Non-Laverda... any advice for buying a Commando?

beauchemin

beauchemin

Senior member
Location
Victoria, British Columbia
I know some of you have, or have had, a Norton Commando. I'm looking to buy a later (1973/74, pre-electric start) 750/850 Commando, but I have never owned one.

I would appreciate any advice - thanks in advance.
 
I bought an 850 new, in '73. Nice to ride, handles fairly well, though it had a penchant for running wide if you backed off the throttle in a bend.
I would recommend changing the layshaft ball bearing as a service item.
It was never intended to handle the torque of the 850 and, when it lets go, the kickstart swings to the end of its travel and the rear wheel locks which can be entertaining if you're pressing on.1973 Norton 850 2.jpg
 
Lovely to ride but back in the day they just fell to bits straight from the factory. The electric start MK3 is the one to go for because if you ever want to sell it the buyer will generally be old or not used to having their shins gouged when it cuts out at traffic lights. A conversion to electric start is about £2500 so factor that in. I sold a US import MK3 in parts for £5700 recently so they aren't cheap. Beautiful things though.
 
Here’s mine. The blue tank ‘71, circa 1975, and my currently owned ‘72 (black), which, along with my SF2, I can’t see ever selling, as long as I’m able to ride. (I’ll be turning 70 next week). A well sorted and tuned Commando will start cold on the first or second kick, no problem and even idle at a stop light! They’re fairly easy to work on, parts are readily available, and IMO are a real blast to ride. As was said, a nice one won’t be cheap. Maybe $7,500 CD for something decent?, and most likely a lot more for one that’s been gone through. There’s a great forum, AccessNorton, with lots of good info. You won’t regret it. Like Laverdas, they ooze character.
 

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pf1 said:
Lovely to ride but back in the day they just fell to bits straight from the factory. The electric start MK3 is the one to go for because if you ever want to sell it the buyer will generally be old or not used to having their shins gouged when it cuts out at traffic lights. A conversion to electric start is about £2500 so factor that in. I sold a US import MK3 in parts for £5700 recently so they aren't cheap. Beautiful things though.
Click to expand...
I'm looking at one that has the French-made Alton electric start - it appears to be an unobtrusive addition.
 
Hi Chris

very nice low mileage original 1975 offered here in Calgary. I tapped out with my highest offer to him of $10,000 the other day, over the last month he has reduced asking price from $15,000 to $14,000. I haven't seen it in the flesh, just photos. Seller seems a decent guy. He claims he takes it out and rides it a couple of times each summer. Says he is reducing the number of bikes he owns, he declined a trade offer from me for another motorcycle I have that is easily worth around $15,000, says he does not want any more bikes. Also says he does not need to sell and is holding out for someone to meet his price. I like the 1975's, left side shift, right side rear brake, electric start, etc.

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happy to help with purchase, heated secure storage, or shipping if you do offer on it. Nicest one I have seen in a long time.

Paul LeClair
 
I have a Mk2 850 roadster, 1974, living out of the city gives me the pleasure of riding at a speed that the Norton works best at. 60ks plus.

Sensible mods, I ditched the Boyer ignition and put a tri-spark on it, requires less volts for it to get excited.
36mm Mikuni most use a 34mm, you can buy them as a kit,
New Fullauto 850 head, Made and developed in Aust. I believe Jim Comstock had some input as well.
rear sets from Norvil Norton,
Folding kick starter from can't remember, but Colorado Norton has them.
Grimeca master for the front brake what a difference that makes, available from Andover Norton.
Ditched the lucas indicators for some cheap ones that don't vibrate to pieces that work very well. [I have a life to live]

As for the Alton, two of the blokes in the Norton club have fitted them and the one I spoke to yesterday wouldn't do it again.
Some thing to do with some thing not being tappered and chewing out the key on the crank. Can't remember every thing, but apparently the Colorado Norton conversion is a better design. Don't know as I have no intention of fitting one.
As it has been said first or second kick start and reliable idle is achievable.

Funny story, when I first got my Norton with no experience with British engineering I happily rode off.
After some time and much frustration I finally discovered with Amals when the choke lever is off the choke is on.
FFS what clown would do that sort of shit.

You can put a whole bunch of modern stuff on them but they are still and old bike, which I enjoy.
 
beauchemin said:
I'm looking at one that has the French-made Alton electric start - it appears to be an unobtrusive addition.
Click to expand...
Yes and it's expensive, as I say around £2500 but it must add quite a bit of value. I watched a really old guy on the seafront here last summer with an immaculate red Interstate, he could hardly push it around but the starter made the rest easy for him. I don't think he would have been able to use it otherwise.
 
Ian D said:
I have a Mk2 850 roadster, 1974, living out of the city gives me the pleasure of riding at a speed that the Norton works best at. 60ks plus.

Sensible mods, I ditched the Boyer ignition and put a tri-spark on it, requires less volts for it to get excited.
36mm Mikuni most use a 34mm, you can buy them as a kit,
New Fullauto 850 head, Made and developed in Aust. I believe Jim Comstock had some input as well.
rear sets from Norvil Norton,
Folding kick starter from can't remember, but Colorado Norton has them.
Grimeca master for the front brake what a difference that makes, available from Andover Norton.
Ditched the lucas indicators for some cheap ones that don't vibrate to pieces that work very well. [I have a life to live]

As for the Alton, two of the blokes in the Norton club have fitted them and the one I spoke to yesterday wouldn't do it again.
Some thing to do with some thing not being tappered and chewing out the key on the crank. Can't remember every thing, but apparently the Colorado Norton conversion is a better design. Don't know as I have no intention of fitting one.
As it has been said first or second kick start and reliable idle is achievable.

Funny story, when I first got my Norton with no experience with British engineering I happily rode off.
After some time and much frustration I finally discovered with Amals when the choke lever is off the choke is on.
FFS what clown would do that sort of shit.

You can put a whole bunch of modern stuff on them but they are still and old bike, which I enjoy.
Click to expand...
agree on ditching the amal carbs, I bought Keihin from Jim Comstock, with the inlet manifold, as a kit, they came set up, and literally were plug and play. From the states to Spain, 3 day delivery, and Jim was great. There are many goodies on Colorado Norton that I would like to get, but they never replied to my mails
 
pf1 said:
Lovely to ride but back in the day they just fell to bits straight from the factory. The electric start MK3 is the one to go for because if you ever want to sell it the buyer will generally be old or not used to having their shins gouged when it cuts out at traffic lights. A conversion to electric start is about £2500 so factor that in. I sold a US import MK3 in parts for £5700 recently so they aren't cheap. Beautiful things though.
Click to expand...
Jeez, Sf has suddenly
turned into a bargain. 🙂
 
Last edited:
pf1 said:
Yes and it's expensive, as I say around £2500 but it must add quite a bit of value. I watched a really old guy on the seafront here last summer with an immaculate red Interstate, he could hardly push it around but the starter made the rest easy for him. I don't think he would have been able to use it otherwise.
Click to expand...
I've started following Mike on a You tube channel who goes under the name of "The Mighty Garage" based in Oregon I think he is, mostly vintage British bikes but with a lot of Norton how to workshop videos and ride outs videos following genuine enthusiasts which I have really enjoyed watching (thought my bike was clean!!).....and also has given me an insight and admiration for the engineering on some of the early Vincent's ......... worth a watch really.
There was 2 part video on fitting the electric starter kit to a commando and I was surprised at the cost of it but and how involved it was but the quality of the conversion parts looked first class.
 
What's the specs power and torque wise between Norton and SF2? Having just spent 4 days on mine I'm in love! Never put a spanner on it and only checked the oil on the last day cause I felt guilty. It was fine.
 
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martymoose said:
What's the specs power and torque wise between Norton and SF2? Having just spent 4 days on mine I'm in love! Never put a spanner on it and only checked the oil on the last day cause I felt guilty. It was fine.
Click to expand...
Power and torque are one thing, weight is another. A British twin will ride circles around a Laverda.

Paul
 
Richard 180.S2.81 said:
I had a 1972 Commando 750 with Combat engine. Loved it to death nearly... it threw a conrod, and me, at 40mph. I'd love another but I know I'd be cursing it within a short period of time.
Click to expand...
Yes well. They all did that, sir. If there are any of those left, they'll have been fixed by now I'd have thought. Power to weight quite a lot better than an SF2 I would think. But racers excepted, who rides these dinosaurs flat out anyway? Of the 850s I preferred the riding position of the Roadster over the Interstate, also the appearance, but that's a matter of individual taste. I personally thought the Fastback should have been strangled at birth!! [Bohmans Auction House 2013]. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21135/lot/324/
image
 
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