What does Commando ownership require?

Hello All,

First post here, but hopefully not the last. I want to buy a commando.................it has always been the bike I wanted but never got. I have a bit of trepidation as I have always been told to get a Triumph Bonneville over a Norton Commando. Reasons are as follows Commandos are harder to get parts for, parts are more expensive, engine is not as well designed as a Triumph. Commandos require more maintenance. Are any of these arguments valid? I have been led to believe that the Norton Commando is the Harley iron head of English bikes.
Obviously I do not expect anyone to talk me out of getting one.....but what I would like is an accurate idea of what Commando ownership will entail. I am not scared of turning a wrench...........in fact I really enjoy it. I have built a couple of bikes all from the ground up............but this will be my first British bike.
I know what I see and I love the look of the Commando. It looks just right as it is..no customization needed.In my eyes it looks perfect. For me it's the roadster model.
A 1970 model has come up for sale at a distant vintage shop. I haven't seen it in person but it looks nice. It had the engine "freshened up" and it has over 21000 miles on the clock.The mechanic who has been around Nortons all his life says that it is a quiet running engine, and that he would have no hesitation in riding it as a regular everyday bike. I get a good feeling from him and I believe that hes being honest about the condition of the bike. He is flipping the bike and has documentation for work done to it under different ownership at a different shop in excess of $7000. He is asking $6500.
Look forward to your feedback.

Thanks Dave

Like any bike ownership, your Commando owning experience is going to depend on the particualr bike you buy.

If you buy a POS, it may take a large wad of $$$ to make it good, and you may not be a happy camper - until the memory of the $$$ has worn off, anyway.
If you buy something that has been expertly maintained, you may get many miles of trouble free motoring. But like any brit engineering, it may require 'fettling' along the way.

As long as you plan to enjoy whatever happens, it will always put a smile on your dial, that for sure.
Have fun !!

You will need a very understanding wife. Other than that, she's apples mate

Get the Norton. No comparison. The Triumph is a paint shaker from hell by comparison. The T140 is the only bike in over 40 years that made my FEET go numb :shock: Save yourself the money/time/effort by skipping the "almost" bikes... I tried that route.

THIS bike is hard to get parts for.



This was more common, but only fun to ride at 50 mph or less...



The search is over...



The Iron Head comment is funny... the Commando is smoother than a modern rubber H-D. Get yourself a test ride... that did it for me. A friend graciously gave a me a 50 mile test ride, and the decision was made (the first 5 miles). I've since sold one myself with a test ride :lol:

Dkt26 said:

You will need a very understanding wife. Other than that, she's apples mate

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Divorced years ago never making that mistake again................just me and a bike make right!

concours said:

This was more common, but only fun to ride at 50 mph or less...

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they only make 1000 of those?

Mark said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they only make 1000 of those?

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They only made 2000 of those badges that said "1 of 1,000" (or some such; one for each side). They made a whole bunch more of the actual bikes, another 1,000 plus, I believe.

islanddave said:

Dkt26 said:

You will need a very understanding wife. Other than that, she's apples mate

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Divorced years ago never making that mistake again................just me and a bike make right!

Click to expand...

Jeez man get a 650ss, a velo venom clubman and a series c rapide also!!!

Parts are easy to find, they make most parts new every day. The owner of Andover Norton is a member here.

They are all reasonably priced.. You could build an entire bike from new parts if you were so inclined.

(There are a few items not available, Mainly fuel tanks, but they are in the works)

Plus the used spares market is huge.

The engine design is fine. Remember it is not a modern day fire breathing 200HP monster. It is a 50 HP 40 year plus old design.

It does very well for what it is. There are many aftermarket companies that make parts to refine them. Not necessary, but nice.

Riding most other bikes after the Norton, is like being forced to have sex with a condom after enjoying the real thing.

Dave
69S

You'd probably wouldn't mind condoms so much if you were getting some strange. Lol. Hold out for a 73' or 74' Dave.

They produced 1000 of these too . . .



By golly Hinkley could do a Copy . Real triumphs were pre left foot shift .

You need the nuts & bolts tight , for this sort of thing .



Theres Triumphs & Triumphs though , Firetrailing a Early Commando or Pre O.i.F. Triumph .



Interstate , a Interstate , preferably a Mk V 750 , tweaked up . Fine Tuned , cared for & polished .

Could take the 70 on Appro for a Month . :x Id prefer a Late 750 low milage derilict mess to overhaul & coustomise ( coffe racer )
but the purpose to which youre putting its paramout . then theres F'glass tanks .
The 70 is probly the easiest to live with if youre not a thrashing merchant & ride primarilly in suberbia in a responsable manner . :wink:

Dave, compared to a triumph, a commando can be a really sooth ride. I'm usually in the 4000 rpm range, and the vibration just isn't there. try that on a 650 or 750 triumph.
Since you're into wrenching, you should have no problems at all, and save buku bucks doing it yourself. Good luck and welcome to the best online source for all the help you'll ever need. cheers, Don

I have a Bonneville and a Commando. Meanwhile both bikes are reliable.
But I had much more work on the Commando. There are some known issues
which have to be resolved on every Commando and some other issues, which
could occur. You can get all parts from Andover Norton in a good
quality and a reasonable price. The parts are cheaper compared
with modern bikes. The problem can be that you need a lot of parts
in the beginning. The Bonneville is cheaper in purchase.

HTH
Ralf

islanddave said:

Hello All, What does Commando ownership require? Thanks Dave

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I would have to say , it only requires the desire

I ride a 1973 750 Commando and a 1978 Bonneville. I am still amazed at the smoothness of the Norton vs the Bonneville. The Bonneville always makes it so I have to be riding with one hand on the grip and shaking the other hand to restore circulation to get the numbness out. This NEVER happens on the Norton. They are both fun to ride around back roads and through the covered bridges of Chester County but the Norton is much nicer at higher speeds on the highway, or motorways for you non Americans.
Find the one that makes you smile. That after all, is the point of it all. Commando parts are everywhere although I would avoid the ones you see from India. Certainly there is enough technical help on this forum to walk you through building your own dream machine.

The Norton will be a better choice, much smoother. If you get a 75, you can make the e-start reliable if its not already. The Commando does require more attention to maintenance than a modern bike, but that is part of the fun, if you like to work on bikes. Easy to get parts, a good support community, (this forum and others, National and local Norton clubs), good upgrades available, i.e. ignition and brakes, suspension etc. My 75 is comfortable to ride, very smooth over 2000 rpm,s, never touched the isolastics. In over 60k miles I have, so far, always ridden it home. In the past I had two 500 Triumphs, two 650 Triumphs and one BSA 650, no comparison to the Commando. Nothing looks or sounds like it. After your first ride you will know you made the right choice.

MF

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z38 ... b9be49.jpg

Towner said:

I have a Bonneville and a Commando. Meanwhile both bikes are reliable.
But I had much more work on the Commando. There are some known issues
which have to be resolved on every Commando and some other issues, which
could occur. You can get all parts from Andover Norton in a good
quality and a reasonable price. The parts are cheaper compared
with modern bikes. The problem can be that you need a lot of parts
in the beginning. The Bonneville is cheaper in purchase.

HTH
Ralf

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What known issues should I beware of with the 1970 model?

Thanks Dave

General issues with most years:

Transmission LayShaft Bearing
Engine main bearings, unless both are superblends. Others work, but it's the peace of mind upgrade.
failed rubber parts, they don't last 40+ years
camshaft wear
loose timing chains

Normal maintenance and wear items. Most bikes suffer from sitting and neglect.

what year was the frame (aka widowmaker) upgraded?