Someone tell me I am nuts

[Crusty Snippets]

Norton

Back to the original theme. There are two Nortons for sale near to me. Both 1968. One is the painted 650 with single carb. The other is 750 Atlas like the photo posted earlier in this thread.
About 6 and 7 thousand asking price. That is less than a 66 BSA lightning or most of the Triumphs and newer Nortons. There are a couple of claimed Norton
factory race bikes for way too much money. And the race heritage is dubious at best.

Meanwhile for about $750 my 83 400 Seca will be running. With performance to match the 60s British bikes. It even sounds similar. I will not be bothered with keeping the Seca looking original. Whereas the Norton, if purchased would likely stay unmolested. On the 68 I owned many years ago, we changed just about everything.

Unkle Crusty

[GNEPIG]

Legend has it that God himself rides a Norton...

[CaptonZap]

Legend has it that God himself rides a Norton...

Infidel!
True believers know it is a BSA Gold Star.

CZ

[Crusty Snippets]

Old bikes

Just wondering.
How many of you guys have ridden a BSA 500 single; a 750 Norton Commando; a Triumph Bonneville; a 650 BSA ( any 60s model ) a Featherbed framed Norton;
I tried to keep the above list to the better known and loved models.

I have ridden all of the above, plus others. The 1971 750 Sport Moto Guzzi was a nicer bike to ride than all of them.

Usually after a few beer I will explain what I think is wrong with all the British bikes listed.

Apart from the two Nortons I listed earlier,I started looking at early Guzzis up to 1985. Decided to pass on the Guzzis as they way around 550 pounds and sell for about the same amount as a new 750, which weighs 400 pounds.

Unkle Crusty

[motoman]

Just have ridden a 750 Commando, 650 Bonny and 650 Beezer. That's been a few decades ago.

[Crusty Snippets]

Good start

Just have ridden a 750 Commando, 650 Bonny and 650 Beezer. That's been a few decades ago.

That's a good start. At least you have ridden the main three, just not a Featherbed frame.
The Norton Isolastic suspension fixed the vibration problem, but the swing arm wondered all over.
The 650 Bits Stuck Anywhere and the Bonnie were decent enough bikes. Brakes were mediocre and horsepower just enough. Around 45 for both. My 400 DOHC Seca is 45. The nice thing about the 650s mentioned, was the weight of around 350 to 370 pounds. Handling was okay, and with the low HP they did not pound too much. Both of these had better primary cases than the early Nortons.
I think they also had the old style cork clutch plates.
Knowing a good alloy welder was an asset.

Unkle Crusty

[MaximPhil]

Legend has it that God himself rides a Norton...

Hi Gnepig,
I once read a report that Moses came forth on his Triumph...but it did not say who won or made the podium.
Phil

[CaptonZap]

Just wondering.
How many of you guys have ridden a BSA 500 single; a 750 Norton Commando; a Triumph Bonneville; a 650 BSA ( any 60s model ) a Featherbed framed Norton;
I tried to keep the above list to the better known and loved models.

I have ridden all of the above, plus others. The 1971 750 Sport Moto Guzzi was a nicer bike to ride than all of them.

Usually after a few beer I will explain what I think is wrong with all the British bikes listed.

Apart from the two Nortons I listed earlier,I started looking at early Guzzis up to 1985. Decided to pass on the Guzzis as they way around 550 pounds and sell for about the same amount as a new 750, which weighs 400 pounds.

Unkle Crusty

Well, I have a DBD34, and used to ride it a lot, I had a BB33, and rode it for a year or two, rode my buddy's Bonny for a few rides, A BMW R51 all over Europe, (Figured that the Guzzis were a BMW wannabe, and over weight), 250 Duke, Parrila 175, plus miscellaneous two and four stroke Jap bikes, and after a few beers, I'd put up with you telling me what's wrong with all the listed bikes.
I would guess that a lot of it revolves around Lucas, but then there are 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th harmonic vibrations, so thinking about you pontificating gives me the tingly's.
Don't hurt yourself or the bike at the races. And we got the best part of motorcycle history to play in.

CZ

[GNEPIG]

Just wondering.
How many of you guys have ridden a BSA 500 single; a 750 Norton Commando; a Triumph Bonneville; a 650 BSA ( any 60s model ) a Featherbed framed Norton;
I tried to keep the above list to the better known and loved models.

I have ridden all of the above, plus others. The 1971 750 Sport Moto Guzzi was a nicer bike to ride than all of them.

Usually after a few beer I will explain what I think is wrong with all the British bikes listed.

Apart from the two Nortons I listed earlier,I started looking at early Guzzis up to 1985. Decided to pass on the Guzzis as they way around 550 pounds and sell for about the same amount as a new 750, which weighs 400 pounds.

Unkle Crusty

I haven't ridden any BSA's yet, the only Norton I've ridden is the 750 Commando parked in my living room (awesome bike btw), the Moto Guzzi Eldorado that I repaired for a friend was actually a really nice ride, kinda reminded me of an old tractor but fun, have repaired and ridden one 750 Bonneville = cool bike but didn't speak to my soul like the Commando does.

Not in your list of cool old bikes- I have ridden a 1958 Sportster, 2 1942 WLA's a bunch of times (foot clutch/tank shift/left hand timing advance= talk about good times!) and a 1934 EL once. These are just a few of that kind= pan's, knuckle's and one custom UL of some year (80 inch flathead).

I currently have the chance to trade for a 650 BSA, but it's a chopper in lots of pieces, I kinda really want it...

[GNEPIG]

The Norton Isolastic suspension fixed the vibration problem, but the swing arm wondered all over.


Unkle Crusty

The fix for the "wonder all over" swing arm is a drag link instead of a rubber biscuit for the headsteady. And then vernier Iso's for that real race feeling...