Project Norton

[cstreit]

So back in 1976 my stepdad parked his 1971 Norton in the kitchen of our apartment because it needed some work at 7700 miles. ...not knowing it was destined to sit in various garages and sheds under a sheet for the next 46 years.

When he passed around 2010 it came to me... I took it in and drained the fluids, put in fresh, managed to turn the engine over a few times and then threw a sheet back over it. Took me 12 more years to decide to do something.

2 months ago I started that something.

First up was to see if it would even run. Cleaned the amal carbs, drained and flushed the tank and just gave it a try. After 2-3 nights i got it to run - not well - but run. Okay, worth it to keep going. So then I started going through the basic stuff. Wires, plugs, points, carbs (twice more) tank (teice more) and other things and got it to not only run but idle well.

The a wash and checking the brakes and drive train. Once these were well I took it around the block a few times.

Over the last few months I started going through it top to bottom. ALl rubber being replaced, wiring checked, mechanicals, etc... Now it looks decent, rides and drives and I have 300 miles on it.

This winter I will do a more thorough tear down and address some more mechanicals like the swingarm, heads, etc.. ...but I'm very pleased with the progress for a bike that sat for 46 years!

Before:

[cstreit]

Progress!

[cstreit]

[Bill Douglas]

Awesome.

I remember something about a big rubber bushing in the middle of the frame to reduce vibrations, and that this was hard to change?

One of the most beautiful bikes ever made.

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Awesome.

I remember something about a big rubber bushing in the middle of the frame to reduce vibrations, and that this was hard to change?

One of the most beautiful bikes ever made.

Ah - the Isolastic engine mounts. There are two... Suprisingly the heavy duty factory rubber is in really good shape. I'm guessing before the environment was a thing - they made better rubber. Even the vinyl seat is in really good shape. It was the thinner rubber bits like carb boots, lines, etc.. that had hardened.

This winter I need to replace and upgrade the swinarm bushings. Not sure I need to address the engine dampers actually.

[cstreit]

Feels british

[MMiller]

Very cool! Well done..

[LWJ]

Fantastic! She’s a beaut!

The rubber? Probably real latex rubber. My 65 MGB had some natural rubber. Forgot why I know this. Had to either DO something or NOT DO something to it!

[Jeff Higgins]

[Evans, Marv]

I made the mistake of taking a new Norton for a test ride in the early seventies. I couldn't afford it then and have wanted one ever since. Great to see somebody with one.

[Bill Douglas]

My friend from school days was selling his Commando and was sounding me out as to whether I was interested. I really liked it. Yellow and polished alloys and chrome. GF said to me "No! you already have one classic to look after and I don't mean me." So it ended up being a no. No to the bike.

[Steve F]

Very Cool!! I have had a 1965 Norton 750 G15 for the last 39 years! It is now due for the Grand refurbishment as well! Just bought new pipes and silencers for motivation

[oldE]

Great work, Chris!
A friend back in the day had a Commando until someone pulled out in front of him.
I guess as far as bikes go I'm stuck in the 70s. That's not so bad.

Best
Les

[herr_oberst]

Good thread. I look forward to your future updates, and I can appreciate how you didn't give up when the first attempts at the carbs and tank didn't give you the results you wanted, so you persevered to get it right. It's too easy to put the sheet back over it when it isn't going the way you want it to.

[speeder]

Looks great. Nortons are great bikes, track down its issues and get it purring and roaring. That's half the fun, at least for me.

[Mike Andrew]

Fantastic project. It looks like it has pretty good bones considering its long slumber. I'm eager to watch the progress during our long winter months.
One of my favorite bikes.

[Tobra]

The black and gold Commander.

Friend of mine in grade school, his brother had one of those. Loved that thing

[cstreit]

Thanks everyone. I have to say the mechanic who worked on it prior should have a comfy home in heaven. No stopped fasteners, nothing gorilla tight... Knock on wood I'm honestly amazed at how 40-50 hours of labor and $500 (so far) has brought this bike back this far.

[Superman]

Great project, Chris. I have loved Norton Commandos since the first one I ever saw/heard.

[A930Rocket]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.