Just discovered your channel and have subscribed. Very much looking forward to this restoration although my past bikes were Triumph and BSA. Cheers from Sydney, Australia.
Hi Carl, my manual is usually available from most good booksellers, including such as Amazon (link to my manual in the US below) but currently it's being reprinted and won't be available again for a few weeks. I'm glad you find the videos useful and hope that you can get your hands on a copy of the manual soon. Good luck with the rebuild.👍 How to Restore Norton Commando: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Restoring a Norton Commando, Complete with Comprehensive Instructions and Hundreds of Colour Photos (Enthusiast's Restoration Manual) a.co/d/2OSw4SV
, they come apart easy and go back the same the only frustrating thing can be lining up the push rods while fitting the cylinder head. Use FAG bearings and you won't have to touch the bottom end again, regular half interval oil changes and if your engine doesn't have an oil filter fitted it might pay to fit one but I think all 850 models came with the filter system fitted.
I had a 1971 750 Commando.I paid 1400 Canadian for it .Sold it in 1973 for basically what I paid for it.Unfortunately it wasnt practical to own the bike as my only means of transportation.6 months of riding if you're lucky because of our Canadian weather.I had a lot of problems with the exhaust pipes coming loose and once one feel off on the highway.
That's true for many of us. As for the exhaust pipes coming loose, that remained a perennial problem on Commandos, only finally sorted towards the end of the production run.
Ha! Good man! Probably the best place to buy a copy from is Amazon. I'll attach link to Amazon in the US if that's any good (I don't sell them direct). However, as we speak the manual is being reprinted and until the reprint is available copies are in short supply and therefore prices are high. You might be better waiting a couple of weeks by when the new copies should be with sellers. Here's the link to Amazon US anyway: www.amazon.com/Restore-Norton-Commando-Enthusiasts-Restoration/dp/1787113949/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=chris+rooke&qid=1552148314&s=gateway&sr=8-5
What are your thoughts on the long rod conversion with the light weight pistons. If you watch videos on it by JS Motorsports it seems to be a vibration fix no brainer. but pricey.
In the end its still a british parallel-twin without balance shafts. Impossible to "fix" vibrations and make it a Honda straight six 😅 I had my rebuilt done with the JS long rod carillos and lightweight pistons two years ago. The main reason why i went for carillos was a snapped original aluminium conrod that had ruined the engine. I cant tell that the vibrations are much less than with the original conrod and piston setup, because i also have a CNW Headsteady installed that doesnt isolate the vibrations as good as the original headsteady. But it definitely improves the handling a lot. However, after 8000km with the JS-Parts i can definitely recommend them. VERY well made stuff and nice midrange performance.
not a fan of aluminum rods but thats how they do it. On the fence if I should reuse mine, maybe zyglo them first. how much are the long rod/pistons @@stefansikora5183
Looking forward to this one, love Commando's 😀😀😀😀
Just discovered your channel and have subscribed. Very much looking forward to this restoration although my past bikes were Triumph and BSA.
Cheers from Sydney, Australia.
Great to have you along! I hope you'll enjoy this rebuild. I'm really looking forward to it. 👍
Looking forward to the build, I rebuilt a 73 mk1 three years ago and have your manual. I am currently building a mk3 that has been apart for 40 years.
Excited to see this series Chris!
Thanks, Mark.
Looking forward to how this progresses. Nice one on having a book published.
4 manuals to be precise. 😁www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=chris+rooke&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss
I'm in Nova Scotia Canada, how can I get you're Norton book? These videos are great! Building a Fastback basket case
Hi Carl, my manual is usually available from most good booksellers, including such as Amazon (link to my manual in the US below) but currently it's being reprinted and won't be available again for a few weeks. I'm glad you find the videos useful and hope that you can get your hands on a copy of the manual soon. Good luck with the rebuild.👍 How to Restore Norton Commando: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Restoring a Norton Commando, Complete with Comprehensive Instructions and Hundreds of Colour Photos (Enthusiast's Restoration Manual) a.co/d/2OSw4SV
, they come apart easy and go back the same the only frustrating thing can be lining up the push rods while fitting the cylinder head. Use FAG bearings and you won't have to touch the bottom end again, regular half interval oil changes and if your engine doesn't have an oil filter fitted it might pay to fit one but I think all 850 models came with the filter system fitted.
I had a 1971 750 Commando.I paid 1400 Canadian for it .Sold it in 1973 for basically what I paid for it.Unfortunately it wasnt practical to own the bike as my only means of transportation.6 months of riding if you're lucky because of our Canadian weather.I had a lot of problems with the exhaust pipes coming loose and once one feel off on the highway.
That's true for many of us. As for the exhaust pipes coming loose, that remained a perennial problem on Commandos, only finally sorted towards the end of the production run.
Vernier adjustment from the Mk3 upgrade?
Yes, almost certainly. 👍
ok, Chris you've convinced me to buy your manual. Where's the best place to buy it, shipping to Canada? Do you sell it direct?
Ha! Good man! Probably the best place to buy a copy from is Amazon. I'll attach link to Amazon in the US if that's any good (I don't sell them direct). However, as we speak the manual is being reprinted and until the reprint is available copies are in short supply and therefore prices are high. You might be better waiting a couple of weeks by when the new copies should be with sellers. Here's the link to Amazon US anyway: www.amazon.com/Restore-Norton-Commando-Enthusiasts-Restoration/dp/1787113949/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=chris+rooke&qid=1552148314&s=gateway&sr=8-5
71975 triumph trident how to send my motor and trans to you to get rebuilt
Hi there, thanks for the message. You can contact me in the first instance by email: chris.rooke@btinternet.com Looking forward to hearing from you. 👍
What are your thoughts on the long rod conversion with the light weight pistons. If you watch videos on it by JS Motorsports it seems to be a vibration fix no brainer. but pricey.
Thanks, Peter, I haven't heard of that conversion. I'll look into it.
I want it. I cant believe this is not a common upgrade. Must be something there not saying. Thanks Chris will be staying tuned.@@Chris.rooke150
In the end its still a british parallel-twin without balance shafts.
Impossible to "fix" vibrations and make it a Honda straight six 😅
I had my rebuilt done with the JS long rod carillos and lightweight pistons two years ago.
The main reason why i went for carillos was a snapped original aluminium conrod that had ruined the engine.
I cant tell that the vibrations are much less than with the original conrod and piston setup, because i also have a CNW Headsteady installed that doesnt isolate the vibrations as good as the original headsteady.
But it definitely improves the handling a lot.
However, after 8000km with the JS-Parts i can definitely recommend them.
VERY well made stuff and nice midrange performance.
That's great, thanks for the input.
not a fan of aluminum rods but thats how they do it. On the fence if I should reuse mine, maybe zyglo them first. how much are the long rod/pistons @@stefansikora5183