1972 Norton Commando

FastDoc · 06-03-2014, 05:59 PM

Ron, the Royal Enfield dealer I bought my bike from, had a Commando in the shop...

I had mentioned it to my friend Gerry, who became very excited.

I got more information on the Commando, and it looks like a good bike at a good price.

Jerry and Ron are talking about it, and who knows, we may be taking another trip out to Portland for a Gen-U-Ine antique British superbike.

I will get to ride it, and thank GOD it will NOT be mine lol!

Barnone · 06-03-2014, 08:38 PM

"I will get to ride it, and thank GOD it will NOT be mine lol!"
My sentiments exactly.
The last real Brit bike I had was a 650 BSA back in the 1960's. Traded it in on a Suzuki X6 Hustler and could not believe the improvement in reliability.

2LZ · 06-04-2014, 10:37 AM

They are cool to visually appreciate with a cold adult beverage with buddies on a Friday evening....but as far as any regular miles....they're best oggled, for sure.
I still appreciate a really good restoration though.

LOL! What's that tell you when a bunch of China Riders are talking about how unreliable an old Brit bike is? ;-)

Weldangrind · 06-04-2014, 10:56 AM

At least China bikes use Metric wrenches. Who wants to invest in Whitworth tools, only to find out that Whitworth fasteners are almost unobtanium?

That said, I do appreciate old Brit bikes from afar.

FastDoc · 06-04-2014, 11:37 AM

The Brit bikes have a panache that is wonderful to look at and ride, but I would not want to own another. As much as I liked my BSA it was hard to maintain and find parts and wrenches and service for. It also broke a primary chain on me riding home from work, and did about $1,000 of damage to itself in a fraction of a second. It took about 6 months to get the parts and the repairs done. I sold it with joy in my heart once it was back and running better than ever.

The Royal Enfield is the perfect solution for me. ALL the class, pleasure, feel, panache and history of other Brit bikes, but with modern fuel injection, electronic ignition, unit construction, disc brake, and 5 speed and a 3 year warranty to make it a great daily rider.

2LZ · 06-04-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

The Brit bikes have a panache that is wonderful to look at and ride, but I would not want to own another. As much as I liked my BSA it was hard to maintain and find parts and wrenches and service for. It also broke a primary chain on me riding home from work, and did about $1,000 of damage to itself in a fraction of a second. It took about 6 months to get the parts and the repairs done. I sold it with joy in my heart once it was back and running better than ever.

The Royal Enfield is the perfect solution for me. ALL the class, pleasure, feel, panache and history of other Brit bikes, but with modern fuel injection, electronic ignition, unit construction, disc brake, and 5 speed and a 3 year warranty to make it a great daily rider.

So true. My friend has a 1970 Triumph Tiger he completely restored and the most reliable part is the electronic ignition upgrade! LOL!
I always did like the Norton SS though. The up-pipes were cool.

SpudRider · 06-04-2014, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

The Brit bikes have a panache that is wonderful to look at and ride, but I would not want to own another. As much as I liked my BSA it was hard to maintain and find parts and wrenches and service for. It also broke a primary chain on me riding home from work, and did about $1,000 of damage to itself in a fraction of a second. It took about 6 months to get the parts and the repairs done. I sold it with joy in my heart once it was back and running better than ever.

The Royal Enfield is the perfect solution for me. ALL the class, pleasure, feel, panache and history of other Brit bikes, but with modern fuel injection, electronic ignition, unit construction, disc brake, and 5 speed and a 3 year warranty to make it a great daily rider.

I assume, and hope, the RE uses standard metric hardware.

Weldangrind · 06-05-2014, 12:47 AM

I wondered the same thing, Spud.

FastDoc · 06-05-2014, 09:24 AM

Yes:-)

FastDoc · 06-05-2014, 10:04 AM

Noticed an error in prior post. 2 not 3 year warranty.

FastDoc · 06-05-2014, 12:29 PM

I also agree in terms of reliability the vintage Brit bikes have nothing on a new China bike. PLUS the CB is very inexpensive to maintian and repair, and parts are only a few clicks on eBay away.

On the other hand, these Brit bikes in question are 40-50 years old at this point. In their day (pre Japanese 'invasion') they were state of the art and the cat's arse, as it were. Compared to American iron of that vintage, the Nortons et al were veritable superbikes.

06-03-2014, 05:59 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	1972 Norton Commando Ron, the Royal Enfield dealer I bought my bike from, had a Commando in the shop... I had mentioned it to my friend Gerry, who became very excited. I got more information on the Commando, and it looks like a good bike at a good price. Jerry and Ron are talking about it, and who knows, we may be taking another trip out to Portland for a Gen-U-Ine antique British superbike. I will get to ride it, and thank GOD it will NOT be mine lol! __________________ Happy to serve.
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06-04-2014, 10:37 AM	#3
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,078	They are cool to visually appreciate with a cold adult beverage with buddies on a Friday evening....but as far as any regular miles....they're best oggled, for sure. I still appreciate a really good restoration though. LOL! What's that tell you when a bunch of China Riders are talking about how unreliable an old Brit bike is? ;-) __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
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06-04-2014, 10:56 AM	#4
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	At least China bikes use Metric wrenches. Who wants to invest in Whitworth tools, only to find out that Whitworth fasteners are almost unobtanium? That said, I do appreciate old Brit bikes from afar. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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06-04-2014, 11:37 AM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	The Brit bikes have a panache that is wonderful to look at and ride, but I would not want to own another. As much as I liked my BSA it was hard to maintain and find parts and wrenches and service for. It also broke a primary chain on me riding home from work, and did about $1,000 of damage to itself in a fraction of a second. It took about 6 months to get the parts and the repairs done. I sold it with joy in my heart once it was back and running better than ever. The Royal Enfield is the perfect solution for me. ALL the class, pleasure, feel, panache and history of other Brit bikes, but with modern fuel injection, electronic ignition, unit construction, disc brake, and 5 speed and a 3 year warranty to make it a great daily rider. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

06-05-2014, 12:47 AM	#8
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I wondered the same thing, Spud. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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06-03-2014, 08:38 PM	#2
Barnone Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,348	"I will get to ride it, and thank GOD it will NOT be mine lol!" My sentiments exactly. The last real Brit bike I had was a 650 BSA back in the 1960's. Traded it in on a Suzuki X6 Hustler and could not believe the improvement in reliability.
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06-05-2014, 09:24 AM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Yes:-) __________________ Happy to serve.
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06-05-2014, 10:04 AM	#10
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Noticed an error in prior post. 2 not 3 year warranty. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

06-05-2014, 12:29 PM	#11
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I also agree in terms of reliability the vintage Brit bikes have nothing on a new China bike. PLUS the CB is very inexpensive to maintian and repair, and parts are only a few clicks on eBay away. On the other hand, these Brit bikes in question are 40-50 years old at this point. In their day (pre Japanese 'invasion') they were state of the art and the cat's arse, as it were. Compared to American iron of that vintage, the Nortons et al were veritable superbikes. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0