Thanks a lot - loads of detail for now. I do quite fancy a good classic, but it would take something pretty good to stop me from just buying a Guzzi LM2 or a Laverda at the last minute. For a start i would have to adjust my mindset I think.adventure steele wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 10:53 am Thanks mate I see lots of people talking about the modern retro and which is best but I don't see alot who have actually used a period one 365 days a year
Yep it really needs twin disks to haul it down the t100. The feel on a drum brake is so direct in comparison.
So I thought it'd be interesting to compare a bit but obviously we are all different with different riding styles so what suits one might not suit another.
So what Norton to buy.
I'd say in that range and if you fancied a Norton a 750 69 on Commando with the frame update pre 71 they have the drum brake still which looks really period, can get everything from them from Andover Norton, Norvil and RGM. Even performance stuff from NYC Norton.
Gives you the smoothness for long distance riding an they sound terrific,
If you didn't mind some vibes you could get a good 650ss at 8k again pretty much everything is available apart from original mudguards but there's some decent repop ones available through Norton owners club steel tank to unlike the fibreglass ones on some of the Commandos.
Personally I like both for different reasons hence having the pair, I'd do plenty of reading up of what people think of them.
My 650ss is magneto the Commando electronic ignition.
The best mod you can do is a new oil pump and a set of Premier Concentrics on the Commando or new Monoblocs or prems dependant on the year of 650ss.
Handling wise the 650ss out handles the Commando but the Commando feels more modern typical Norton being far ahead of the times.
Best mod on the 650ss is the 2ls brake from the Commando
If the bike is stood for more than a month they can wet sump, if you see an oil tap in my opinion walk away, all you have to do is undo the bottom drain nut drop the oil an put it back in the tank takes all of 5 mins, regular use you never have the issue, leaving it on compression helps as well.
If you want to pop me a pm I can give you my mobile number alot more advice I can give that I've picked up over the years.
The 650ss is probably the rarer of the bikes being the sports special.
The Commandos came in a few different trim styles, fastback, roadster, interstate the 750 Commando is more sporting than the 850.
I see period AJS bikes going a bit more cheaply on the whole - is there a reason for that? BSAs always look a bit spindly to me. You want your 60s brit to be solid looking IMO, and it must sound good.
You can tell I'm a total novice in this area. I can give you the frame codes for every R6 they ever made but I know next to nothing about these