Sold a BSA 650 Chopper similar to your Norton, had to sell my project when diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in Jan this year figuring would never ride again or be healthy enough to put her back on the road. Now after 9- 3 day long Chemo Sessions and Surgery in July I am now 100% Cancer Free and Wishing I was Craig finishing that Norton to Ride her down here in Florida. But maybe one day soon before riding years End. What a Great and Inspiring video for me as finishing up my recovery from the Whipple procedure that helped save my life
Don’t know where you are in florida but my local Harley dealer rents bikes daily and weekly..I know it’s not exactly what you want but could be an option. There’s a dealer in west palm area off 45th street and 95. Good luck. The weather is perfect here. Oh yeah and F-Cancer!!
The front end is actually called a GIRDER, a springer front end is two piece and the wheel is mounted on rockers that are connected to the two pieces of the springer one is stationary and the other section section is attached to the springer mechanism as the front wheel moves up and down the springer section absorbs the shock (they don’t work very well). What you have is a girder and the single spring is supposed to absorb the shock of bumps in the road. In the chopper community a rigid frame with a girder front end is like riding a pogo stick on wheels and your kidneys are going to hate you.
serious question: that kidney bit you said; is that actually a thing? can you feel your kidneys or some pain in that general area when riding one of these too much?
Properly set up girder forks are probably the best front suspension system for a motorbike. Just look at the Britten 1000. However, raked and stretched girders...
@@shockcoach Yup, many a traditional chopper didn't have front brakes. And hey who can blame them? Choppers is all about chopping stuff off and making the bike lighter, and brakes will only slow you down.... 🙂
@williambrannan1565 started building about 20 years ago, the Sportster was my Dad's build he did in the 70s. Spent my time in the backroom of the house with him being the flashlight holder.
62-year-old here, very standard chopper stuff from the 70s, 16 inch stepped rim in the rear with an arco 300, 21 inch front with spool brake, front brake is considered a holding brake, single manifold on either a Norton commando head or an atlas 650single carb, only thing missing is a Bates tail light. With that electronic ignition make sure PO changed out the 12 V coils to two 6v coils or it’ll foul plugs regularly, common mistake back in the day as the electronic ignition kits didn’t come with the 6 V coils.
I was born in the early 50’s. Built a Triumph Chopper in the late 60’s. Loved the Norton but could never afford one. What you got looks good and sounds good. Great find. Alan
If you ever come over to the UK and go to an old British motorcycles show,you'll see a kitty litter tray under every engine. All British ,and I mean all, bikes leaked oil!
I’m 71 had a few choppers in my life even had a not chopped Norton Commando a 1971 model. Everything you have on your table is right in line with the 1960’s to 1970’s chopper culture. Tank seat frame even the POGO stick on the front end, as I said I’m another post it is a girder front end. The front brake is a normal style chopper hub you could buy those hubs and lace whatever wheel you wanted on it.
Our high school buddy had an ajs chopper similar to this in 73/4 that he rode to high school sometimes. None of us wanted to ride it. I can remember that it broke down virtually every day and leaked from everywhere. It was coated in oil. He was always working on it in the parking lot and kicking it over till the cows came home. When it would finally start, there would be a great cloud of smoke. No helmet laws back then. I still remember seeing him cruising down the highway on it - straight back to his house to work on it.
Back in the 70's when I was in my early 20's I picked up a near new Norton 850 Commando. Fast bike for back in the day, lots of torque and replace several chains. Great bike, now a high dollar collectable....Good video!
in Vancouver in 1971 I bought a Norton Chopper based on the old Atlas frame, it had a 6 inch over front end, baby apes, struts in the back a flame colored P11 style tank and side pipes, it was gorgeous, every thing a 20 year old hooligan would want, had some fantastic adventures with that bike but the first thing I did was put a pair of cheap triumph shocks on it because short rigid frames ride awful, then I had read how a lot of the six inch over front ends were done with struts instead of whole tubes and when I checked it out they came, so my chopper quickly turned into a custom bike that handled, it had a magneto that I cleaned up and it worked flawlessly, a previous owner had taken the twin Amal carbs off of it and replaced it with a Mikuni carb which I quickly became a fan of, first kick every time, that frame didn't have rubber mounts and it vibrated something fierce but who cares if you've got a cool bike, still ride have three bikes in my garage right now but no Norton's
I grew up working on (and riding on the back of) my dad’s ‘75 850 Commando. Seconding what others have said, the rubber engine mounts are called ‘isolastic’. They’re adjustable for stiffness, and replacement parts are available. There should be a top headsteady. My dad used one derived from a racing design (“Norvil”) which worked well but was complex to set up. The electronic ignition is probably from Boyer. There’s a separate module somewhere to drive it. Also, that cover is unique to that ignition system (it’s deeper than the stock one). Don’t lose it or mess it up, as it will probably be impossible to replace.
As for July 1969, that's Easy Rider, and that chopper didn't even have a front brake. And in 1971 there were a few pictures of Ann Margaret riding a chopper in an American flag themed outfit, and that chopper also had no front brake.
It's possible to build a chopper that is quite rideable, can take corners gently, and absorbs bumps. Brakes can be added, and things like levers and controls can be put where a normal proportions human can operate them. Or...you can build this. Looks like they took a stock frame and hard-tailed it. Front end has been raked some, and braced. Stretched girders will be awful. Front wheel could be off anything, but that tiny drum brake is probably original to the wheel. Probably started life on a small dirt bike. The big metal plates the footrests are on are stock Commando. Coffin tanks were around in the 70s and 80's, sold mail order along with that oil tank and seat. Usually considered 'universal' parts, as they fitted nothing in particular, and you would make your own brackets. It's a classic example of a bike someone would throw together in the shed back then from a cheap old Brit bike that was considered just about worthless at the time. The guy bolted on what he could buy, and what he could make fit. Spent all his cash on the forks and frame.....and probably a lot of drugs/alcohol to help his design choices.....
I had a 1973 850 Commando. If you have any questions about the bike, let me know. Please be advised, there is Whitworth on the bike, and metric, and standard.
If you start the motor when it has wet sumped the crank case overpressure can cause damage. Drain the motor and refill the oil tank is what I was told. It looked and sounded amazing, thanks for sharing. 😀
As the previous chap said that is a girder fork with a 750 Gommando motor in what looks like a chopped Commando frame ( hardtail welded on) complete with isolastic mounts. The coffin style tank is seventies though normally more squared off, tail light is eighties.
I seen a gentleman that's revamping commandos. One of his tricks is to do a valve to turn off the oil tank return while it sits to keep to keep the crankcase from filling up. He also makes the valve kill the ignition, in case you forgot to turn it on.
The concentrics are great carbs! My Norton came with monoblocs. Still, very simple to tune. But both carbs run off of a single float bowl on the left side.
They need to be because their afterthought slow running circuit with non-removable jet needs working on a lot in my experience. I had one on my Enfield bullet, persevered with it for about a year until I got totally fed up with its sticking floats, erratic idle and clunky changeover into midrange. Fitted a TM32 which I'll admit is a little bit harder to work on, but importantly, doesn't need to be worked on once it's dialled in.
All the best to you from Wales UK-my ride is a 1977 Triumph Bonnie with Norton Commando pipes--leaks like a Harley-unreliable as a Harley but i love it. Have a Very Merry Christmas to yourself an family. Thank you for fantastic videos.---btw if you see Mr Trump or Mr Musk can you send them over here for a bit and sort our shower of sh.t we got going on! Thanks again.
@@bananabrooks3836 Yeah i know but they were free-mine were rusted through. They look good tbh an sound great, its a T140 750 so its a bit of miss match anyway. Ride safe ride free.
My dad built one similar to that bike out of a 73 Harley engine in a rigid frame from a 54 that had similar features to this one. Coffin tank, suicide shifter, Springer front, giant sissy bar. They were super common in the late 70s early 80s in Texas built by some dudes in Dallas.
Canadian here, back in the late 60’s the local bad boy (London Ontario) had a beautiful almost showroom Norton chopper, called The Rebel…painted on the small gas tank. This was one of a kind bike, at the time, beautiful paint job and lots of chrome…I always wondered what happen that bike!
My daily rider is a 1972 Norton Commando "Combat." My 3rd Norton. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions. Looks like the only thing orig/stock on that bike is the motor.
Back in the 60's my best friend had a 750 Norton Scrambler. It was a hoot to ride. All choppers were deathtraps in the late 60's. Small front brakes so you had to rely on downshifting and the rear drump. Your bike will handle better with riser bars. More leverage.
This is very similar to my old Chopper from the '70's I owned here in the UK, same forks and frame, but mine had a GS750 engine (bored out to 850), and yes, was a real death trap! 😂
Little bit of a history buff and motorcycle enthusiast here and I believe you have yourself of of Paughco's PopCycle coffin tanks. which my belief brought me to their website and it looks like I could be right, below is the description of the tank on the website, its actually one I want when I build my chopper. The PopCycle tank originated from a chopper build that Ron Paugh built for his father in the early 70s. Gary Little John & Ron Paugh designed the tank and then named the Chopper project the PopCycle. This tank is an iconic piece within the Paughco collection.
The suspension is called "isolastic". Its basically big rubber bushings that isolate the engine from the frame. Above 3000 rpm its smoother than a BMW. You can probably get bushings from Hitchcock's.
Hitchcock? 70$ chopper? BMW? NONE OF THOSE ARE ANYTHING OR ANYONE I WANT OUT OF " BORN TO BE WILD!!!!" DEATHTRAP CHOPPERS WERE LIKE CHEESE, Made of old parts cobbled together , while on EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS, MAKING CHOICES THAT DAD USED TO THINK WAS BEYOND HIM AND IF MOM LOVED HIM , AND SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHERE HE WAS AT ALL TIMES, SHE WILL RIDE ON BACK.. PLUS.....the average family car was on blocks or being MODIFIED in the front yard by dad and a collection of friends ( Jack , Jose, that guy off the reservations, and bud who was wiser than most of the men around the neighborhood!!!!
You make this work so easy I recently got an old 85 ytm200er and I cleaned the carburetor it was already very clean but still went over quickly and Ur the one who made me feel like I could do it u made everything simple :)
It is a gerter springer front end. P&P Disributors and sold by Jammer Cycles. Came with no brakes (like yours), single and dual disc setup. Also came with a single shock and dual spring options.
Makes me wonder if the carb was purposefully NOT assembled fully so the bike would not run.... there for NOT ridden.... cause it was dangerous. Glad it was you who bought it and can tame its steer to make it a safer bike.
I love that 1970s quintessential casket gas tank that sits flush to that 1970s his and hers seat. If anyone is catching a bird to the face, it's the old lady. As God intended. She's a real beaut
The carburetor is a Mikuni. They have an idle circuit in the carb that's completely separate from the other jetting (needle jet, needle, main jet). There is also a choke built into the idle system. There's often a problem with a Mikuni on a Commando. People tune the idle rich so that it starts easily (and it's really a bad idea if you're trying to avoid the choke) -- and if it's that rich, it will be way too rich and it will soot up the plugs in only a few miles. The best way is to tune the carb so that it starts easily at 50 degrees with the throttle closed and choke on. Then at 82 degrees, it will start well without the choke and it will have the proper mixture for starting and riding. The Mikuni has JIS screws and they need a JIS screwdriver but -- if a Commando has a stock Amal*, there will be no JIS screws on a Commando. The British used "Pozi-drive" screws instead of Phillps screws, the Pozi-drive screw can be identified by four radial lines embossed on the screw head. The Pozi-drive screw system is way better than Phillips, it allows for more torque, it is much more resistant to stripping, and it prevents "cam out" when you're trying to use it. Every Commando owner should have a set of Pozi-drive screwdrivers; it's possible "to use" a Phillips screwdriver on them but you're very likely to strip the head or chip the driver tip. Just don't. (BTW,, same thing on the idle/start tuning with the Amal. The idle system is a bit cruder on the Amal but the principle is the same. If it starts at 50 degrees without the choke, it will be far too rich at idle when the engine is warmed up. Use the Amal chokes, and tune it so that it starts throttle closed with the chokes at 50 degrees. Then tune the other circuits from there. )
You can sure see why Norton included a motor mount between the head and the top of the frame. I wouldn’t ride that wobbler without adding one. The whole engine is loose when you kicked it over. Death trap.
It’s a 70-71 commando it’s got the qd ( quick detach) rear wheel , 3 lug nuts in the hub holes. It’s obviously a modified commando frame so motor, box till have the isolastic mounts. Don’t see many Norton choppers as they are usually quite cherished and great bikes.
Cool bike! I have a similar bike, a '66 Triump 650 chopper with springer and hardtail. No front brake, chrome oil tank, polished engine cases, chrome metal seat, a real ball buster! And a '73 Norton 750 Commando combat engine. Finally got the front disc brake working, lots of fun, very fast. It does wet sump tho, there is a fix for that.
Wheels and tires are heavily modified. The stock '69 - 70 Commandos had 19" rims front and rear. The front tire was a 3.60x19 ribbed tire, great handling precision but not a lot of grip. The rear hub is stock Norton (you can tell by the three rubber plugs in the hub, they cover the three stud bolts that fix the wheel/tire assembly to the hub - for '71, the design was changed to rubber insert shock absorbing type with a plain, flat plate on the hub). The rear tire was originally a 4.00" x 19 "Universal" treaded type. This bike has a 16" Harley-style rim laced to the hub.
I bought my first Harley chopper, when I was 19 years old in 1976 and it had a 21" front wheel with a spool hub, traded a 650 Triumph chopper and $500 for it. And there were coffin tanks back then but for some reason I only remember seeing them on the English bikes. Octagonal oil tanks were around then too. And as mentioned, that's a girder front end.
Needs a head steady at least. The stock swingarm arrangement pivots in a cradle (that moves in conjuction with the engine) it too contains an isolastic mount. Hard tailed Commandos should be solid mounted with the engine balance factor changed to suit. This example will probably throw its chain off as the engine bounces around while the hardtail holds the wheel rigid. The exhaust silencers were also rubber mounted at the rear as standard.
Its missing a head steady .Most likely the reason for the bad handling. Best go for the 850 head mounting and the later 850 isoelastic engine mount. Need any help drop me a line owned Norton Commando for over 40 years.
The front frame is norton; the builder has reused the isolastic cradle, swinging arm area, a lot of the top tube area although i think they've attacked the steering head area. The rigid rear end is attached to the main frame behind the front commando seat tube. They're re-used the Norton rear hub. At a glance, the ignition looking like a pirahna / newtronics kit (but it's hard to see). The mikuni carb conversion is a well known mod; it makes them nicer to ride and solves balancing and wear issues. The rest looks like the usual basket of chopper horrors. if you rode the 850 that you unboxed, you'll know they're a MUCH nicer ride!
That is probably the coolest bike you have ever worked on! I own a 73 Triumph Bonnie 750 and im so jealous of you right now. ❤ The right hand shift is not that hard to get used to, but the up is down shift would terrify me!
I'd guess this was around 1971- 73 but I rode a 1964 Sportster 1000 (I think) on an Aman hard tail frame with a 20" over springer front end. (Not Girder) I remember being told to be careful & that they didn't turn very well and that 'laying it down' was a thing. I had no trouble (Being a rookie) and I came to LOVE the feel of that bike for the 20 minutes I was on it! (I'd guess this was around 1971- 74 I might've been 20-21 years old) I currently ride a 1992 Sportster 883 at the age of 71
Your bike has extra safety features. My chopper from that time period had no front brake and k mart fog light for headlights . J C Whitney was my main supplier!
Looks like fun to me. Being 61 years old, a Norton chopper with girder forks no front brake that is actually useful and ergonomics that makes no sense what so ever, I like it 😀 👍 That should have been the build off bike 😂😅😊
oil in the sump pan -- compression will blow out oil seal's they are a dry sump and the oil is pumped by a brass scavenge pump same as the T110 engine ...
I got to ride one of those bikes in '81 at Ft Myer, VA. Orange and yellow metal flake tear drop tank. Right shifter was a bit confusing. I went around the parking lot and gladly gave it back to the owner,
Hello there Norton crude and rude cruising dude Awesome it reminds me of my youth my neighbors were all out bikers when I was a kid every make and model of bikes it was fun I had an Arctic Cat Chopper mini bike that I built it was fun had some great bikes too have a great day I'll keep watching I can't ride bikes anymore but I really enjoy your Channel my friend Large Marge she's been in the women in the wind for 48 years she's got cool bikes she don't ride anymore cuz she's old but she's got cool bikes and cars too have a great day
More than likely a 14" or 15" front wheel origanly. The smaller wheel made the stretch appear longer back then. And yes, it is a girder front end. Stupid coooool, LOVE IT
The frame, because it has an isolastic front mounting ( and I assume one at the rear behind the g/box ) would more than likely be the stock Commando frame very heavily modified. The isolastic rubbers have to be set with a clearance of 10 thousands of an inch. It's a pain in the backside job but possibly with the rear hardtail, slightly less than the std bike. The springs and bracket to mount the cylinder head to the frame appear to be missing.
I was into choppers before they were cool again. Both Denver and Arlen Ness built the Digger style of choppers. The Norton you have looks to model that. I think you're right about the tank. It looks to be late 70s, early 80s. More than likely came from the Drag Specialties catalog. Maybe the frame too.
When the fuel tank is mounted on top of the frame it was called, Hollywood style. Nice find and glad it fits on the lift. You'll have to watch a movie called. C.C. and Company.
Where I'm from in Northern California everybody ran 21 inch spool wheels no front brake in the 70s, they had coffin tanks in the 70s chopped my triumph Bonneville in 1976 using a Harmon frame and a coffin tank
the commandos were almost always better unchopped. yours doesn't look too bad. i've always liked girders. the first bike i put on the road (1940 scout) had them. worked fine. the word 'chopper' was used long before people started cutting into the frame to increase rake. it signified that heavy non-essentials were kicked to the curb. nice bike! my buddy and i started building choopers in boston, 1967. more important that 'easy rider' 1969 was 'wild angels' in '67.
You got me with initial photo...thought that was a sportster tank...the front end is known as a Girder front end, not a Springer...a Girder pivots at the triple trees, where a Springer pivots at the front wheel.
thats because your too young to remember those days. Choppers were quite visible then and in the 70’s. Bearded wrench was correct that it exploded when Sleazy Rider came out in ‘69
@kimmorrison9169 your right, my memories of late 60s and early 70s are sketchy. I sure remember the new Dracula movies that were a fad in late 1960s, that could account for the coffin gas tank, but seemed like they had tear drop gas tanks, but the coffin and tear drop are approximately same shape, only one curved and other with rigid straight lines.
First to ride an old trident after I rewired it and experienced a lot of the same learning to shift and brake. Throttle cable broke at gas station, then I also had to ride with one hand while operating the throttle bar that ties the three carbs together with the other. Love these old bikes but Lucas can be a
I used to have an almost exactly designed Triumph old Harley extended springer with Z bars and sportster peanut tank. The 650 was bored out with a cam and broke a big biker’s ankle when he tried to start it lol. Had to have the knack, it was fast. Problems with the rake, when you went over 100mph the front end would start floating off the ground and you were riding a monocycle 😂
Sold a BSA 650 Chopper similar to your Norton, had to sell my project when diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in Jan this year figuring would never ride again or be healthy enough to put her back on the road. Now after 9- 3 day long Chemo Sessions and Surgery in July I am now 100% Cancer Free and Wishing I was Craig finishing that Norton to Ride her down here in Florida. But maybe one day soon before riding years End. What a Great and Inspiring video for me as finishing up my recovery from the Whipple procedure that helped save my life
Good to hear you’re clear of the cancer mate
Good luck, stay well.
Hi
Don't wait too long! Best wishes!
Don’t know where you are in florida but my local Harley dealer rents bikes daily and weekly..I know it’s not exactly what you want but could be an option. There’s a dealer in west palm area off 45th street and 95. Good luck. The weather is perfect here. Oh yeah and F-Cancer!!
The front end is actually called a GIRDER, a springer front end is two piece and the wheel is mounted on rockers that are connected to the two pieces of the springer one is stationary and the other section section is attached to the springer mechanism as the front wheel moves up and down the springer section absorbs the shock (they don’t work very well).
What you have is a girder and the single spring is supposed to absorb the shock of bumps in the road. In the chopper community a rigid frame with a girder front end is like riding a pogo stick on wheels and your kidneys are going to hate you.
If ya don't have a hard tail, you ain't 💩 If ya DO have a hardtail, you CAN'T 💩!
And telling bikers you have a springer will get you in fights.
serious question: that kidney bit you said; is that actually a thing? can you feel your kidneys or some pain in that general area when riding one of these too much?
Kidney pain will often feel the same as extreme lower back pain.
Properly set up girder forks are probably the best front suspension system for a motorbike. Just look at the Britten 1000. However, raked and stretched girders...
British engines: "If there's no oil under 'em, there's no oil in 'em!"
If it's still dripping we can drive , we just need to count the drips per mile
I'm 14 and these guys are a huge inspiration for my love of wrenching and motorcycles, I love what they do
Awesome kid!
"This thing is an absolute death trap" Okay, I'm in. I'll watch the whole video.
AGREED!!!!!
@@ericprovenzano4919 WIMP!
Norton, chopper, dangerous.... PERFECT!! With it all black, all I can think of is Black Sabbath. :)
Deathtrap!? British Chopper! Open road! That's how we lived my guy!
And we (probably) wouldn’t chop a Norton in the first place.
WOW that front brake looks entirely adequate to stop a small child's push bike.
He’s fortunate it even has a front brake.😅
@@shockcoach Yup, many a traditional chopper didn't have front brakes. And hey who can blame them? Choppers is all about chopping stuff off and making the bike lighter, and brakes will only slow you down.... 🙂
Front brakes were usually only put on for stopping on hills.
Well these bikes were built by MEN and not meant for boys that get scared easy. You had to know your bike, your environment and be able to handle it.
Only REAL MEN die on their motorcycles
Front end is a P&P girder, I have two of them a 14" over on a 71 Sportster chopper, the other a 12" over on a CB750K chopper
a big cigar to the winner. you are correct my man. we are dating ourselves a little aren't we. lol. but if I'm not wrong they are from j&p cycles
@williambrannan1565 started building about 20 years ago, the Sportster was my Dad's build he did in the 70s. Spent my time in the backroom of the house with him being the flashlight holder.
Still better than a OCC😂
Not fair! They're death traps too!
62-year-old here, very standard chopper stuff from the 70s, 16 inch stepped rim in the rear with an arco 300, 21 inch front with spool brake, front brake is considered a holding brake, single manifold on either a Norton commando head or an atlas 650single carb, only thing missing is a Bates tail light. With that electronic ignition make sure PO changed out the 12 V coils to two 6v coils or it’ll foul plugs regularly, common mistake back in the day as the electronic ignition kits didn’t come with the 6 V coils.
No, no, you young whipper snapper..... I's an Avon on the back..... 🤣
I was born in the early 50’s. Built a Triumph Chopper in the late 60’s. Loved the Norton but could never afford one. What you got looks good and sounds good. Great find. Alan
Would love to have a Norton again I had the 850 commando awesome bikes. Thanks for the entertainment. God bless and ride safe.
I have a 1970 Triumph 650 and it's great! So glad it's not a chopper! Have fun !
If you ever come over to the UK and go to an old British motorcycles show,you'll see a kitty litter tray under every engine. All British ,and I mean all, bikes leaked oil!
I’m 71 had a few choppers in my life even had a not chopped Norton Commando a 1971 model.
Everything you have on your table is right in line with the 1960’s to 1970’s chopper culture. Tank seat frame even the POGO stick on the front end, as I said I’m another post it is a girder front end. The front brake is a normal style chopper hub you could buy those hubs and lace whatever wheel you wanted on it.
Some guys used dirt bike tires from what I hear. To get a bigger rim. Did you ever see that?
Our high school buddy had an ajs chopper similar to this in 73/4 that he rode to high school sometimes. None of us wanted to ride it. I can remember that it broke down virtually every day and leaked from everywhere. It was coated in oil. He was always working on it in the parking lot and kicking it over till the cows came home. When it would finally start, there would be a great cloud of smoke. No helmet laws back then. I still remember seeing him cruising down the highway on it - straight back to his house to work on it.
Back in the 70's when I was in my early 20's I picked up a near new Norton 850 Commando. Fast bike for back in the day, lots of torque and replace several chains. Great bike, now a high dollar collectable....Good video!
I love it. My best friend had a hardtail Triumph chopper when we were kids
in Vancouver in 1971 I bought a Norton Chopper based on the old Atlas frame, it had a 6 inch over front end, baby apes, struts in the back a flame colored P11 style tank and side pipes, it was gorgeous, every thing a 20 year old hooligan would want, had some fantastic adventures with that bike but the first thing I did was put a pair of cheap triumph shocks on it because short rigid frames ride awful, then I had read how a lot of the six inch over front ends were done with struts instead of whole tubes and when I checked it out they came, so my chopper quickly turned into a custom bike that handled, it had a magneto that I cleaned up and it worked flawlessly, a previous owner had taken the twin Amal carbs off of it and replaced it with a Mikuni carb which I quickly became a fan of, first kick every time, that frame didn't have rubber mounts and it vibrated something fierce but who cares if you've got a cool bike, still ride have three bikes in my garage right now but no Norton's
I grew up working on (and riding on the back of) my dad’s ‘75 850 Commando.
Seconding what others have said, the rubber engine mounts are called ‘isolastic’. They’re adjustable for stiffness, and replacement parts are available.
There should be a top headsteady. My dad used one derived from a racing design (“Norvil”) which worked well but was complex to set up.
The electronic ignition is probably from Boyer. There’s a separate module somewhere to drive it. Also, that cover is unique to that ignition system (it’s deeper than the stock one). Don’t lose it or mess it up, as it will probably be impossible to replace.
As for July 1969, that's Easy Rider, and that chopper didn't even have a front brake. And in 1971 there were a few pictures of Ann Margaret riding a chopper in an American flag themed outfit, and that chopper also had no front brake.
Nothing better than a Bearded Mechanic new video while working on my bikes!
Easy Rider, baby ... still the best motorcycle movie soundtrack of all time!
yes sir.
It's possible to build a chopper that is quite rideable, can take corners gently, and absorbs bumps. Brakes can be added, and things like levers and controls can be put where a normal proportions human can operate them. Or...you can build this.
Looks like they took a stock frame and hard-tailed it. Front end has been raked some, and braced. Stretched girders will be awful. Front wheel could be off anything, but that tiny drum brake is probably original to the wheel. Probably started life on a small dirt bike. The big metal plates the footrests are on are stock Commando. Coffin tanks were around in the 70s and 80's, sold mail order along with that oil tank and seat. Usually considered 'universal' parts, as they fitted nothing in particular, and you would make your own brackets.
It's a classic example of a bike someone would throw together in the shed back then from a cheap old Brit bike that was considered just about worthless at the time. The guy bolted on what he could buy, and what he could make fit. Spent all his cash on the forks and frame.....and probably a lot of drugs/alcohol to help his design choices.....
You’re being too kind!
I had a 1973 850 Commando. If you have any questions about the bike, let me know. Please be advised, there is Whitworth on the bike, and metric, and standard.
No, metric on the non stock Mikuni is all.
If you start the motor when it has wet sumped the crank case overpressure can cause damage. Drain the motor and refill the oil tank is what I was told.
It looked and sounded amazing, thanks for sharing. 😀
I love the vintage stuff! Thanks for sharing
If Craig and Dan were selling hugs and hi-fives I would be a bankrupt. Those guys are brilliant 😄
if only we could sell hi-fives online...
same
👏
🤚 Free high fives all day baby!@@The_Bearded_Mechanic
As the previous chap said that is a girder fork with a 750 Gommando motor in what looks like a chopped Commando frame ( hardtail welded on) complete with isolastic mounts. The coffin style tank is seventies though normally more squared off, tail light is eighties.
I seen a gentleman that's revamping commandos. One of his tricks is to do a valve to turn off the oil tank return while it sits to keep to keep the crankcase from filling up. He also makes the valve kill the ignition, in case you forgot to turn it on.
Nortons are designed to have two carbs - Amal. Easy carbs to work on.
The concentrics are great carbs! My Norton came with monoblocs. Still, very simple to tune. But both carbs run off of a single float bowl on the left side.
They need to be because their afterthought slow running circuit with non-removable jet needs working on a lot in my experience. I had one on my Enfield bullet, persevered with it for about a year until I got totally fed up with its sticking floats, erratic idle and clunky changeover into midrange. Fitted a TM32 which I'll admit is a little bit harder to work on, but importantly, doesn't need to be worked on once it's dialled in.
All the best to you from Wales UK-my ride is a 1977 Triumph Bonnie with Norton Commando pipes--leaks like a Harley-unreliable as a Harley but i love it. Have a Very Merry Christmas to yourself an family. Thank you for fantastic videos.---btw if you see Mr Trump or Mr Musk can you send them over here for a bit and sort our shower of sh.t we got going on! Thanks again.
Seconded, absolute shite show here. Send them over ASAP
Norton silencers should only be fitted to Nortons.
@@bananabrooks3836 Yeah i know but they were free-mine were rusted through. They look good tbh an sound great, its a T140 750 so its a bit of miss match anyway. Ride safe ride free.
My dad built one similar to that bike out of a 73 Harley engine in a rigid frame from a 54 that had similar features to this one. Coffin tank, suicide shifter, Springer front, giant sissy bar. They were super common in the late 70s early 80s in Texas built by some dudes in Dallas.
Canadian here, back in the late 60’s the local bad boy (London Ontario) had a beautiful almost showroom Norton chopper, called The Rebel…painted on the small gas tank. This was one of a kind bike, at the time, beautiful paint job and lots of chrome…I always wondered what happen that bike!
Really enjoyed this video, this is my favorite era of choppers so it’s good to see one get revived, keep up the good work !
out of all the videos I've watch of yours, this has been my favorite, its all about the death trap ride, don't even need the speed.
Chopped a 69 BSA A65 Lightening back in the mid 70s. Looked almost just like that bike! Loved that machine!
My daily rider is a 1972 Norton Commando "Combat." My 3rd Norton. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions. Looks like the only thing orig/stock on that bike is the motor.
Back in the 60's my best friend had a 750 Norton Scrambler. It was a hoot to ride. All choppers were deathtraps in the late 60's. Small front brakes so you had to rely on downshifting and the rear drump. Your bike will handle better with riser bars. More leverage.
This is very similar to my old Chopper from the '70's I owned here in the UK, same forks and frame, but mine had a GS750 engine (bored out to 850), and yes, was a real death trap! 😂
Thanks Cool Old Norton Chopper Hopefully You Keep It And Enjoy It Blessings and Please Be Safe 🙏✌️
Dude! I cut my teeth on the 750 Norton Commando chop in the late 70's. I was the coolest guy on the block ... In my head anyway ....lol.
Takes me back to 1984. With my BSA 650 chop. Straight through pipes, no muffler.
Little bit of a history buff and motorcycle enthusiast here and I believe you have yourself of of Paughco's PopCycle coffin tanks. which my belief brought me to their website and it looks like I could be right, below is the description of the tank on the website, its actually one I want when I build my chopper.
The PopCycle tank originated from a chopper build that Ron Paugh built for his father in the early 70s. Gary Little John & Ron Paugh designed the tank and then named the Chopper project the PopCycle. This tank is an iconic piece within the Paughco collection.
I love the simplicity of a 70's bike; you can see everything. makes it easy to fix while out riding.
Awesome. What a great video for chopper guys like me, what a sweet ride! I'd love to see you do more bikes like this.
The suspension is called "isolastic". Its basically big rubber bushings that isolate the engine from the frame. Above 3000 rpm its smoother than a BMW. You can probably get bushings from Hitchcock's.
Hitchcock? 70$ chopper? BMW? NONE OF THOSE ARE ANYTHING OR ANYONE I WANT OUT OF " BORN TO BE WILD!!!!" DEATHTRAP CHOPPERS WERE LIKE CHEESE, Made of old parts cobbled together , while on EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS, MAKING CHOICES THAT DAD USED TO THINK WAS BEYOND HIM AND IF MOM LOVED HIM , AND SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHERE HE WAS AT ALL TIMES, SHE WILL RIDE ON BACK.. PLUS.....the average family car was on blocks or being MODIFIED in the front yard by dad and a collection of friends ( Jack , Jose, that guy off the reservations, and bud who was wiser than most of the men around the neighborhood!!!!
You make this work so easy I recently got an old 85 ytm200er and I cleaned the carburetor it was already very clean but still went over quickly and
Ur the one who made me feel like I could do it u made everything simple :)
It is a gerter springer front end. P&P Disributors and sold by Jammer Cycles. Came with no brakes (like yours), single and dual disc setup. Also came with a single shock and dual spring options.
Makes me wonder if the carb was purposefully NOT assembled fully so the bike would not run.... there for NOT ridden.... cause it was dangerous. Glad it was you who bought it and can tame its steer to make it a safer bike.
I was only 12 when Easy Rider came out but it was very influential in my life.
That is one badass bike, sounds sweet
I love that 1970s quintessential casket gas tank that sits flush to that 1970s his and hers seat. If anyone is catching a bird to the face, it's the old lady. As God intended. She's a real beaut
The carburetor is a Mikuni. They have an idle circuit in the carb that's completely separate from the other jetting (needle jet, needle, main jet). There is also a choke built into the idle system. There's often a problem with a Mikuni on a Commando. People tune the idle rich so that it starts easily (and it's really a bad idea if you're trying to avoid the choke) -- and if it's that rich, it will be way too rich and it will soot up the plugs in only a few miles.
The best way is to tune the carb so that it starts easily at 50 degrees with the throttle closed and choke on. Then at 82 degrees, it will start well without the choke and it will have the proper mixture for starting and riding.
The Mikuni has JIS screws and they need a JIS screwdriver but -- if a Commando has a stock Amal*, there will be no JIS screws on a Commando. The British used "Pozi-drive" screws instead of Phillps screws, the Pozi-drive screw can be identified by four radial lines embossed on the screw head. The Pozi-drive screw system is way better than Phillips, it allows for more torque, it is much more resistant to stripping, and it prevents "cam out" when you're trying to use it. Every Commando owner should have a set of Pozi-drive screwdrivers; it's possible "to use" a Phillips screwdriver on them but you're very likely to strip the head or chip the driver tip. Just don't.
(BTW,, same thing on the idle/start tuning with the Amal. The idle system is a bit cruder on the Amal but the principle is the same. If it starts at 50 degrees without the choke, it will be far too rich at idle when the engine is warmed up. Use the Amal chokes, and tune it so that it starts throttle closed with the chokes at 50 degrees. Then tune the other circuits from there. )
I had a 1960 BSA A10, R/H shift with a reverse shift pattern (1 up, 3 down), that took some getting used to.
You got me. Next stop? Shop for a Norton.
You can sure see why Norton included a motor mount between the head and the top of the frame. I wouldn’t ride that wobbler without adding one. The whole engine is loose when you kicked it over. Death trap.
It’s a 70-71 commando it’s got the qd ( quick detach) rear wheel , 3 lug nuts in the hub holes. It’s obviously a modified commando frame so motor, box till have the isolastic mounts. Don’t see many Norton choppers as they are usually quite cherished and great bikes.
Cool bike! I have a similar bike, a '66 Triump 650 chopper with springer and hardtail. No front brake, chrome oil tank, polished engine cases, chrome metal seat, a real ball buster! And a '73 Norton 750 Commando combat engine. Finally got the front disc brake working, lots of fun, very fast. It does wet sump tho, there is a fix for that.
Wheels and tires are heavily modified. The stock '69 - 70 Commandos had 19" rims front and rear. The front tire was a 3.60x19 ribbed tire, great handling precision but not a lot of grip. The rear hub is stock Norton (you can tell by the three rubber plugs in the hub, they cover the three stud bolts that fix the wheel/tire assembly to the hub - for '71, the design was changed to rubber insert shock absorbing type with a plain, flat plate on the hub). The rear tire was originally a 4.00" x 19 "Universal" treaded type. This bike has a 16" Harley-style rim laced to the hub.
I bought my first Harley chopper, when I was 19 years old in 1976 and it had a 21" front wheel with a spool hub, traded a 650 Triumph chopper and $500 for it. And there were coffin tanks back then but for some reason I only remember seeing them on the English bikes. Octagonal oil tanks were around then too. And as mentioned, that's a girder front end.
Needs a head steady at least.
The stock swingarm arrangement pivots in a cradle (that moves in conjuction with the engine) it too contains an isolastic mount.
Hard tailed Commandos should be solid mounted with the engine balance factor changed to suit.
This example will probably throw its chain off as the engine bounces around while the hardtail holds the wheel rigid.
The exhaust silencers were also rubber mounted at the rear as standard.
Its missing a head steady .Most likely the reason for the bad handling. Best go for the 850 head mounting and the later 850 isoelastic engine mount. Need any help drop me a line owned Norton Commando for over 40 years.
The front frame is norton; the builder has reused the isolastic cradle, swinging arm area, a lot of the top tube area although i think they've attacked the steering head area. The rigid rear end is attached to the main frame behind the front commando seat tube. They're re-used the Norton rear hub. At a glance, the ignition looking like a pirahna / newtronics kit (but it's hard to see). The mikuni carb conversion is a well known mod; it makes them nicer to ride and solves balancing and wear issues. The rest looks like the usual basket of chopper horrors. if you rode the 850 that you unboxed, you'll know they're a MUCH nicer ride!
24:18 the inspirational AI voice RUclips short music always brings me to beers 💦
That bike is Born to be Wild!
What a crime done to a Norton bike.....
Absolutely!
That is probably the coolest bike you have ever worked on! I own a 73 Triumph Bonnie 750 and im so jealous of you right now. ❤ The right hand shift is not that hard to get used to, but the up is down shift would terrify me!
Outrageously fantastic! Hey from Wales, UK!
Awesome video Craig and Dan! Lots of fun and great energy!🌞 Would love a Bearded Mechanic "High 5" t-shirt!!?! 🏍
I always wanted a Norton 850 Commando but never wanted a long raked front end. You got you a nice one there.
Looks like motor mount is broken or loose 😂shakes a little lot😮
I'd guess this was around 1971- 73 but I rode a 1964 Sportster 1000 (I think) on an Aman hard tail frame with a 20" over springer front end. (Not Girder) I remember being told to be careful & that they didn't turn very well and that 'laying it down' was a thing. I had no trouble (Being a rookie) and I came to LOVE the feel of that bike for the 20 minutes I was on it! (I'd guess this was around 1971- 74 I might've been 20-21 years old) I currently ride a 1992 Sportster 883 at the age of 71
I had an 850 Commander for several years. I bought it from a guy who got his leg broken while kick starting it!
Commando not Commander, that name was used for a later rotary engined Norton.
@@bananabrooks3836 Thanks-you are right. I got up this morning at 2am, and am not on my A game!
Your bike has extra safety features. My chopper from that time period had no front brake and k mart fog light for headlights . J C Whitney was my main supplier!
Looks like fun to me.
Being 61 years old, a Norton chopper with girder forks no front brake that is actually useful and ergonomics that makes no sense what so ever, I like it 😀 👍
That should have been the build off bike 😂😅😊
Nah, it's too close to useable for anything that OCC will be near 😁
oil in the sump pan -- compression will blow out oil seal's they are a dry sump and the oil is pumped by a brass scavenge pump same as the T110 engine ...
I got to ride one of those bikes in '81 at Ft Myer, VA. Orange and yellow metal flake tear drop tank. Right shifter was a bit confusing. I went around the parking lot and gladly gave it back to the owner,
Hello there Norton crude and rude cruising dude Awesome it reminds me of my youth my neighbors were all out bikers when I was a kid every make and model of bikes it was fun I had an Arctic Cat Chopper mini bike that I built it was fun had some great bikes too have a great day I'll keep watching I can't ride bikes anymore but I really enjoy your Channel my friend Large Marge she's been in the women in the wind for 48 years she's got cool bikes she don't ride anymore cuz she's old but she's got cool bikes and cars too have a great day
It's a Norton Antivirus 😂
That’s a girder front end and coffin tank ! That was probably a complete kit you could buy to make it like that !
Love every episode you put out! Here's for some go-juice!
Now that's the best think i seen on the channel and nothing against what's been on the channel but I love choppers.
More than likely a 14" or 15" front wheel origanly. The smaller wheel made the stretch appear longer back then. And yes, it is a girder front end. Stupid coooool, LOVE IT
No, 19" front wheel as standard.
I had a 850 commando the frame looks like a stock Norton frame with a weld on hardtail along with the front frame tubes being cut and stretched.
Always a joy to watch your content!
Brits are my favorite..Shout out to V&H Cycle on Ramona Blvd..Vic & Dino were the best .& Don Hutchins is still the GOAT!
The frame, because it has an isolastic front mounting ( and I assume one at the rear behind the g/box ) would more than likely be the stock Commando frame very heavily modified. The isolastic rubbers have to be set with a clearance of 10 thousands of an inch. It's a pain in the backside job but possibly with the rear hardtail, slightly less than the std bike. The springs and bracket to mount the cylinder head to the frame appear to be missing.
I was into choppers before they were cool again. Both Denver and Arlen Ness built the Digger style of choppers. The Norton you have looks to model that. I think you're right about the tank. It looks to be late 70s, early 80s. More than likely came from the Drag Specialties catalog. Maybe the frame too.
When the fuel tank is mounted on top of the frame it was called, Hollywood style.
Nice find and glad it fits on the lift.
You'll have to watch a movie called. C.C. and Company.
Where I'm from in Northern California everybody ran 21 inch spool wheels no front brake in the 70s, they had coffin tanks in the 70s chopped my triumph Bonneville in 1976 using a Harmon frame and a coffin tank
Wow, that bike looks really good on you. Now we're talking! Beautiful survivor chopper. :)
the commandos were almost always better unchopped. yours doesn't look too bad. i've always liked girders. the first bike i put on the road (1940 scout) had them. worked fine. the word 'chopper' was used long before people started cutting into the frame to increase rake. it signified that heavy non-essentials were kicked to the curb. nice bike! my buddy and i started building choopers in boston, 1967. more important that 'easy rider' 1969 was 'wild angels' in '67.
You got me with initial photo...thought that was a sportster tank...the front end is known as a Girder front end, not a Springer...a Girder pivots at the triple trees, where a Springer pivots at the front wheel.
the rubber mounted engine is called ISOLASTIC. The original 69-70 750 had two AMAL carbs.. this looks like a Mikuni single carb swap.
I never got used to right hand shifting. The burnout was a nice touch.
I was very young in late 1960s, but don't remember any choppers seen on roads moving, they were always parked on kickstand, leaning far over.
thats because your too young to remember those days. Choppers were quite visible then and in the 70’s. Bearded wrench was correct that it exploded when Sleazy Rider came out in ‘69
@kimmorrison9169 your right, my memories of late 60s and early 70s are sketchy. I sure remember the new Dracula movies that were a fad in late 1960s, that could account for the coffin gas tank, but seemed like they had tear drop gas tanks, but the coffin and tear drop are approximately same shape, only one curved and other with rigid straight lines.
Coolest bike you've had on your show!!!
First to ride an old trident after I rewired it and experienced a lot of the same learning to shift and brake.
Throttle cable broke at gas station, then I also had to ride with one hand while operating the throttle bar that ties the three carbs together with the other.
Love these old bikes but Lucas can be a
I used to have an almost exactly designed Triumph old Harley extended springer with Z bars and sportster peanut tank. The 650 was bored out with a cam and broke a big biker’s ankle when he tried to start it lol. Had to have the knack, it was fast. Problems with the rake, when you went over 100mph the front end would start floating off the ground and you were riding a monocycle 😂