This internet thing-

it's pretty good ... Hi to all of You, not many Brit bikes in my neighborhood of the world (s.e.Iowa,USA). Been goin through some old (new to me) posts. Crazy good talent and knowledge not to mention resources. User name reflects, owned my 69 Fastback since 1977- lot of years. My father and I bought it for $700. Ridden regularly until we both bought Harley shovelheads in 1980. Still have my 74 Superglide. So the FB still was ridden occasionally. Motor freshened up in 1985,
Got hitched in '88.. usually, if the Mrs. went usually rode the glide... kids in 92, 94 not much ridin'...(shocker!) Divorced in 99, rode my Glide solo to Sturgis that summer. One of the best vacations next to flyin to Jamaica before
getting married in 88 !
Poor 'old commando has languished since 2000 or so...my father, a member of the greatest generation passed last
December. We had never bothered to put title in both our names, only his..I had managed to mention that at a small
family meal for witnesses, a couple months before he passed. Good thing I did , my stepmother, the executor of the estate, has been very selfish and feel she has tainted our Dad's memory.. that's really neither here or t here except to say she thought it should be sold. I told her I wasn't sure I wanted to do that (she,of course,wanted the money).
Well she certainly surprised me when I went to see her and she handed me a small sack of my dads belongings. She
said the title was in there signed over to me! (The title of course had been put in her name as executor..)
Went and got it transferred the next day to MY name!..
O.K., the bike is officially mine, what to do? Keep him or sell, it needed love... funds minimal..Bought Carb kits, battery, fluids. Cleaned,checked both sets of points, confirmed spark, fresh gas. One kick, fired, second kick started,
but died. 3rd kick running! Man, I forgot just how unique and good our brand sounds!
Of course I couldn't resist goin for a spin down the gravel road to the paved road, and of course couldn't resist doin a couple of miles on it. I felt like I was 17 again !
It's due for tires unfortunately but none the less it's alive!
I appreciate Your eye time if Ya chose to read this, All I have for a p-c is a tablet..if I can eventually figure out how to do pics on it I'll post them. I remember virtually every bolt and the quirks, (personality !)
Oh, reckon it will remain in my stable unless extreme dire circumstances force otherwise.
Thanks ahead of time for the hopefully new friendships in the states and the world!
Dave

Hi Dave

Nice story and welcome, its part of your life and good memories of your dad, I would keep it for ever even if money is tight, so every time you look at it or riding it your dad will be with you, you can't beat that, clean it up and put new tyes on it and just enjoy the experance again, remember its a classic bike and sounds like your dad was classic as well.

Best of luck and enjoy what you have.

Ashley

Thank You Ashley very good advice, and kind words of my father, our world gets increasingly out of control.
But without all of those brave,special, members in all parts of the world during WW2 hard to say what worse shape
it might be ..

Gidday Dave. greetings and hearty good wishes.

it is something special to me when I hear of another Fastback back to life.
we have similar stories as I got my Fastback in 1976. just got going again after a bit of hibernation. I like fastbacks, would not have anything else. they are the sort of bike u either love or hate. dont see many in Queensland where I live. Plenty of roadster and interstate.

I am not suprised at all about the engine starting story. it is sort of expected. just enjoy .
U r in a very good place here. unique in fact. if u need help just ask.
again welcome Bradley australia

Totally cool ! Thank You for welcoming me. I've never been said gidday to before!
This internet thing ...

All of the above welcome back to the world of Commando. While you were gone we got ethanol laced gas. so if you use the fiberglass tank, make sure to drain all the fuel out after your ride or it will dissolve the resin. It would be a shame to find this out after you see the blisters in he gel coat and have brownish gue in the carbs.

More good advice, thank You David.

illf8ed said:

All of the above welcome back to the world of Commando. While you were gone we got ethanol laced gas. so if you use the fiberglass tank, make sure to drain all the fuel out after your ride or it will dissolve the resin. It would be a shame to find this out after you see the blisters in he gel coat and have brownish gue in the carbs.

Click to expand...

+1

Yes, neglected to say I do have the fib. tank... I had always ran 2 (1 each line) external fuel filters, anyone else?
Also, have done some brief searches, to no avail, for the Lucas 446 headlight bulb equivelant at an auto store..?
I know halogens are the way to go, but just want to replace my stock broken one for the basic for now.
Dave

You paid too much. I bought a 69S for $700 in 72. Kidding. But get it in shape, there's no better bike for girls to look at. Pictures too. If I could find an early FB I'd buy one.

Also, don't put ethenol in that FB tank, avgas works fine.

Dave
69S

1977years said:

Also, have done some brief searches, to no avail, for the Lucas 446 headlight bulb equivelant at an auto store..?
I know halogens are the way to go, but just want to replace my stock broken one for the basic for now.
Dave

Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a toughy. You're probably stuck with an online purchase. Entering "446 bulb" in ebay brings up any number of options for purchase.
As for upgrading, you'll end up swapping out the entire lamp assembly to accept something like an H4/9006, but it'll be best to do some electrical upgrading to help support the increased current draw of the 55/60 watt bulb. Check out uprated-charging-system-t19016.html for a lot of good info on the subject, both bulb and charging system.

Your story is beginning to sound familiar, as a lot of these old girls are coming out of hiding to be enjoyed by the next generation. she-back-t16865.html for a boring read on mine's past.
Welcome to the group. It's a great bunch of guys out there!

Nathan

Nathan

Thanks Dave and Nathan, I appreciate it . Will check out it out Nathan.
All the welcomes from the forum members mean alot. The biking community
now is so full of new riders, I have a hard time relating, oblivious to some brands
so many of us know. Nice to be in a forum with like minded riders...
Dave

Nater_Potater said:

1977years said:

Also, have done some brief searches, to no avail, for the Lucas 446 headlight bulb equivelant at an auto store..?
I know halogens are the way to go, but just want to replace my stock broken one for the basic for now.
Dave

Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a toughy. You're probably stuck with an online purchase. Entering "446 bulb" in ebay brings up any number of options for purchase.
As for upgrading, you'll end up swapping out the entire lamp assembly to accept something like an H4/9006, but it'll be best to do some electrical upgrading to help support the increased current draw of the 55/60 watt bulb. Check out uprated-charging-system-t19016.html for a lot of good info on the subject, both bulb and charging system.

Your story is beginning to sound familiar, as a lot of these old girls are coming out of hiding to be enjoyed by the next generation. she-back-t16865.html for a boring read on mine's past.
Welcome to the group. It's a great bunch of guys out there!

Nathan

Nathan

Click to expand...

Here in Aus, i have accumulate about 3-4 globes from wherever.. Not real hard to come by i think.. My first replacement was "over the counter" at the local auto parts shop no problem.... From previous experience's i dont go into detail when they ask "what is it out of"..... Mention Lucas/Norton to a 20yr old auto shop assistant, then you may as well go back home to bed..

IMO, all you need to ask for is "one of these", and when is your delivery day and my ph # is *????, because i will pick it up then.. Dont hang around and get into a debate cos it wont be/have a "part #" in there system. Unless of course they are dedicated auto electrics suppliers.....

Thanks olChris. I'll go after work tomorrow.

1977years said:

Yes, neglected to say I do have the fib. tank... I had always ran 2 (1 each line) external fuel filters, anyone else?
Also, have done some brief searches, to no avail, for the Lucas 446 headlight bulb equivelant at an auto store..?
I know halogens are the way to go, but just want to replace my stock broken one for the basic for now.
Dave

Click to expand...

Sorry to hear of your Dads passing.
You are lucky to be able to keep the bike and good memories that go with it.
I too have a resurrected 750 with a fib tank. I am running 2 filters and though its a pain, I drain the fuel after every ride. I usually try to get it out once per week so its not too bad. That ethanol will melt the tank and run it through the whole system, carbs engine everything.
I am working on finding a decent steel tank. That will be one of the last things for me. I am working on making it safe and roadworthy again.
How about some photos?

Nice story Dave, and sorry about your Dad passing away. I find one thing a bit upsetting these days. Many of my old cronies die before I get around to visiting them, and I have deep regrets that I didn't spend more time with them. About the divorce thing, I've been there too. However if you've got a bike in your life, it helps a lot. I find that if I focus on my bike and simply make even one minor improvement from time to time, it takes my focus away from the things which in the long run don't really matter. I've sometimes thought about selling my bike, and I know I cannot go there - it's role in my life is too important.

Hi Dave,
Welcome to the club. This is Joe, we had emailed back-and-forth earlier this year about your fastback.

Bikes were also an important part of the relationship between myself and my Dad. I can relate.

There are a few Nortons around the great state of IA. Here's my perpetual work-in-progress...

Hi Dave, welcome to the forum. Like you, I have had my bike for a long time [ since jan 73 ] . I did most of the work on my [ 2 ] Commandos before I knew about this forum, and would have done a couple of things differently if I had known. I have lost both my parents [ Dad to Alzheimer's ] . I used to ride my Commando down to Dargaville to see dad every Thursday, and even though he was well gone, he used to recognise the Norton.My recommendation for head lamps is to fit 2 heavier cables direct [ one through a fuse ] from the battery to 2 relays in the headlamp. Buy a decent h4 headlamp and bulbs and you will have better lights than a lot of modern bikes with the 7 inch lamp. [ our ancient eyes aren't what the used to be ]

All the best, Dereck

Ps I am lucky, my wife of 33+ years is still looking after me. I had my 750 when I first met her and have still got it. Kids came along and it sat in the garage rusting away. It has cost a bit to get all the chrome fixed but it is looking great now. It was at the beginning of a trip to see dad that I heard the main bearing rumble so I returned home and started the restoration with the engine.

Thanks for the kind words and advice. Yes, I'm on a tablet and while I can take pics , beyond that
(Posting is another matter) I'll have to check out the how to post topic...
Weekend about over already, back to the grind... You all have as good a week as possible.

You can get stock or halogen replacements for your bulbs here - http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/