The TRUTH Behind the Boxed 1975 Norton

#srkcycles

[martiniv]

As a Brit 🇬🇧 and an 850 Commando Roadster (75’) owner, I salute you guys 🫡 . Thank you for rescuing it, that thing was built to be ridden, not stuck rotting in a box 👌🏻😎 and shame on all those people posting negative comments .

[hopper]

Well done. I’m English, a Norton owner and in the The Norton Owners Club. I’m very happy you bought the Commando and brought it back to life. Again, well done, thanks.

[TheBeardedBuffoon]

As a Brit (well, a Scot), I apologise on behalf of those who are badmouthing you (they're obviously British). Norton Commandos are very respected and popular in the UK, and those writing the negative comments obviously don't understand there is a completely different bike culture across the pond. I'm glad you've managed to get it running properly, they're lovely bikes that are very sought after.

[SpringVinMoto]

20+ year Norton owner here. I'm very happy you resurrected this bike. You are worthy! Great story too

[carlmarkley]

Shawn's love of motorcycles is what go me into them this last year. Motorcycling needs more Shawns in the world, people who make it fun and enjoyable. These bike things need to be enjoyed and ridden. No one seems to say the same thing with Jay Leno when he rides and drives all his classics. Thank you Shawn for putting me on 2 wheels.

[peter-eq]

I’m British, and a biker. Dad had a Norton decades ago. How lovely to see this beautiful bike doing what it’s built to do!
Cheers guys!

[stephenbaron]

Shawn, the problem you are having with the front brake is the on previous 850s and 750s the brake was on the right side and the bleeder was in the correct position to let the air out. Take the caliper off and position the bleeder to get air out. I had a 75 Mk3 and now I have a 73 MK1. Just a few other points, the clutch should be easy to put with a lubricant added, same with throttle. My clutch is feather light because of a additional steel disc added to the clutch plate stack this can be gotten from Colorado Norton Works. Replace the small gauge ground and power cable to the starter and it will work perfectly. I live in NJ and would love to ride with you. I belong to a great local Norton club, Delaware Norton Riders.

[Zappy]

My father had a Norton 850 back in 1975, he loved that thing. He was military and we got shipped to Germany in 1979. I remember watching him watch the guy who bought it from him going down the driveway on it... was a sad day indeed for the old man lol.

[dougsnova]

around the time your bike was made I had a 73 Norton. I rode it from Springfield Ohio to LA and back in the spring. Was a epic adventure and the bike was flawless .I've always regretted selling that bike. I've had hundreds of bikes since then but that will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for saving this piece of history and riding it as it was meant to be riden

[buddyrevell]

Unless the plan was to send it to a museum, that bike would have floated from place to place and continue to deteriorate. You gave it a second chance, and an even better story.

[twhitus]

I applaud you for getting it on the road, its what it was meant to do. I would how ever get quite a few high res pictures in decent lighting as its 100% original so would make a nice reference bike for someone who is restoring one.

[Tubespoet]

As the British owner, back in the day, of a Norton Commando 750 which I used well and treated it to the same care and attention of any bike Ive owned I think people forget that while Americans maybe a little different they were the ones who kept the British motorcycle industry going for as long as it did! I applaud you getting the bike on the road and using it, no machine deserves to linger on in a crate, they need action! BTW, plenty of brain deads on this side of the Atlantic who would rather argue about paint codes on a 1962 BSA Bantam than actually ride anywhere on anything!

[colblood]

Glad you unboxed the Norton it needs to be on the road. There's always a person in every forum that bloody murder. They are just Jealous you have it .👍

[ducatobeing]

Quite a lot of people built Norimps during the 60's. It isn't I.M.P. it is Imp, the motors came from a little, rear engined car built in Glasgow called a Hillman Imp. The engine was a Coventry Climax 850cc unit that had enjoyed success in motor racing, but was originally designed as the power unit for the Coventry Climax/Godiva Pumps (same firm) Light Portable Pump for the Fire Brigade. Speaking from experience, they are portable, but not very light. Imp power plants were often used in racing sidecars too.
If you think it sounds nice with the annular discharge silencers, then fit it with a set of Norton "Peashooter" exhausts, they sound fantastic, and will liberate some more power.

[grahamjohnpreston]

So glad you unboxed this bike. It was built to be ridden! My father in law sold his MK111 Norton Interstate 850 a few years ago and he miss's it so much. If you choose to keep one of your bikes forever, make sure it's this one. 😉

[alanfenick]

It’s great to see the Norton on the road! I bought my first Norton in 1963 While stationed in Asmara Eritrea! The bike was bought through the Post Exchange system and delivered to Massawa on the Red Sea. The bike was incredible and one ride from Massawa to Asmara made it perfectly clear why English bikes and especially Norton were the masters of motorcycling. The road starts at sea level and ends at 7, 600ft in less than 65 miles. Hare pin turns and animals, traffic all make for memorable riding! The bike went with me to Germany where it may still be running! Norton was the king of affordable English bikes in the early 60’s. I went from the Atlas 750 and in 1972 bought a Commando and upgraded it to a Dunstall 810cc (A true English classic Cafe’ Racer.) Thanks for bringing back great memories and history back on the road!

[rayss]

I'm 74yo and my first British twin was when I was 17 - it was a 56 Norton. I fell in love with British twins. Subsequently bought a 66 BSA Lightning then a 67' Bonneville, which I only recently sold. Love that old iron.

[tmackinator]

I daily ride my '71 commando 750 roadster. It is a right hand shift with one up, three down shift pattern. This bike has soul that modern bikes will never have. Saving all the old parts, if you add electronic ignition and primary belt drive with associated clutch kit, you will have an excellent machine. I'm glad you put it on the road. When you tire of it, give it to me for safe keeping!

[oulupulu]

As a Californian, heck yes Sonny Angel motorcycles is a MASSIVE deal. Thanks for bringing that to light, bruh

[ragtowne]

In 1974 I purchased a brand new 1974 Norton 850 Commando Roadster from (of all places) Pop Kenyon's Honda in Sunnyvale California - made a few minor modifications (single MKII Amal carb, Lucas Rita ignition, Avon GP tires, Honda tach drive fix, adjustable isolastics, etc.) - it started with 1 kick - I rode that bike all over California it was very fast for the time - finally in 1999 sold it and purchased a 1999 Triumph Speed Triple - while the Triumph was heads above a superior machine in every way, I still wish I never sold the Norton - it had character - even Harley folks liked it.