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richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 3395
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, November 01, 2014 - 12:05 pm: | 
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I suspect that many marine engine restorers have "Other Projects" that they hope to get around to one day, I have several and thought I'd share this one ?
Its a 1975 Norton Commando Mark 3 that I have owned for 39 years, 29 yrs ago I put it in storage and three months ago I decided its been Long enough so it has been repainted, new tires, rims,spokes,shocks, pipes and pea shooter mufflers. both master cylindres, rebuild calipers, brakes & hoses, rebuild both Amal carbs,petcocks and fuel hoses,valve adj and complete tune up,new handlebars and cables etc
Runs as good as when it was new, with the updated brakes it stops better. The weather just cooled here this week and its just great to ride it once again, brings back the memories of a time 30 years ago !
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jim_parrott
Senior Member
Username: jim_parrott
Post Number: 68
Registered: 06-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, November 01, 2014 - 12:46 pm: |
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Richard,
That is a good looking motorcycle. What is the green one in the background?
Jim |
solarrog
Senior Member
Username: solarrog
Post Number: 582
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, November 01, 2014 - 01:14 pm: |
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I also would like to know? it looks English?? |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 3396
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, November 01, 2014 - 01:39 pm: |
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Its an English Matchless !
Unfortunately Not mine.
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jb_castagnos
Senior Member
Username: jb_castagnos
Post Number: 969
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 02, 2014 - 12:14 am: |
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Nice job Richard, is the "Square Four" next? |
richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 3397
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 02, 2014 - 03:05 pm: |
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The 1950 Aerial Square Four has been waiting to get restored since I bought it in 1971. I disassembled it 25 yrs ago and rebuilt the engine and then a lot of life got in the way !
The motorcycle was owned by a sheep herder in Auckland New Zealand, he would ride it up the mountain road to his shearing barn, the bike fell and bumped the carburetor cracking the intake manifold and never ran again. At the time a writer for cycle magazine was on tour there and bought it, crated it and put it on a boat to Miami,Florida. I bought it and about 25 yrs ago disassembled it and rebuilt the engine. a few months ago I did take it out of the packing boxes and took some photos but chose to get the Norton going- the ariel is quite a project.
These were the first composite or aluminum Ariel engines made 1949-1951. In their day they were considered the Rolls Royce of motorcycles and are coveted collectibles today.
This a beautiful 1950 restored Arial Mark I
Close up of a restored engine
Photos of my engine, I think I need to bring it to Louisiana and have Bob legnon help me polish it to look like the engine above ?
The New Zealand 1969=70 license plate is still on it !
Original Gas tank- sure like that chrome and painted one in the first photo !
I guess these projects keep us going and they are still a lot of fun ?
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doug11k
Senior Member
Username: doug11k
Post Number: 83
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 10:04 am: |
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Richard,
I had a black 1972 750 Commando & a blue 1974 850.
850 was a lemon, one cylinder out of round more than .020". At the time, being the 850 was new they were only making .020" oversize pistons. I got a whole new standard size jug from England under warranty.
But I digress. I have a Norton belt, probably size 32 or 34. It no longer fits me. If you think it would fit you, you're welcome to it.
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richarddurgee
Senior Member
Username: richarddurgee
Post Number: 3401
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 03, 2014 - 12:33 pm: |
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Doug
Good to hear from you, I miss your input and knowledge.
I did own a 1965 Norton Atlas way back, but not as good as the 75 Commando ! I put the 750 exhaust pipes on it they are more efficient without the cross tube and the flange nuts fit into the head much better.
What a Nice jesture to offer the Norton belt, high school days I wore 34 but those days are long gone, 40 is more like it today!
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