Nortons and BMWs
- Thread starter JimC
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I ran my 750 Interstate alongside my R65 for a few years, I always thought they went together well, both simple, ish, air cooled twins, both with their own characters, pros and cons, I would of liked to have combined the two, the R65's reliability with the Interstates looks, handling, grunt and exhaust note!, although I did like the unique flat twin note of the BMW very much!.
Not so sure what the Norton would be like with a shaft drive though!!!,
John
Not so sure what the Norton would be like with a shaft drive though!!!,
John
1969 Sportster XLH, 1973 Commando, 1974 R90S. I refurbished the Sportster and Commando in the last 2 or 3 years. The BMW I got in 1974, by far the most reliable bike I've ever owned. The Commando and Sportster supply a superior grin factor over the BMW while riding.
Art
Art
British appeared first in my garage until I rode a guzzi 850T3,,,heaven 
I've had at least 15 different models of the guzzi's some of the same models have come back home again. A Triumph was my first Brit for many years then I found the Norton. They were always out of pocketbook reach unlike a Triumph. My norton mk3 curb find still resides here some 20 plus years later. I'd like to think because they all are a twin of some sort they should all get along. My 73' R75/5 I adopted a couple years ago when my neighbor & friend of 10 yrs. passed away. I promised him I'd give it a good home. Whether it's a vertical or a 90 deg.V-twin I'm not opposed to the BMW being parked in my garage. They all seem to mark their spot in my garage,, :lol:
Tim_S
7 triumph's,,,, 1 BMW,,, 6 Norton's ,,, 8 Guzzi's ,,, 2 BSA Triples
I've had at least 15 different models of the guzzi's some of the same models have come back home again. A Triumph was my first Brit for many years then I found the Norton. They were always out of pocketbook reach unlike a Triumph. My norton mk3 curb find still resides here some 20 plus years later. I'd like to think because they all are a twin of some sort they should all get along. My 73' R75/5 I adopted a couple years ago when my neighbor & friend of 10 yrs. passed away. I promised him I'd give it a good home. Whether it's a vertical or a 90 deg.V-twin I'm not opposed to the BMW being parked in my garage. They all seem to mark their spot in my garage,, :lol: Tim_S
7 triumph's,,,, 1 BMW,,, 6 Norton's ,,, 8 Guzzi's ,,, 2 BSA Triples
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I was getting my race bike ready for next Sunday's racing and took some pics of some flywheels.
This is a 1970- 1981 type
Weighs in at 3.5 kgs
Here is the 1981 to 1993 version.
Weighs in at 1.5 kgs
This one had the ring gear come off during a race, the rivets can only take some much.
While the pre 81 bikes have a certain not to be rushed charm, the later ones like to rev and less flywheel= better gear change.
Last year I bought an R90s, was surprised when it was happy to go to 7500 redline, recently when having the shaft rebuilt found it had a lightened flywheel...old skool drilled one.
This is a 1970- 1981 type
Weighs in at 3.5 kgs
Here is the 1981 to 1993 version.
Weighs in at 1.5 kgs
This one had the ring gear come off during a race, the rivets can only take some much.
While the pre 81 bikes have a certain not to be rushed charm, the later ones like to rev and less flywheel= better gear change.
Last year I bought an R90s, was surprised when it was happy to go to 7500 redline, recently when having the shaft rebuilt found it had a lightened flywheel...old skool drilled one.
Not enough zing in yer R90S - could always go down this path....
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-R90S-Turbo-/191184100500
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-R90S-Turbo-/191184100500
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Good thread. Over the decades I've had my MKIII and my T150V I've had 3 BMWs. I love my Trident and my Commando, but any trip over 200 miles I would prefer a Beemer. On my Brits I tend to ride hard and ride short.
1974 Triumph Trident - original owner
1975 MKIII Commando Roadster - white w/blue and red stripe
1974 Triumph Trident - original owner
1975 MKIII Commando Roadster - white w/blue and red stripe
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JimC said:
Two cylinders, plenty of torque and an engine design that dates back long before I was born. I'm talking the boxer of course, I know nothing nor care about their multi's. Introduction of the R259 engine blew me away compared to my previous boxer. Free revving and spirited like a Commando, in 850 (Beemer, not Norton) form anyway. My R1150GS very powerful but flat power band. Good tractor and nearly as heavy, but it handled country roads beautifully with that fang dangled weird front end. Not my idea of an off road machine, weighing 5000lbs! That was my biggest criticism and nothing like the Norton in this respect.
Three times I had a Commando and Beemer in the garage at the same time, and loved them both with pitiful affection. But just like WWII, the Pom beat the German and was still there after the Beemer had departed for another home. I've had four Beemers, including the little putt putt 650 single. Loved that too for around town.
If I ever had something else as well as Nortons, it would probably be another Beemer boxer. The longest lasting Jap bike I've ever had was a postie bike, sort of fascinated me. But a dangerous little bloody thing in the traffic, unless you like being run over by everything including push bikes. Okay, I'm a sicko!!
If they could shave 4600lbs off the Beemer (I know they have worked on that) I'd consider another one. For about five minutes, then the desire would pass.
Phil
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The airhead 'design' dates back to 1969, the configuration dates back for BMW to 1923. Borrowed off Douglas some say, but then the parallel twin was really a Val Page design ( probably others before him) pre dating Mr Turner, the 500 Norton is just a variant of that.
My R90s has 160 000kms on it, any Norton Commandos get past that? :lol:
I can't be bothered with the oil cooled ones, they look ugly and they look ugly.
I'm not sure the Americans and Russians would agree " The Poms beat the Germans"
Mr Craig was in there pretty quick grabbing the Tele forks as used by the Compressor BMW's to whup the Poms in 39, before they banned them...sour grapes.
My R90s has 160 000kms on it, any Norton Commandos get past that? :lol:
I can't be bothered with the oil cooled ones, they look ugly and they look ugly.
I'm not sure the Americans and Russians would agree " The Poms beat the Germans"
Mr Craig was in there pretty quick grabbing the Tele forks as used by the Compressor BMW's to whup the Poms in 39, before they banned them...sour grapes.
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72Combat said:
Okay, configuration if you prefer. Concept was more what I intended. Half a Volkswagon. Sorry to deserve your sleep 72 as I know how these things urk you, so I put it in just for you. My R850R was one of the ugliest machines around, in a way. But it was a delight to ride. I think some of the new Boxers are very pretty.
I easily got passed a R90 with at least 160,000kms on it with my first combat. I just opened the throttle.
Of course the allies combined won the war.
But Winston Churchill rode a hot Manx Norton so that is good enough for me.
Haven't you got sheep to shear?
Phil
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72Combat said:phil yates said:
I have knobblies on R80 for rounding up the sheep.
Here we are up the top paddock.
Combat hits the rocks and the peashooters scares the sheep away. Bring that out to scare the crows away.
All your paddocks look "top" to me. Top condition too. Try Yates Seeds, they are very hardy. And a Pandanos palm?
Just what image are you trying to create here?
I told you the Beemer makes a good tractor.
Have you tried firing feral cats out of a peashooter? Best done with a green button equipped MkIII.
NZ
Where the men are men!
And the sheep are nervous.
Phil
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But 72, very nice looking Beemer. I had the road version. Flat power band, average brakes, ordinary handling, but never broke down. The R259 engine was a different kettle of fish again. It breathed life.
But there was always something so addictive about the Commando. I would cry with anger and frustration for the grief that combat caused me. But always forgave it because it was so rewarding to ride. It was like having a wild but unstable girlfriend, which actually I did at the time. Even she didn't stand the test of time against my Norton.
Phil
But there was always something so addictive about the Commando. I would cry with anger and frustration for the grief that combat caused me. But always forgave it because it was so rewarding to ride. It was like having a wild but unstable girlfriend, which actually I did at the time. Even she didn't stand the test of time against my Norton.
Phil
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72Combat said:phil yates said:
Like Commandos you can 'tweek' BMW's, and its a lot cheaper too.
My Combat I just do the maintenance on and ride.
That's a GREAT photo 72.
Do you know the rider?
I had one of me on the RGV on a track day. Had it hanging on the wall. But eventually threw it out in disgust!
But yours is a beauty. That one goes to my iPhoto album.
When he's not riding sheep,
He's riding the Beemer!
But seriously, I'm saving it to show the boys at the Mitto. They have taken a great interest in all forum issues.
Speaking of the Mitto…….catch ya later.
Phil
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