!970 Norton Commando new to me and ride report
Posted: Fri May 07, 2021 9:34 pm
Restarted this as the thread I stuck it on has been hard to find/ not my thread.... plus, I hadn't ridden it till today!
Always fancied a commando, and I thought they had just about priced themselves out of my pocket but I found this one on Market place on Fuck face
Last time I chased up a bike on Market place, it sold before I got there so I was keen to get to see this before anyone else so yesterday I drove down to borough-bridge around 35 min away I got there just as the owner was arriving home from work. The bike was garaged and clap cold we wheeled it out and the other bikes surrounding it. He said he'd just never used it. alongside was a 1200cc harley and a BMW 1200 rt adventure thing plus a z750 ( looks like a Z1) any how it cracks up third or fouth kick just tickled the carbs and "whoom bar" doesn't like ticking over when cold but settled nicely when warm.
I didnt test ride yesterday but did the deal, collected today and was to ride it home. Fully comp 3000 miles £80 suits me.
Got there tonight kicks off no problem, it's been a long time since I've ridden a bike with a kick start ...cant say I miss them at all!!!l ( my Bultaco was better as the kick start was on the lefthand side and you used your right foot kicking behind you towards the rear of the bike. Set off home with the owners words in my head it will be fine it goes really well ringing in my ears...... Now raining a bit. it pulls really well as a restored bike the gearbox feels perfect almost like a jap bike no graunches or false neutrals spot on. Yes its a right hand gear shift one up three down but works extremely well. it doesnt weave it's not loose the steering is bang on, tyres are of the period but it was well wet so haven't really "had a go" remarkable roll on between 60-90 lots of grunt no bogging or misses of any kind!! RESULT seats comfy and remarkably vibration free once on the move. rev counters a magic wand indicators work ok and lights, brakes require a good grip but effective (drum rear) vague disc at the front, but ok. its fifty two years old !! I'm impressed. lots of grins from overtaking motorists. all i need is a bar end mirror on the right and Ill be happy.
Always fancied a commando, and I thought they had just about priced themselves out of my pocket but I found this one on Market place on Fuck face
Last time I chased up a bike on Market place, it sold before I got there so I was keen to get to see this before anyone else so yesterday I drove down to borough-bridge around 35 min away I got there just as the owner was arriving home from work. The bike was garaged and clap cold we wheeled it out and the other bikes surrounding it. He said he'd just never used it. alongside was a 1200cc harley and a BMW 1200 rt adventure thing plus a z750 ( looks like a Z1) any how it cracks up third or fouth kick just tickled the carbs and "whoom bar" doesn't like ticking over when cold but settled nicely when warm.
I didnt test ride yesterday but did the deal, collected today and was to ride it home. Fully comp 3000 miles £80 suits me.
Got there tonight kicks off no problem, it's been a long time since I've ridden a bike with a kick start ...cant say I miss them at all!!!l ( my Bultaco was better as the kick start was on the lefthand side and you used your right foot kicking behind you towards the rear of the bike. Set off home with the owners words in my head it will be fine it goes really well ringing in my ears...... Now raining a bit. it pulls really well as a restored bike the gearbox feels perfect almost like a jap bike no graunches or false neutrals spot on. Yes its a right hand gear shift one up three down but works extremely well. it doesnt weave it's not loose the steering is bang on, tyres are of the period but it was well wet so haven't really "had a go" remarkable roll on between 60-90 lots of grunt no bogging or misses of any kind!! RESULT seats comfy and remarkably vibration free once on the move. rev counters a magic wand indicators work ok and lights, brakes require a good grip but effective (drum rear) vague disc at the front, but ok. its fifty two years old !! I'm impressed. lots of grins from overtaking motorists. all i need is a bar end mirror on the right and Ill be happy.
