Another motorcycle followed me home.

Rot 911 · 02-24-2020, 04:55 PM

I have been wanting an early 70s Norton Commando for probably half my life. Finally the right one came along at the right price. And, yes, that blue metallic paint is a stock color for 1973.

flatbutt · 02-24-2020, 05:11 PM

Tasty! Good luck with the electrics.

LakeCleElum · 02-24-2020, 05:32 PM

Very nice Kurt. Rare color.......When I had mine, my nutz would tingle for 1/2 hour after the ride was over.

billybek · billybek's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Very nice Kurt. Rare color.......When I had mine, my nutz would tingle for 1/2 hour after the ride was over.

Was that a good thing?

One of the old guys in the neighborhood was a Norton collector and he had a Commando much the same as that one.
Will have to see if I can find the last few bikes that were complete. He had passed a few years back and his family sold off all the bikes except the Bultaco. His son kept that one and got it back to running condition.

I liked stopping and chatting with him when he was working with the garage door open. Super nice man and I miss those talks.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Motorcycles.......just like those damn potato chips!

Congrats Kurt...she's gorgeous!

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

now you can go Commando

Bill Douglas · 02-24-2020, 07:10 PM

Beautiful bike Kurt. Looks like just a maintain and enjoy. Very nice.

I'm so pleased you have bought this. So in three months of ownership you will have to be an expert on Lucas electrics and I can ask you anything.

Evans, Marv · 02-24-2020, 08:35 PM

Lucky guy! I've always wanted one. Occasionally I look for used ones around here but never find one.

Chocaholic · 02-25-2020, 03:57 AM

That’s very worth owning. Whether you ride it or for garage art...just beautiful. I’ve always admired that bike also but have never owned one. Keep us updated. We can live vicariously through you!

Steve F · 02-25-2020, 04:01 AM

Sweet!! I have had it's older brother in my garage for 37 years

Shaun @ Tru6 · 02-25-2020, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

Motorcycles.......just like those damn potato chips!

Congrats Kurt...she's gorgeous!

These are really good potato chips. Like to dip them in ketchup.

Geneman · Geneman's Garage

did those bikes have stock disc brakes in front in 70s? or are those add-ons?

i see drums in the rear.

very cool bike!

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Nice looking Commando, appears in really good nick. I was the proud owner of a Dominator 650 SS years ago. I loved that bike..

LakeCleElum · 02-25-2020, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geneman

did those bikes have stock disc brakes in front in 70s? or are those add-ons?

i see drums in the rear.

very cool bike!

'72 was the first year of front disc on the Commando....

asphaltgambler · 02-25-2020, 01:47 PM

MMMMMMMMMMM...…….goooooood

sammyg2 · 02-25-2020, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rot 911

I have been wanting an early 70s Norton Commando for probably half my life. Finally the right one came along at the right price. And, yes, that blue metallic paint is a stock color for 1973.

Very nice looking bike, but that's a shame about the dents in the sides of the tank ...

rfuerst911sc · 02-25-2020, 02:21 PM

How hard is it to get used to the right foot shift left foot brake ? Great looking bike by the way .

Jeff Higgins · 02-25-2020, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

How hard is it to get used to the right foot shift left foot brake ? Great looking bike by the way .

Three of my bikes are left side shift, one is right side shift. It is surprisingly difficult to go from "standard" left foot shifting to right foot shifting. It takes a great deal of seat time before it starts to become intuitive. Even then, while I have ridden both my entire riding career - since the mid 1970's - I will sometimes still screw up when I'm required to react quickly. It's funny, too, it's not always when I'm on my right side shift bike, either.

Rot 911 · 02-25-2020, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

How hard is it to get used to the right foot shift left foot brake ? Great looking bike by the way .

.

I’ve got a 1971 Triumph Tiger 650 with right hand shift. It’s one down and three up. Similar to any four-speed left-hand shift. Norton is even quirkier. Right hand shift, but one up and three down! Like Jeff said, it’s really not that hard to get used to until you get into a panic situation.

LakeCleElum · 02-25-2020, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Three of my bikes are left side shift, one is right side shift. It is surprisingly difficult to go from "standard" left foot shifting to right foot shifting. It takes a great deal of seat time before it starts to become intuitive. Even then, while I have ridden both my entire riding career - since the mid 1970's - I will sometimes still screw up when I'm required to react quickly. It's funny, too, it's not always when I'm on my right side shift bike, either.

First bike I rode with right shift was a Harley Sprint in the dirt.....Was showing off, came to a a turn and was gonna hit the brake and slide thru it.....I upshifted and center-punched a tree...........