Skilled Mechanics in Western NY/So.Ontario, Canada

I have two 1975 Mark III Commandos. They both need constant attention and I am not a skilled mechanic. One of them spent 4 years sitting at the "Norton Guy's" shop ( 100 miles from my home in Buffalo NY) after he disassembled it. He put in a Megacycle Cam and Black Diamond valves and by all accounts did a nice job of rebuilding the engine, then stopped. After 4 years of waiting I picked up a (multi) basket case and trailered it to a shop 400 miles away to do a frame off restoration. That guy called mid-covid and said it was ready. He test road it and it ran well. It is beautiful. I had it trailered home (couldn't go in person due to Covid), filled it with non-ethanol gas and headed out on its maiden voyage. 5 miles into the ride it started to surge (felt like a fuel issue), then went down to running on the right cylinder only, then died. The maiden voyage was a total of 12 miles and I didn't even make in to the NYS Inspection station which was my goal. The second restorer said "well it might be that cam. I set it up to stock specs and that may not be right. Maybe it's the timing or the valve clearances". Well I'm not going to haul it back 400 miles for set up. I NEED A COMPETENT MECHANIC in Western NY (or even Southern Ontario). ANYBODY KNOW ONE?

CJ,
Find out what Megacycle cam you have. Mine is a 560NR and its tappet clearance is 0.013" both exhaust./Intake. Stock is 0.006" and 0.008" so if set to factory spec it might be wrong.
get a hold of these guys: https://nynoa.org/
Also try Jim Noll out of Rochester NY, here: http://britishbikeconnection.com/
Cheers,
Tom

Thanks, Tom.

CJBelling said:

I have two 1975 Mark III Commandos. They both need constant attention and I am not a skilled mechanic. One of them spent 4 years sitting at the "Norton Guy's" shop ( 100 miles from my home in Buffalo NY) after he disassembled it. He put in a Megacycle Cam and Black Diamond valves and by all accounts did a nice job of rebuilding the engine, then stopped. After 4 years of waiting I picked up a (multi) basket case and trailered it to a shop 400 miles away to do a frame off restoration. That guy called mid-covid and said it was ready. He test road it and it ran well. It is beautiful. I had it trailered home (couldn't go in person due to Covid), filled it with non-ethanol gas and headed out on its maiden voyage. 5 miles into the ride it started to surge (felt like a fuel issue), then went down to running on the right cylinder only, then died. The maiden voyage was a total of 12 miles and I didn't even make in to the NYS Inspection station which was my goal. The second restorer said "well it might be that cam. I set it up to stock specs and that may not be right. Maybe it's the timing or the valve clearances". Well I'm not going to haul it back 400 miles for set up. I NEED A COMPETENT MECHANIC in Western NY (or even Southern Ontario). ANYBODY KNOW ONE?

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For anyone following the plight of my "Blue Stripe" Commando...the saga continues. After all the electrics were gone through, timing checked, valve clearances adjusted, tank cleaned out, and a full carburetor rebuild I could still only go 5 miles before the plugs fouled out. One local guru remembered that some Mark IIIs had "bad heads", so the head was pulled and sent out to be checked for cracks. No cracks, BUT with the head off, the tops of the pistons gave a new clue . The left side (which always died first) showed a silver piston top with oil on it. The right side showed a blackened piston top. At this point my nephew and my 94 year old father both said " Might as well do the rings, you've done everything else". So, my nephew pulled the barrel and found that the rings installed were not the correct rings. The fouling was NOT a rich fuel mixture but the result of trying to burn mass quantities of Castrol 20/50 that was seeping past the rings from below. 65 cold but successful test miles later I topped it off with non-ethanol petrol and was ready to bed it down for the winter...but, then the 45 year old tank began to leak like a sieve. I had to drain the gas, pull the tank and regroup. A new tank was sourced and sent off to Brent Budgor at Vintage-Vendor in VT for a new paint job. Update in the spring. AND I STILL NEED A MECHANIC.

I have no experience with this company, but geographically, may be a good fit.


sorry for your frustration.
Unfortunately, like so many other vocations, semi-skilled goobers abound.
Grab your big boy checkbook & settle in. Check references. Here. You have found a great resource.

CJBelling said:

For anyone following the plight of my "Blue Stripe" Commando...the saga continues. After all the electrics were gone through, timing checked, valve clearances adjusted, tank cleaned out, and a full carburetor rebuild I could still only go 5 miles before the plugs fouled out. One local guru remembered that some Mark IIIs had "bad heads", so the head was pulled and sent out to be checked for cracks. No cracks, BUT with the head off, the tops of the pistons gave a new clue . The left side (which always died first) showed a silver piston top with oil on it. The right side showed a blackened piston top. At this point my nephew and my 94 year old father both said " Might as well do the rings, you've done everything else". So, my nephew pulled the barrel and found that the rings installed were not the correct rings. The fouling was NOT a rich fuel mixture but the result of trying to burn mass quantities of Castrol 20/50 that was seeping past the rings from below. 65 cold but successful test miles later I topped it off with non-ethanol petrol and was ready to bed it down for the winter...but, then the 45 year old tank began to leak like a sieve. I had to drain the gas, pull the tank and regroup. A new tank was sourced and sent off to Brent Budgor at Vintage-Vendor in VT for a new paint job. Update in the spring. AND I STILL NEED A MECHANIC.

Click to expand...

Did you make sure to have the tank LEAK TESTED BEFORE PAINT???
Unfortunately, even though you are not a mechanic, some degree of spoon feeding is still required.
The late Frank Zappa sang of it:



Flakes, flakes
Flakes, flakes
They don't do no good
They never be workin' when they oughta should
They waste your time
They're wastin' mine
California's got the most of them
Boy, they got a host of them
Swear to God they got the most
At every business on the coast, yeah
Swear to god they got the most
At every business on the coast
They got the flakes
Flakes, flakes
They can't fix your brakes
You ask 'em, "where's my motor?"
"Well, it was eaten by snakes"
You can stab and shoot and spit
But they won't be fixin' it
They're lyin' and lazy
They can be drivin' you crazy
Swear to god they got the most
At every business on the coast, yeah
Swear to god they got the most
At every business on the coast
Take it away, Bob
I asked as nice as I could
If my job would
Somehow be finished by Friday
Well, the whole damn weekend came and went, Frankie
Wanna buy some mandies, Bob?
You know what, they didn't do nothin'
But they charged me double for Sunday
Now, you know, no matter what you do
They gonna cheat and rob you
And then they'll give you a bill
That'll get your senses reelin'
And if you do not pay
They got computer collectors
That'll get you so crazy
'Til your head'll go through the ceilin'
Yes it will
I'm a moron and this is my wife
She's frosting a cake with a paper knife
All what we got here's American made
It's a little bit cheesy, but it's nicely displayed
Well, we don't get excited when it crumbles 'n breaks
We just get on the phone and call up some Flakes
They rush on over and wreck it some more
And we are so dumb, they're linin' up at our door
Well, my toilet went crazy yesterday afternoon
The plumber he says, "never flush a tampoon"
This great information cost me half a week's pay
And the toilet blew up later on the next day, ay, ay
Yay, yay, yay
Yay, yay, yay
Yay, yay, yay
Blew up the next day
Woo
One, two, three, four
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Flakes, flakes
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Flakes, flakes
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Flakes, flakes
Ooh, ooh, ooh
One, two, three, four (flakes)
Ah, ah, ah, ah (bow, dow, dow, dow)
Ah, ah, ah, ah (bow, dow, dow, dow)
Ah, ah, ah, ah (bow, dow, dow, dow)
Ah, ah, ah, ah
We are millions and millions
We're coming to get you
We're protected by unions
So don't let it upset you
Can't escape the conclusion
It's probably God's will
That civilization
Will grind to a standstill
And we are the people
Who will make it all happen
While your children is sleepin'
Your puppy is crappin'
You might call us flakes
Or something else you might coin us
We know you're so greedy
That you'll probably join us
We're coming to get you, we're coming to get you
We're coming to get you, we're coming to get you
We're coming to get you, we're coming to get you
We're coming to get you, we're coming to you

I love Frank Zappa
He was politically incorrect right from the get go. your missing the best parts. Lets talk about leather....Volcanic hell. Your an Asswhole... etc...etc. Don't fool your self girl... I...yah yah yah....make you freeze.. and on and on.
Can't say it on TV no no noooooooo! sheik Yerbouti
Keep on kEEPN ON.

CJBelling said:

For anyone following the plight of my "Blue Stripe" Commando...the saga continues. After all the electrics were gone through, timing checked, valve clearances adjusted, tank cleaned out, and a full carburetor rebuild I could still only go 5 miles before the plugs fouled out. One local guru remembered that some Mark IIIs had "bad heads", so the head was pulled and sent out to be checked for cracks. No cracks, BUT with the head off, the tops of the pistons gave a new clue . The left side (which always died first) showed a silver piston top with oil on it. The right side showed a blackened piston top. At this point my nephew and my 94 year old father both said " Might as well do the rings, you've done everything else". So, my nephew pulled the barrel and found that the rings installed were not the correct rings. The fouling was NOT a rich fuel mixture but the result of trying to burn mass quantities of Castrol 20/50 that was seeping past the rings from below. 65 cold but successful test miles later I topped it off with non-ethanol petrol and was ready to bed it down for the winter...but, then the 45 year old tank began to leak like a sieve. I had to drain the gas, pull the tank and regroup. A new tank was sourced and sent off to Brent Budgor at Vintage-Vendor in VT for a new paint job. Update in the spring. AND I STILL NEED A MECHANIC.

Click to expand...

AND I STILL NEED A MECHANIC.
Did you contact any of these guys that I linked you to??? Contact Dominic. He would be more acquainted to who does what in West NY state.
He is a good egg.
Cheers,
Tom

Talk to Mike of Walridge Motors Ont. He's not a mechanic but will happily refer you to good Norton ones in the 500 mile range ?

There some shop in Eastern USA advertising on Ebay for Norton work....even offered phone advice charged by the hour and run a owner workshop series to help you rebuild your own bike on their site/their tools and guidance.
EDIT: Here it is:

Really though, you need to learn how to do the basic level of work on your bikes. Seems your earlier issue could have been diagnosed with straightforward compression or leak down testing. These bikes need constant attention and a lot of it is applicable to any bike/car. Gotta learn how to ID & fix stuff....ain't so bad really.

Mr. Rick Harritt (spelling)of Highway Cycle is just northeast of Hamilton , Ontario , Canada . This puts you within trailering range. Canadian labour rates are competitive or a bit lower too because of our low dollar. I have 2 MK 111's myself , I perform most labours myself because I have most of the tools needed. Things like machining or painting etc. I let the pros. do it in wintertime. If I get stuck or need advice this forum and it's members will answer any questions on specifics. The search feature avoids repetitions on topics. Mind you it's the internet so answers can be diverse at times. Good luck.

FYI: US-Canada border is closed to non-essential travel.

You could have a bike or parts shipped cross border for service but you cannot bring it across yourself.

Tornado said:

FYI: US-Canada border is closed to non-essential travel.

You could have a bike or parts shipped cross border for service but you cannot bring it across yourself.

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Indeed , forgot about the rules re: inter-border travel from Corona . I won't be going stateside and you won't be going Canada side this year end and most of next one. There is plenty of help in New York State. Buy tools online to get you going.

concours said:

I have no experience with this company, but geographically, may be a good fit.

Home - Classic Bike Experience

Located in Essex, Vermont CBE/KickMagicPO Box 8141Essex, VT 05451 Call: 802.878.5383 Email: jack@classicbikeexperience.com PRODUCTS & SERVICES Repairs & Restorations Special Services Labor Rates & Services The Norton Project at Vermont’s Classic Bike Experience GOOGLE REVIEWS

classicbikeexperience.com

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I Have, stay away. Unless they have new staff. Well meaning, no doubt, but the MK3 I straightened out (a full "restoration") had so many examples of lack of attention to detail, to be kind, that I wouldn't have them service a Briggs & Stratton.

Best, but not there!

CanukNortonNut said:

AND I STILL NEED A MECHANIC.
Did you contact any of these guys that I linked you to??? Contact Dominic. He would be more acquainted to who does what in West NY state.
He is a good egg.
Cheers,
Tom

Click to expand...

Yes, I have been in touch with Dominic. In fact he had a used Mark III head in his garage which he was willing to sell if mine had been cracked. Yes, he is a good egg, but the best he could do as far as mechanics was a guy who did me a favor once and did fix my black Mark III, but does not work professionally on other people's bikes. I feel bad imposing on him but will in an emergency. (He is the "guru" who mentioned Cracked heads.) Happy New Year. CJB

CJ,
Pick up the Norman White Norton Commando Restoration Manual. It has a lot of good how to do step by step topics for D.I.Y.er's Very easy read. I would bring your Bike to Jim Noll and see if he can trouble shoot the issues with your Mk3 that has the surging problem. It might just be something really simple like a loose wire terminal at the coil pack... (if its running on one cylinder). Cracked heads were mainly from the RH4 heads on early to mid 73 850s. They are usually stamped above the timing side exhaust rocker cover on the head. RH4 heads have 32 mm ports at the intake. RH10 heads have 30mm ports and were not prone to cracking. Best of Luck in the New Year.
Cheers,
Tom