WEEK 6 - A MASTERCLASS IN MOTORCYCLE RESTORATION - 1968 Norton Commando

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Series 2: Is all about restoring this 'special' Norton Commando from 1968!
WEEK 6 - This week we are well into the restoration of this iconic 1968 Norton Commando, the ealiest known surviving production line Commando.
Every week a new video will be uploaded covering my week by week restoration of this iconic part of the Norton history, the original Norton Commando 750 1968, so PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL AND HIT THE NOTIFICATION 'BELL' ICON, TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN A NEW VIDEO IS PUBLISHED.
I look forward to sharing this worthwhile project with all Norton enthusiasts around the world.
Some history of this Norton Commando:
It was discovered in the USA rusting away until it was shipped to auction. Disguised as a cafe racer this Commando found its way to a local dealer but little did anyone know that this was one of the very first production Commandos in existence. The earliest recorded production Commando was 126125. This Norton Commando serial is 126188 putting it into the very earliest period of the commando. In fact I welcome anyone to produce a frame engine and gearbox Commando with an earlier serial number. I would be most intrigued to see how many still survive from that period.
From the auction in the USA it was shipped across 4 states to eventually being shipped to France where it was put up again for auction on eBay. I was very lucky to spot it whilst on holiday in Mallorca. It was a perfect project for the type of aesthetic restoration work I undertake. The dealer very kindly drove through the night and through the covid restrictions to my workshop in England.
Unlike the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 restoration in Series 1 (which you should definitely watch), we will follow the progress week by week as opposed to a master class in restoration for each part of a vintage bike restore.
Yes if you are thinking about restoring an English / British made vintage motorbike then you just lucked out! This series brings back a most beautiful classic English super bike back to new factory condition.
I do not over polish or finish any restored bikes. I also do not believe in rusting patena examples. I reverse engineer the restoration to what the designer had envisioned and no more. That is how they were..Restore with great care and do what is right for the bike!

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21 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 23

@alanstockley391 2 года назад

Looking good, can't wait to see the seat unit. 👍🇬🇧

@MyRestoration1 2 года назад

Don’t make me nervous! But I’m quite determined to make sure it fits correctly! Thanks for chipping in

@lienst 2 года назад

Hello from Germany, it is nice to follow you on your work, saving such an nice bike. I own an original 1968 Commando for about 6 years now. When I bought it, it came with the original '68 frame, which was in fine shape. I tend to use my old motorcycles as if they were new ones, at least in summer. That means driving to work, going on vacations, touring on weekends, etc. As an average I am touring between 2000km - 5000km on each of my Nortons per year all over Europe (a have a Norton 99 too). The frame on my Commando lasted 4 years, than it broke. It was not a big deal, no dramatic collapse of the headstock, no accident, or something else. Because I knew about the reputation of the '68 frames, I checked the frame tubes regularly, so one day I noticed something what first appeared as a scratch on one of the downtubes (another famous spot for cracks in these frames), but examination with a magnifier revealed a crack which was nearly all around the tube already. So I replaced the original frame with one from '69. Which I had had lying around already - the bad reputation, you know...🤨 You can use the original frame surely, if you plan to took the bike out only for short runs, the frame will probably last for many years . If you plan to sell the bike after restoration, a collector will of course admire an all original bike. But if you plan to use the bike in a proper way 🙂, go in search for a later frame. Preferably an early '69. Not to mention, using the bike with a later frame makes the rides quite more relaxed, not every pothole is a potential hazard anymore... I am looking forward for the next episodes on these chanel. Go ahead with your fine work!

@MyRestoration1 2 года назад

Thank you Lienst. Very entertaining reading. I’m impressed that you ride them so much. I am behind on the Norton now but once the VFRs are out of the workshop then the Norton will be assembled. Not far and of course I will share it with you. Thanks for chipping in. Oh keep watching. After the Norton I have 2 special bikes…

@Malarky49 2 года назад

I've built a few cafe racers and trackers but they have always been a Japanese bike. I'm planning on looking at a 68 Fastback today that looks like a good base for a resto project. Your videos are making it hard for me to say no to this Norton I'm looking at. Great work! From one wrench to another. Your videos are a great inspiration!

@MyRestoration1 2 года назад

Wow! 68? Please find out the serial number? I’m claiming mine to be the oldest surviving. I’m not bothered if I’m pipped. Just interesting to see what is out there! It’s loaded with charm. That’s the difference..

@Malarky49 2 года назад

I'm in the US so I'm curious to see this bike's history as well. I will post it after I see it today. I love my bikes with character.

@MyRestoration1 2 года назад

@@Malarky49 one thing to remember. The US had the oldest Commandos around. You might find a gem. Good luck and keep us posted Calvin 👍

@Malarky49 2 года назад

@@MyRestoration1 I went and looked at it. It is a beauty but she definitely needs work. The frame number is "127374" on the stem. I plan on picking it up over the weekend.

@MyRestoration1 2 года назад

@@Malarky49 excellent that is about 1000 ish later than mine but still a super early Commando. So old in fact they were not known as the ‘Fastback’ yet. Happy days!

@Nifilheimur 2 года назад

Best bike ive ever owned was a 2001 VFR800 FI. Still kicking myself for selling that bike...

@MyRestoration1 2 года назад

I’m excited to ride it. But it’s fighting me at the moment. Thanks for your comment Nifilheimur

@billbuckingham2571 Год назад

Would it not have been prudent to use a dyeline cracked detection method as this will show up cracks not visible to the human eye?

@MyRestoration1 Год назад

Very good point Bill. Unfortunately I can’t show the detection systems we use at CBR because they are unique to our processing fracture detection. A much more definitive process but yes in most cases the dye detection to a very good way but with the weld scarring might make it slightly trickier..I don’t have much experience with dye detection.

@ulrich.hoffmann 2 года назад

The paint job is better than the factory one !

@MyRestoration1 2 года назад

I can see I’m going to get this comment a lot! Bare in mind the factory did have perfect parts to spray. If that was the case here we would not go through all the processes required to hide defects.

@dugwthree Год назад

Ethanol is bad. i have several machines with fiberglass fuel tanks, they have pin holes, So i will just use gas with no ethanol in these machines. Ethanol dissolves many fiberglass over time

@MyRestoration1 Год назад

In this case that is not entirely correct Indy. The resin lining will do as well in fibreglass as with steel. I don’t know what gel coats do from back then but if lined, no problem. Thanks for chiming in 👍

@dugwthree Год назад

@@MyRestoration1 i agree with you . i just give my experience . Mostly to people with fuel tanks that do not leak

@dugwthree Год назад

@@MyRestoration1 i agree, with leaks a lining is needed, but better to just use gas with no ethanol if no leaks. i have 4 machines. 2 have leaks .

@TornadoCAN99 10 месяцев назад

@@MyRestoration1 So glad you have lined the tank. Yes, it is not the fibreglass that is the issue, just hte type of resin used, polyester, that is sensitive to modern fuels. Really important to try to get best possible adhesion to the original inner surface by abrasion using some kind of ceramic beads or metal nuts & screws and lots of tumbling for a few hours. Then the epoxy coating has much better chance to adhere. Epoxy is used all the time in the marine industry to repair polyester boat hulls etc. Key is to have a roughened surface.