The Commando 750 I recently purchased was a good looker for a never restored 37 y.o. bike. And the most important thing: I know her since 1984 when my friend bought her secondhand in the UK.
On the other hand I know my friend. The Norton was always ridden fast but very well looked after. All together she has now 75K miles on the clock – with the second engine.
Number one blew up after 65K miles: a conrod split the case in two halfes. Happened on the German motorway at highspeed.
The second engine was bought in parts from a guy who gave up his Norton career. I was told that he overhauled every part and had it stored over years, still separated in a few boxes.
My friend rebuilt the engine, which was not much used since then, because modern bikes like Triumph Thunderbird Sport or Voxan Café Racer where prefered in the last years.
When I purchased the bike a few months ago it was a non runner, as it stood in a shed for over a year due to illness of my friend. But a charged battery did the job and wow!- second kick she was alive! A short trip round the block made me smile: hadn’t ridden a Commando for years! I already forgot how torquey they are! And this sound!
Back home I decided not to do a complete restauration, as she really was in good running order. And to tear her apart just for the optical – never! A bit of faded colour everywhere – no problem at all! That’s patina!
Well, this big Interstate tank…. I never liked them. And this huge luggage rack. Don’t like this workhorse looks, no way! Might be practical but I have other bikes for touring.
And the wheels with rusty spokes. Oh well, that at least should be done. And I wanted to go for wider rims as well! And no, that’s not just for the optic! I always liked the Battlax BT45 on Jap Youngtimers. Why not trying them on the Norton?
So I got a spare Roadster tank in worst condition. And the wheels are going to be built from a professional who luckily runs his business a few miles away.
Meanwhile I had a look at the light oily cylinder base. I decided not just to retighten the nuts, but rather do the base gasket. What I found was sealing compound, which as a matter of fact is to be blamed as the culprit! Unfortunately I had to stop at this point, as I found in my sealing set the copper head gasket. From earlier experience I knew what to do: order the proper one!
Fortunately I found 32mm carbs and on further investigation a cylinderhead with well opened ports and a “C” stamped on! And the cylinders running on standard pistons, with very few carbone on their domes made me even feel better!
In the meantime I changed the liquids and washed out the oiltank. That was a good idea, the bottom was ful of slug!
Why not open the primary case? Time enough, wheels need a few weeks, gasket and small parts as well. And the clutch was unlikely very heavy to pull. On further examination I found a clutch center and discs which where far away from useful. So the next order was on the way. It always cost much more as you have planned. I should have known better!
Cutch parts have arrived and put together. I ordered the surflex ones with a thicker alloy plate. Goes dead easy now! As it should.
That are the facts so far. The wheelbuilder made a vague promise to have them ready by the weekend. I think he means next week or before Cristmas. Hopefully.
To be continued soon!
On the other hand I know my friend. The Norton was always ridden fast but very well looked after. All together she has now 75K miles on the clock – with the second engine.
Number one blew up after 65K miles: a conrod split the case in two halfes. Happened on the German motorway at highspeed.
The second engine was bought in parts from a guy who gave up his Norton career. I was told that he overhauled every part and had it stored over years, still separated in a few boxes.
My friend rebuilt the engine, which was not much used since then, because modern bikes like Triumph Thunderbird Sport or Voxan Café Racer where prefered in the last years.
When I purchased the bike a few months ago it was a non runner, as it stood in a shed for over a year due to illness of my friend. But a charged battery did the job and wow!- second kick she was alive! A short trip round the block made me smile: hadn’t ridden a Commando for years! I already forgot how torquey they are! And this sound!
Back home I decided not to do a complete restauration, as she really was in good running order. And to tear her apart just for the optical – never! A bit of faded colour everywhere – no problem at all! That’s patina!
Well, this big Interstate tank…. I never liked them. And this huge luggage rack. Don’t like this workhorse looks, no way! Might be practical but I have other bikes for touring.
And the wheels with rusty spokes. Oh well, that at least should be done. And I wanted to go for wider rims as well! And no, that’s not just for the optic! I always liked the Battlax BT45 on Jap Youngtimers. Why not trying them on the Norton?
So I got a spare Roadster tank in worst condition. And the wheels are going to be built from a professional who luckily runs his business a few miles away.
Meanwhile I had a look at the light oily cylinder base. I decided not just to retighten the nuts, but rather do the base gasket. What I found was sealing compound, which as a matter of fact is to be blamed as the culprit! Unfortunately I had to stop at this point, as I found in my sealing set the copper head gasket. From earlier experience I knew what to do: order the proper one!
Fortunately I found 32mm carbs and on further investigation a cylinderhead with well opened ports and a “C” stamped on! And the cylinders running on standard pistons, with very few carbone on their domes made me even feel better!
In the meantime I changed the liquids and washed out the oiltank. That was a good idea, the bottom was ful of slug!
Why not open the primary case? Time enough, wheels need a few weeks, gasket and small parts as well. And the clutch was unlikely very heavy to pull. On further examination I found a clutch center and discs which where far away from useful. So the next order was on the way. It always cost much more as you have planned. I should have known better!
Cutch parts have arrived and put together. I ordered the surflex ones with a thicker alloy plate. Goes dead easy now! As it should.
That are the facts so far. The wheelbuilder made a vague promise to have them ready by the weekend. I think he means next week or before Cristmas. Hopefully.
To be continued soon!
