Norton prices? and a few questions

[gettingreasy]

I am trying to get a 1970 Norton Comandoo 850 and was wondering what kinda prices they go for? It's in real nice shape, was about a 100 point resto about 10 or 12 years ago but is still real clean, it now has a set of low bars, fork gaiters, and a set of Mikuni's now. I looked on the cycle tradder and they seemed to range between 4500 and 9500 for pretty much the same damn bikes. Are these nice bikes to keep stock or should I ditch that ugly tank and putt some clip ons on her? What kinda performance should I expect outta her, are they quick or fast? My dad rode a brand new one in late '69 right before he went in the Navy and said it was the quickest bike hes ever rode next to the first year Susuki gs 1100 that they had to make 5-600 of them to be able to gp race. ANyway thanks for any input.
-Jesse

[marq]

Yeah for a Brit bike commandos are fast it'll do 120 or should do easily will cruise along at 100.Oil leaks ?a small amout but the engine is bullet proof.You need to check the isolastics that hold the engine otherwise it will vibrate like a jack hammer.They handle real sweet when they are correct.Over here a rough price would be £4500-£5000 for a nice one but more for concoursethat would work out more than you are saying so if you found a good one buy it......Marq

[Flat Ernie]

Dollars for Pounds, mate!

One of the first times I came to the UK on temp duty several years back, I stopped in Black Bear Harley Davidson in Newmarket & remember thinking that the prices were about the same as in the states - then I realized, BUT THEY'RE IN POUNDS! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

With the exchange rate lately, it's even worse for me over here (I still get paid in dollars!) - although it is coming off the mid-summer highs of nearly 2:1 thankfully...

OK - to stay on topic, I recently picked up a Norton basketcase for quite reasonable - the parts are harder to come by than Triumph or BSA, but they are a good running bike and yeah, prone to vibration...


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[zman]

If you think the bikes ugly why even bother? I think they're cool myself. And they are not even close to as fast as a GS 1100 (which didn't GP race by the way). If your not a fan of the looks you may want to try and find something else and save some money. A good deal would be around $4-5k though depending on location they'll go on up to $10k

[drgnwgn289]

hey jesse
you can usually price a norton about the same as a beezer...if that helps at all. If you are thinking about building a really hot motor... I would suggest something else. The biggest problem with a norton is the single cam shaft. If you put a hot cam in it, you have to beef up your valve springs, which i'm sure you knew. however when you do this, it puts way more stress on the cam it self. Seeing as how the norton cam is about twice as long as a triumph, and only supported on the ends...they like to snap cams...then everything goes to shit. However, if you just want a mild bike to ride on the street, I wouldn't even worry about it, but if you are thinking about building a seriously hot motor, its something to take into consideration.
later
jake

[safariknut]

Is it a standard Norton or a Dunstall? If the latter grab it!

[gettingreasy]

Sorry Zman, he thought they GP raced it, said it looked like a cafe bike with a nose cone/windscreen. THE TANK IS UGLY, the bike as a whole is quite nice but the squared off boxy tank just doesn't look right but then again I think Triumph tanks are fuckin sexy so my oppion is skewed. I just want to know if I can keep up on the highway or not(I ride a 74" shovel right now so just about anything will be an approvment.
-Jesse

[zman]

GP racing from that era was pretty much dominated by 2-strokes. At the time the GS1000-1100 came out they were running the RG500 square four 2-strokes. Now it could have been a superbike contender, that's the era that Yoshimura made it's name building Suzukis.

As for keeping up on the highway, shouldn't be problem at all. And watch out the tank will grow on you, it's all about form following function... personally I'm on the lookout for an old bevel drive Ducati 900...

[disastron13]

Them old Commandos have a couple of weak points- be sure the builder replaced the trans bearings with the newest ones available, a good upgrade.
The other weak point is that they are high maintenence machines, and worth it.
You have to put a lot into them to get a lot out.
Why don't you post the details here?
Tank- what tank does it have? There were several Norton tanks in those years.
Do your research.
If you're not really sure you want a Norton, you probably shouldn't have it- they are for hard core riders.
Good luck, keep us up dated

[gettingreasy]

I haven't seen the bike since I left to go to school about 2 years ago, so my memory of the tank is a bit fuzy I just remember it being smallish(3 gallons)and boxy. I'll try to find a pic of one. I have no problem workin on bikes because that is my profesion so far(not on Nortons tho). I would just like another brit bike but not another Trump, just something alil' different. Thanks for the info guys.
-Jesse

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
I would just like another brit bike but not another Trump, just something alil' different.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah - that's why I picked mine up. Something different from all the BSA/Trump choppers/bobbers, but will run well (one day).

Norvil has most parts you'd need:
Norvil (http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/)

Tanks are easy enough to swap out - just find one you like that matches the style you're building...

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