Possible new Commando looking for advise

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Sep 27, 2023
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Hi, im looking to buy a Norton commando and found this 73, i was hoping for a mostly original bike but i see this one has different seat, fenders and the rear frame loop isn't there. Owner says its built as caferacer style and doesn't come with any original parts.
What would a customized bike like this be compared in price to a original bike both in same condition.
Im just deciding if its a wise buy.

Im trying to upload pictures from my computer but doesnt' seem possible here
 
Hi, im looking to buy a Norton commando and found this 73, i was hoping for a mostly original bike but i see this one has different seat, fenders and the rear frame loop isn't there. Owner says its built as caferacer style and doesn't come with any original parts.
What would a customized bike like this be compared in price to a original bike both in same condition.
Im just deciding if its a wise buy.

Im trying to upload pictures from my computer but doesnt' seem possible here
Hi, Welcome.
Sadly, many bikes have been butchered/modified in the name of cafe racers.
Generally, no, not trading as high as restored/original bikes.
Many times those bikes began as less than complete original bikes. Pulled together from mismatched bits.
There are many bikes available that have not fallen victim to the hacksaw.
Where on earth are you?
What is your mechanical skillset?
What bike do want to end up with? Show polished trailer queen? Reliable rider?
 
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Hi, im looking to buy a Norton commando and found this 73, i was hoping for a mostly original bike but i see this one has different seat, fenders and the rear frame loop isn't there. Owner says its built as caferacer style and doesn't come with any original parts.
What would a customized bike like this be compared in price to a original bike both in same condition.
Im just deciding if its a wise buy.
Make an informed purchase. Consider at least 3 offers. Don't get tied emotionally to one offer only.
General looks tell a lot how the bike has been cared for. If you are into restorations, buying a butchered bike is a possibility, but you need to know the amount of work you take on, and if it suits your wallet and your facilities.
Restoration projects can be rewarding, but tend to become twice as expensive as buying a runner.
Good luck!

- Knut
 
Bolt on bits aren’t a big deal as they’re easily changed.

The missing subframe is a bigger deal, replacing that (if desired) is a bigger job. Definitely doable, just bigger.

Basically, if you want an original ish bike that’s what I’d hold out for, there is no shortage of them after all.
 
Hi, im looking to buy a Norton commando and found this 73, i was hoping for a mostly original bike but i see this one has different seat, fenders and the rear frame loop isn't there. Owner says its built as caferacer style and doesn't come with any original parts.
What would a customized bike like this be compared in price to a original bike both in same condition.
Im just deciding if its a wise buy.

Im trying to upload pictures from my computer but doesnt' seem possible here

Tell us approx. where you are in the world and describe the bike more. Right now with what you've said, I can only say its worth between $1500 and $6500. A fully rebuilt stock Commando in the US with matching numbers and a title in a desirable model and color is between $14k and $30k depending on where and how advertised for sale. For instance, I have a completely rebuilt 1972 Red Combat Roadster, matching numbers and a clear title in my name that I want 14k for but if I list it on Bring a Trailer, it will surely go for at least 18k. It's in Virginia USA.
 
If it can be bought fairly cheap you don't have to make it 100% original. This summer we assembled a 71 Commando out of budget or donated pieces. The single best thing we did was to try 6 different handlebars. Ended up with a set something like a T140 but a little lower. It looked better and felt better than any of the others. ( you are NOT obligated to have the low, short European bars). Both of us are 5"7". It had the original blue metal flake tank and a set of flanged aluminum rims powder coated black. I made a much simplified wiring harness. It is a unique and good looking bike built on a budget. Of course the motor, trans, and iso's were all rebuilt.
Andover Norton has the tail loop you can weld on.
 
At this point most Commandos, on the road, have at lease some non-standard parts from electronic ignition and upgraded suspension components to hydraulic brake work or upgraded charging systems. The good news is most upgrades can be undone if that is your preference. Most of the changes make the bikes more reliable as well as easier and safer to ride. My own "74 Commando sports a "73 frame but don't tell anyone. I had my "73 loop strengthened with a welded support plate before powder coating. It was pretty much unnecessary but I had seen them get bent.
 
WHAT the problem is , is will it fall to bits .

IF your not a nortonestte , The CLUTCH . Two Fingers at the end of the lever , Try It . Takes up about 1/3rd out , sharply . More sharply & outly with revs . Thats NORMAL .

The Front Brake . Two fingers at the end . If your fingers arnt muscled , jump off i a emergency instead . But wait till the last moment . Thats Normal .

Take it for a spin . NOT in a city . Unless youve got a fake liscence .

Let it warm up , trundling along & getting the feel , for five minutes , Unabused ,
then letter rip pastr half revs for a bit - open road - Get it hammering .
Should pull xclean to redline in 2 nd & third . And not weave all over the road .
IF your seated securely & just rest your hands on the bars .

It should all work a bit like the solinoid robot . Finger tip control .
DONT boot the Gear Shift , Toe Tip WHEN youve de clutched .
Forced and its $$$$$ . CRUNCH .Did I mention the brakes .

Out of town theyll slow you down , but youre supposed to be looking where youre going .

If you make it back andhalf the bits havnt fallen off , it hasnt got a rod thru the side , or a gallon of oil under or over it , it cant be too bad . For a Start .

Id doubt theres one ' showroom standard ' Commando left . o.k. , one or two maybe . Think of it as a canvas to aply your bad taste excesses & crassness
in style to .
The more bling and akward disruptive trash slung akwardly on it , the more morons youll be able to impress .
 
We've just been informed , the rear frame loop , is BS 980 - CDSI .

They all crack , bend , fall off . UNLESS it is the REAL 73 Frame .
Rear Shock mounts , the inner bracket - to the top bolt , should run aft further by a few inches than the outer ,
to stop it sagging with five ton of gear on the back , touring . BOTH Brackets the same , Both sides , its earlyer .
( so , WHAT we're saying is , So What . Throw a replacement on , If you Must . H
If its coherant and the refits are LIGHTER , it'll go faster & handle better .

If the footrests are further back , your ahead .
While a stock one is very good , it wasnt Micheal Angelo's best work . In fact they were all flawed .
Thus , if the modifications actually ARE improvements , your better off .

Only a Nerd buys a Norton to ' make money ' on . theyre a RIDERS Machine , for the hill country .

a coffe bar poser or fast food hangout type wont get far , unless he's a street racer . Likely he wont last long at that there .
Were stories ' Did You Hear - The First Traffic Lights about a quater mile past Whites , a new Norton Commando . 80 m.p.h.
SPLAT .
Histry .
The End.
GONE .

Forever Noo More .

Excesses are best confined to the wide open spaces . Past 1/2 throttle in town - EVERYTHING is in the way . and the brakes dont work . Well .

Havealookat the Current PRODUCTION RACER thread . THAT is what you want , do racerised a trifle , Stock tank & seat . To fool em all .
In my humble opinion . Or so we all thought . Actually standard theyre pretty good . just dont go makeing a hole in the scenary ,
as theyre deceptively fast if theyre running well .
 
He makes one post and doesn't come back?
How serious is he?

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olmatey​


Joined Wednesday at 1:02 AM
Last seen Wednesday at 2:26 AM
 
You dont mean the hollywood version then ? .

Hey Ho Nortoneer's,

Maybe I can leave food for thought on Isolastics and handling
as its my main interest in a Commando as best cornering instrument.
Does pilot and chassis have to endure vibration for premo handling?

Reviewing the extra iso's history - they have appeared at top
and below and reports say they help but do transmit vibration
into higher frequencies than just two standard ones. Alignment
brings up swear words to read the fine fittings required.

When 1st tried dampening occurred at 6000, so they cut
rubber width in half to lower the threshold, then in half again
till 2300 threshold of smoothness attained.
Adding extra isolastic rubbers tends to move isolation threshold up into buzz.
If they don't then they aren't really taking up their share
of chassis twist or engine bounce, so why bother.

Another common report is the more iso clearance is tightened
the better the road control but more buzz till frame cracks.

The two conditions that I feared most with unsupported
standard isolastics was high powered decreasing radius
sweepers and flat tire compensation type fork action.

I find the Rosie jointed Helm's links to be the cat's meow.
Smooth and sure footed.
Top link takes out some wind buffet on cruise and raises
isolastic fish flop threshold a few more mph in loads, but also
lets fish flop onset at higher speed and scarier higher
freq. wobbles to deal with suddenly. I made the first
of these to find it workable w/o vibration transmission.

I find the front link of Bryan Tyree to be even more helpful taking
out the fork and chassis oscillations and hunting on road texture
and wind gusts in cruise and adds even more speed and loads
before fish flop onsets at an even higher frequency
and more suddenly to limit fun and deal with in time.

I am flabbergasted by Bob Paton's low rear linkage.
It alone seems to have solved any hint of or ability
to onset isolatic or other Commando innate upset faults.
Rear by itself, one still feels the road texture hunting of
forks bothering and the jiggle wigges of wind eddies -
But rear link allows as hard of riding as you dare w/o upset
by wobbles, tank slappers or uncontrolled traction loss.
Scary delight not having to worry about speed and power just
blind hazards.

Put all three together at once and a Commando feels
like huge inertial mass of a Goldwing at criuse yet stickable
flickable as a supermotard trails bike. My experiments
imply links as far away from iso mounts the better. Trick
with rear link location is to keep center stand or not.

Then the forks must be modified to take advantage or they twist
untwist like rubber rods both delaying and magnifying inputs.
But the rear link seems to allow enough chassis twist and untwist
to take up tire vector conflicts plus plants rear enough that
extra power in fork straining turns can unload or even lift front
out of trouble before rear loses grip. Back link Invites farthest leans
in G glee.

I have my own measurements of what a Commando
motor and chassis are doing under high loads and it differs
from the obvious common sense.

Safe Journeys
hobot

 
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