Newbie Commando owner

Hi all,
I recently came in possession of an old 1975 Commando. She is almost 100% complete and stock but the bike sat in a damp garage for too many years. She needs a lot of TLC. The brakes are all corroded and froze up and it was parked with fuel in it for at least 10 years. My question is what is the most cost efficient bang for you buck way of getting it running and ride able? Should I rebuild the twin Amels or use a single carb upgrade to something else? Rebuild the stock calipers or are there other choices. I am not opposed to veering away from stock but do not want to create a massive snowball I can not stop. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Scott

Welcome to Commando ownership.
If you find an easy way to stop that snowball, many here could be interested !

Interested to hear what you go with.
Going to show pics along the way... ?

ScottMDMC said:

Hi all,
I recently came in possession of an old 1975 Commando. She is almost 100% complete and stock but the bike sat in a damp garage for too many years. She needs a lot of TLC. The brakes are all corroded and froze up and it was parked with fuel in it for at least 10 years. My question is what is the most cost efficient bang for you buck way of getting it running and ride able? Should I rebuild the twin Amels or use a single carb upgrade to something else? Rebuild the stock calipers or are there other choices. I am not opposed to veering away from stock but do not want to create a massive snowball I can not stop. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Scott

Click to expand...

Scott, there's nothing wrong with those Amals. Here's some good instructions on rebuilding and setting them up:

http://www.jba.bc.ca/Bushmans%20Carb%20Tuning.html

Also,don't give up on rebuilding the master cylinder and caliper till you at least get them apart. Most times you can get the pistons out of the caliper by soaking them and blowing compressed air through the lines. Mine sat for 20 years and looked horrible, and all they needed was a good cleaning and a rebuild kit. I was even able to reuse the pistons.

http://www.oldbritts.com/caliper_rebuild.html

Welcome Scott. First of all where are you located. There are people here from all over the world, and willing to help.

The size of the snowball depends on you. Most items are easy to rebuild, and can be taken a piece at a time.

Almost all of the parts can be purchased new.

All perishable items are available. Please try to buy Genuine Andover Norton parts when possible, this will save frustration.

There are many reputable vendors, OldBritts is just one of many. Old britts is also good for an online parts diagram.

And most of all ask questions. Good luck, Brent

This thread is 2 months old and he still has only 1 post. I'm guessing he lost interest.

Dave
69S

No Dave, it was posted today. he joined 2 months ago.

Got it. thanks.

Well, after that, Scott, in reality fixing up an old Commando is going to cost $$$. I spent about $8K on mine and I had all the parts, but I replaced lots of stuff and rebuilt the whole thing like new. If you want to just get it running, it's still going to cost a few grand unless things are in real good shape. By then hopefully the bug will bite and you will have figured out there is no other bike like the Norton and you'll have to get back into it, but maybe not. It's up to you.

Keep us posted how it goes and it didn't happen if we don't have pictures.

Dave
69S

ScottMDMC said:

Hi all,
I recently came in possession of an old 1975 Commando. She is almost 100% complete and stock but the bike sat in a damp garage for too many years. She needs a lot of TLC. The brakes are all corroded and froze up and it was parked with fuel in it for at least 10 years. My question is what is the most cost efficient bang for you buck way of getting it running and ride able? Should I rebuild the twin Amels or use a single carb upgrade to something else? Rebuild the stock calipers or are there other choices. I am not opposed to veering away from stock but do not want to create a massive snowball I can not stop. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Scott

Click to expand...

Check all your electrical connections. More than likely a lot of the black bullet connector covers are brittle especially the large one under the tank.

If it is made of rubber, you will probably have to replace it.

You will have a hard tar like substance in the tank.
Fill the tank with plain white vinegar and let it sit for a week. Strain it out into a bucket and pour the nasty vinegar back in for another week.
I used a wooden dowel to stick into the bottom to break up some of the sludge. It may take several refills of vinegar to get it clean. The key is to be patient.

I thought I could use my amals. One slide was fused to the body. I went with a Mikuni kit.

Attempt to rebuild the brakes. When you get in there, you will know what you can and can't reuse.

Get it safe and reliable, then make it pretty.

drones76 said:

ScottMDMC said:

Hi all,
I recently came in possession of an old 1975 Commando. She is almost 100% complete and stock but the bike sat in a damp garage for too many years. She needs a lot of TLC. The brakes are all corroded and froze up and it was parked with fuel in it for at least 10 years. My question is what is the most cost efficient bang for you buck way of getting it running and ride able? Should I rebuild the twin Amels or use a single carb upgrade to something else? Rebuild the stock calipers or are there other choices. I am not opposed to veering away from stock but do not want to create a massive snowball I can not stop. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Scott

Click to expand...

Check all your electrical connections. More than likely a lot of the black bullet connector covers are brittle especially the large one under the tank.

If it is made of rubber, you will probably have to replace it.

Click to expand...

ScottMDMC describes it as being a "1975 Commando" so presumably it's an 850 MkIII model, in which case it wouldn't normally have the large rubber connector under the tank.

DogT said:

This thread is 2 months old and he still has only 1 post. I'm guessing he lost interest.

Dave
69S

Click to expand...

I think you are confused with the date when he joined the forum. Thread/topic is fresh today.

pvisseriii said:

DogT said:

This thread is 2 months old and he still has only 1 post. I'm guessing he lost interest.

Dave
69S

Click to expand...

I think you are confused with the date when he joined the forum. Thread/topic is fresh today.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I've already paid for that. Must be the old timers disease. Gotta blame it on something.

Dave
69S

Thanks all,
I do hope to get it running this winter, paint and pretty is down the road. I have not pulled anything apart yet, it is up on the stand that is about as far as I got. I am from the Pittsburgh, Pa area and there are not many Nortons around that I have seen. I would like to post a photo of her but have not figured out how yet.

" but do not want to create a massive snowball I can not stop. Any suggestions would be appreciated. "

Throw a Long Weekend all weekend party for blokes who ride there on their own Nortons .

Have All Tools clean & Ready , & a few wash tanks & cleaning apparatus .

Top Shelf for refreshments only , for best results . Anticipate Completion Three Days , if you get a dozen in . :mrgreen:

ScottMDMC said:

Thanks all,
I do hope to get it running this winter, paint and pretty is down the road. I have not pulled anything apart yet, it is up on the stand that is about as far as I got. I am from the Pittsburgh, Pa area and there are not many Nortons around that I have seen. I would like to post a photo of her but have not figured out how yet.

Click to expand...

There is a post at the top of the forum regarding posting pics. There is info in there about getting the shop manual. Google for a local Norton or Brit bikes club. You may find someone that way. Take your time. Learn to search these forums. Most of what you may need has been asked and answered already. Enjoy the journey as much as the result. It is very satisfying.

ScottMDMC said:

My question is what is the most cost efficient bang for you buck way of getting it running and ride able?
Thanks, Scott

Click to expand...

Corrosion and Rot. Disuse is as bad or worse than misuse. Your safety and preventing some mechanical catastrophe pretty much leaves you with some work to do before you get it running and ridable

Check out the Western Pennsylvania Norton Owners' Chapter on this list. The members can probably help you get started on it.

http://www.inoanorton.com/Chapters/

I kinda like the 3 day party idea.

ScottMDMC said:

I kinda like the 3 day party idea.

Click to expand...

Ensure Daiquiris and Geritol Highballs with bran chips a nice statin salsa and and you're set.
Actually, the greybeards can probably help you save a lot of time and money, not to mention getting it right the first time, (usually).

Welcome ScottMDMC, I too am resurrecting a '75 MKIII that sat for 20+ years in the back of a garage up in Buffalo. Mine also had quite a bit of corrosion, but these bikes clean up nicely, I would recommend a new ignition system, (there are many to choose from, I currently like the digital optical one from Oldbritts it's easy to set correctly while static). It's probably best to pull the engine apart (if you have the facilities & time & abilities) then you know exactly what's in there, the rings could be rusty and score the cyclinders etc... But you could also pull the plugs and start squirting oil in there and let it sit a bit. drain the old oil from the tank and drain the crank case too, refill with new and begin turning it over a little at a time, while you're rebuilding the carbs (JSMotorsports offers some new style flat slide carbs or single carb w/manifold at a very reasonable price IMHO) and cleaning the gas tank and sorting the brakes etc. As previousluy posted most if not all parts are available now, it's a great time to own a Norton. Also the gearbox should have the layshaft bearing replaced as they are prone to come apart and lock up the rear wheel. There is lots of great info here on this site and many good folks with lots of experience willing to share what they know. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of your bike and progress.Cj

Hi, I just did a triumph that sat for a long time. I used a product called 'Evapo Rust" found on the internet. keep it slightly above room temp. and put any rusty parts in it overnight and they will be rust free the next day! The warmer it is the better it works.
Bruce MacGregor