Norton Commandos

[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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

[MotoKuzzi]

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

[Dodgyiti]

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

Nope, ya need at least 2 crescents

[Paul in NZ]

Nope, ya need at least 2 crescents

Yeah - metric ones too....

[Crasherfromwayback]

Went of a spin with a mate to Raglan today down HW 22....was a great day out.
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....

[Voltaire]

Good stuff mate, I'm loving your bike!

Theres this on on TM.....

If you like projects....... 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!!