Took It to a Show:

I barely had my 75 restored and ready to run when I found out about a huge antique tractor show this weekend nearby. I rushed to get my bike finalized and headed out yesterday morning. It is only about 26 miles to the site, but this was a lot for me after not riding it since 1992. The show is a large tractor and antique engine show held every year. I heard they had over 300 tractors. I hoped they would let me in.
I left out yesterday morning early and the ride out was great. I've had several Jap bikes over the years but hadn't ridden the Norton since I "grew up". It is certainly a pleasure to ride as you feel each engine pulse and think about all the insides you just had your hands on. It gives me great satisfaction.
The folks at the show gladly let me in and as I rode through the 50 acre site to find a parking space, I think I turned more heads than any tractor did. The Dunstalls sounded distinctly great as I idled thru the field.
All day as I showed it off, countless old guys came by and told tales of owning Triumphs, etc. A few had had Nortons and all regretted selling them.
All in all it was a great day and a great ride home. I could not have fixed this bike without help from this forum.
Thanks, here's a couple of pics:
JD75

Great result! Just think Peashooter's would make the package :?: , but that's just me

Aw Jaydee that's really swell but, this is a Commando forum, so we see and hear and fear these ole clunkers constantly so where's all the interesting exotic tired iron?? Good on you to start the risk taking of road life away from home as an act of faith, knowing what all is going on inside now, several pairs of blacksmiths having at it. Both my Combats came in black and gold so looks great to me as rest of the world gear heads. I didn't have what it takes to do them up like yours again, so I'd be one of those staring at it too and straining ears savoring the deep soft base hits of Dunstall long dongs. Get used to being center of attention everywhere and about any crowd, except of course a Norton rally to bring ya back to Earth.

Wes showed up unannounced yesterday so I put air in low rear, adjusted drive chain so no excuse not to tempt deer and internal fates for a nice ride a new way to biker town watering hole. Normal passerbys were drawn over for a view to grin and cock heads on what they were seeing, then one fella stopped at Wes's then wondered across small lot, filled to the brim with big cycles, to check out my yellar one, so I left my beer to say, hi, he kept saying, he loved everything thing about the Commando's, so give him a hit on how easy to start and easy to listen too and feel the puff balls, then he gave me his card. He's the Exec. Director of the Bikes Blues BBQ affair here, that draws 300-400,000 bikers yearly. Which brings me back to the Dunstall wonders, telling him how Ms Peel's pleasant low idle being filmed by TV crew at BBB for noise complaint shortie, but no V twins available just then, till women speaker gave me the nod to rev er up... BLATTTTTTTTTTTTT so fast a ripping through ears and gut they all almost fell over backwards in Startle Reflex : )

So polish up your showman ship too.

Your bike looks great, and you did a great job!

Very nice machine. I remember when I was about 10 and used to go to the Old Threshers reunion in Iowa. Lots of old time tractors.
Good luck with your bike. I dream that mine will look like that someday. BYW, +1 on the Dunstalls, I have a pair on mine.
MikeM

john robert bould said:

Great result! Just think Peashooter's would make the package :?: , but that's just me

Click to expand...

Oh, golly. :shock: