Commando

I made a little progress on the Norton over the last couple of days.  I had to replace the fiberglass gas tank.  I found this original steel Roadster tank with original paint that looks very good.  It is hard to find original tanks and I was not content to settle for a repro tank from India, just not quite good enough.

I also had to replace the fenders, the original pieces were straight but the chrome was bad so I replaced them with polished stainless.  It is coming together, I just need to address the side covers now.

Triumph, Triton or ???

Here is the start to a Triumph build of some kind or other.  It is a 1958 TR-6 Bottom end with a later 9 bolt top end.  I originally set out to build a bobber but as the saying goes "been there and done that"!  I also have a titled front frame loop for a '58 T110 so I am not sure what I am going to do.  I know where there is a nice Norton Wide Line Featherbed frame, tank and seat so this could delve into madness.

Anyway I need to finish up the Norton Commando before I get side tracked again !

Tritons

To some a Triton is the very epitomy of cafe racer or road racer excellence.  Most of the early builds used a Norton Wide Line Featherbed frame and a pre-unit Triumph engine and either a Triumph or Norton gear box.  The idea was, and still is, that the Featherbed frame is hard to beat for handling in a vintage motorcycle and that the Triumph power plant was both reliable and easy to come.

Here are a few pictures of some Triton builds including one I owned a couple of years ago.  Mine was built a little off and I really didn't like it much so I sold it to Jim Robertson of British Bikes Ltd. in Louisiana.  Jim is a wizard with old Brit bikes and he really made it into a nice machine.  He tried selling it back to me but I was short of funds and missed out.  If you live in Louisiana look Jim up as he is hard to beat when it comes to wrenching and restoring old Triumphs, BSA's and Nortons'.

Commando Progess

I am making some real progress on the Norton.  I completely went through the front end and it looks pretty good.  I found an original Norton Lockheed front caliper as my bike did not come with one.  It was completely rebuilt when I purchased it which was a definite perk at this point.

I am waiting on a company in Australia that sells a real nice upgraded front reervoir and brake line set that works with the stock switch gear.

Norton-itis

As I said earlier, I purchased a '71 Norton Commando and have been wrenching on it for the past month.  This bike is so much different from the Triumphs and BSA's I am familier with that is a constant learing experience. 

It seems to be a very well though out machine.  I am looking forward to riding it as I have never owned or ridden a pure Norton prior to this one.  I say pure because I did own a Triton and a Norvin.

The gas tank is made of fiberglass and had been beat around a little so I found and ordered an original steel Roadster tank that looks to have nice paint.  I am now in a quandry as to wether I should rebuild the rear wheel because of a large area of chrome missing from the rim.  We'll see how the budget holds up.

The picture below is not my bike, but it is a nice example of how mine will look shortly !

Happiness !

 

750 Norton Commando

I recently purchased a 1971 750 Norton Commando, since then I have been working on getting it in a presentable condition.  it sat for a number of years and accumulated quite a bit of surface rust.  I replaced both fenders and numerous other bits and pieces and almost have it completed.  I will post more pictures soon.

Fast Triumph !

Happy New Year

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.