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Buying a Commando

Submitted by shaun_medlin on Tue, 17/08/2021
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Commando

Hello to all - I have just joined this club and have always dreamed of owning a Commando!

I am going to view a 1970 750S tomorrow. It’s been imported and has its US Title , duties have been paid and has a NOVA form.

Sadly not matching numbers and has a 72 engine fitted I am told.

I believe that it’s possible to get a letter of authentication from the club for the registration process?

any advice would be gratefully accepted! 

Submitted by webmaster on Wed, 18/08/2021

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Hi Shaun - welcome to the club - you're in the right place.

Yes you can buy this service from the club - much cheaper now you are a member.

Look at Records in the blue top menu from the home page.

https://www.nortonownersclub.org/node/11630

Best regards - Paul.

Submitted by shaun_medlin on Wed, 18/08/2021

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Hi Paul thanks for your welcome! and thanks for directing me to the right area.

 

Off to look at the Commando now so perhaps i will be a proud owner later!

 

Needs lots of TLC ....

Submitted by shaun_medlin on Wed, 18/08/2021

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Went to see the Commando but was a lot worse than it looked in the photos so have decided not to go for it. I will keep an eye out in the classifieds on this site...

Submitted by julian_wells on Wed, 18/08/2021

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Welcome to the Club! You'll find this forum a good source of sensible advice.

My two penn'orth: if you are a beginner with Commandos I would be very wary of any re-import from the US, especially if not a runner.

It would be safer (and cheaper in the long run) to buy a UK-registered bike that can be seen and heard running. Henshaw's "Essential Buyer's Guide" will be a useful companion in this (an even more useful companion would be an experienced Club member).

Norman White's new book is an essential purchase; the factory Workshop Manual and the Rider's Handbook can be found on the internet, as can the factory service notes to dealers.

The Haynes manual is useful for the pictures, but don't take the text for gospel.

Hi Julian and thank you for your wise words. It’s very tempting to go for on of those seemingly bargain priced “free shipping to the Uk” eBay commandos but I’m just not one for risk taking so as you say would be better off buying a bike from a Uk owner who knows at least a bit of its history. I would ideally like to buy a commando that’s looking a bit tired and needs some tlc rather than a complete wreck! 
 
I am sure there is one out there somewhere and I will just have to bide my time…

Thanks again for your advice and kind regards,

Shaun

I did buy from the free shipping. Not one but 2. The one, now i have it has a interstate hinge seat on it. Doesn't even fit the bike. A oil weep behind the barrels is a great crack. They are tarted to look good in pictures. never mind, i didn't buy them to sell on but to keep. Once they are done, at least they will be done right.

 

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Submitted by alan_osborn on Thu, 19/08/2021

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When buying a Commando (or any bike) a lot of the issues can be seen ie worn out rear chain/sprockets. But that is easy to fix. Other noise issues often need an experienced 'ear' to ascertain. But one expensive area of trouble is worn camshaft. You cannot hear it! Checking is easy but you have to remove the tank and the rocker covers, then turn the kick start over, watch the amount of valve lift, should be equal. If one valve doesn't lift very far-worn cam! Might run ok but top end performance 'all gone'.

Submitted by shaun_medlin on Mon, 06/09/2021

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Ok update on the Commando purchasing quest - i have just won an ebay auction for a single owner 1972 750 Commando. Not sure if its an S model but has the upswept pipes. It may also have a Combat engine - will check for the C stamp on the head

Not been ridden for years but I'm told it runs

Going to see it tomorrow and if all ok will pay for it and bring it home!

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Submitted by shaun_medlin on Mon, 06/09/2021

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Hi John yes they are so tempting because of the price and a mate of mine has bought Commando parts off them so they are bona fide. Good luck with your two and I would say if I get this one it will definitely be a keeper even if it has a tricky Combat motor Speedo says 2700 miles but that can’t be genuine Was last MOT’d in 2008

Submitted by shaun_medlin on Wed, 08/09/2021

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Ok folks to finish this thread off I just want to let you know that I have bought the 72 750 commando and although it will need a fair bit of tidying up and investigation over the years I am very happy with it apart from discovering what looks like a liquid metal bodge on the head just forward of the offside carb inlet and around the head bolt ...

Submitted by shaun_medlin on Tue, 28/09/2021

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I know that I said that I would finish this thread off but a few weeks have gone by and more updates now!

I wrote a letter to the original owner having got his name and address from the reg. document and he was kind enough to call me. He confirmed that he bought the commando in 1973 from Comerfords in Thames Ditton and that he has owned it all this time. the bike has done thousands of miles with him and his wife all over Europe back in the day. He said that he had the rear sets made up and fitted the "s"type exhausts because the originals kept grounding out!!

The original Crank Cases broke so he replaced them from an engine that was originally fitted to a grass track outfit hence the non matching numbers.

The bike has not been ridden since 2008 when it was last MOT'd. I fitted a battery and believe it or not the engine fired up after 2 kicks - ran rough and sounds like the main bearings have gone so its a strip down and engine re build.

Luckily I have a very experienced Norton specialist not far from me who is going to check the engine over an carry out all the mods that it needs to improve the engine (A Combat) and he's also going to overhaul the gearbox too. At least I will have the peace of mind that the heart of the bike will be good for years to come - now to attend to everything else.....

As long as you got a good deal on the purchase all the broken bits can be replaced or repaired. The real fun in these old bikes is doing a lot of the work yourself. Of course there will be  bits that need specialist attention. Satisfaction comes to those who get their hands dirty make mistakes and learn as you go.

Hi Shaun. Did you ask the owner regarding the liquid metal bodge?

I hate being left in suspenders, it makes my wife suspicious.

Rgds.

Paul.

Submitted by robert_tuck on Sun, 28/11/2021

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Looks like an attempt to stem an oil leak  from a crack  , porous  casting. or stud hole break through.  There is always slight staining  there on both sides on our late Atlas  but no visible oil  leak, If I compare the casting quality between a 60   99     and  our 67 Atlas   there is a world of difference.

Submitted by alan_elstob on Sun, 28/11/2021

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Hi Shaun,

The other thing to not overlook is the isolastics. You cannot expect good handling from a machine that relies on 50 year old rubber.

If you are going to be having the gearbox/engine out, then would be a good time to replace the isolastics and incorporate the later vernier upgrade. You are not talking mega cost.

Rgds

Alan

 

 



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