Pictures of your Norton Commandos
- Thread starter TravNorton
- Start date
Hello all:
I'm a new member and the new owner of my first British motorcycle. It is a 1972 750 Interstate - serial no. 206302. Many thanks to all of you for educating me about these bikes over the past several weeks. I was looking for a British single to build into a fire roads bike but this came up on Craig's list in the next town over. In the interest of full disclosue I paid $2,800 for it. She has been in my garage on the lift for about a week now and has completely seduced me.
The bike shows 12,100 miles on the clock and appears to be complete but for missing ignition key and side stand and tool kit. It is pretty deteriorated and looks like it sat parked for many years. For example the wheel rims are much more rusted on the bottoms. The engine turns freely and gearbox shifts well though. Steering stem and swing arm bearings turn well. Electrical connectors and all soft parts are very dried out and cracked. Amal 932 carbs open and snap shut cleanly. Exhaust pipes are ok but silencers are rusted through. Seat is split. Tank and side covers are a little faded but clean. Inside and bottom of tank look good. No evidence of road rash.
The top of the head has a c stamp partially obscured by the head stay and the fin gap between the head and cylinder is noticeably smaller. I think it is a combat engine but have no idea if it has been apart for upgrades. The bottom of the engine is very oily.
After a couple of weeks of staring and thinking I've decided to restore the bike myself. I want to do every step other than machine work myself for several reasons. First, I want to see if I can do it. Second I want to understand every system thoroughly and trust the bike when riding it. Finally, I am a little cheap. I intend to powdercoat all painted parts other than body work, re-wire, install electronic ignition, polish chrome and aluminum, replace rims, replace exhaust, have the head professionally cleaned up and rebuilt, have the cylinder bored or honed, install new pistons, inspect bottom end and replace bearings if necessary (myself aaaahhhh!) inspect gearbox etc.
I have restored several motorcycles from the frame up. Currently I ride a Yamaha SR 500, BMW R75/5 and Honda XL500. Carbs, ignition, brakes, wiring, bearings etc. are no problem but I have never gotten any deeper into an engine than removal and reinstallation of a head. This project is daunting for me.
I will post pictures and commentary as I go along, partially since I would love feedback and suggestions. Also, this will force me to be more deliberative in the process.
I am almost impossible to offend, so please fire at will. I look forward to meeting many of you over the net and sharing pictures and information.
Ben Zehnder
Orleans, MA
With your help I have
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I'm a new member and the new owner of my first British motorcycle. It is a 1972 750 Interstate - serial no. 206302. Many thanks to all of you for educating me about these bikes over the past several weeks. I was looking for a British single to build into a fire roads bike but this came up on Craig's list in the next town over. In the interest of full disclosue I paid $2,800 for it. She has been in my garage on the lift for about a week now and has completely seduced me.
The bike shows 12,100 miles on the clock and appears to be complete but for missing ignition key and side stand and tool kit. It is pretty deteriorated and looks like it sat parked for many years. For example the wheel rims are much more rusted on the bottoms. The engine turns freely and gearbox shifts well though. Steering stem and swing arm bearings turn well. Electrical connectors and all soft parts are very dried out and cracked. Amal 932 carbs open and snap shut cleanly. Exhaust pipes are ok but silencers are rusted through. Seat is split. Tank and side covers are a little faded but clean. Inside and bottom of tank look good. No evidence of road rash.
The top of the head has a c stamp partially obscured by the head stay and the fin gap between the head and cylinder is noticeably smaller. I think it is a combat engine but have no idea if it has been apart for upgrades. The bottom of the engine is very oily.
After a couple of weeks of staring and thinking I've decided to restore the bike myself. I want to do every step other than machine work myself for several reasons. First, I want to see if I can do it. Second I want to understand every system thoroughly and trust the bike when riding it. Finally, I am a little cheap. I intend to powdercoat all painted parts other than body work, re-wire, install electronic ignition, polish chrome and aluminum, replace rims, replace exhaust, have the head professionally cleaned up and rebuilt, have the cylinder bored or honed, install new pistons, inspect bottom end and replace bearings if necessary (myself aaaahhhh!) inspect gearbox etc.
I have restored several motorcycles from the frame up. Currently I ride a Yamaha SR 500, BMW R75/5 and Honda XL500. Carbs, ignition, brakes, wiring, bearings etc. are no problem but I have never gotten any deeper into an engine than removal and reinstallation of a head. This project is daunting for me.
I will post pictures and commentary as I go along, partially since I would love feedback and suggestions. Also, this will force me to be more deliberative in the process.
I am almost impossible to offend, so please fire at will. I look forward to meeting many of you over the net and sharing pictures and information.
Ben Zehnder
Orleans, MA
With your help I have
Nater_Potater
VIP MEMBER
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- Apr 7, 2013
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Welcome, Ben!
This is a great resource for both information and entertainment. These folks helped immensely while I worked (work?) on mine, and I expect will do the same with any questions you have.
I took the liberty of including your picture. While in Photobucket looking at the picture you want, merely click on the lower-right box labeled "IMG", then paste into your post.
Nathan
This is a great resource for both information and entertainment. These folks helped immensely while I worked (work?) on mine, and I expect will do the same with any questions you have.
I took the liberty of including your picture. While in Photobucket looking at the picture you want, merely click on the lower-right box labeled "IMG", then paste into your post.
Nathan
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2013
- Messages
- 5,394
Scout63 said:
I do the same thing to make small progress every day. My wife is pretty good about it, but I know she'll be glad when I'm done.
Fast Eddie
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gortnipper said:
Oh how that made me chortle...!
Only when yer sell it !!
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- 5,394
Shhh!! Dont tell SWMBO...
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2015
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- 35
Just started the restoration/upgrades a couple days ago. '71 fastback, complete with Dunstall 2-1-2 exhaust.
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- Jan 7, 2015
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lcrken said:
Thanks!
Here's what it'll get, a la my '85 Moto Guzzi LeMans 1000.
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=74056.0
Should take a year, maybe two.
Eric
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2015
- Messages
- 35
MS850 said:
Yes, nearly everything is available with the exception of course of very old or unusual models. Pretty much any V-twin is easy enough.
The biggest problem is with actual restoration, stock parts are rare in the U.S. If you need stock body parts, (or pretty much any at all) Teo Lamers in the Netherlands is probably the biggest Guzzi breaker in the world.
http://www.tlm.nl/en/
Got any specific questions, PM me or search up the forum my restoration thread is on.
Eric
Hi all,
I'm new to this forum. I've recently inherited my dad's '75 MKIII Commando. He bought the stock 850 about 10 years ago, stripped it and rebuilt it Dunstall style. It runs well although I'm still in the process of really getting to know it, and will probably seek some info from the forum as I go. Certainly a bit quicker than my '51 Matchy.
Pete
I'm new to this forum. I've recently inherited my dad's '75 MKIII Commando. He bought the stock 850 about 10 years ago, stripped it and rebuilt it Dunstall style. It runs well although I'm still in the process of really getting to know it, and will probably seek some info from the forum as I go. Certainly a bit quicker than my '51 Matchy.
Pete
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