Total Beginner

Sorry guys, I'm sure some version of this has been asked in the past. Since I was 20 I've always wanted a Notrton Commando --am now 61. In my twenties a friend of mine had a 750 Commando with a black tank and std bars (don't remember the year model my guess is around 70 something. Since then I've owned Hondas, Kawasakis (pocket rockets) and two Harley's. Always wanted a Commando but never knew how to buy one (what year is best to look for?? model types within the genre??, restored or needing work??, etc). These questions always led me to choose "easier to buy" bikes like a Harley -- where I felt like less of a "babe in the woods". Over the years these questions became EVEN HARDER as now I was finding either 1) "highly restored and expensive" Commandos (that had once been versions of a basket case--so you're left wondering how good the restorer was) or 2) relatively expensive basket cases (bikes in boxes, like and old style plastic model car--awaiting assembly) some of which weren't even numbers matching. Inevitably I'd give up and "just go buy another Harley". Yesterday I saw a 72 (non matching numbers) 750 Commando at a mechanics shop in running but less than perfect cosmetic condition--and the bug bit me again. But again I left the situation thinking "stay away, you really don't know how to buy a Norton, you'll likely buy the wrong type". Any suggestions, guys???

There is no 'wrong type' but each model has its unique characteristics. The 72 you are considering purchasing may have a Combat engine which had its own particular set of issues. Recommend that you get the serial number from the engine and the transmission and then do research on your own or post that information here for others to respond to. A photo of the bike may also help.

Get some help. If you tell us where you are, there's likely someone in your area that can give you clues. I was more than willing to help a fella in Manassas look at his 69S that he wanted to buy. Early bikes are lighter and more maneuverable, later bikes are larger and heavier and better on the highways. Personally I like the early ones, but then I've had one since 72. The later bikes also have improvements that make them a bit more reliable, but any of them can be made reliable at this point, there's no end of parts you can get. I wouldn't buy one if you don't know them, find someone that does. Or you could spend a year reading the Norton notes that was on line a long time ago, don't know if it's still around.

I think the middle road is the way to go when purchasing a Norton or any vintage bike.
Low road means you got a LOT of time, tools, and patience to wrench it. Will still spend significant $ to get it done. Satisfaction at max when running tho.
High road means buying one from CNW or other reputable source. Instant fun and reliablility, but the satisfaction of doing it yourself not there. Very expensive too.

I bought mine from the second owner who took good care of it for most it's life, but slacked off on maintenance and cosmetics the last few years of ownership.
He had records of service and parts installed, it ran pretty well, and the price was reasonable.
I have since put significant time and $ into basic and cosmetic stuff (new carbs, EI, belt drive, paint, etc.), but now have a very reliable and fun machine.
BTW - I was never very mechanically inclined and do not have a shop full of tools, but with help of local Norton owner friends, a shop manual, and this forum I have managed to figure the old girl out pretty well.

Norton 550

You've taken the first correct step and that is to seek wisdom on this web site. The combined knowledge here is amazing and you've already gotten some good ideas from above; no wrong type, tell us where you are, find a local chap or lady (not sure what the female term for chap is, and yes there are some ladies that are very wise and ride Nortons!), read the Norton notes (available from INOA I think).
I would add to tell the folks here what type of riding you do or want to do. That could range from coffee get togethers on Sunday mornings to long distance touring. A Commando can be custom outfitted to do quite a broad range of events including even competitive racing.
Some hard earned wisdom from me; if you aren't a crack mechanic buy one in pretty good shape that is running. It will get expensive real fast if you have to tear into the engine and transmission.
As far as cost there probably aren't very many cheap and good Commandos out there. They have become very popular since I bought mine in 2003 and the prices have gone up a lot. Sellers usually know what they have and what it's worth. I doubt you can find a really good well sorted cosmetically 9 out of 10 for under $5,000. Top level ones go for double that up to the Holy Grail CNW's at, well let's say how deep are your pockets? A basket case of unknown condition will take your wallet, credit cards and bank account to the cleaners so unless you like Rat Bikes figure you'll end up with a number close to the $10,000 a finished one gets. But in defence, they aren't really being made anymore and as long as the economy doesn't crap out again they will hold their value or appreciate.
Don't get too hung up on the "matching numbers" on a Norton, unless you plan to put it into a museum. The rest of us don't really care. Same for originality. Most Nortons that are ridden have been "improved" and are rarely totally original, besides even the experts sometimes argue on what the factory did and the factory didn't care either.
Buy a local one for sale that you can go and inspect and hear it run. Too many stories of online purchases that weren't exactly what the seller said or advertised and shipping can be expensive as well as damage potential. Not easy to mitigate across state lines especially. So; your choice of what machine to buy may end up simply being what's available in your area, California good selection, North Dakota not so good.

Hope this helps, having a Commando is a journey, enjoy the ride

Ray

Thanks for the prompt replies---Awesome!
Ray actually summarized a lot of what you guys need to know from me--I'm in San Antonio, Texas, don't expect to use it on long trips and am not handy with a wrench. Not that fond of kick starting bike (didn't enjoy it much in my twenties, doubt I'll like it any better now in my sixties. Too old to be riding unsafe bikes so I keep mine in proper running order. Am respectful of the idea that older bikes need more caution than current models (with disks versus drums and other modern conveniences). Please keep your ideas coming since their really great. As an aside a couple of you mentioned and acycronim for I assume a place that sells "highly restored" version -- was it CVsomething?? I've forgotten the initials -- what is this place???

CNW?????

CNW = Colorado Norton Works

http://coloradonortonworks.com/

If you desire electric start than you want an 850 MKIII (circa 1975-1976) which was the only Norton factory fit with electric start.

Norton550 said:

CNW?????

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A recognised supplier of top notch Norton components. And for some very lucky customers, a supplier of uber top notch Commandos:

http://coloradonortonworks.com/

He even has used ones for sale sometimes. There's a beautiful black one, electric start too, that I was sorely tempted by ($ to £ is against us Brits at present though), if you not so tall (5'3" ish) there's a bargain on there:

http://coloradonortonworks.com/pre-owned-cnw-machines/

Of course, they're not the cheap option. But if you try building one to that standard yourself, the price perception may change somewhat!

Found the site -- I'm sure they're great but that would price me out

There's lots of Commando's around. Something will turn up that catches your eye!

Some folks have told me the electric starter is at best an assist, others that it kills the battery. For my part electric start would probably be great but if it doesn't work I'd be ruling bikes out for a feature I can't use. I'll try to get serial numbers from the 1972 for sale locally and some pics to see what you guys think. My sincere thanks to everyone--this is clearly a great forum.

Norton550 said:

Some folks have told me the electric starter is at best an assist, others that it kills the battery. For my part electric start would probably be great but if it doesn't work I'd be ruling bikes out for a feature I can't use.

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There are mods. to upgrade the original 850 Mk3 electric starter and modern batteries are more powerful so it's not a problem, but note that only the 850 Mk3 had an electric starter originally, although electric start kits are available to upgrade earlier models they aren't cheap.

If you're not keen on kickstart bikes, the early Nortons will be rough on you. They can be a brute to start until you get the hang of it. Big D is in Dallas, I think, you might see what they have. That said, I can still start mine at the ripe age of 72, but it scares me now. You should be able to find someone in Austin to help.
OOPS, San Antonio.

You said you weren't handy with a wrench. That can mean one of two things, you have no experience but you're willing to learn or you have no desire to. Not judging, some find pleasure in working on mechanical things, some would rather pursue other things. If you fall into the no desire category IMHO an old Norton won't be an enjoyable experience. The only way you might make it work is to buy a perfectly restored bike (10K+) done by someone who knew what they were doing and then have somebody close by to regularly service it and fix the odd glitch that knows what they are doing. I don't know anyone in SA, but there are some in Austin, Dallas and Houston that can work on them. At going shop rates that's going to require deep pockets and they will do it on their schedule.
You might get lucky and find someones baby at a reasonable price but in my experience your average Craigslist or Ebay bike is going to require you to spend at least a few months and a fair amount of dollars to get to reliable riding status. Then there's ongoing maintainence. Unlike modern bikes when these bikes were built it was just assumed the average owner would change the fluids, replace the tires, chain, adjust the valves, set the points, set the timing, rebuild the carbs, decoke the head and on and on. Compare one of their owners manuals to one today. They practically told you enough to rebuild the bike, today it's all about how to set the security and adjust the stereo and heated grips.
Not trying to be a downer but just trying to be realistic. If you do want to learn how to turn wrenches this board is a great resource.

htown16 said:

You said you weren't handy with a wrench. That can mean one of two things, you have no experience but you're willing to learn or you have no desire to. Not judging, some find pleasure in working on mechanical things, some would rather pursue other things. If you fall into the no desire category IMHO an old Norton won't be an enjoyable experience. The only way you might make it work is to buy a perfectly restored bike (10K+) done by someone who knew what they were doing and then have somebody close by to regularly service it and fix the odd glitch that knows what they are doing. I don't know anyone in SA, but there are some in Austin, Dallas and Houston that can work on them. At going shop rates that's going to require deep pockets and they will do it on their schedule.
You might get lucky and find someones baby at a reasonable price but in my experience your average Craigslist or Ebay bike is going to require you to spend at least a few months and a fair amount of dollars to get to reliable riding status. Then there's ongoing maintainence. Unlike modern bikes when these bikes were built it was just assumed the average owner would change the fluids, replace the tires, chain, adjust the valves, set the points, set the timing, rebuild the carbs, decoke the head and on and on. Compare one of their owners manuals to one today. They practically told you enough to rebuild the bike, today it's all about how to set the security and adjust the stereo and heated grips.
Not trying to be a downer but just trying to be realistic. If you do want to learn how to turn wrenches this board is a great resource.

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I totally agree.

A Norton is like the rhubic's cube of motorcyles. If you don't know an awful lot about them you will struggle just to keep your's running. The people who you see that have nortons which are beautiful and run well, are like those 12 year old savants who can unscramble a rhubic's cube in 30 seconds.... They make it seem a lot easier than it actually is...

Not just old Nortons in particular but also Triumph, BSA's, Royal Enfields, Velocette, Matchless ect. They all require a hands on approach then each make has their own quirks. I wouldn't say a Norton is any quirkier than the others, but you do need to access the collective wisdom to deal with them. But maybe that's because I'm currently working on a Trident.

o0norton0o said:

I totally agree.

A Norton is like the rhubic's cube of motorcyles. If you don't know an awful lot about them you will struggle just to keep your's running. The people who you see that have nortons which are beautiful and run well, are like those 12 year old savants who can unscramble a rhubic's cube in 30 seconds.... They make it seem a lot easier than it actually is...

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I totally disagree.
I am far from a mechanical savant (more like monkey with wrench) and my Commando looks and runs excellent.
Not the case when I bought it.
No prior experience except vague memories of adjusting valves back in the 70s.
No shop or certified mechanic has touched it.

Tom,
That's what I was getting at, you had the desire to work on it but not the experience. With time and patience and the help of this board you can learn to do the job well. But if you have no desire to do the work yourself, it will be a costly and unpleasant experience.
Mitch

Right on!
Wrenching and riding kinda linked. Both fun in different ways - especially if you can get into the "Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance". :mrgreen:
For me, more so the first year or so as I got to know the machine and replace faulty bits.
After that, check for loose bolts and GO!