A couple of years ago I sold my 72 Commando to a real nice fellow a few states away. He's been a previous Commando owner, some 30 years ago. The bike I sold him had many upgrades; XS reed valve breather, floating disc brake rotor, Grimeca caliber, Grimeca master cylinder, matching clutch handle, Old Britt's aluminum taillight housing, belt drive, Web camshaft and on and on. He sent me a picture of the bike the other day. Gone is all the upgraded front brake, along with the matching handles. Old Britt's all aluminum taillight housing, gone. Also, had a Lockhart oil cooler, with thermostat that was no longer there. He went to a fair bit of expense replacing the upgrades with stock parts. I understand wanting to look original, but.... If I had a choice, mine would be a CNW Norton with the works. To hell with originality. I mean no offense to the new owner. Just curious to see how the rest of you weigh in.
Upgrades vs. stock
- Thread starter JimC
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Never expect other people (or the market) to appreciate your improvements.
lcrken
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I'm with you on liking to improve and personalize my bikes, but I also understand that if you want an original bike, you want an ORIGINAL bike, not one with modifications. It's not my thing, but nevertheless I still enjoy looking at a bike that someone has taken the trouble to restore to completely original condition. It could be worse. He could have built it into a chopper :lol:
Ken
Ken
lcrken said:
Kinda' hard to figure. He left the Corbin seat on, Excel aluminum rims, Dyna coil, ss fenders, ss headlight brackets. Can't say he's a purist, but getting rid of that front brake for a stock Norton non-stopper is a head scratcher. Also, the primary cover is vented with 9 large holes.
If would say he was trying to make it into the bike he wanted just like so many if us do (myself included). As for removing such things as uprated brake he either wanted a certain look regardless of performance or the brake he has suits his riding style. Not to say he rides slowly either a friend of mine is very quick but doesn't like overly powerful front as he thinks (rightly or wrongly) it may lock in a panic.
o0norton0o
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JimC said:
I have yamaha cast wheels on my bike and probably close to 50 other modifications to my bike. I actually have a list started in a .txt document somewhere in this computer... There's an amazing amount of big, and little, stuff that I've changed that make the bike that much better than stock without taking away any of the specific characteristics of the commando, unless you count leaking oil everywhere as a valuable characteristic.
We need someone to keep their bike "bone stock" for the purist historical value and to keep it ready for the time capsule..... but not ME, I'll be riding mine... lol
As these older bikes (not just Commando) need more routine maintenance than modern stuff then might it be true to say that the ones that get used and modified are as a general rule owned by those who like doing that.(I know I do)
The people who want to "invest" want stock and probably do little or no mileage. An some have no interest in "investment" or "improvements" just have more modern machines and ivoid these old bikes.
The people who want to "invest" want stock and probably do little or no mileage. An some have no interest in "investment" or "improvements" just have more modern machines and ivoid these old bikes.
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My bikes are an investment, an investment ,in me for me. I will do what I choose , to do with them to give me enjoyment don't care what others think they are worth .
"Tact ,is the ability to tell someone to go to hell ,in a way they look forward to the trip"
..........Donald Trump.
"Tact ,is the ability to tell someone to go to hell ,in a way they look forward to the trip"
..........Donald Trump.
My 73 is all original. Exhaust (fluted and too quiet), points, amal but with premier anodized slide, clutch etc. No modifications other than the carby slide. Everytime I ride the bike I am so impressed how well it works for being 43 years old and original. It's an amazing machine. I like to keep bikes original as it better relays the experience of riding a bike from that era. My Honda Dream is scary for pathetic brakes and power, my 750 Honda even at 40 years old is just so ..... appliance like. It just works. The Guzzi, Norton, Trimphs, all communicate back to me what riding was like back then and all those bikes are amazingly competent when set up properly. I can make the Norton 'better' possibly (although I've seen many that have been 'improved' and didn't start as well as mine) but if I really want a more modern riding experience I'll ride my Ducati Monster. IMO there is absolutely nothing wrong with a stock Norton, they work extremely well.
lrutt said:
There's really nothing wrong with points on a motorcycle since very few people run high mileage per year. Even if you do it's not much of an issue as ignition points were one thing that Lucas excelled at. I have Norton Commando dual points ignition fitted to my Vincent Rapide. Apparently this was a bit of a Vincent hop-up in the 70s. One set of points lasted 40,000 miles and would have gone even further with a bit of filing.
I fitted new Japanese replacement points instead and those only made it 300 miles before wearing out!
Back to NOS Lucas points and the ignition is something I maybe look at every other year, if that.
With points you get a very hot spark at kick over due to the dwell time, so the easy starting is typical. This bike is a half kick starter.
You can also easily purchase and carry a complete new ignition for touring. And most of us old guys know how to fit any of the components roadside, should that ever be needed.
In 55,000 miles,I haven't had any problems from the points ignition, save the one self-induced Japanese points problem.
Fast Eddie
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To each, his own I guess !
I fully understand anyone who wants to do a full, conkers, "as it left the factory" resto.
But I wouldn't want one for myself. I just could!n't bring myself to not include benefits possible to us now that weren't then, or to deliberately restore in known faults / weaknesses. But I'm one of those who has NEVER left any motorcycle I've owned unmodified.
I also get the argument that goes "if you wanna go fast, buy a modern bike" and I think it is true.
However, that does not means that you shouldn't enjoy making you old bike faster than it was. Old bikes can be fun, a Commando is a case in point, real fun bikes to ride. But a hopped up Commando with 64 BHP is simply a whole lot MORE fun to ride IMHO !
I fully understand anyone who wants to do a full, conkers, "as it left the factory" resto.
But I wouldn't want one for myself. I just could!n't bring myself to not include benefits possible to us now that weren't then, or to deliberately restore in known faults / weaknesses. But I'm one of those who has NEVER left any motorcycle I've owned unmodified.
I also get the argument that goes "if you wanna go fast, buy a modern bike" and I think it is true.
However, that does not means that you shouldn't enjoy making you old bike faster than it was. Old bikes can be fun, a Commando is a case in point, real fun bikes to ride. But a hopped up Commando with 64 BHP is simply a whole lot MORE fun to ride IMHO !
I was always of the opinion, when riding on the street, being able to stop quickly was more important than going quickly. When I went with a floating disc, Grimeca caliper and a properly sized Grimeca master cylinder I was very pleased with the stopping power and controllability. Very similar to my twin disc Brembo equipped BMW.
I suppose the beauty of our hobby is that you can do what you want, I have a pretty standard 850 mk11a. I have had the front master cylinder re sleeved. It has a single carb, fitted when I bought it, I expect I will fit premiers at some stage and probably go with a breather modification. I also have Boyer ignition.
Maybe its my age or I am not as decisive as I used to be but I cannot make my mind up which way to go with it.
I have toyed with various mods but for the moment will keep it as it is (I think).
It is great to ride, my son loves to ride it, he rides a modern Triumph Tripple.
I don't do a lot of miles on it but like having it in the garage to ride. One of the reasons I am not keen to rebuild it till I know I have the time to do it in one hit.
There are so many things you can do to them without spoiling the bike but at the end of the day a lot of people want it as near possible as it came out of the factory, probably me included. There are many mods that are not visible that can be done to improve.
Maybe its my age or I am not as decisive as I used to be but I cannot make my mind up which way to go with it.
I have toyed with various mods but for the moment will keep it as it is (I think).
It is great to ride, my son loves to ride it, he rides a modern Triumph Tripple.
I don't do a lot of miles on it but like having it in the garage to ride. One of the reasons I am not keen to rebuild it till I know I have the time to do it in one hit.
There are so many things you can do to them without spoiling the bike but at the end of the day a lot of people want it as near possible as it came out of the factory, probably me included. There are many mods that are not visible that can be done to improve.
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