Trying to help a recent widow sell her husband's '71 Commando.

Yes the clutch and carb fixes were the last things besides photos and submitting to BringATraler (AKA 'AddAZero') Here's hoping. I took some shots at dusk like this one, and will replace with better framed ones if it gets accepted.

Trying to help a recent widow sell her husband's '71 Commando.
 
BringATrailer offered to list as no reserve. I'll pass. I put up some ads, asking $7,900. I hope it does OK. Is it OK to post a link to the Craigslist / FB ads here? Maybe not needed as it should show up in the Classifieds section soon.

Edit - here it is

'71 Norton Commando

For sale '71 Norton Commando

Mission Viejo, CA, US
Refurbished, matching numbers, 8,180 miles
$7,900.00
 
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Dang, that is one NICE bike! It really came out well, great work.

I'm pretty sure it'll fetch asking price.
 
My brother is helping at a distance a woman whose dad passed away owning one of these.

Genuine correct noes known history 1974 Ducati 750 Super Sport round case desmo. One of 401 made I think. Engine and frame noes fall correctly in the sequence given by Ian Falloon in his book Standard Catalog of Ducati Motorcycles.

A NZ bike sold originally in Upper Hutt by Kevin Bock. One of two genuine ones sold in Wellington. Original owner passed away in Australia many years ago.

Stored in not great condition for many years it will need a total refurbishment. Perfect examples with name rider owner history have sold for US150,000 plus.

Will be interesting to see what she gets. He doesn't want to get too closely involved because it's potentially pretty big money. Just making sure she doesnt get sold a story by a scammer.
 

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johnm said:
My brother is helping at a distance a woman whose dad passed away owning one of these.

Genuine correct noes known history 1974 Ducati 750 round case desmo. One of 401 made I think.

A NZ bike sold originally in Upper Hutt.

Stored in not great condition for many years it will need a total refurbishment. Perfect examples with name rider owner history have sold for US150,000 plus.

Will be interesting to see what she gets. He doesn't want to get too closely involved because it's potentially pretty big money. Just making sure she doesnt get sold a story by a scammer.
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Whoa. Please send it to me.
 
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grandpaul said:
Dang, that is one NICE bike! It really came out well, great work.

I'm pretty sure it'll fetch asking price.
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Thanks, hope so. I will throw in the nice (but not perfect) MB41 front rim from my private stash. I'd have mounted it, but sorta ran out of time and energy.

Trying to help a recent widow sell her husband's '71 Commando.
 
Here is a startup. It is a bit more 'clattery' than my N15CS (which only has a bit over 1K miles). I have used the stethoscope on it and it seems to be only chain noise, nothing bottom end. I've checked and adjusted the primary and timing chains and inspected. They seem fine, nothing odd going on with interference or wear that seems out of line. Anyway here she goes.

Oh, I've learned in my kicking technique to find compression resistance and then back the kickstart lever up just a slight bit, maybe 2", to get a full stroke through. That does the trick.

 
grandpaul said:
Great!

...and now you know THE REST OF THE STORY!

Paul Harvey................ Good Day.
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Please enlighten me. How can we know the rest of the story? This isn't a case of a retro perspective, as in Paul Harvey's tale.
The joy of future ownership has yet to unfold .....

- Knut
 
mdt-son said:
Please enlighten me. How can we know the rest of the story? This isn't a case of a retro perspective, as in Paul Harvey's tale.
The joy of future ownership has yet to unfold .....

- Knut
Click to expand...
This thread was the "Rest of the Story" about resurrecting a bike for a widow, that achieved it's goal - the bike is sold!

It is up to the new owner to start a new thread about HIS story...
 
The new owner will be here on Monday. I didn't feel good about selling a bike with a sidestand that might fail, going past its stop, so I had an extended stop tab, about 3/8" x 1/4", welded on. I know it isn't a perfect fix, which would involve putting a new lug bracket on it Plus a different kickstand 'arm', as far as I can see. That would be many more Samolians.

But you know what? The fix works well. There is no way it is gonna fail. It has a solid TIG welded stop for the stand to butt against, it deploys and retracts into proper position, and the bike is solid and in the right position, not leaning over at 45 degrees. Someone had hacked it badly before, and now it's hacked properly! It is fine so long as nobody sits it on the sidestand and kicks it over.

At the shop, we hoisted it up with a forklift. I watched and guided things carefully. It came out fine, but it cost more than it should, IMO. I won't return to that shop, but whatever, it's done. Don't roast me, folks

Trying to help a recent widow sell her husband's '71 Commando.


Trying to help a recent widow sell her husband's '71 Commando.
 
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