Hearing this bike brought back memories of my Brother on his Triumph Tiger and me on my 850 Commando M2 cruising the streets and leaving puddles of oil everywhere we went :)
The main area allot of old British bikes leak oil from is around the primary case. On the 850 Norton's and others they have a felt seal on the inside primary case on both the main bearing and gearbox main shaft. Some modify with modern lip seals but in my case I converted it to a dry primary as I planned to race it in Post Classics and it would never of passed scrutineering as it was near impossible to stop oil leaks due to weak felt inside primary case oil seals. Despite Norton's having a wet clutch its mainly the primary chain that needs lubing so when I lubed the final drive chain I also lubed the primary chain with Maxima Chain Wax. The dry clutch would rattle a bit like the Ducatis. The 850 Commando had issues with the primary side main engine bearing wearing out prematurely due to the stresses of carrying the primary drive chain and sprocket including the charging coils/alternator (allot of people who raced their Nortons removed the charging system to save weight and just relied on the battery to go the distance of 8 laps or so. When the outside primary cover is removed grab the front drive primary sprocket and check for movement. Also check side to side free play of crank mainshaft as any side movement could indicate the shims for the crank are worn and need replacing. You'll know when the crank main bearing is really worn there will be a bad vibration while riding. Some Norton's suffered from porous heads where oil can seep from. There is a treatment available to chemically seal the head to stop the oil leaks. Sometimes if a fin on the head is broken it can leak from there as well. Apart from the isolastic engine swingarm rubber mountings the Norton rides perfect and mostly vibration free. Post classic racers removed the isolastic rubber mounts and replaced with solid bushes. When I brought my Norton around 1989 sitting right beside the bike in the shop was a immaculate Vincent Black Shadow for $18,000. Naturally I regretted not buying it! In the 80's post and pre classic bikes where everywhere and it was normal to see Lavertas, BSA's, Norton's, Triumphs, Dukes etc for sale everywhere for a couple of grand. Hang onto that bike and Iron Side Up!
I hope someday i'm allowed to ride the 750 or the 850 commando standing in our garage, so far, i only rode the 350 honda, then there is a honda cb750 four, a bsa shooting star and a triumph tiger waiting too.. What a great feeling would it be.. Your bike is awesome, never give up on it, never sell it.. Greetings from Austria and take care 🍀
Thank you for your gentle comment. Untile some year ago I was used to have my summer holidays in Austria, in the Carinthia region. I thought many times how it would have been nice to run the Commando along those fantastic roads, among lakes, mountains, and beautiful landscape, without the mess of the traffic and generally on well maintained roads. Not easy just thinking to reach Austria from Italy with these old British "ladies", who are a little bit delicate...but never say never. I have no intention, at the moment, to sell my beautiful Commando, which now needs some service due to the long stop (still going on) for the Covid situation: the battery has gone and something needs to be tuned. Having perceived your passion and real love for those bikes, and considering the great bikes you already have in your garage, the day I'll be going to consider selling my Norton you will be the first to be aware, if you allow me. Best greetings and thank you again!
Sounds close to mine, but a bit wimpy. Mine was a 1972. modified for a flat track. Mine had the Dunstall Hemi heads, .30 overbore making it 810, Dunstall cam made it lope, all the goodies. No I didn't race it on the flat track. I bought it 2 yrs old as a retired racer. Speedo marked to 160. In ever had the balls to try that but I saw 136 many times. Damn thing was a Torque monster. Wheelie in all 4 gears! Gentile with the throttle if U don't wanna go over backwards. Shame any Harley drag or road race. Ya NORTON! Ya, 84 HP, Ya stripped for useless weight, 440 lb with 8 gal of gas in the big tank. Had no logos on tank, bozo on a 1,000 cc Honda asked me what it was at a stoplight. told him "They call this a motorcycle but U don't know U on a Honda" so he showed me all his pig gold wing had and I trashed him off the next 5 stoplights. Last light he say "ok I earned it what is it" Yep told him Norton and rode off.
I'd love to have one but having been around 750 Nortons, 850 Nortons, stock 650 Triumphs, stock 750 Triumphs and a BUILT T120C... nothing sounds like a real classic Bonneville.. Nortons are much more refined sounding than a Bonneville.
+Jack N. Jill Hi Jack, I'm used to publish videos often trying to tell a story or create an atmosphere. The music helps for this, but I know that in some case music can suck, and probably was this case where the promise was hearing a "Norton Commando magic sound"). If you really like the sound of the Norton Commando please try with this video ua-cam.com/video/K_OQKBJUC2s/v-deo.html I'm sure you'll be satisfied! Thanks for watching...
The bike dates 16th May 1969 and went new to a dealer in Italy. You are right, for example the 69 original front brake should have been a drum brake. probably other parts are later. I think the main reasons of those changes were due to the regular usage of the bike over the time (6-7 owners, maybe only 10 years not running), so that some updates or changes were necessary. Thank you very much for watching
Do you mean the tail light? Yes, at least for Commandos I've always seen this kind of stoplamp. The original design was made by Lucas. The same piece was also mounted on some Triumph and BSA models.
Up until 1972, yes. About 1972, legal requirements (homologated between Europe and the United States) required a larger tail lamp, integrated with a larger rear reflector, so a different rear lamp assembly was used from 1972- end of production. The later lamp was larger and more rectangular.
lozioalf Ciao, sì la moto la tengo a Milano. Volentieri, in questo periodo la uso meno ma si può fare, magari quando il tempo migliora. Bella la tua Commando gialla, come va? albfuc@tiscali.it Ciao
@@RetroRidingEveryday Ciao, complimenti, splendida moto. Io starei cercando di acquistare un commando '69/'71 in ordine o eventualmente anche da restaurare. Avresti qualche indicazione/contatto da suggerirmi su Milano o limitrofi? Grazie per la cortesia e scusa il disturbo. Saluti
@@porropresley Ciao, grazie! Anche per l'iscrizione al canale, sono un semplice appassionato che pubblica ogni tanto dei video per divertimento e condivisione con altri appassionati. Al momento non saprei consigliarti perchè le Commando sono abbastanza rare e in giro trovi le solite di Dotoli a Napoli, e un paio di appassionati/commercianti tra l'Emilia e Roma che ogni tanto ne mettono una in vendita. Se ti piace la mia forse potremmo anche parlarne: non ho mai messo annunci nè, in realtà, ancora deciso di venderla, essendo un oggetto che amo molto e da cui non vorrei mai separarmi. Però essendo cambiate alcune cose potrei anche decidermi. Fammi sapere in caso, ci penso su. Un saluto!
@@RetroRidingEveryday ciao.., e grazie per la risposta! ;) Ho trovato questo indirizzo nei commenti , albfuc@tiscali.it -, se e'' il tuo contatto mail ti scrivo cosi mi inoltri il tuo numero , al limite ne parliamo a voce se ritieni. Grazie, un saluto.
![Lp. Последняя Реальность #107 РОДНОЙ ДОМ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IK3QKzKUlHM/mqdefault.jpg)
My dad said, his norton commando, sounded like ripping canvas, now i know what he means.
I've wanted a Commando for over 45 years I final got one a 1969 Commando, I'm totally stoked 😊.
Surely still one of the best looking and best sounding bikes ever IMHO :o)
Thank you very much :)
Hearing this bike brought back memories of my Brother on his Triumph Tiger and me on my 850 Commando M2 cruising the streets and leaving puddles of oil everywhere we went :)
ahahah!!! yes, I tried to educate my Roadster 750 and she is moderate... but with the same bad habit! Thanks for watching :)
The main area allot of old British bikes leak oil from is around the primary case. On the 850 Norton's and others they have a felt seal on the inside primary case on both the main bearing and gearbox main shaft.
Some modify with modern lip seals but in my case I converted it to a dry primary as I planned to race it in Post Classics and it would never of passed scrutineering as it was near impossible to stop oil leaks due to weak felt inside primary case oil seals.
Despite Norton's having a wet clutch its mainly the primary chain that needs lubing so when I lubed the final drive chain I also lubed the primary chain with Maxima Chain Wax. The dry clutch would rattle a bit like the Ducatis.
The 850 Commando had issues with the primary side main engine bearing wearing out prematurely due to the stresses of carrying the primary drive chain and sprocket including the charging coils/alternator (allot of people who raced their Nortons removed the charging system to save weight and just relied on the battery to go the distance of 8 laps or so.
When the outside primary cover is removed grab the front drive primary sprocket and check for movement. Also check side to side free play of crank mainshaft as any side movement could indicate the shims for the crank are worn and need replacing. You'll know when the crank main bearing is really worn there will be a bad vibration while riding.
Some Norton's suffered from porous heads where oil can seep from. There is a treatment available to chemically seal the head to stop the oil leaks. Sometimes if a fin on the head is broken it can leak from there as well.
Apart from the isolastic engine swingarm rubber mountings the Norton rides perfect and mostly vibration free. Post classic racers removed the isolastic rubber mounts and replaced with solid bushes.
When I brought my Norton around 1989 sitting right beside the bike in the shop was a immaculate Vincent Black Shadow for $18,000. Naturally I regretted not buying it!
In the 80's post and pre classic bikes where everywhere and it was normal to see Lavertas, BSA's, Norton's, Triumphs, Dukes etc for sale everywhere for a couple of grand. Hang onto that bike and Iron Side Up!
I hope someday i'm allowed to ride the 750 or the 850 commando standing in our garage, so far, i only rode the 350 honda, then there is a honda cb750 four, a bsa shooting star and a triumph tiger waiting too..
What a great feeling would it be..
Your bike is awesome, never give up on it, never sell it..
Greetings from Austria and take care 🍀
Thank you for your gentle comment. Untile some year ago I was used to have my summer holidays in Austria, in the Carinthia region. I thought many times how it would have been nice to run the Commando along those fantastic roads, among lakes, mountains, and beautiful landscape, without the mess of the traffic and generally on well maintained roads. Not easy just thinking to reach Austria from Italy with these old British "ladies", who are a little bit delicate...but never say never. I have no intention, at the moment, to sell my beautiful Commando, which now needs some service due to the long stop (still going on) for the Covid situation: the battery has gone and something needs to be tuned. Having perceived your passion and real love for those bikes, and considering the great bikes you already have in your garage, the day I'll be going to consider selling my Norton you will be the first to be aware, if you allow me. Best greetings and thank you again!
Great bike back in the day, classic
Thanks!
What a sound!!
Love the vid, thanks man
Thanks for watching, Peter!
I miss my 750 commando
I am glad I still have mine ('72 with a '73 850 engine).
Me too. And my 850.
Sounds close to mine, but a bit wimpy. Mine was a 1972. modified for a flat track. Mine had the Dunstall Hemi heads, .30 overbore making it 810, Dunstall cam made it lope, all the goodies. No I didn't race it on the flat track. I bought it 2 yrs old as a retired racer. Speedo marked to 160. In ever had the balls to try that but I saw 136 many times. Damn thing was a Torque monster. Wheelie in all 4 gears! Gentile with the throttle if U don't wanna go over backwards. Shame any Harley drag or road race. Ya NORTON! Ya, 84 HP, Ya stripped for useless weight, 440 lb with 8 gal of gas in the big tank. Had no logos on tank, bozo on a 1,000 cc Honda asked me what it was at a stoplight. told him "They call this a motorcycle but U don't know U on a Honda" so he showed me all his pig gold wing had and I trashed him off the next 5 stoplights. Last light he say "ok I earned it what is it" Yep told him Norton and rode off.
How incredibly interesting.
Can you please update the world with a far longer & more detailed story , that didn't go on anywhere near long enough
Only had my commando a few years (22) wouldn’t part with her 👌🏻😎
I'd love to have one but having been around 750 Nortons, 850 Nortons, stock 650 Triumphs, stock 750 Triumphs and a BUILT T120C... nothing sounds like a real classic Bonneville.. Nortons are much more refined sounding than a Bonneville.
Music zucks--------had to mute it
+Jack N. Jill Hi Jack, I'm used to publish videos often trying to tell a story or create an atmosphere. The music helps for this, but I know that in some case music can suck, and probably was this case where the promise was hearing a "Norton Commando magic sound"). If you really like the sound of the Norton Commando please try with this video ua-cam.com/video/K_OQKBJUC2s/v-deo.html
I'm sure you'll be satisfied!
Thanks for watching...
+speed3fux what song name? ^e^
+moto brain It's "Dusty Man" (2013), Saule&Charlie Winston.
Thanks for watching!
nice song! thanks ^e^
I would think some of the parts later than 69, Shows a. 72 ad
The bike dates 16th May 1969 and went new to a dealer in Italy. You are right, for example the 69 original front brake should have been a drum brake. probably other parts are later. I think the main reasons of those changes were due to the regular usage of the bike over the time (6-7 owners, maybe only 10 years not running), so that some updates or changes were necessary. Thank you very much for watching
Does Norton used Rounded Brake/Stoplamp as their standard design?
Do you mean the tail light? Yes, at least for Commandos I've always seen this kind of stoplamp. The original design was made by Lucas. The same piece was also mounted on some Triumph and BSA models.
Up until 1972, yes. About 1972, legal requirements (homologated between Europe and the United States) required a larger tail lamp, integrated with a larger rear reflector, so a different rear lamp assembly was used from 1972- end of production. The later lamp was larger and more rectangular.
Ciao, sei di Milano? Io sono a Milano e ho un Commando del 70.se ti va possiamo beccarci e magari fare un giro assieme? Ciao,Alfredo.
lozioalf Ciao, sì la moto la tengo a Milano. Volentieri, in questo periodo la uso meno ma si può fare, magari quando il tempo migliora. Bella la tua Commando gialla, come va? albfuc@tiscali.it Ciao
@@RetroRidingEveryday Ciao, complimenti, splendida moto. Io starei cercando di acquistare un commando '69/'71 in ordine o eventualmente anche da restaurare. Avresti qualche indicazione/contatto da suggerirmi su Milano o limitrofi? Grazie per la cortesia e scusa il disturbo. Saluti
@@porropresley Ciao, grazie! Anche per l'iscrizione al canale, sono un semplice appassionato che pubblica ogni tanto dei video per divertimento e condivisione con altri appassionati. Al momento non saprei consigliarti perchè le Commando sono abbastanza rare e in giro trovi le solite di Dotoli a Napoli, e un paio di appassionati/commercianti tra l'Emilia e Roma che ogni tanto ne mettono una in vendita. Se ti piace la mia forse potremmo anche parlarne: non ho mai messo annunci nè, in realtà, ancora deciso di venderla, essendo un oggetto che amo molto e da cui non vorrei mai separarmi. Però essendo cambiate alcune cose potrei anche decidermi. Fammi sapere in caso, ci penso su. Un saluto!
@@RetroRidingEveryday ciao.., e grazie per la risposta! ;) Ho trovato questo indirizzo nei commenti , albfuc@tiscali.it -, se e'' il tuo contatto mail ti scrivo cosi mi inoltri il tuo numero , al limite ne parliamo a voce se ritieni. Grazie, un saluto.
@@porropresley ciao, scrivimi pure a quell'indirizzo. Parlare con qualcuno del Norton Commando è sempre un piacere :) Un saluto
Lose the song and just exhaust note is music enough