1974 Norton Commando 850cc

[imwastefull]

Hello Everyone! First post and as a matter of fact, first bike ever.

i got it in my head over the summer that i needed a cafe project to work on throughout this winter.
After months of saving and searching craigslist and ebay i finally stumbled upon a bike i needed.
a 1974 Norton.
Got her from a guy 10 mins down the street from me. (ohio) and after a couple days of phone tag and haggling i got her for a VERY reasonable price. albiet a STEAL.

she's all original, no rust, no dents. and one hell of a paintjob haha. turns out its an arizona bike. the previous owner said that the shock mounts were cracked so he cut them off and its up to me to weld new ones on. i have the made in england rim and tire, fender, brakes and lights to put back together. After that, we'll get her down the road and see how she starts and stops. once thats all cleaned up its time for a hand made bump-stop, new bars, mirrors, fenders and paint.

if anyone on here has experience with old nortons your info will be invaluable! thanks for looking and i'll be updating the progress regularly. DTT BOTM 2012 here i come!!

pics of the day i got her...

AND....The Inspiration!

 

[Ethanol]

You're jumpin' right in the deep end! I like it! Gonna be watching this one.

 

[imwastefull]

gotta start somewhere right? my dad has had 2 triumph's and a BSA. to be completely honest, i was looking at cb550's and 750's for $400 MORE than what i paid for this. couldnt pass it up.

 

[stroker93]

You don't want to mess with that old english junk,,parts are expensive,,hardware is that british wentworth stuff..BUT I'll help you out,,I'll take that Norton off your hands ,,,,now realize I'm helping you cause you are new to this cafe stuff,,,So I'll give you what yoy paid,,,PLUS the extra $400.00 you said ,,,to get a good CB 750-900 ,,,,And I insist that you feed me steak and beer when I come to pic it up......But seriously ,,,nice find,,20 yrs ago had a 66 Atlas ..Wish I still had it and if you want to sell it ...Email..PM ,,call me..I would like another Norton
Dave

 

[Ethanol]

You don't want to mess with that old english junk,,parts are expensive,,hardware is that british wentworth stuff..BUT I'll help you out,,I'll take that Norton off your hands ,,,,now realize I'm helping you cause you are new to this cafe stuff,,,So I'll give you what yoy paid,,,PLUS the extra $400.00 you said ,,,to get a good CB 750-900 ,,,,And I insist that you feed me steak and beer when I come to pic it up......But seriously ,,,nice find,,20 yrs ago had a 66 Atlas ..Wish I still had it and if you want to sell it ...Email..PM ,,call me..I would like another Norton
Dave

Dude, the space bar was invented to put in spaces you know. this,,,,is...,, just,,,... impossible....,,,,to,,read...!!

 

[stroker93]

The ,,,, are brain farts or slippin in to nuetral. Just be happy I don't slip a few ehs.. I think I just scored a 71 commando eh eh Not tryin to hijack thread eh.
Dave eh

 

[killerdwarf]

I think there is a member here who has a pretty sweet Snortin' Norton.

 

[imwastefull]

quick question.... im not sure if the frame on my bike is chopped/altered at all.

in my pics, the back of the frame, under the seat angles up a bunch. every picture i look at of a stock 74 commando it seems the frame is perfectly flat and mine angles up some... can anyone tell me if my frame is altered?

i know this sounds kinda retarded haha

and mine,

hard to tell but it looks like it goes up

 

[bikeboy]

Wow! nice project for a first bike! A little word of advice tho' (and just because you're new to the scene). Don't try to ride it. You need a wheel on the back first ;D

gotta keep an eye on this one.

cheers
ian

 

[n0regret5]

ah man, what happened to all the pics?

 

[bikeboy]

ah man, what happened to all the pics?

I think he's done a bit of house-keeping over on photobucket:

and mine,

cheers
ian