Norton Commando 850mk3....coming back to life...

Johno23 · Sep 28, 2019

After 10 years in the back of the garage, I’m finally starting the job of getting the Commando back on the road. It was left in the garage when I realised that only three of the valves actually opened anywhere near the amount they should have :blast

I’m not wanting a showroom condition museum piece, I’m after a very tidy and much modernised/upgraded bike that is as reliable and good to ride as it can be.There are lots of upgrades available for these bikes, many of which I’ll be adding to the bike.

Looking to complete this by mid April,as I’m determined to take it to S.France next June

Will see how it goes.

As you can see, someone has painted the cylinder head (badly) for some reason, and the wheels need sorting............

First job is to strip everything off the bike and see the condition of the frame....

MartinK · Sep 28, 2019

Gorgeous

I really have a hankering for something like this in the garage. My brother has a lovely '73 Bonneville, always fancied something similar

Johno23 · Sep 29, 2019

Made a start,everything came off pretty easily. carbs and engine out next.

The Other PaulG · Sep 29, 2019

Please keep the updates coming. :thumb2

jonnie comet · Sep 29, 2019

Yup, I'm in....I love this stuff..... :thumb2

Lord Snooty · Sep 29, 2019

Looking forward to this Johno

Bem · Sep 29, 2019

Can I suggest leaving the frame exactly as is?
It has a lovely patina which is irreplaceable, and will set the tone for everything else.

Deleted account 211025001 · Sep 29, 2019

France, in June you say?

:jes

Nice one Johno, see you there :thumb2

Andres

oblertone · Sep 29, 2019

I was but a window licker when these were new; no idea what they ride like, but they do look

Johno23 · Sep 29, 2019

Outtomunch said:
France, in June you say?

Nice one Johno, see you there

Andres

I’m very disappointed with your lack of faith in me....

Although I could bring the Guzzi if it all goes tits up...... :blast

Uncle Rob · Sep 29, 2019

what ever you do Johno don't ask the Hippy for advice........and don't mess about we aint got long

Johno23 · Sep 29, 2019

Uncle Rob said:
what ever you do Johno don't ask the Hippy for advice........and don't mess about we aint got long

Have faith Rob, have faith..........

thebuyer · Sep 29, 2019

Love these Nortons ... following with interest :thumb2

Johno23 · Sep 29, 2019

Bem said:
Can I suggest leaving the frame exactly as is?
It has a lovely patina which is irreplaceable, and will set the tone for everything else.

I know what you mean, the thing is though, the wheels need refurbing, the electrics do also, as do the forks.The engine needs a new cam, so has to come out too. This would leave only the gearbox left in the frame. To not then repaint or powder coat at this stage may be a bit silly........... I don’t know :confused:

AndyB_11 · Sep 29, 2019

If you’re going to refurb most other parts then it’s stupid not to strip back the frame, check it all over when it’s bare metal then paint it. I reckon a nice bright pink would be in keeping with the electric boot

Schtum · Sep 29, 2019

AndyB_11 said:
I reckon a nice bright pink would be in keeping with the electric boot

Have you tried to kick start a Commando, recently....?

snelly · Sep 29, 2019

AndyB_11 said:
If you’re going to refurb most other parts then it’s stupid not to strip back the frame, check it all over when it’s bare metal then paint it. I reckon a nice bright pink would be in keeping with the electric boot

He could do worse; i painted my frame Brown with yellow tank and seat unit;

; i dont think i could start owt without an electric leg with my knees.

The Other PaulG · Sep 30, 2019

Schtum said:
Have you tried to kick start a Commando, recently....?

No, although one did accidentally cover me with amyl nitrate in the gents loos in a pub near Lympstone in the mid eighties...

Old Codger · Sep 30, 2019

Schtum said:
Have you tried to kick start a Commando, recently....?

Rode Commando,s as a youngster in the early 70,s in the Old Bill 750 and later 850 . The bike I used would start if you were lucky nine times out of ten on the kickstart and on the tenth bite back like a Bastid bringing on a painful limp.
The brakes an optional extra engine braking was king. The 850 electric start mainly wouldn’t ,not man enough for the job.Oh and the isolastic rear suspension lasted five minutes. We had a garage of a dozen bikes and in the end 3 fully operational the rest being stripped for parts .
When I look back with rose tinted glasses my first 750 with megaphone exhausts would send old ladies scratching up shop windows with the noise with the judicious use of lower gears and throttle . Sure was a mans bike and my favourite Norton.

twizzle · Sep 30, 2019

Hahahaaha..

The Other PaulG said:
No, although one did accidentally cover me with amyl nitrate in the gents loos in a pub near Lympstone in the mid eighties...

Norton Commando 850mk3....coming back to life...

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