concours
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- Joined
- Dec 29, 2011
- Messages
- 9,836

rvich said:Is this likely to be the only Commando you will ever own? You will put a lot of work into getting that bike going and a fair bit of money. Most of us will not be able to give you any advice on problems you encounter because of the custom one-off build. It means you will be solving any geometry problems yourself and are basically designing a motorcycle from the ground up. If it doesn't handle well when finished, the frame will be suspect, despite the fact that it might be something else. If it were me, I would find a straight frame, build a stock or reasonably close to stock bike and I would keep that frame as a collectible. Just my two cents. But I think it makes even more sense to get a stock frame if you think you might want to one day sell the results of your efforts.
There are a few members on here who have a lot of experience with Seeley frames and Featherbed frames. If nothing else, get the frame stripped down. Take a lot of photos and measurements and then get some advice from people who know frames. Maybe put the frame in the back of the truck and go visit NYC Norton.
You gotta wonder why this bike sat for so many years if it was a good idea to start with.
Russ
+1 Many times people have an idea and begin to execute it. Those ideas are not always based on sound reasoning. (some are) and so, as mentioned above, what do you want to do? Ride it? Show it? (curio value) How much free time and $$$ do you have to prove or disprove the design as viable?