Rider RSS Norton Motorcycles Returns to U.S. with Four New Models

Some may have seen the movie of a guy given a terminal cancer diagnosis and he then decides to ride from Toronto to Tofino on Vancouver Island on a hastily purchased 1973 Norton 850 Commando. IMDB of 7.0 & 94 minutes.

Lots of great scenery in the movie, but the most amazing thing is that he actually makes it to BC on the Commando. Not to be too glib, but there's probably a greater chance of a cure for his cancer than riding a Commando 4,000 km cross country in a week.

 
ReSTored said:
Some may have seen the movie of a guy given a terminal cancer diagnosis and he then decides to ride from Toronto to Tofino on Vancouver Island on a hastily purchased 1973 Norton 850 Commando. IMDB of 7.0 & 94 minutes.

Lots of great scenery in the movie, but the most amazing thing is that he actually makes it to BC on the Commando. Not to be too glib, but there's probably a greater chance of a cure for his cancer than riding a Commando 4,000 km cross country in a week.

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Like i posted i have done several 650 mile days on one and a friend of mine has done 1,000 mile days on his several times. So 4,000 km is what 2400 miles so yes it is more than doable in a week. There at least one guy that has done an iron butt on one also.
 
tnbill said:
Like i posted i have done several 650 mile days on one and a friend of mine has done 1,000 mile days on his several times. So 4,000 km is what 2400 miles so yes it is more than doable in a week. There at least one guy that has done an iron butt on one also.
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I don't doubt that Norton bikes can put in some trouble-free miles. But for the same reason I wouldn't buy a Guzzi...but even more so because a Norton is even more a risk...I'd stick to a company's bike that hasn't gone bankrupt so many times in the past. I've been on some desolate roads where no one goes by for about half an hour...and to have a bike prone to breaking down, is more risk than I'm willing to take a chance on. Plus, if Norton goes bankrupt again...I'm the one stuck holding the bag. Not a good scenario.

Chris
 
tnbill said:
Like i posted i have done several 650 mile days on one and a friend of mine has done 1,000 mile days on his several times. So 4,000 km is what 2400 miles so yes it is more than doable in a week. There at least one guy that has done an iron butt on one also.
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You might be the exception that proves the rule............. Plus you have an ST1100, so you're obviously a cut above the average motorcyclist.

Sure, maybe some Norton bikes are more reliable that others, but in general anyone I knew who had a BSA, a Triumph or a Norton had nothing but trouble with the bike and spent a huge amount of time wrenching on them. The never went anywhere due to concerns they'd never make it there or back.

Back in the mid 70's I actually went to test ride a well used BSA 441 Victor, a single cylinder paint mixer, on sale for $400, but was smart enough (more like dumb luck probably) to not buy it. I've never regretted that decision.
 
I had a 69 BSA Rocket 3 750 triple. It was a fairly reliable steed, at least it never left me stranded. It did leak oil, up the clutch cable and I could NOT get it to stop lol. Every pair of jeans I owned had an oil stained leg. But, it was big and powerful (for its time) and sounded great. I got desperate one winter and sold it to my family doctor (who is part of our Thursday Mens lunch group, now that he's retired... and I just had lunch with him today) so that I could buy fuel oil to keep my wife and kids warm (dang adult priorities lol)
 
I think someone with the expertise, knowledge and patience could eventually get a Norton sorted well enough to be reasonably reliable. As they came out of the factory they were a total crap shoot.
 
Back in the 70's I had a 1958 Norton 600 twin, imported by my high school buddies from England. It had a set of Dunstall high dome pistons, and a fiberglass tank and seat (cafe racer style) and geared for top speed of 98 mph, lots of low end. I believe it was a magneto ignition. Great old bike, until I burned a hole in one of the pistons due to a bad exhaust valve. Couldn't get the high dome pistons any more, so put in regular ones. Had to make my own tools to remove the cylinder head. Hardware was British Whitworth.
I always wanted a 750 Commando, there was an 810 and later the 850. Any one of those would be fine by me. I can remember going to a couple of bike shows in the 2000's when there was a revival, and brand new ones in their classic black with gold logo on the tank.... were going for C$23k, a premium price at the time. I actually wish I had one. Unobtanium now it seems. There is a Norton Owner's club who have a meet in NY state every year.........
 
When i had my first norton i wasted a lot of money on dunstal parts. Most if it was of pretty poor quality. The 810 cylinder was absolute rubbish with head bolts wanting to pull out and some would break just below the third Finn. Short story. I was at daytona bike week 73 at the burger king across from the track sitting outside when a guy came over and asked me about my norton and what i thought about the dunstal parts. After i told the trouble with the cylinder and other stuff he told he was john gregory the builder and tuner of the hogslayer. He than told me me about some of the stuff used to build it.
 
wjbertrand said:
I think someone with the expertise, knowledge and patience could eventually get a Norton sorted well enough to be reasonably reliable. As they came out of the factory they were a total crap shoot.
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There was a guy named Kenny Dreer that was supposedly a wizard with Nortons.
 
My DREAM bikes of the 60's-70's were the Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor, Norton 750 Commando and the Vellocette 500 Thruxton and Venom. I had 3 basket case Vellocettes during my senior high school year but never got one running properly before I left home.
 
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