original or upgrade?

Hi,

After a bit of time consuming fine-tuning, my commando 850 ran perfectly until i crashed it in the side of a Mercedes a few weeks ago. Not my favorite hobby, but i wasn't hurt bad, it was not my fault and i was driving motorcycles a few days after the crash again.

The Norton was less lucky. The complete front (fork, wheel, yokes etc.) is scrapyard material, and the frame is heavily bent too.
At least it happened after summer
The insurance expert came to check last week. I hope he gives me a fair amount to repair the bike.

Now my dilemma: The Norton needs a new frame/fork/front wheel etc. I can order everything from Andover Norton to make it as original as i still possibly can. Or, for the same or a little more in some cases, i can upgrade parts now that they need replacing anyway. If i need one rim and spokes for a wheel, i might as well go for 2 aluminum rims now, if i would consider the swap.

What is your opinion on added value of upgrades? For me, on a Norton, custom parts are not devaluating a bike as long as they are a better replacement of the original part, and don't hurt looks. A lighter aluminum rim is good, a high tech carbon wheel not (just my opinion). A Lansdowne damper kit is good, modern japanese fork is bad... and so on. I want to make the right choice not to hurt the value of the bike.
Where is the border for you? Would aluminum yokes, front fender (and rear), billet lamp ears be good for you?
And what about brake upgrades? Original, upgraded original or modern brakes?

I know it is very personal. But still, i like to know

Brake up grade is always a good idea and in veiw of your misfortune if i was you it would be top of my list.
Then as far as other mods go it is up to you. Its your bike an your money so it entirely up to you.

hi Dimitri, I have a 1975 Mk3 I'm Breaking I have Frame ( with V5) ,wheels,yokes , clocks, discs etc awaiting to go on ebay , PM me if your interested .

Please Note all monies raised from the sale of used Norton parts will be donated to the Steve Maney Fund for fast Nortons ! ( Please give generously).

Dimitri

Look on your misfortune as an opportunity to spruce up the old girl. I think the bike deserves all the front end improvements possible ,putting it back original seems kinda tame after " blootering " a Merc!
Just my opinion.
J
footnote; I think Steve Maney is in a worse state than Dimitris 828!

You should consider up-grading the stock brake ,have you resleeved the cylinder..thats starters? a big disc and twin pot caliper will improve the front end with no loss to value.. my stock MK3 as crap brakes..but not for long :!:

Glad you are OK as for your bike think of all the things you wanted to do to it and go for it, my Norton spat me off it a few years ago and I fractured my left arm, while recovering I sent away for a complete new moden brake system, I have been running Akront alloy wheel for 34 years now that was a great improvement over the steel wheels and of course no more rust on the rims, the Lansdown fork kit is also a great improvement and with moden brakes works so well and the bike handles so much better, but what ever you do its your bike, but making better improvemnets to a 40 year old bike is something to think about, the brakes would be the first thing on the list in my opinion, your life is more important than running the stock brakes that will one day let you down when needed as mind did to me.
By the way I replaced my brakes with a full Grimica set up, 12" floating disc, Grimcia M/C with longer lever, Calapar and S/S brake line, my fornt brakes is 1 or 2 finger operation and the Norton stops so well, but there are other opitions out there, just do your homework and get what suites you and your budget.

Ashley

Thanks already guys!

Being the only of my bikes with a left side rear brake, i guess it is important to have a good front brake system. I don't remember, but there is a good chance i was trying to shift to the non-existing 5th just before hitting the car .

I will definitely look at all the options!

Unless there is more damage, a good frame guy should be able to straighten that.
And have it as good as new..
Verlicchi build a lot of Commando frames for Norton Villiers....

If you read the 'worlds straightest norton' thread here somewhere,
the frames weren't necessarily perfectly straight even from new.
They were built to tolerances....
You do need to check carefully there is no other hidden damage though.

Good you are OK.

A Change is as good as a Holiday .



could cut your losses , scrap it ; and Start Again . Use the proceeds from flogging off the debri to finance ' The New World ' .



READ : http://www.etmoteur.fr/norton_domiracer.htm

Then , if the local roads are a likeness to the I.o.M. , youll be able to see if you can average 100 mph around the loop . 8)
Youll be able to imagine your Ray Pickeral - doing 135 down sulby straight , and see off all the hondas and other cheap trash .



Its the only way youll beat a Good Bonneville . :twisted: :mrgreen:

Hows the Mercedes doing ? and how did you get off unscathed . Sounds fortuitous if your not limping .

wouldnt count on the cradle of swing arm being straight , untill checked . First Steps probly to dismantle to core units and evaluate the state of the components . Ya dunno if theres hidden damadge - as its taken a bit of a hit . Id have the motor & box out of the cradle , inspect all
the lugs . Feel the tension off the cradle bolts as you release them , to see if somethings up there - shock loading / missalignment .

Frames dont hold realignment well - so Id call it scrapmetal , if your after a A! 1000 % machine after the time & effort of the rebuild .

I vote for "do what YOU want to do", after looking around in the photos section, member's project's section, etc.

YOUR vote is the only one that really counts.

Choosing mates can be like this, do ya want a pure factory one or a modified one and how much so. Alls I can say is when ya make the right decision you should breath easier. Hardest path is sticking to Norton part numbers.

No .
NO.
No No No .



No . No .
No No No .

ARGGHHHH >

It's so personal, I think I would be torn in your situation having lusted after the like of the Colorado Norton's.
However there are many parts available now to upgrade keeping a degree of originality.
The Norvil disc conversions, Ally rims, to name but a few are all period original, or not that far off.
The Landsdown fork internals sound great, have spoken to people who use them and are highly rated.
So you can keep "original" looks with higher spec performance.
That's the way I think I would go but it is totally personal, also depends how deep your wallet is!

I asked a few companies for straightening the frame. But the engine had to be in the frame. When i asked if isolastics was not going to give problems that way, they seemed unsure. Probably no experience with Norton frames. If they would have to make a custom jig, the cost would not be that far off from a new frame. And shipping to the UK and back won't save me much money either i think.

To be honest, i would not feel comfortable with a frame i know that was bent this hard (There is quite some torsion in the headstock).

Thanks for the advice on the cradle. I sure hope it is not damaged. But if it is, i'll replace it. It's a good chance for upgrading isolastics to MK3 also. And for learning about the Norton basics.

The Mercedes probably has to replace a door, and needs straightening of a pillar. But the owner won't mind i guess. Overall, i have been quite lucky. I was wearing an open face helmet and smacked with my face to the side of the roof. 2 stitches (and a good excuse not having to shave for a week) was the only thing i got. Still a little hurt in my leg and hand, but i can shift gears!

You guys have convinced me of going for the upgrade route. I need to carefully think about the level of upgrading. I like the idea of not hurting the looks, or going for period (like) upgrades. I would like (for example) a resleeve in combination with a AP racing caliper on original disc. But i must admit. Seeing a kit like the madass one, for basically the same price seems tempting performance wise.

choices

Commando's arn't old enough yet to have a purest following, most buyers want a reliable and "trust" worthy bike, Woundn't go over the top..like a total Kawasaki fork swap! Just nice up grades, adding to the "Flavor" , i think you are right in a brake up-grade...modern traffic conditions require such changes...as youhave found out, Not saying having the "stop on a dime " system will allways save your bacon! because the tyre section comes into the sums. I fell sure the Forum boys will guide you through the proper paths.
Carnt see the frame being straighened with the isolastic's in place, i recon they would be changed to solid mounts first? Get a new one if the insurance is ofay funding one..think about your pace of mind :!: With a repair you will always wonder if that "twich" was due to it not being right,,even if it is :!:

"With a repair you will always wonder if that "twich" was due to it not being right,,even if it is "

To think that would simply be fear of the unknown. A properly straightened/inspected/repaired frame would be sound.

From a COST standpoint, replacing with a salvage frame would probably be best. Be certain to check it for signs of old trauma.

Glad that you're basically okay I'd take moto55uk up on his offer and snatch up that frame . Check out our own madass140 forum member's front brake upgrade complete with freshly made fork sliders to fit the new calipers. Consider CNW triple trees or fork yokes, add lansdown front fork internals, you get to breath new life into your ride. Good luck with the insurance adjuster :?

Dimitri

for your consideration in upgrading or staying original

I just upgraded my 74 Interstate. New hydraulic clutch, new front Brembo, new billet triple trees (yokes?), new billet headlight ears, new handlebar controls, new turn signals.

All purchased from Matt at CNW ( He has spoiled me with great service. A bit pricey, but excellent quality and service for the price)

The biggest change noticed in upgrade was the Brembo. The Interstate now stops like a modern bike, with a two finger pull. The first time I grabbed the brake, I did so with a standard Norton, Lockheed Caliper, 4 finger pull, and I almost locked up the front wheel. Matt has also plumbed the pressure line for the Brembo, through the lower billet triple tree, very nice.

If in camp that thinks most of stock Norton is obsolete crap and keeping in mind time=money, I'd Consider scraping the whole POS wreck as trade in core to CNW for one of their all custom Cdos to ride with nothing left to upgraded.