Rip Van Winkle Norton, awake after 31 year snooze!

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kingdaddyo

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I got the phone call yesterday from my friend who has been helping me get my 73 750 Commando back together. He said "I have great news, it is running strong and pulls better than most other Commandos I have worked on"!

This has been a very long journey with many disappointments along the way and a few dollars as well. I bought the Norton from my cousin who wrecked it and the deeper I got into it, the worse it was. I took it all the way down and had to have the cases repaired, two frames, etc, etc. You guys know the story. There is little left of the busted up bike I bought from him but now a totally redone 750 with J&S Carbs, quarter turn racing throttle, Pazon ignition and the list goes on. He told me it runs liked a raped ape.

I am picking it up this weekend and will have more to say then and maybe a photo or two. Glad you guys are here, you have been a major help in all this. Thanks to all!
 
There is no maybe about the "photo or two". You better get photos or I'll Swooshdave will be all over you.

p.s. If he does give you a hard time, ask him why his tank isn't painted.
 
Rip Van Winkle Norton, awake after 31 year snooze!
 
kingdaddyo said:
This has been a very long journey with many disappointments along the way and a few dollars as well.
Click to expand...

I'm sure that's an understatement!!! :D

Beautiful bike...enjoy!
 
Yes she looks good Daddyo,
Hopefully now you can have plenty of enjoyment.
I guess you have a few weeks of ordinary weather left over there yet, that you can finish
any little things off, without a panic before Summer.
Have fun AC.
Double check your timing, and or Carburation, the pipes appear to have gotten quite hot.
 
Way to go kdo! Raped ape eh, a tough birthing process breeds a stronger Commando. If not for us mothers there's be no future in this throwback motorcycle collection.
 
Thank you all for the compliments. I am very much looking forward to riding the hell out of this bike and am looking forward to riding it to my cousin's house from whom I bought it and giving him the opportunity to take it out again for another ride.
I know there is really no end to this story and am sure that I will making more improvements along the way.

I am still involved in a few other projects for two of my daughters. One is a 1964 Vespa and the other is a 1944 Cushman Autoglide Scooter. Essentially, they are just big mini bikes. Hopefully they will enjoy riding them as much as I have enjoyed getting them together.

Again, thank you to the Norton community for all the help and sage advice.
 
Yer gonna let the guy who wrecked it 31 years ago ride it now?!!

You are kind and generous beyond my abilities.
Enjoy,

Russ
 
Enjoy the grunt of the "raped ape" she will bring rewards far beyond your expectations! :D
 
rvich said:
Yer gonna let the guy who wrecked it 31 years ago ride it now?!!

You are kind and generous beyond my abilities.
Enjoy,

Russ
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. :mrgreen:

Maybe it wasn't his fault it wrecked.
 
That color is spot on. I love it. If you're anything like me, you'll forget to turn the garage light out just so you have an excuse to go take one more look before you go to bed.
 
swooshdave said:
rvich said:
Yer gonna let the guy who wrecked it 31 years ago ride it now?!!

You are kind and generous beyond my abilities.
Enjoy,

Russ
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. :mrgreen:

Maybe it wasn't his fault it wrecked.
Click to expand...

He was heading back to Phila from Atlantic City with four friends on their bikes. One was a newbie who managed to let his bike get away from him and crashed into the others from the back. The Norton sustained a bent swing arm and frame and other damage which was not yet evident like broken engine tabs on the cases. He had purchased the bike while in flight school in Pensacola in the fall of 1981, and was wrecked in August of 1982 never even having it for a year. He did spend a lot of money fixing up the motor and balancing the flywheel so that was still good. He now after seeing it would like right of first refusal should I ever want to sell it. Says he still has a soft spot for it.
 
"Runs like a raped ape" Are you tapping some the juice from nuke plant next door for a power adder? Just kidding. Really sweet! Best of luck. Hope to see it in person someday.

Tom
 
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