . How to spot a bent frame, for instance? Particular hot spots that I should be looking for? One basket case which I’ve only seen in pictures, a 1970 750, looks promising. All the expensive parts are there. The engine is complete and attached to the frame and the parts rotate. He’s asking $1,500.
Thanks in advance for all the help I know I’ll receive here.
