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norton commando advice

afm199 said:
larry kahn is correct. One of my Nortons hung in a display window for years in Berkeley, with a kotex taped to the sump to catch drips. Buy a Thruxton for the same feel ( wobbly frame, mediocre brakes, nice sound) and no troubles. Honestly, old bikes are only fun if you enjoy working on them.
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I know that bike! The "Buffalo" or something like that, right?
I'm sure we've met someplace....
 
littlebeast said:
am with you on the obsession bit. no matter how much i try, i can't get this bike out of my head.
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It gets easier once it's left you dead on the side of a rural road a few times a couple of decades before cell phones were invented. Vainly kicking it over until you run out of energy while being lured onward by a lucky "pop" once in awhile. Than comes trying to bump start it by pushing it to a little down hill grade, having the clutch drag making dropping it gear really tough while scrubbing of what little speed you got. Only those who have experienced this can appreciate "Lucas Prince Of Darkness". The years erase the pain and fond memories remain.
 
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Wack said:
It gets easier once it's left you dead on the side of a rural road a few times a couple of decades before cell phones were invented. Vainly kicking it over until you run out of energy while being lured onward by a lucky "pop" once in awhile. Than comes trying to bump start it by pushing it to a little down hill grade, having the clutch drag making dropping it gear really tough while scrubbing of what little speed you got. Only those who have experienced this can appreciate "Lucas Prince Of Darkness". The years erase the pain and fond memories remain.
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:rofl Ahh yes.
 
This thread shook a lot of oil-stained oldies out of the wood work, didn't it? Maybe we need to get together and find a nice '70 Royal Enfield 750 to re-animate. Surely a bike that everyone could grow to despise, all the way down the dimples on the valve lifters....

It could have it's own un-ending build thread complete with youtubed comments, clips of various frustrations and drama.

Or maybe we could all throw a leg over something that actually runs and go for a ride!
 
My '71 Trident had the clever habit on cold mornings, upon kicking, to release the kicker gear halfway thru it's stroke.
You would give a mighty kick with your weight on it and whoomp! It would release about halfway hyper-extending my knee.
About the second time, I'd be on my knees writhing on pain.
Part of my slight limp I have today I blame on that bike.
 
larry kahn said:
So where's the OP after all this? We scare her off? Out looking for a Bonneville?
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am still here, and reading all the posts. really appreciate all of the insights and stories (and especially the pics). i am just stuck on the norton. can't explain it. i don't need it, and it sounds like there is every reason to run. but i want it. that said, based on what i am hearing, am asking myself if it is love or a crush. right now i'm thinking so what if it's a fucker. i have a fondness for fuckers. have to decide though if a difficult relationship is worth it. even if the sex is great.
 
littlebeast said:
am still here, and reading all the posts. really appreciate all of the insights and stories (and especially the pics). i am just stuck on the norton. can't explain it. i don't need it, and it sounds like there is every reason to run. but i want it. that said, based on what i am hearing, am asking myself if it is love or a crush. right now i'm thinking so what if it's a fucker. i have a fondness for fuckers. have to decide though if a difficult relationship is worth it. even if the sex is great.
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The sex is great, it's waking up with the clap that sucks.:afm199
 
afm199 said:
The sex is great, it's waking up with the clap that sucks.:afm199
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grabbing me by the collar every time i step in front of a train is pretty much a full time job. thanks for taking a shift. don't be surprised if you find me on the same track a few minutes later. i'm kinda built that way.
 
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littlebeast said:
grabbing me by the collar every time i step in front of a train is pretty much a full time job. thanks for taking a shift. don't be surprised if you find me on the same track a few minutes later. i'm kinda built that way.
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Hey I hope you buy one and it's a great bike. I just like to pass on info to provide a fuller picture.
 
afm199 said:
Hey I hope you buy one and it's a great bike. I just like to pass on info to provide a fuller picture.
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what is this? reverse psychology?

"But it's so simple. All I have to do is divine from what I know of you. Are you the sort of man who would put the poison into his own goblet, or his enemy's? Now, a clever man would put the poison into his own goblet, because he would know that only a great fool would reach for what he was given. I'm not a great fool, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you. But you must have known I was not a great fool; you would have counted on it, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me." :laughing
 
Then it wouldn't be of an use to suggest you buy the one, (forget the builder, but someone here will have the info)
That corrected all the insane flaws.
 
LB, hop in Howlie and visit my friends over at Rabers. I can't think of a better custodian for a fine ol Norton Commando.

One day I'm going to find the right one and bring it home for the Other.
 
afm199 said:
Hey I hope you buy one and it's a great bike. I just like to pass on info to provide a fuller picture.
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Me, too. Some things are better left to experience for yourself. The good news:
Cell phones, several good MC towing services in the bay area, and British bikes made in the 60's and 70's are now classics, not just "that motherfucker" any more.
 
moto-rama said:
Me, too. Some things are better left to experience for yourself. The good news:
Cell phones, several good MC towing services in the bay area, and British bikes made in the 60's and 70's are now classics, not just "that motherfucker" any more.
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:rofl

I remember the time I was riding on Redwood road when the header snapped off at the port and the entire pipe was dangling from the rubber bush. I held it back up to the port with my foot and rode home.
 
ThumperX said:
LB, hop in Howlie and visit my friends over at Rabers. I can't think of a better custodian for a fine ol Norton Commando.

One day I'm going to find the right one and bring it home for the Other.
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thanks babe! will check them out.

inthewoods said:
Don't forget the tool offer after you buy the right bike. Snap-on's finest.
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awesome of you dude! i suspect this search may be a long one though. but i am very patient and tenacious once i make up my mind to do a thing. am currently trying to decide whether to get a fully made bike or a project one. am leaning toward project.
 
afm199 said:
:rofl

I remember the time I was riding on Redwood road when the header snapped off at the port and the entire pipe was dangling from the rubber bush. I held it back up to the port with my foot and rode home.
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Something almost identical to this happened with my 2004 Royal Enfield. Another time the headlight fell out and landed balanced on the front fender between the forks. A separate time the tailight fell off while riding, also a foot peg on another occasion. Its an interesting bike.
 
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