Hi there, beautiful bike. You actually turned the choke off instead of on when trying to start it. These old Amals are the reverse to Mikunis. cheers, Mike
I just bought a 72 with an engine that was blown to bits, did a complete restore on the frame, bought a combat engine off eBay after taking the head off I realized she was good enough to run. Put a new copper head gasket on her, she is all back together now, compression test shows perfect compression on both cylinders, but for the life of me she won't get spark. My uncle had one and as a kid I would sit and drul over it, I'm 27 and this is my first vintage British bike rebuild so this is new territory for me lol. But I'm currently working on my own dream of owning a vintage Norton commando
Probably should at least change the oil pump seal before running for extended periods of time. If it's still assembled with the original oil pump seal (rubber washer) then that seal is now more than 50 years old. Camshaft and lifters, main bearings, tabbed timing side thrust washer are also additional things you should familiarize yourself with. Good luck.
@@iosis99 I ordered an entire gasket set from Andover Norton and went through all the gaskets as well, I forgot to mention that to my surprise when I took the head off we noticed that she has been bored 20 over. I also added an oil filter from a later model, mine was set up to run on an electronic ignition with a boyer Branson power box to run without the battery, it looks like it's been raced, I bought it with drag bars I think I might keep on, I'm trying to hook it up with turn signals because my 72 never had that
The bike is absolutely beautiful, but you should learn how to start a Norton. You turned the choke all the way off, not on, and you shouldn’t have to ‘tickle’ the carbs more than once. Lay off the throttle also when you’re trying to start. You were just flooding it. Don’t mean to be rude, but you’re making Nortons look bad. You should really remove the video until you get it running right.
Best to use the center stand when trying to start it. The side stands have been known to break under the weight. I’ve owned my Commando since 1974. Finally got an electric start before I mess up my knee. Although some aficionados consider it to be heresy a single Mikuni carb can make life easier. These canary yellow Commandos can draw a crowd. An “S” model like this ran the fastest quarter mile in a 1970 Cycle magazine comparison test against 6 other super bikes of the day.
Whoever told you 'no throttle' doesn't know Commandos. Tickle the carbs, give a little throttle, you don't need the choke unless its very cold out. If you take an Amal carb apart you would see that 'half choke' does absolutely nothing for starting the bike. Never kick with the side stand out and learn to kick it without the centre stand also if poss. With sidestand out you will wreck the frame rail and starting with the centre stand you can eventually damage the cradle. Good luck.
Glad you know how to start the 'beast'. Obviously, the owner doesn't have a real grip on how to do it. They usually start really easy. But, it is a gorgeous bike. Wish I had it!
When i was a kid growing 💗 Norton was my dream bike the yellow either 650 or 750.. i now have a 125 Honda cafe racer.. and thank you great video and beautiful beautiful bike i also had a Honda CB 650
The guys have given you some good advice about the choke (my 1970 Norton Commando didn't even have a choke, I never needed one). You're using the kick starter all wrong-you don't "kick"it, you move the piston to compression then lean slowly down on the kickstart. My Norton started on the first kick every time. Great bike, you're very lucky.
Only a fool would turn the chokes to OFF and kick a Norton ON the sidestand (a guaranteed frame breaker) - lol. Where is the strap to hold the tank down at the back ? Nice bike though.
I have had 2 of these, in 69, 2 months after my 17 birthday I purchased my first brand new Norton 750 Commando, I never had any problems like what you’re having starting, whether it was in the depth of winter snow on the ground, or in the heat of the summer, never late for work, ha ha 😂, you might find you’ve got cheap fuel in that tank, as we all know nowadays there are funny additives in them, Not sure whether I like the yellow or not, Definitely do not like the Siamese pipes, from 17 to about 25-26 , I had two Norton commandos one Norton dominator, chopped, A rally wisp, and two Bonneville, In the midnight, I became a Harley rider, And I have had four of those, I currently own a Softail deuce, And I’m in my 70s, And I think I’m retired living in France, 😂,
I remember these well. This one has the “scrambler pipes” which I never understood. Most Commandos were black with gold lettering. Those Amal carbs were a pain in the butt. The only “stock” bike that could give my Kawasaki 500 Mach 3 a race back when these were new.
A friend had the 500 Kawasaki and he always wanted to swap me for my '72 Norton Combat. We traded once and it was a waste of 20 minutes of my life. I wasn't used to the buzzing in the handlebars, buzzing in the footpegs, revving the hell out of it to get it going because of zero low end torque and it handled like sh-t. He kept asking me but once was enough for me. I saw him decades later and asked him if he still owned it, he said no, it didn't last that long. I still own my '72 Combat . Lots of torque, no vibration and it still handles.
@@robertshepherd3832 I understand what your saying. A Commando was much more expensive bike than the $1200 I paid for a brand new Kawa Mach 3 in 1971. I don’t recall it buzzing and vibrating thou. I also rode a BSA 650 Lightening back in the early 70’s and it shook so hard thru the handlebars I couldn’t believe it. Back to my Kawa, I bought it for drag racing and it used to run 12.80 @ 102 mph and I was a bigger guy. Most racers were small wirey guys that weighed 140 lbs soaking wet. If I owned a 750 Commando I wouldn’t trade it for a Mach 3 either but I if I owned the Commando I certainly wouldn’t bet again’st the Kawa in a drag race.
@@kimmorrison9169 I paid $1285 for a new Norton N15 in 1969. A new Norton Atlas cost $950! I got my 71 Commando used, in '73 or so. I always thought my N15 handled better, but only single leading shoe brake and no Isolastic so my hands would fall asleep.
Choke in Germany nur im Winter, Tupfen maximal 3mal kicken ist meine 71er Bonneville an. Niemals auf Seiten oder Hauptständer ankicken. Sehr schönes Motorrad! 👍
Superbe vraiment j’adore ,mais je voulais vous dire que la fixation des silencieux ne va pas du tout il faut absolument mettre des Silentblocs sur la fixation haute sinon au bout d’un moment par les vibrations les tubes vont casser parce que le moteur est monté souple
install electric Ignition makes starting much easier. Do some research to find which is best. I like Amels Throttle cable junction should be secured in place to frame, sync carb slides and mixture. Adjust valves don't think you need the choke
Beautiful bike. I had a '70, same color and all. Mine was cafe'd out though , with lower bars, Dunstall megaphone pipes, Girling disc brake from a '73, and other Dunstall and Barnett goodies. Loved the bike, don't miss starting it. If it wasn't in perfect tune, it could be a bitch. Riding a Ducati Monster 1100 EVO now.
I had an 850. It took much more of a kick to start it than what you are doing. Try jumping up in the air and kicking out your foot as you come down. Mine had 11.5 to one compression ratio and SS cams.
That's one of those weight loss-"exercise bikes"! By the time you've gotten it to start and run properly...you've burned off enough calories to make up for the pizza you ate earlier! LOL! Nice bike though!!! I had a yellow '73 w/a black 2 into 1 exhaust system (low exit on the right side). 😎
If you knew how to adjust the timing and the carbs you would've had a Commando that started easily. Mine starts one kick but I do maintenance on mine and eat later.
DO NOT KICK THE ENGINE OVER WHILE LEANING ON THE KICKSTAND. My '71 had the kickstand fall off from doing that (the pin that the kickstand rotates on has a deep notch - that is where it will break off). Either kick it on the centerstand, or put both stands up and just balance the bike when you kick it (that's what I usually did). You are using the choke wrong I think. What I did was tickle the carbs (and don't be shy about that), gave it full choke if the bike was cold, cracked the throttle and then roll it on a bit through the kick. In kicking, first take up the slack, then give it a substantial kick. Usually 2 or 3 kicks to get it running. I see lots of people saying no choke. To be honest, I can't recall because it was long ago (sold 1999 or so), but I *think* I used the choke. I wouldn't bet my life on it.
My 72 interstate has more throw on the Kickstarter lever , perhaps someone has not set the kickstart quadrant in its correct position , most Norton's when set up correctly are either first or second kick starters.
fiberglass tank side covers and (sob) SEAT PAN. RIGHT HAND SHIFT.. one up, 3 down. Dump those junk AMALS - mine DISTORTED THE BORES when WARM - idled at 3000 rpm. Substituted with single Mikuni... Bub replica mufflers. PrinceOfDarkness electrics..
You dont understand how that choke works. You turned it OFF not on. Dont start on the side stand and bring the kick start up and kick right through. If it hasn't run for a few weeks pour an egg cup of oil down the pushrod tunnels. Kicking it over and over with a dry cam and followers is a perfect way to destroy the cam. Someone save this bike from this guy.
Really, is using Amal carbs worth it? I get wanting to have your bike as original as possible, but a single Mikuni would be much more user friendly and delivers a better riding experience. Save the Amals for the collectors if the bike becomes a show queen. Such a gorgeous bike. Very few bikes can rival its design. Envious!
Lots of owners are challenged and don't have a clue how to set up dual Amals. Their solution is install a single Mikuni and accept the performance loss. Amals are easy to set up once learned and you keep the acceleration, the torque and the grunt the bike was designed to have which the single Mikuni won't give you.
@@robertshepherd3832 I just picked up a Cheney B50 Victor. Been sitting for 25 yrs. It has the original Amal. I'll give it a go if what you are saying is in fact true.
Checking a used bike website I counted 20 CB750 Hondas for sale 1970-1980. 8 of those Hondas were 'projects' and not running. 6 others 'need work', whatever that means. Average $ is Cdn $3700. Lowest was $800. Plenty of CB750's are available. Of course you might need to buy 2 just in case you can't get the parts you will need. There were 3 Norton Commandos for sale, average $ is Cdn $11,000. Norton Commandos, any parts you need are available globally in 1 week or less. Of course a bike is more reliable when parts are available. Funny how things have changed.
Hi there, beautiful bike. You actually turned the choke off instead of on when trying to start it. These old Amals are the reverse to Mikunis. cheers, Mike
I just bought a 72 with an engine that was blown to bits, did a complete restore on the frame, bought a combat engine off eBay after taking the head off I realized she was good enough to run. Put a new copper head gasket on her, she is all back together now, compression test shows perfect compression on both cylinders, but for the life of me she won't get spark. My uncle had one and as a kid I would sit and drul over it, I'm 27 and this is my first vintage British bike rebuild so this is new territory for me lol. But I'm currently working on my own dream of owning a vintage Norton commando
Probably should at least change the oil pump seal before running for extended periods of time. If it's still assembled with the original oil pump seal (rubber washer) then that seal is now more than 50 years old. Camshaft and lifters, main bearings, tabbed timing side thrust washer are also additional things you should familiarize yourself with. Good luck.
@@iosis99 I ordered an entire gasket set from Andover Norton and went through all the gaskets as well, I forgot to mention that to my surprise when I took the head off we noticed that she has been bored 20 over. I also added an oil filter from a later model, mine was set up to run on an electronic ignition with a boyer Branson power box to run without the battery, it looks like it's been raced, I bought it with drag bars I think I might keep on, I'm trying to hook it up with turn signals because my 72 never had that
The bike is absolutely beautiful, but you should learn how to start a Norton. You turned the choke all the way off, not on, and you shouldn’t have to ‘tickle’ the carbs more than once. Lay off the throttle also when you’re trying to start. You were just flooding it. Don’t mean to be rude, but you’re making Nortons look bad. You should really remove the video until you get it running right.
Best to use the center stand when trying to start it. The side stands have been known to break under the weight. I’ve owned my Commando since 1974. Finally got an electric start before I mess up my knee. Although some aficionados consider it to be heresy a single Mikuni carb can make life easier. These canary yellow Commandos can draw a crowd. An “S” model like this ran the fastest quarter mile in a 1970 Cycle magazine comparison test against 6 other super bikes of the day.
Beautiful bike. I had one just like it in 72. Fastest bike I ever had. It brings back fond memories.
Whoever told you 'no throttle' doesn't know Commandos. Tickle the carbs, give a little throttle, you don't need the choke unless its very cold out. If you take an Amal carb apart you would see that 'half choke' does absolutely nothing for starting the bike. Never kick with the side stand out and learn to kick it without the centre stand also if poss. With sidestand out you will wreck the frame rail and starting with the centre stand you can eventually damage the cradle. Good luck.
Glad you know how to start the 'beast'. Obviously, the owner doesn't have a real grip on how to do it. They usually start really easy. But, it is a gorgeous bike. Wish I had it!
@@randybarraclough4941 jeder fängt mal an, er wird es noch lernen.
I wish people would understand the machine before making mugs of themselves and a great machine on u tube.
When i was a kid growing 💗 Norton was my dream bike the yellow either 650 or 750.. i now have a 125 Honda cafe racer.. and thank you great video and beautiful beautiful bike i also had a Honda CB 650
This bike would be a first kick starter if you just tickle the carbs and give it some throttle. it needs air, not choke.
Exactly
Just tickle and DO NOT use the choke. Just a tiny bit of throttle.
Wow that sounds so good. Muscle there
My uncle had a yellow 69 Commando S. Brings back memories!!
The guys have given you some good advice about the choke (my 1970 Norton Commando didn't even have a choke, I never needed one). You're using the kick starter all wrong-you don't "kick"it, you move the piston to compression then lean slowly down on the kickstart. My Norton started on the first kick every time. Great bike, you're very lucky.
Awesome, beautiful!!
It's OK it doesn't subtract from the look, and I'm pretty sure i wouldn't be able to resist polishing it myself if i was so lucky to own one :-D
Somebody went nuts with the polishing! Pretty sure that stuff like the carb bowls where not polished back in '69 ;-)
Only a fool would turn the chokes to OFF and kick a Norton ON the sidestand (a guaranteed frame breaker) - lol. Where is the strap to hold the tank down at the back ? Nice bike though.
Very nice color, I had a red one.
The choke is largely useless, flooding the carbs is plenty with these old things.but you have to KICK it.
Been watching this it looks to me he's never started a Norton before beautiful bike though
All the gear with no idea?
I have had 2 of these, in 69, 2 months after my 17 birthday I purchased my first brand new Norton 750 Commando, I never had any problems like what you’re having starting, whether it was in the depth of winter snow on the ground, or in the heat of the summer, never late for work, ha ha 😂, you might find you’ve got cheap fuel in that tank, as we all know nowadays there are funny additives in them, Not sure whether I like the yellow or not, Definitely do not like the Siamese pipes, from 17 to about 25-26 , I had two Norton commandos one Norton dominator, chopped, A rally wisp, and two Bonneville, In the midnight, I became a Harley rider, And I have had four of those, I currently own a Softail deuce, And I’m in my 70s, And I think I’m retired living in France, 😂,
Starts right up yeah
I remember these well. This one has the “scrambler pipes” which I never understood. Most Commandos were black with gold lettering. Those Amal carbs were a pain in the butt. The only “stock” bike that could give my Kawasaki 500 Mach 3 a race back when these were new.
A friend had the 500 Kawasaki and he always wanted to swap me for my '72 Norton Combat. We traded once and it was a waste of 20 minutes of my life. I wasn't used to the buzzing in the handlebars, buzzing in the footpegs, revving the hell out of it to get it going because of zero low end torque and it handled like sh-t. He kept asking me but once was enough for me. I saw him decades later and asked him if he still owned it, he said no, it didn't last that long. I still own my '72 Combat . Lots of torque, no vibration and it still handles.
@@robertshepherd3832 I understand what your saying. A Commando was much more expensive bike than the $1200 I paid for a brand new Kawa Mach 3 in 1971. I don’t recall it buzzing and vibrating thou. I also rode a BSA 650 Lightening back in the early 70’s and it shook so hard thru the handlebars I couldn’t believe it. Back to my Kawa, I bought it for drag racing and it used to run 12.80 @ 102 mph and I was a bigger guy. Most racers were small wirey guys that weighed 140 lbs soaking wet. If I owned a 750 Commando I wouldn’t trade it for a Mach 3 either but I if I owned the Commando I certainly wouldn’t bet again’st the Kawa in a drag race.
@@kimmorrison9169 I paid $1285 for a new Norton N15 in 1969. A new Norton Atlas cost $950! I got my 71 Commando used, in '73 or so. I always thought my N15 handled better, but only single leading shoe brake and no Isolastic so my hands would fall asleep.
Why do we not get to see what is pouring out?
It's English, what do you think is pouring out?😂
I had a 1971 750s in college 2 into 1 ,mikuni carb ran like the devil.
Pathetic. Know your machine. I’m amazed you put this out 🤨
Choke in Germany nur im Winter, Tupfen maximal 3mal kicken ist meine 71er Bonneville an.
Niemals auf Seiten oder Hauptständer ankicken.
Sehr schönes Motorrad! 👍
We interrupt this video to say, very sadly, that the gentleman trying to start the motorcycle has died of a heart attack.
Learn how the choke works on Amal Carbs my friends. And always,ALWAYS get to know the lady before you ask her to dance!
did you ever start a bike with amal carbs before?
Superbe vraiment j’adore ,mais je voulais vous dire que la fixation des silencieux ne va pas du tout il faut absolument mettre des Silentblocs sur la fixation haute sinon au bout d’un moment par les vibrations les tubes vont casser parce que le moteur est monté souple
Pulling the choke towards you is off, and pushing it away from you is on.
For the love of God man take her up to the compression stroke b4 you try to kick it over
install electric Ignition makes starting much easier. Do some research to find which is best. I like Amels Throttle cable junction should be secured in place to frame, sync carb slides and mixture. Adjust valves don't think you need the choke
Beautiful bike. I had a '70, same color and all. Mine was cafe'd out though , with lower bars, Dunstall megaphone pipes, Girling disc brake from a '73, and other Dunstall and Barnett goodies.
Loved the bike, don't miss starting it. If it wasn't in perfect tune, it could be a bitch.
Riding a Ducati Monster 1100 EVO now.
I had an 850. It took much more of a kick to start it than what you are doing. Try jumping up in the air and kicking out your foot as you come down. Mine had 11.5 to one compression ratio and SS cams.
My A10 sat in a field for 6 months, started first kick
Sure wish I still had mine. It was yellow, too. Oil-soaked jeans option
Don’t need the choke in warm weather, just a little throttle.
eres un paquete de grandes dimensiones.
So.....was the intention of this video to, umm, SELL the bike?
Nice bike
But unfortunately in the wrong hands
Nice, but shame about the exhausts and the reluctance to start.
That's one of those weight loss-"exercise bikes"! By the time you've gotten it to start and run properly...you've burned off enough calories to make up for the pizza you ate earlier! LOL! Nice bike though!!! I had a yellow '73 w/a black 2 into 1 exhaust system (low exit on the right side). 😎
Was that your experience? Some of us own single kick Commandos.
If you knew how to adjust the timing and the carbs you would've had a Commando that started easily. Mine starts one kick but I do maintenance on mine and eat later.
Why are you holding thee brake lever
Ca se mérite un Commando !! ;)
DO NOT KICK THE ENGINE OVER WHILE LEANING ON THE KICKSTAND. My '71 had the kickstand fall off from doing that (the pin that the kickstand rotates on has a deep notch - that is where it will break off). Either kick it on the centerstand, or put both stands up and just balance the bike when you kick it (that's what I usually did). You are using the choke wrong I think. What I did was tickle the carbs (and don't be shy about that), gave it full choke if the bike was cold, cracked the throttle and then roll it on a bit through the kick. In kicking, first take up the slack, then give it a substantial kick. Usually 2 or 3 kicks to get it running.
I see lots of people saying no choke. To be honest, I can't recall because it was long ago (sold 1999 or so), but I *think* I used the choke. I wouldn't bet my life on it.
Turn a little the throttle when you’re trying to start.
Stumbling out of the bar at 2:30. Time to kick the bike a hundred times to get home ??
Looks like the front brake cable is disconnected. Hmmm
NIce bike, you have no business trying to start that Norton.
My 72 interstate has more throw on the Kickstarter lever , perhaps someone has not set the kickstart quadrant in its correct position , most Norton's when set up correctly are either first or second kick starters.
fiberglass tank side covers and (sob) SEAT PAN. RIGHT HAND SHIFT.. one up, 3 down. Dump those junk AMALS - mine DISTORTED THE BORES when WARM - idled at 3000 rpm. Substituted with single Mikuni... Bub replica mufflers. PrinceOfDarkness electrics..
Holy shit she’s a looker
Check that your ignition system is setup properly. It should start much easier than this.
you need to anderstand how choke level is on anf off
Why no throttle to start it?
Its not a big single!!
You know what they say, Only tough guys drive a norton
Is this a video of how not to kick start a machine? 😅
I removed my choke long ago dont need it
You dont understand how that choke works. You turned it OFF not on.
Dont start on the side stand and bring the kick start up and kick right through.
If it hasn't run for a few weeks pour an egg cup of oil down the pushrod tunnels. Kicking it over and over with a dry cam and followers is a perfect way to destroy the cam.
Someone save this bike from this guy.
This was hard to watch.
Mine starts first kick..
Really, is using Amal carbs worth it? I get wanting to have your bike as original as possible, but a single Mikuni would be much more user friendly and delivers a better riding experience. Save the Amals for the collectors if the bike becomes a show queen. Such a gorgeous bike. Very few bikes can rival its design. Envious!
Had a Mk11, 850 Roadster which started and ran beautifully with a single SU carb and electronic ignition...... Wish I still owned it.
@@g.g.6362I bet you do! We all have some of those regrets. I had a BSA B50 mx I wish I still had.
You Mikuni knuckleheads are clueless. Amal carbs work fantastic if set up and operated correctly.
Lots of owners are challenged and don't have a clue how to set up dual Amals. Their solution is install a single Mikuni and accept the performance loss. Amals are easy to set up once learned and you keep the acceleration, the torque and the grunt the bike was designed to have which the single Mikuni won't give you.
@@robertshepherd3832 I just picked up a Cheney B50 Victor. Been sitting for 25 yrs. It has the original Amal. I'll give it a go if what you are saying is in fact true.
Beautiful piece of art, but useless as a motorcycle !!!!!!
Just try not to stall it at a busy intersection 🎉
Primal carbs, then choke on not off, maybe float in one of the carbs is sticking
Try setting your plugs and points better
Should have had someone who knows how to start one of these things or just get a Honda. Nice bikes if you like wrenching more than riding.
Checking a used bike website I counted 20 CB750 Hondas for sale 1970-1980. 8 of those Hondas were 'projects' and not running. 6 others 'need work', whatever that means. Average $ is Cdn $3700. Lowest was $800. Plenty of CB750's are available. Of course you might need to buy 2 just in case you can't get the parts you will need. There were 3 Norton Commandos for sale, average $ is Cdn $11,000. Norton Commandos, any parts you need are available globally in 1 week or less. Of course a bike is more reliable when parts are available. Funny how things have changed.
Need a proper lunge on the lever just a kick is never going to do it lovely bike though
looks nice...........alas runs poorly
No wonder people turned to Japanese Motorcycles,
True...But NONE (except mabe an early 90's Duck 900SS) come close to the sex appeal of a proper Norton
@@joeblow5037 Je suis entièrement d'accord avec vous même si un 900 SS n'a rien de japonais !!.... ;)
I guess you have no idea how to start this bike ......