So many new upgrades available these days

I made a lot of upgrades over the 46 years of ownership of my 850 and the last 13 years spent a bit of money on new front brake set up, the Joe Hunt, front suspension while I was still working full time, but in 2013 took a redundancy from my job of 31 years and lucky was able to get my super retirement funds at 55 so have been living on my self funded pension, I still have 3 1/2 years to get my old age pension.
Looking at all these new upgrades coming together for our Norton's I wish I had the funds to buy them all Fullauto head new alloy barrel, Jim's light weight pistons and Conrod's just to name a few I can only dream about these newer upgrades and cost of living going up all the time it's just a dream for me.
I could sell the kids and wife, but the kids have all ready left home and the wife is broken and worn out I would have to pay someone to take her on, so it's back to dreaming again or I could win the Lotto but that's dreaming as well.
Such is life.

Ashley

ashman said:

I made a lot of upgrades over the 46 years of ownership of my 850 and the last 13 years spent a bit of money on new front brake set up, the Joe Hunt, front suspension while I was still working full time, but in 2013 took a redundancy from my job of 31 years and lucky was able to get my super retirement funds at 55 so have been living on my self funded pension, I still have 3 1/2 years to get my old age pension.
Looking at all these new upgrades coming together for our Norton's I wish I had the funds to buy them all Fullauto head new alloy barrel, Jim's light weight pistons and Conrod's just to name a few I can only dream about these newer upgrades and cost of living going up all the time it's just a dream for me.
I could sell the kids and wife, but the kids have all ready left home and the wife is broken and worn out I would have to pay someone to take her on, so it's back to dreaming again or I could win the Lotto but that's dreaming as well.
Such is life.

Ashley

Click to expand...

I've done a lot of upgrades over the 47 years of ownership of my 750, but nothing since the 1980s, the bike has been sitting in the corner of my garage for 31 years, but when I was getting it ready to go back on the road I did reflect over what I really needed to do, and thought I'd just try to do the essentials to get it going then decide on what upgrades I really want. It didn't work out quite like that, because some things (particularly stainless steel things), are just too hard to resist.

Now that the bike is running, I've done some more thinking, and realised that there isn't a single thing on the bike that can't be upgraded. Every part on the bike could be replaced with something better - frame, swingarm, engine, primary drive, kickstarter, gearbox, wheels, brakes, electrics ...

Upgrade everything, and then it isn't the bike I grew up with. Spend the £25k+ that a full upgrade would cost and I could buy a "better" bike, but that wouldn't have the same connection as my old Norton. So I want my Norton to be the way it is, until something breaks, or annoys me to the point where I feel that I really want to replace parts with something better.

For me, this isn't really a financial issue, its about whether I want to take everything off my bike and throw it away, would that really make me happier? Ashley, if you had 25k suddenly turn up, would you want to scrap most of your bike?

I gave my bike a big birthday present the year I retired. (After 45 years of ownership) Mostly things I had wanted when I was young. The one I think is necessary is an upgraded front brake. Many options are available.

Others are advisable for safety like the rear brake lever spring and a one piece rear axle. I saw another broken one two weeks ago.

The only one which can become a must have is an electric start if your knees go like mine have. Two options for a pre Mk111 bike. Neither cheap but unfortunately I doubt I could start my bike without an electric stat now.

I was lucky brought my new 74 850 Commando when I was 17 years old and only earning less than $50 a week, my dad went garrenture for me to get a loan for $1100, the Norton was $1999 on the rad new.
In 1980 I converted it to the Featherbed frame using a lot of my Commando parts and getting the motor built for the Featherbed frame was a time when machining and up grades that were around was cheap to do $42 to get my crank balanced at 72%, $48 to get my stock cam built up and grind to 2S specs and while off the road for 2 years I started work at a Technical College where my head was shaved, all port work done and new valve springs, still using stock valves but the guides were replace 2x now since then, a rebore to 40 over with original Hepalit pistons, I think they were $50 new and a new set of Amal carbs that cost $100 at the time and all parts brought before the internet was around.
2 years for the conversion and the Norton was a everyday rider before the conversion and after the conversion.
The build and motor has been very reliable to me in all those years with well over 140k miles on itwhen just over 12 years ago I had to replace the bottom crank cases so a full strip down but everything inside looked good so just replaced all bearings new set of rings and a clean up of valves and head, when I did the first reborn in 82 I did very tight clearance between the final hone of bore and pistons, so 12 years ago new second hand crank cases with little miles on them, cost me $900 for the crank cases but they were like new.
I am still running the 40 over pistons with new rings, still running original valves, new
full Grimcia front brakes, the Joe Hunt Maggie and Lansdown front suspension before John pasted away, a new set of PWK carbs set up for my bike off Jim Smitt, but with sticking float all the time I have now gone back to my old Amals after a full rebuild, I am glad that even 12 years ago my upgrades were still cheap at the time and I was still working.
In 2013 I brought a new Triumph 900 Thruxton before I took a redundancy at the end of that year, so the old Norton was semi retired with well over 160k mile on it. I still ride it and the 900 Thruxton took over everyday riding, but in 2018 I brought a new 2016 Thruxton 1200S, new old stock at a very good reduce price, I sold the old Thruxton 2 years later as wasn't using it, I still take the Norton out regularly but the 1200 Thruxton is my everyday rider, well when I am out and about, the last 2 years with this virus my travel times were cut right back and with house renovations last year it's time to clock up more miles with travels and the last 6 months the Norton has be neglected, well not really just been doing a few more mods to it, but still going just haven't had the time, bloody old houses, but all house work is now finished and I have some fresh fuel for the Norton to fire it up and tune the old Amals back in.
My old Norton is showing its age but it still fires up on first lick everytime and runs great, but it could do with a complete new paint job, but then for its age and miles it has done, I like it as it is, it's no show pony but it's aging well so I will leave it as it is, well for now anyway.

MichaelD if I had $25K thrown at me today I would keep my old Norton the way it is, am still very happy with my 1200 Thruxton, but what I would do with the money I have a Project 1960 Manxman that I would spend the money building a very hot and reliable 850 motor with all the goodies that are around now, new crank cases, full steel crank balanced, new alloy barrels, Fullauto head with stock size valves but all the ports opened up, a nice lumpy cam, a set of pumper carbs and all the bits from Jim Smitt, light pistons, Carlo rods, and lifters to match the hot cam, I would go to town on it and put it in the Slimline Featherbed instead of the 650 motor.

Forgot to say as well a new Joe Hunt Maggie hanging off the cam to top it off.

It's never ending Ash .

I've swallowed the fact that those upgrades are never ending but fun to do and you learn a lot in the process and meet new people too .

I sold my 750 Commando because I knew that the updates and upgrades I want to make would not be cost effective. At the time I had a family, I was the sole provider and I wanted to ride more then wrench. I sold the 750 for what I considered pretty good money and purchased a yellow 2000 Honda VFR800. (I was working for a Honda dealer at the time.) It was a great bike and I put many miles on that bike. My knees put and end to riding comfort on that mount. I let it go. It was around this time that I purchased Debby's 850 Commando. It's very nice except for the cosmetic condition. It has many of the upgrade I would have made myself including the front brake upgrade, updated Amal carbs and reworked charging and ignition systems plus transmission and engine rebuilds.

I have always been nervous riding my Norton(s) due to unreliability issues both real and imaginary. As such I always harbored an urge to protect and treasure them rather than use them. This bike is as ready to go as I have ever owned. I trust Debby's work and I trust my own. When the weather gets warmer I have promised myself that I will ride it rather than just look at it. I will care for the bike and do the regular maintenance but that's it. Because it is really a restomod and not original or a collectable I am going to try and ride it like any bike I have owned.

I have been bringing up the CnW starter upgrade to the wife and as soon as I sell a bike I will pull the trigger on that. I do not see this as much of a decision to upgrade since it will save my knee.

Big_Jim59 said:

I sold my 750 Commando because I knew that the updates and upgrades I want to make would not be cost effective. At the time I had a family, I was the sole provider and I wanted to ride more then wrench. I sold the 750 for what I considered pretty good money and purchased a yellow 2000 Honda VFR800. (I was working for a Honda dealer at the time.) It was a great bike and I put many miles on that bike. My knees put and end to riding comfort on that mount. I let it go. It was around this time that I purchased Debby's 850 Commando. It's very nice except for the cosmetic condition. It has many of the upgrade I would have made myself including the front brake upgrade, updated Amal carbs and reworked charging and ignition systems plus transmission and engine rebuilds.

I have always been nervous riding my Norton(s) due to unreliability issues both real and imaginary. As such I always harbored an urge to protect and treasure them rather than use them. This bike is as ready to go as I have ever owned. I trust Debby's work and I trust my own. When the weather gets warmer I have promised myself that I will ride it rather than just look at it. I will care for the bike and do the regular maintenance but that's it. Because it is really a restomod and not original or a collectable I am going to try and ride it like any bike I have owned.

I have been bringing up the CnW starter upgrade to the wife and as soon as I sell a bike I will pull the trigger on that. I do not see this as much of a decision to upgrade since it will save my knee.

Click to expand...

It' s only money , you can always make more .

Torontonian said:

It' s only money , you can always make more .

Click to expand...

About 25 years ago my youngest daughter, then about 5 years old, asked me why I went to work.
I was busy at the time so just gave a flippant reply "To make money"
Some days later I saw her closely scrutinising a $1 coin. She noticed me and asked "Is this some of the money you have made Dad?"

...out of the mouths of babes!

I've been doing upgrades on my "73" 850 for reliability and rideability. These include electronic ignition, improved lighting, Don Penders master cylinder, Jim Comstock's exhaust thread repair, rebuilt forks, adjustable isolastics & seating. When I hit 70 my knee started giving me problems, so I broke down and bought cNw's estart. It was either estart or sell the bike, I chose the former.

drp said:

I've been doing upgrades on my "73" 850 for reliability and rideability. These include electronic ignition, improved lighting, Don Penders master cylinder, Jim Comstock's exhaust thread repair, rebuilt forks, adjustable isolastics & seating. When I hit 70 my knee started giving me problems, so I broke down and bought cNw's estart. It was either estart or sell the bike, I chose the former.

Click to expand...

I got one for when the inevitable inability to kick happens

Whatever parts I upgrade on my bike, I keep the originals in a box, so that if ever I (or the next custodian) wish to return it to original I/they have that option. For that reason I prefer not to make any non-reversable alterations.

Personally, I think they should be left standard….

I don't think I could part with that much money for a electric starter even in old age, when I brought my 74 Commando new in 76 the new Mk111s were all over the show room floor and a old stock Mk2 was sitting down the back of the show room all by itself and at $470 cheaper than the MK111 it was my choice to buy it although I was a 17 year old skinny runt at the time with chicken legs, well at 64 years old now and still have chicken legs lol, I learned the kick start knack real quick and now have a longer folding kicker a a Joe Hunt that throws out a big spark and well tuned its a one kick start every time, infact most of the time it's fired up 1/2 way through the swing.
I still have a strong right leg my left knee has coped all my leg injuries in life, so a ES be way down on my list of upgrades, but these days of retirement money is important to me as no longer working but if anyone like to sponsor me for a hotrod rebuild wink wink.

I have a set of fz750 forks fitted that my mate gave me
I have apprillia Pegasso wheels
Extra iso under the gearbox
Iso headsteady
Under and over braced swing arm
320mm disc up the front nissin 4 pot with a 12mm brembo mcylinder that I took off a scooter I found in a local brook
I have a kmx 125 calliper on the back
Alton starter
Norvil belt drive
40mm TM carb
Japanese switchgear and electrics
Etc etc
None of the above cost much money but did take time
The forks were probably the best upgrade along with the electric start and carb

baz said:

I have a set of fz750 forks fitted that my mate gave me
I have apprillia Pegasso wheels
Extra iso under the gearbox
Iso headsteady
Under and over braced swing arm
320mm disc up the front nissin 4 pot with a 12mm brembo mcylinder that I took off a scooter I found in a local brook
I have a kmx 125 calliper on the back
Alton starter
Norvil belt drive
40mm TM carb
Japanese switchgear and electrics
Etc etc
None of the above cost much money but did take time
The forks were probably the best upgrade along with the electric start and carb

Click to expand...

So, apart from that it’s standard…?

ashman said:

I don't think I could part with that much money for a electric starter even in old age, when I brought my 74 Commando new in 76 the new Mk111s were all over the show room floor and a old stock Mk2 was sitting down the back of the show room all by itself and at $470 cheaper than the MK111 it was my choice to buy it although I was a 17 year old skinny runt at the time with chicken legs, well at 64 years old now and still have chicken legs lol, I learned the kick start knack real quick and now have a longer folding kicker a a Joe Hunt that throws out a big spark and well tuned its a one kick start every time, infact most of the time it's fired up 1/2 way through the swing.
I still have a strong right leg my left knee has coped all my leg injuries in life, so a ES be way down on my list of upgrades, but these days of retirement money is important to me as no longer working but if anyone like to sponsor me for a hotrod rebuild wink wink.

Click to expand...

I bought my '70 750 in 1975, it was a fastback converted to an Interstate, and the frame and a few other parts had been chromed. First holiday heading across the channel it blew the head gasket in the first 100 miles, holiday ruined, girlfriend lost, never reached the channel.

Decided to go through the Haynes manual and tick every paragraph as I did the work. After that it was super-reliable, as long as I spent the winter maintaining it, and I took the approach that everything I replaced had to be upgraded to the best possible replacement.

With a new girlfriend spent 4 weeks riding across Europe every year for the next decade. One year, we got as far as Athens, 2,400 miles from home. Then due to a miscalculation on the way back, we did 1,000 miles in 24 hours, me, girlfriend plus 170 pounds of luggage and camping gear all over the bike. It never missed a beat. These bikes can be amazingly reliable.

I think that it is great that these upgrades are available and are quality products.Plus you can get replacements for just about anything.Spend the kids lunch money!Life is short.
Mike

Having 'officially' retired last month, and now with time on my hands and two Nortons in the garage..

I think my credit card 'expired' this week from exhaustion!