Norton Atlas

Norcoastal

Norcoastal

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Aug 21, 2016
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I’m looking for a winter project. I’ve restored a Commando and some Triumphs and BSA’s. I’ve never worked on an Atlas. I found an Atlas minus the engine, but it looks like there is a lot there.

A few questions if you don’t mind:

Is this worth restoring?

What should I pay for it?

Are they collectible?

If I get it, what are good options for restoration; original, Manx, Triton?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
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Have a title? I love the Atlas, but I would pass unless it was cheap, like a few hundred cheap. There are better ones out there with an engine/gearbox that will save you time and money.
 
It likely will cost more to restore than it will be worth - even without your labor . In example my Commando costs were on the order of 12k and I started with a complete bike which I paid 2k for some years before restoration. The only labor accounted for in the 12 k figure is custom paint , cylinder honing and some welding of the stainless rear fender . The rest of the work is not included.
I may be wrong but I believe an Atlas is less valuable than a Commando . You would be wise to check and see what Atlas’ are bringing these days . I think there have been falling values on most classic bikes these days .
That being said , if you value the project and an Atlas appeals to you than that is up to you . I am currently starting in on a 1956 Dommie basket case that I bought years ago . It is mostly complete
but I doubt I will get my costs back in the future. It is a hobby and not an investment.
I agree with kernel65 - If it has a clear and valid title I would only pay a couple hundred bucks. Good luck.
 
Thanks for the feedback. He’s asking $1,250 but I was going to offer $600. I know I’ll never get back what I put in, but that’s not what I’d do it for, I love the work. I haven’t seen any of these available which is why I was inquiring. It’s apparently a barn find and looks complete minus the engine but he has a basket of parts. No title.
 
If I have done this correctly here is a link to Bring a Trailer listing Atlas sale prices .
bringatrailer.com

Atlas

Browse and bid online for the chance to own a Norton Atlas at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online.
bringatrailer.com bringatrailer.com
 
It worked. What a cool site, thank you. Looks like they’re worth about $4-6,000 complete. May be better off finding another commando unless I can get it for a few hundred bucks. The bike is only about 40 minutes from me which is a plus, but right now I’m leaning more towards passing.

Richard, I haven’t been on this site for a number of years, but I recognize your name. You’ve helped me before.

Thank you!
 
That primary case sitting in the background is worth nearly $500 to a serious restorer if in excellent condition. It's not for an Atlas though. It is for a P11, or N15CS, and maybe another desert sled.

I'd charge the seller to haul it away, but I get no enjoyment out of working with rusted anything, so my opinion means nuts. :)
 
Schwany said:
That primary case sitting in the background is worth nearly $500 to a serious restorer if in excellent condition. It's not for an Atlas though. It is for a P11, or N15CS, and maybe another desert sled.

I'd charge the seller to haul it away, but I get no enjoyment out of working with rusted anything, so my opinion means nuts. :)
Click to expand...
Haha, I’ve already contacted the seller and passed. It could have been a fun project but not for $1,250.
 
If the head is good, not busted up, and a 67'-68' vintage head. It's worth a few bucks as well. Lot of porting potential with the old 750 heads for 750 Nortons.

Is this pile of rust in the Seattle area by any chance?
 
Schwany said:
If the head is good, not busted up, and a 67'-68' vintage head. It's worth a few bucks as well. Lot of porting potential with the old 750 heads for 750 Nortons.

Is this pile of rust in the Seattle area by any chance?
Click to expand...
No it’s in Maryland
 
I must be strange, however I would prefer an Atlas to a Commando, and one without a motor would be great. I'd get an 850 Commando motor and rebalance the crank. I am old-fashioned - I like bikes which really get up and go. My childhood was in the 1950s and 1960s. So I probably think differently. I those days, motor cars were very comfy. Motorcycles were for having fun. I should have been locked-up for speeding.
My friend used to rubber-mount the motors in road-race Yamaha two-strokes to stop the frames from cracking - they never seemed to perform as well as with the rigid mounts.
A Commando has good performance, but an Atlas with an 850 motor might be what could have been.
A friend of mine used to race a road going Atlas 750 in A-grade races against the 500cc Manx Nortons - he used to win a few. That probably does not sound like much, but you had to experience riding with our top guys to really understand it. Any road bike was usually a big handicap.
 
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Norcoastal said:
Thanks for the feedback. He’s asking $1,250 but I was going to offer $600. I know I’ll never get back what I put in, but that’s not what I’d do it for, I love the work. I haven’t seen any of these available which is why I was inquiring. It’s apparently a barn find and looks complete minus the engine but he has a basket of parts. No title
Click to expand...
Please save it from becoming another triton!
 
Norcoastal said:
Haha, wouldn’t make it a triton, but maybe a Manx.

How does a Manx differ from an Atlas?
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Atlas - 750 cc parallel twin - slimline featherbed frame
Manx - 500 cc single or 350 cc single
Wideline featherbed frame - more exotic tubing/ welding
Better brakes

And many more differences that others more knowledgeable than I
can explain …
 
M1Lover

Thread 'Stupid Question: Difference between Wideline and Slimline'

Seat shopping as the restorer left me with a hack job on my original pan. I found Leighton's and must confess, I don't know if my 66 atlas is a wideline or slimline. How DOES one tell the difference? Apologies for the newb question and Thanks. Hunter

Fast Eddie

Thread 'Featherbed: Twin vs Manx, handling, weight, etc'

Inspired by the chat elsewhere about Rudi Thalhammer’s Domiracer, I did a bit of reading up on the Domiracers.

I confess, I was somewhat ignorant. I hadn‘t realised they were as good as they were.

In particular the commentators of the day noted the lighter overall weight of the engine, even without alloy barrels and use of exotic alloys for cases, and the lower centre of gravity. Both of these factors giving handling benefits.

I had always believed the twin could not sit low enough in the frame so has a higher COG. But, although it may sit higher, the lack of overhead cam box etc did...

Matchless

Thread 'Featherbed FACTS.'

I've just been looking through old copies of Roadholder & came across a letter by Ken Sprayson, in which he quotes a few facts about the Featherbed frame.
All Featherbed frames from Jan. 1951 to 1970 were made at Reynolds Tube Co. in two basic versions, Manx & road, the only alteration to the Manx being the shortening & welding on of the rear subframe in '53/'54. They were made in 531 tubing of 1 /1/4" & 3/4" both 16 gauge & bronze welded. Frames for Inters were as Manx but made from A grade mild steel, & had a flat on the top tube to clear the taller engine.
The road frames were made from...
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Norcoastal said:
Haha, wouldn’t make it a triton, but maybe a Manx.

How does a Manx differ from an Atlas?
Click to expand...
The Manx has a different frame (similar to the wideline featherbed, a different engine (500cc single), different brakes. Heck, almost different everything other than a featherbed based frame.
 
I didn’t pick up that Atlas frame that I posted earlier, and I’m still searching for a project.

I came across a 1957 BSA Road Rocket (sorry Norton Forum) that at one time in its life was a flat track racer. It hasn’t run in 30 years, but it’s all there.

What do you guys think of this bike. Is it worth restoring? Is it cool? Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

PS I’m trying to remember my password to post pictures
 

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