Craigslist Curiosities

[Fatfatboy]

I'm sure you're correct. Really nothing to compare it to. Just don't see them around here.

Financially it seams it usually better to buy a classic bike that's been restored by someone else. Doing it yourself cost more but you get the bonding and reward of doing it yourself and you know exactly whats been done right.

Heres a completed one for $13,500.00

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1975-Norton-COMMANDO-850-5017553043

I wonder if a complete ground-up restoration of a Norton can be completed for less than $8,000.00?
Not that I'm considering it. Just curious.

[Allred]

That $13,500 Commando doesn't show much in the way of extensive TLC, regardless of its age. And 9,000 original miles.......hmmm, sure! Those grossly blued headers would be enough to put me off, headers only get like that due to lean fuel mixture or incorrect ignition timing.

I would think that the availability of parts would be the main problem when restoring a British bike of this era, and if/when the parts were sourced I'm guessing the prices would be pretty high. While it is true that to strip down and restore such a thing has its own satisfaction it's definitely better to buy a "mint" restored bike that someone had gotten over the thrill of building and moved on to something else, if not as satisfying then certainly cheaper in the long run!

Not being much of a fan of the Norton Commando it would be far from my first choice as a period British twin.

This '69 Bonnie may make sense.....
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1969-Triumph-BONNEVILLE-T120R-5017969140

This '69 TR6 is a little pricey, but nice.........
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1969-Triumph-TR6C-5018100510

This Lightning is nice, and pretty sensibly priced too........
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1970-BSA-LIGHTNING-650-5017675219

One of my favorites is the A10 BSA, especially in Super Rocket form, this one sold for $9,000....
https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0116-228043/1963-bsa-a10-super-rocket/

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[Fatfatboy]

All good examples. I have the desire to own a Triumph at some point but for my next British bike I would like it to be a A50 Royal Star. Preferable 1967 but not a must be.
If the right deal on a Triumph comes along it may jump the line.

Right now my bike buying wallet has moths in it.

I have combined my desire for a small displacement and a BMW into one and ended up biding on a '78 R50/7 on eBay in a half hearted thought and ended up winning it. I didn't bid very much and really thought I'd get out bid but I guess most people want a larger stock Boxer. This one has been modified with a cafe tail section from some company in England. I can't remember what the company's name is.

It's been displayed in a guys billiard room for the last couple years so I guess it needed to be freed.
I decided to have Haulbikes delivery it from it's home in Virginia.
Last I heard it was on it's way to Oklahoma where it will hop in another truck and head back east to Missouri.

A couple weeks after winning this Beemer eBay sent me a notice on a pair of Heritage Springers on the block being sold as a pair only.

The 1997 Springer in white and red has been on my bucket list since it came out but they go for a pretty penny when original and thats what I wanted. Original.
I've come across them several times but just haven't been able to land one. Now I ended up with two.
One in white with red stripe and one in white with blue strip.
These have drained my bike purchases until I decide on what I want to sell to replenish the moth filled bike wallet.
It will either be the white and blue Springer or the Road Glide.
 
 

[oldironnow]

Good advice, but FFB can work magic.

I say, if the local Commando runs decently to your ear, and you can get a discount that sounds good to your wallet, go that route..

Buy it and don't restore it. Modernize it. USD front end. Box-section Al swingarm out back. Maybe from a late model ZRX. Drag bike tank...

Or just patch it up and go AHRMA racing...


or just.... wait, wait, wait... just back away.... back away....

[oldironnow]

I remember this guy.




https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/usd-forks.19077/


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[Allred]

We definitely need pics of these three bikes!!!

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[Allred]

"The tubes are from a ZX9.
The hub is from a KZ750 with Bucannon spokes and an Excel rim.
The calipers are from a Honda.
The rotors are from a GSXR
The triple clamps, caliper adapters, rotor adapters and axle are whittled out by me.
It was basically what I had laying around at the time".

Some people do like to make life complicated!!

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[Fatfatboy]

oldironnow wrote

Buy it and don't restore it. Modernize it. USD front end. Box-section Al swingarm out back. Maybe from a late model ZRX. Drag bike tank...

Oh that sounds fun but I have to wonder if the purists would let me live.

I’ve been considering putting some modern forks on the Beezer with double disc.
The brakes on it now are good for around town and back road puttin but I don’t want to really get it going on some of the twisties.

[Allred]

Fatfatboy wrote

I’ve been considering putting some modern forks on the Beezer with double disc.

You have a Beezer? Or was that a typo for a "beemer"?

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[Fatfatboy]

Allred wrote

We definitely need pics of these three bikes!!!

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All I have now is these photos from the ads.
The Springers are in Naples Florida. We are going to get them next week. Going to make a vacation out of it.
The BMW is supposed to leave Oklahoma November 7.
I’ll get some better photos later.

[Fatfatboy]

Allred wrote

You have a Beezer? Or was that a typo for a "beemer"?

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Yes, it’s the one that Hacksaw built.

[Allred]

I know absolutely nothing about Harleys, but I am impressed by those Springers!

The beemer looks to have a very hard seat.

Those BMWs are a nice ride, and handle pretty good too, be ready to experience the combined torque of that "boxer' engine and the shaft drive.

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[Allred]

Fatfatboy wrote

Allred wrote

Fatfatboy wrote

I’ve been considering putting some modern forks on the Beezer with double disc.

You have a Beezer? Or was that a typo for a "beemer"?

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Yes, it’s the one that Hacksaw built.

Oh yes, I forgot that you had that one. I remember now!


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[oldironnow]

Allred wrote

I know absolutely nothing about Harleys, but I am impressed by those Springers!

The beemer looks to have a very hard seat.

Those BMWs are a nice ride, and handle pretty good too, be ready to experience the combined torque of that "boxer' engine and the shaft drive.

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I've heard of 'shaft jacking'. The bike lifts under acceleration and squats under deceleration.

[Allred]

oldironnow wrote

Allred wrote

be ready to experience the combined torque of that "boxer' engine and the shaft drive.

I've heard of 'shaft jacking'. The bike lifts under acceleration and squats under deceleration.

Yes, with the torque of the shaft drive, and the torque of the horizontally opposed engine, they combine to give a shaft jacking effect. Now add the gyroscopic effect when you lean into a bend and on left-handers the torque effect fights the lean, and on right-handers it aids the lean, all a little strange until you get used to it.

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[Fatfatboy]

Allred wrote

I know absolutely nothing about Harleys, but I am impressed by those Springers!

The beemer looks to have a very hard seat.

Those BMWs are a nice ride, and handle pretty good too, be ready to experience the combined torque of that "boxer' engine and the shaft drive.

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Yeah, that seat looks like it will be a bit on the stiff side. Not a bother. This aint going to be a long haul bike. I just wanted a back road burner. It's really just an inexpensive way for me to experience a boxer. I've never owned one and wanted to give one a shot.
The name of the company  that makes that tail section is Down & Out. Looks like they are a cafe and bobber  specialty supplier.
If I was going to build that I probably would of went with a seat with a hump in the rear.

I've had a shaft drive on a Concourse so I'm familiar with the jacking. It will be interesting to see the difference between the jacking of a boxer and the Connie.  

[oldironnow]

The other end of the use it or store it spectrum:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mcy/d/redwood-city-ducati-996s-rare-miles-as/7401720852.html





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[Fatfatboy]

Eeewwweee that is saweet.

Would you ride it past 200 miles?

[Mad4TheCrest]

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[oldironnow]

Mad4TheCrest wrote

"Would you ride it past 200 miles?"

Not on those tires! 😳

That's what gets me about saving it. Doesn't one have to keep after the rubber and plastic bits so they don't rot?

There's a legend at work about a guy who always worked two full-time jobs, never taking time off, and he bought some kind of Ferrari. But he never drove it, and it turned to junk.

The story could be pejorative, but I did see it in the lot once with its Bart Simpson bumper sticker on it.