Blank slate, 1971 Norton Commando

J

jrswanson1

Humor Impaired
I picked up this 1971 Norton Commando frame with extra bits, $500.

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The plan is to make it a track day bike so I can get it running and possibly do a resto on it later. I want to get the big ticket stuff bought before they are bigger ticket priced. The plan:

Strip and repaint the frame
Find an engine/trans for install
Install modern front suspension with associated brakes, forks, etc.
Get rear sorted out, possibly disk brake setup.
Wiring and electrics
Gauges
Tank and seat

Once I get the bike sorted for track days, I'll pick up the lighting, body pieces, and anything else to get it to what a Norton should look like.
 
I realized when I purchase the frame that this wasn't going to be an overnight thing, but apparently there are more frames than engines out there for sale. Reading through Access Norton, there are quite a few blown cases and other weird things that happen to Norton engines. I'll keep looking for an engine/trans, but I'll probably be getting a new engine from Norvil.

So far, I've cleaned the frame with Simple Green and started spraying Krylon rust attacking paint on it to stop the spread of rust on the frame. After the move, I'm getting the frame professionally blasted and primered. I'm picking up a set of SAE wrenches on the way home so I can take the fender off. I've heard getting the triple off is not easy, so I'm doing that this weekend.
 
Jramos13 said:
you could get a triumph engine and build a Triton!
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Def what I'd do. pre-unit build will be half as much money. Not a featherbed frame, but I guess it'd still be a "Triton" of sorts.
 
WeberKid said:
Def what I'd do. pre-unit build will be half as much money. Not a featherbed frame, but I guess it'd still be a "Triton" of sorts.
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How about a Honda engine? I saw a bike with "Horton" on it with a 750cc Honda engine in it.
 
sure! I'm all about frankenbikes. My bike is Triumph, Honda, Suzuki, Harley, Ducati, BSA, Kawasaki, and Royal Enfield - I call it a "Trinda"
 
I can't wait to move out. I haven't touched any of the projects since Sunday. A guy on Access Norton has a bunch of 1971 Commando parts for sale, I'm waiting on a reply back from him about pricing.
 
I hate waiting. I also hate not having money for parts. I have a few leads on engines, I just need to come up with the scratch for them.
 
jrswanson1 said:
I hate waiting. I also hate not having money for parts. I have a few leads on engines, I just need to come up with the scratch for them.
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If money is a concern, you should go Honda for sure. "Horton" is funny, the engine makes more power more reliably, and they cost less than half as much in parts and upkeep. I have more in my engine than my friend does in his entire bike and they make the same power - but his is 200ccs smaller.
 
So I got to thinking. I have the title with a previous owner's name and address. Why not look him up? He has an unusual last name, I'm not sure how big a place Shorewood is, so a Google search found someone with the same name in that town. I just wrote him a letter asking for information on the bike. I don't know if he'll answer or if he's even the same guy.
 
What about one of the new Triumph engines? They are more reliable and more powerful than the Norton engine plus 5 speeds. It would still be British and as long as you don't cut anything you could still do a proper restore down the road after you have found a Norton engine.
 
CarbsAndCylinders said:
What about one of the new Triumph engines? They are more reliable and more powerful than the Norton engine plus 5 speeds. It would still be British and as long as you don't cut anything you could still do a proper restore down the road after you have found a Norton engine.
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Norvil is building new Norton engines. Not cheap, but they do have Norton written on them and they are a direct fit. I've found two original Norton 750 engines, both are about $1000 and are missing parts.

On a side note, I found a guy who has all new parts to build a complete Dunstall Norton, minus frame/engine/transmission.
 
I got a reply back from the original owner! He was deeply disturbed by the news that his beloved 1972 Norton Commando Roadster with the Combat Engine is now just a frame. He had it for 30+ years and sold it, along with a ton of Norton stuff, to someone who apparently stripped the frame for parts. He had done quite a few upgrades from what he told me, and when he sold it, it was running strong. At some point he had the frame powder coated, and had chromed quite a few parts. He had upgraded the electrics, and switched the 2nd gear out to one from an 850. He also gave me his number, and said I could contact him if I needed more info.
 
The previous owner of the frame dropped an oil tank off for me. Once I get the triple off of the frame, I'm taking the lot to be media blasted and primed. I hate moving.
 
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