Maybe of interest to some.

Rode to the store some minute ago and was stopped in the parking lot by a fellow looking at my 850 who asked if I were interested in another Norton.... To shorten it up he was helping another clean up his property from storm damage over two years past and came across a Commando. Don't know much, but awaiting further info and cost. Was told to expect very low cost because bike had been submerged. I'd like to see what's there and what it is because I can always use spare parts, if it's not too bad only the shadow knows. I've got lots of time these days.

And you be where?

South Texas across the bay from Corpus Christi. This could be good if it materializes because it's resting about 10 mi. from me.

Cool. Keep us updated please. I read a lot about forum member "danno"; and how he did a beautiful restoration and "sparkly blue" paint job (Fireflake Royal Blue) ... to an 850 he calls "flood victim." Great read and I think he still has it. Cheers, Pat

No downside to checking it out.

You sir are truly a wise man.

jbruney said:

You sir are truly a wise man.

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"No one wants advice, only corroboration." - John Steinbeck

There's only so many people who can turn a bunch of would-be rusty bits into a working motorbike. Fewer left by the day. Get it!

I pray it comes to pass because no Norton deserves to suffer the fate it has been handed. If beyond help then it may help others thrive by supplying parts to keep them road worthy.... Hope he calls soon.

I like the rusty ones better since they force you to get right down to the bottom of them and make them right. Plus the buy-in is right and you can build it on layaway. Can’t wait for pictures.

Hurricane Harvey. When he says submerged it could have been completely covered. Also, might have been salt water depending on where he lived. But I'd still check it out. Like you say may have some usable parts.

Who in the blue hell would be dumb enough to take on a project bike that had been submerged?

Seriously, with the wonderful parts interchangeability and availability, and the fantastic knowledge and experience on this website, a Commando is the ONLY machine a semi-sane person would attempt this with.

From this;





To this;





Cake.

Good job, Danno!
Inspiration for us all.
jaydee

That bike will love you forever. Nice work and gorgeous color.

A beauty indeed.... I first have to hear back from the man, feel through the situation, assess the condition, & decide if it's worth the effort.... If it doesn't capture my interest I can always loose one of you nearby guys upon it and let you decide if you've got room for a project.

Sometimes folks become obsessed with believing rust & oyster shells add provenance & value to junk, so I'll be walking at that point as would you.

Danno said:

Who in the blue hell would be dumb enough to take on a project bike that had been submerged?

Seriously, with the wonderful parts interchangeability and availability, and the fantastic knowledge and experience on this website, a Commando is the ONLY machine a semi-sane person would attempt this with.

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Not so. Triumph and BSA big twins are very similar in nature, and modern aftermarket support.

I'm about to start on a friend's '66 Bonneville that got submerged in the same storm, in Port Aransas. You can see the visible water line, JUST BELOW the level of the carb mouth!

Open the oyster and take the pearl... If the machine wasn't running when the dunk came things aren't that bad off.

grandpaul said:

Not so. Triumph and BSA big twins are very similar in nature, and modern aftermarket support.

I'm about to start on a friend's '66 Bonneville that got submerged in the same storm, in Port Aransas. You can see the visible water line, JUST BELOW the level of the carb mouth!

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I currently have a friend's KZ 900 in the garage, doing a gentle resurrection. Had it been totally submerged, rather than kept in a climate-contolled garage, I would have told him to sell it for parts.

Once long ago took one off the line then saw only tail lights pulling away. First time I ever laid eyes on one too.... Thought it was a Honda 750 in the dark. Lesson learned.

Looking forward to the pictures.

Maybe this will be interesting for some until then.
Not sure why the Oct19 edition of Classic Bike Guide has just turned up at my local store but an interesting article. (or not)

jbruney said:

Once long ago took one off the line then saw only tail lights pulling away. First time I ever laid eyes on one too.... Thought it was a Honda 750 in the dark. Lesson learned.

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The Z's and CB's got along OK, well until the 1978 CBX/6 came along which I did ride for a little over 7 years from 1983 on.
The CB in the dark reminds me of clay shooting which I did Wednesday nights after work and would ride out to the country gun club which had a lengthy section of motorway on rolling landscape with my Miroku in its soft cover on my back (and an X army bag full of shells)
I am heading home and by the time I got to the motorway it was dark with near no traffic being well south (of Auckland) ,some time into the ride I see a tail light in the distance so I motor up to 200 kmh (124mph?) and catch up.
It was a dude on a CB750 down on the tank at around the 'ton and one of those surreal moments (especially with the new OEM 6 into 2 exhaust and ear plugs< a first) where I backed off to his speed and still remember him looking up, I nodded and then motored back up to speed. (The shot gun would get a little crazy in the wind at higher speeds)
That was the first bike I had that would go to reline in top gear after some cylinder head work.