Norton Commandos

[Voltaire]

How many of you guys have one of these?
I took mine up to Wellsford yesterday and its great fun on a twisty road....off again today for a bit of 22.
Rode my mates one yesterday and saw a blue one in Avondale....must be quite a few stacked away.
Any one fancy a Norton Run in Auckland?....in fact a British run. Could have lunch at a British pub....thinking that one on the outskirts of Hamilton.....centralish.

[nsrpaul]

Ive got one, in nelson tho, great bikes but get familiar with your spanners

[Motu]

You could sent an old underpowered BMW off ahead,and then chase it down enmass,slaughter the Kraut.

Oh,that's not going to work is it....

[Blackbird]

A mate here in Coromandel races an 850 (he was at Pukekohe 2 weeks ago) and (wait for it.....), he's 55 today and still has the same Commando Fastback which he bought when he was 20:shit: It's in absolutely mint condition!

[Dadpole]

he's 55 today

Voltaire is MUCH older than that...

[Voltaire]

Ive got one, in nelson tho, great bikes but get familiar with your spanners


after 25 years of Bevel and Airhead ownership you get handy with the tools:innocent:
Stuffed if I'm paying $75 an hour for what I can do myself.

[Dodgyiti]

Always keen to fly the flag!
Handy with the spanners, don't you have to be with all classic bikes?
Yeah come on out with the Bwiddish iron.

[eelracing]

How many of you guys have one of these?

18 years of Commando ownership this August and still no regrets...well except for the one time steaming over the Bulls bridge when the big-end let go halfway across with a line of cars right up my date...good times indeed harhar.

[Voltaire]

Rode the Commando to work today....mixing it up with the GN 250's and scooters in the bus lanes.... quite good in the traffic...not much bigger than a GN250...:innocent:

Got a new three phase alternator and electronic voltage reg so lights on round town no problem for the 55/65 Halogen.
Modern tricks for old dogs:woohoo:

[AllanB]

Photos Please :yes:

[Voltaire]

Heres a couple of piccys from the ride from Blenheim when I picked it up in Jan.:woohoo:
Great classic bike trip
see who can guess the first three locations...

[Paul in NZ]

Are you running the lights through relays? If not, you might want to think about it before your horroble Lucas switchgear goes tits up with the extra current.

I dont often criticise Lucas stuff as it was generally top quality back in the day but that later switchgear seemed to have a bit more personality than was strictly good for it...

[Voltaire]

Are you running the lights through relays? If not, you might want to think about it before your horroble Lucas switchgear goes tits up with the extra current.

I dont often criticise Lucas stuff as it was generally top quality back in the day but that later switchgear seemed to have a bit more personality than was strictly good for it...


good point....not yet, hadn't thought about it...did the horn.:innocent:
The wiring is a bit of hash as its been redone at some point. thinking I'll make up a custom loom to suit the Boyer and other elektronik bits.
I thought I'd sorted most of the 'personality' issues....
I was thinking of going to neg earth so as the use LED lights..... one day..... in the meantime I just wanna keep it as a good rider.:woohoo:

[blacksheep500]

got passed by a Commando heading north out of Palmy about 2 weeks ago . I was in the missus car and he flew past quite comfortably , i was instantly jellous .

[WRT]

see who can guess the first three locations...

Whakapapa, Picton, Waiouru - I'm guessing they aren't listed in the order you visited them.

Very nice bike.

[Voltaire]

Whakapapa, Picton, Waiouru - I'm guessing they aren't listed in the order you visited them.

Very nice bike.

correct and correct.
Thanks, I've wanted one for over 20 years and its a goody.:woohoo:

8 degrees at 1600 metres.....cold in just a t shirt and jacket...

[Voltaire]

Went of a spin with a mate to Raglan today down HW 22....was a great day out.:banana:
Did about 300 odd kms back via Kaiaua .

4 litres to get from Pukekohe to Raglan....100kms.... thats over 60 MPG in the old money...ore 25kms per litre.

[Big Col]

Joseph Lucas has always been known as the prince of darkness.
I would love to own a 850 Norton, Gorgeous Motorcycles.

[pete376403]

One of my friends had a 750 Commando - he discovered that, with the ignition key off, a combination of holding one of the right side buttons (one was a kill button and the other had no function) while the (supposedly non-connected) left side indicator switch up (or down, I forget which) would enable the engine to be started.
It may have been a one-off or maybe just typical of the day Lucas wiring looms / switchgear. I'm more inclined to believe the latter.

[98tls]

Have posted this pic up in another thread but wtf,heres a pic taken in 74 of the old mans 850 and the 650SS we put together in the lounge from boxes of parts.

[Voltaire]

Have posted this pic up in another thread but wtf,heres a pic taken in 74 of the old mans 850 and the 650SS we put together in the lounge from boxes of parts.

:headbang: Are they still around?

[Voltaire]

Well had the Commando for 4 months and have done a few decent rides on it, lost the sidecover......exhaust headers got a bit loose,about 2000 miles so far.
Done a few jobs on it, replaced the altenator with a three phase one, tidied up the wiring, renewed a few of the old seals and did the tappets and re kitted the carbs, good quality time in the shed.:woohoo:

Clutch was dragging, so pulled it down and discovered 20 years of gungy/rusty stuff on the plates. Made up a special tool to remove the pressure plate, cleaned it in petrol, de-glazed it and now nice and smooth, easy job really.
Did a spin up to Helensville yesterday on the Old North Road and via the scenic drive.
Took it to work today, easy starter and nice and light in the traffic.

Probably look at replacing the no brand Girling type shocks later in the year.....might go for Works Trackers and rebuild the forks. Always something interesting to look at.
I have found British Spares very good to deal with, fast and friendly service and you can even ring them up and talk to a real person!!! Parts arrive at door next day.:yes:

[MotoKuzzi]

Is a moto guzzi clutch as easy as that to do?:innocent:

[Dodgyiti]

Is a moto guzzi clutch as easy as that to do?:innocent:
Nope, ya need at least 2 crescents:cry:

[Paul in NZ]

Nope, ya need at least 2 crescents:cry:

Yeah - metric ones too....

[Crasherfromwayback]

Went of a spin with a mate to Raglan today down HW 22....was a great day out.:banana:
Did about 300 odd kms back via Kaiaua .

4 litres to get from Pukekohe to Raglan....100kms.... thats over 60 MPG in the old money...ore 25kms per litre.

Good stuff mate, I'm loving your bike!

[eelracing]

Probably look at replacing the no brand Girling type shocks later in the year.....might go for Works Trackers and rebuild the forks.

I can recommend the standard Hagons from Brit Spares as I replaced mine recently and they are pretty good for the price.

What are these Works Trackers you speak of?

[Voltaire]

I can recommend the standard Hagons from Brit Spares as I replaced mine recently and they are pretty good for the price.

What are these Works Trackers you speak of?

http://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.html

I put a set on my Darmah along with their two piece progressive fork springs. They ask you your riding style and weight. The front springs come with plastic sleeves that you cut down to set the static sag and you adjust the rear with what must be the best shock tool I have ever seen. The old Marzocchi Stradas got tossed in the bin where they belong and now have a very well damped not oversprung ride.
The Darmah is a heavier bike than the Norton but the Norton is more 'lively"

I have thought about the Haygons and Ikons....but everybody has different opinions....:blink:

[Voltaire]

Good stuff mate, I'm loving your bike!

Theres this on on TM.....http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/76/173196076_full.jpg

If you like projects.......:innocent: I suspect buying a do up only appears cheap....

[tigertim20]

How many of you guys have one of these?
I took mine up to Wellsford yesterday and its great fun on a twisty road....off again today for a bit of 22.
Rode my mates one yesterday and saw a blue one in Avondale....must be quite a few stacked away.
Any one fancy a Norton Run in Auckland?....in fact a British run. Could have lunch at a British pub....thinking that one on the outskirts of Hamilton.....centralish.

used to work with a chap called Rex who had an 800. he sold it when he left NZ, and went to the UK for about ten years or more. He came back to NZ and wished he had never sold the commando, so he started looking for one. Found one for sale, for more than he wanted to pay, but went and looked at it anyway.
Lo and behold, it was HIS old one! had changed hands a couple times inbetween.

Not wanting to let the guy know it had a sentimental value to him, he said nothing, but kept in contact with the guy, and bought it off him about a year or more later for fuck all!!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Theres this on on TM.....http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/76/173196076_full.jpg

If you like projects.......:innocent: I suspect buying a do up only appears cheap....

Hahaha. Mate, working 6 days a week in the bike industry gives me barely enough time to ride the fucking things, let alone restore them! That's why I had another guy restore my race bike. One day when I win lotto...

[jim.cox]

and wished he had never sold the commando

Commando's seem to have a hold on their owners like that.

I wish I had never sold my 750.

If I knew then what I know now about headset bearings and their effect on handling I would never have got into Ducatis

[Voltaire]

Commando's seem to have a hold on their owners like that.

I wish I had never sold my 750.

If I knew then what I know now about headset bearings and their effect on handling I would never have got into Ducatis

Whats up with the headset bearings...?

[jim.cox]

My bike had an unpleasant weave and instability at high speed - apparently this can be due to worn headset bearings. They were one thing I hadn't replaced - did wheel bearings, swingarm, motor mounts etc etc

It was this instability that finally prompted me to swap to a Ducati

[Voltaire]

My bike had an unpleasant weave and instability at high speed - apparently this can be due to worn headset bearings. They were one thing I hadn't replaced - did wheel bearings, swingarm, motor mounts etc etc

It was this instability that finally prompted me to swap to a Ducati


ahhh....thought you meant Ducati's had head bearing issues....

[Motu]

I thought it was the muffler bearing that gave all the problems...

[jaffaonajappa]

Sometimes....its the rider bearing.

[Voltaire]

I thought it was the muffler bearing that gave all the problems...

You've got mufflers on the brain.....so have you you claculated the distance from the valve to the collector worked out the exhaust wave and all that extractor speak???? I'd like one for the R90 track bike.

[eelracing]

My bike had an unpleasant weave and instability at high speed - apparently this can be due to worn headset bearings. They were one thing I hadn't replaced - did wheel bearings, swingarm, motor mounts etc.

I heard also that Commando's can be sensitive to mis-matched or oversize tyres.In saying that tho i'm running a Avon rear and Dunlop front (Std sizes)and they seem fine.Altho high speed is not what I use her for i'm wondering what speeds you mean?




Hahaha. Mate, working 6 days a week in the bike industry gives me barely enough time to ride the fucking things, let alone restore them! That's why I had another guy restore my race bike. One day when I win lotto...

Bring good tyres for the VMX sunday Pete,the place is going to be a quagmire...and that's just getting in there.

[jim.cox]

wondering what speeds you mean?


90 mph was pretty 'exciting'

[Crasherfromwayback]

Bring good tyres for the VMX sunday Pete,the place is going to be a quagmire...and that's just getting in there.

Just had one of the boys sorting the RM out for me, as I'm too busy/tired to bother, and it's got some 'issues' I'll need to have sorted before I can go

[eelracing]

90 mph was pretty 'exciting'

Haha I bet it was.

[eelracing]

Just had one of the boys sorting the RM out for me, as I'm too busy/tired to bother, and it's got some 'issues' I'll need to have sorted before I can go

Come along anyway bud and bring your gear,i'll sort a ride out for you.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Come along anyway bud and bring your gear,i'll sort a ride out for you.

Really appreciate the offer mate, very generous. But I'll get it sorted. I don't like to ride other peoples bikes, as it's always when you do, they break!

[Edbear]

Haha I bet it was.

My Mum borrowed my T500 one weekend to visit her Mum and when she returned I asked her how fast she'd gone. See sheepishly replied, "I didn't take it over 90...":innocent: It would indicate 112mph flat out. Never tried it against a Commando though. Like all young guys I had the adverts on my wall, though...

[Paul in NZ]

My Mum borrowed my T500 one weekend to visit her Mum and when she returned I asked her how fast she'd gone. See sheepishly replied, "I didn't take it over 90...":innocent: It would indicate 112mph flat out. Never tried it against a Commando though. Like all young guys I had the adverts on my wall, though...

Haven ridden both - be assured a Commando would kick a T500's arse..... A good one is a very good thing indeed and remember that these things won bike of the year 5 years in a row in the UK....

[eelracing]

My Mum borrowed my T500 one weekend to visit her Mum and when she returned I asked her how fast she'd gone. See sheepishly replied, "I didn't take it over 90...":innocent: It would indicate 112mph flat out.

Your Mum sounds pretty darn cool...my Mum always said if you come home bleeding then don't expect any sympathy from me:violin:

[Edbear]

Haven ridden both - be assured a Commando would kick a T500's arse..... A good one is a very good thing indeed and remember that these things won bike of the year 5 years in a row in the UK....

Possibly, but for how long...? With cold plugs in, (I ran Champion L78's), I could ride it hard out for as far and as long as I wanted... It would do 105mph forever. NOt dissing the Commando, I loved them but couldn't afford one.


Your Mum sounds pretty darn cool...my Mum always said if you come home bleeding then don't expect any sympathy from me:violin:

I learned to ride on her BSA Bantam. She's still pretty cool even though she'll be 80 next Feb. She loves my C50T and is very sympathetic that I can't ride again.

[Grumph]

Back in the day when we used to run at Canterbury Car Club standing quarters, Bill Jefferies (Eric Wood's shop manager, 5 1/2 stone dripping wet) turned up with a full house Dunstall 810 at one meeting.
We finished up running off for top bike on the day. I was deliberately letting him get the light so as to watch the Dunstall's antics off the line....both sides of the lane plus some of mine too....Bill admitted it was a little scary as he didn't really know which way it was going next.
My Mach 3 would mow it down at the top end anyway - 12.9's easy.
I'm pretty sure they reshimmed the isolastics before selling it....or riding it again.

[Voltaire]

Possibly, but for how long...? With cold plugs in, (I ran Champion L78's), I could ride it hard out for as far and as long as I wanted... It would do 105mph forever. NOt dissing the Commando, I loved them but couldn't afford one.


I bought mine in Jan and ran it up the North Island, seemed happy enough to run a 70 mph all day....even the odd spot of 90 on the empty bits.
I've ridden an 850....hard to believe they are the same bike....no where near as quick or revvy. Dunno about doing 105 forever.... I find it pretty hard to run a naked bike fast for too long....:blink:
I wanted one for 20 years and I'm not dissapointed...I do however like spannering.:yes:

[shafty]

I bought mine in Jan and ran it up the North Island, seemed happy enough to run a 70 mph all day....even the odd spot of 90 on the empty bits.
I've ridden an 850....hard to believe they are the same bike....no where near as quick or revvy. Dunno about doing 105 forever.... I find it pretty hard to run a naked bike fast for too long....:blink:
I wanted one for 20 years and I'm not dissapointed...I do however like spannering.:yes:

Nice thread Guys, - who doesn't love Nortons! Cheers :yes:

[Edbear]

I bought mine in Jan and ran it up the North Island, seemed happy enough to run a 70 mph all day....even the odd spot of 90 on the empty bits.
I've ridden an 850....hard to believe they are the same bike....no where near as quick or revvy. Dunno about doing 105 forever.... I find it pretty hard to run a naked bike fast for too long....:blink:
I wanted one for 20 years and I'm not dissapointed...I do however like spannering.:yes:

Yeah, well I was a lot younger then....:innocent:

[Voltaire]

Yeah, well I was a lot younger then....:innocent:


I used to be able to keep up 80mph on the R75/5 all day on the Autobahn.....
in a few years it will be...." I could keep up 100mph all day on the Autobahn.... ":lol::innocent:

[Kickaha]

in a few years it will be...." I could keep up 100mph all day on the Autobahn.... ":lol::innocent:

In second gear

[eelracing]

I've ridden an 850....hard to believe they are the same bike....no where near as quick or revvy.

Thems fighting words mister...but I gotta carry that extra 25kg somewhere.

[Voltaire]

Thems fighting words mister...but I gotta carry that extra 25kg somewhere.


Oh yeah....I'm a light weight 95kgs....though makes kicking it easier.:innocent: any weight savings on the bike is a bonus.:yes: