1973 Norton 850 Commando Walk Around and Ride

[@frankbernard3628]

in the 70s I owned a 750 Combat Commando and then a 74 850 (red white and blue) NOTHING in this world compares to the sound of a vintage NORTON TWIN, nor to the beauty of those up-swept "peashooter" pipes.

[@bruceparker9353]

Here here! Had a 74 (right shift) 850. White with red and blue graphics. It's known as the John Player replica paint scheme. Owned lotta bikes. Triumphs, BSA's, Sportsters, pan heads, and BMWs but that 850 Norton was my hands down favorite.

[@andyay1306]

best sound for me is BMW R63, dont bother searching on youtube nothing up here comes close in capturing that sound, also I would say a Ducati from 70s won't lose to the Norton

[@mozdickson]

what a Harley dreams it could be

[@gazzafloss]

Well, let me tell you, I've owned both from new, a '70 Commando and several Harley's from the start of the 1990's and I know which make gave the most trouble, clue is, it wasn't a Harley. I named my Commando "The Blue Cattle Dog", because it regularly came home from a run in the back of a ute, trouble from day one that the dealer couldn't or wouldn't fix. Typical British bike of that era.

[@thakery5720]

@@gazzafloss I couldn't agree more, and I am in England ! Parts just weren't available when I had my 1975 850 Interstate back in '79-'80 but with my Harleys I can get any part I want and more often BETTER parts that are cheaper from the vast aftermarket. I also find Harleys to be more 'rider friendly' than the Norton was.....

[@babycriminalchan5803]

Well gentlemen ! That's not a bike ! It's an art form 👀🙌❤️

[@carlarkless826]

Friend, this has to be the most beautiful commando on the planet. All your upgrades and modern bits, changes etc,they all enhance it. The original black n gold is nice, but this is outstanding. When you fired her up I was immediately transported to a bygone era. You’re a lucky guy.

[@alexanderwells2884]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does anybody know a method to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost the login password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me!

[@eloncalvin2359]

@Alexander Wells Instablaster :)

[@alexanderwells2884]

@Elon Calvin Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@alexanderwells2884]

@Elon Calvin It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D

[@eloncalvin2359]

@Alexander Wells No problem xD

[@donplenderleith6044]

That is very original! I have never seen one done in white on white. Stunning. It shows just how timeless the Norton Commando's design and aesthetics are. It is also amazing how each Commando owner-restorer does his/her bike differently as an expression of their own personality.

[@Jonsson474]

The first bike a got close to as a kid. My neighbour had a yellow 850 Commando. It’s been in my heart ever since. Especially remember the sound it made when it started up. The perfect bike in my eyes.

[@wlingrell]

Nice bike. As a young guy I used to dream of having one of these bikes. I loved the old British bikes. I can't believe how small they look now. They are so simple which is nice.

[@DesertMotors]

Everything has grown, including motorcycles. This is a particularly great example, though.

[@davidkeep6526]

SIMPLY stunning ! My love of Nortons started when I did a number of years of my apprenticeship with the president of the WA Australia Norton Owners Club. His original Manx's and Commandos fueled the love of British bikes. Great to see them back in the scheme of things !😎👍

[@martinburke362]

Possibly the nicest commando I've seen!!

[@charlesclark7350]

I bought a 73 Norton 850 COMMANDO upon return from Vietnam in 1973. I was going to get a Harley but a friend told me about nearby NORTON dealer and I bought one new in the crate for $1,820 (gold was about $40 to $50 an ounce). It had a serious design flaw in that the heads are aluminum and the threaded sleeves that hold exhaust on are steel threads which eventually rip threads out of head. The solution is to bore out head and weld on threaded sleeve. When the isolastic suspension was proper tuned, it worked very well, from 45mph to 115mph the rear view mirrors were crystal clear from lack of vibration. I rode it coast to coast summer of 75 and i have dreams about it needing an oil change to prep for ride. I always wake up when I kick start it. Like waking up from wet dream!

[@olddav1]

I had the Norton 850m high rider, loved it until I had the same issue with the heads blowing out the threads. I suspect that was the beginning of the end fo rNorton, to bad.

[@theodorewinter1753]

Just Beautiful!

[@splodge57]

Never had that problem. Drill a small hole in top engine fin and lockwire exhaust clamp to it. Stops it vibrating loose.

[@PhilipFly11]

I had a Norton 850 Mk II, manufactured in 1973, it had a cross-over balance pipe between the downpipes and one always used to work loose. There were 2 solutions. First, was to get a large C-spanner, about 12 inches long which I kept under the seat and would tighten it up in a couple of seconds. Secondly, I installed the downpipes from a 750 without any balance pipe. After that, I the downpipe retainers did not work loose any more. The bike also sounded better too! Finally, I installed 10.25:1 forged pistons and the Norton went like a rocket and that gave the exhaust a much crisper bark.

[@hilgo_velomobile]

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for this. I used to have one back then, but I was young and stupid and crashed it when slightly drunk.

[@DesertMotors]

Haha, bummer. This was a great build. Not sure where it is these days.

[@georgeveneziano2754]

Love Norton camando 850 sweet ass bike yours is beautiful one of the best I've seen thank you

[@DesertMotors]

Not mine, unfortunately, but I agree. Hell of a build.

[@michaelt2987]

Been my favourite bike since 72 when my best buddy bought a used one, I stupidly bought a 250 Yamaha 2 stroke brand new that was all Rev and little power. Your bike is stunning, admittedly I prefer black or deep cherry red but you have made an incredible job of it and it sounds sublime. Well done !!!

[@glenminnick3724]

I started on a 250 Yamaha 2 stroke, not a bad bike, didn't have the $ to buy a Norton until a few yrs. later! We get there eventually!

[@wolfgangwickinghoff936]

What a beauty! Well done!

[@denislemelin7653]

Yep she’s a beauty ! I’ve been on one in the early 70s and loved every second. Nice restore , paint, front wheel , seat ,chrome work , very nice !!!!

[@中山宏康-l5k]

白いコマンド、きれいですね。 ありがとうございました。

[@aussiedorsmith9293]

Nice Norton ! Love the rims. Looks like they should have always been there, given the era.

[@randallburgess46]

Absolutely beautiful!!! Wow! I rode my friends 850 and 750 combat commando years ago.

[@hubertetienne2571]

Merci Monsieur pour votre magnifique Norton 850 Commando , Mon dieu quelle merveilleuse Moto . Petit coucou de France Hubert

[@SpiritintheSky.]

A sensation. What a tribute to the restorers. (It appears to vibrate quite a bit more than my old "little" 750.)

[@thomasgibbons353]

Pride and joy. This is first class. Very kind of you to show it. Thanks.

[@harryviking6347]

As a former owner of a 72- Commando 750 fastback.......Its beautiful!! I get sentimental.....

[@simonbertioli4696]

He's a big lad in relation to a Norton.. However, the bike looks great....love them

[@allsearpw3829]

AMAZING , as below a work of art . Which would look great in any ones lounge .

[@savingclassicmotorcycles]

Interesting colourway certainly looks awesome! Can’t wait to get my commando finished

[@burtvhulberthyhbn7583]

The most beautiful motorcycle ever made.

[@billwilliamson9842]

simply awesome bike, I love the tasteful mods you have done.

[@terryboehler5752]

Beautiful!!! Early 70's in Tuustin, California, I was a young Marine stationed at MCAS El Toro. We had a loose knit band of motorcyclists. I had a new Gold Wing. I though it was a road racer. Our leader of the pack was a chopper that L/CPL Terry Dillow had crafted. It had twin BSA engines connected by primary chains. He kept the idle at 2000rpm and everything worked like a charm. If he tried to lower the idle, the two engines would try to lope out of sync, and there would go a primary chain. We had two Norton's that ride with us. They were 850 interstates , with 8&1/2 gallon fuel tanks. Gosh, those were cool . As a side note, the twinBSA made every ride, every time. We also had a red RD360. I've not seen another one since. L/CPL Dillow was killed in the crash of Convair240 #141012. It was a needless death.

[@glenminnick3724]

Oh amigo! I remember those days, blessings to you and your friend!

[@bruceparker9353]

I owned a 74 850. From the factory it was white, with red and blue stripes. It had a John Player replica paint job. Not all Norton's were black. Beautiful bike!

[@nortonkev7533]

Sweet, I have a restored 1970 commando 750 black. Maybe it’s a British thing in our dismal weather. Love the white on white look, look at the American big blue sky I’m so envious 👍👍

[@AmarjeetSingh-ms5id]

Excellent tuning of engine...runing was awesome...beautifully painted and chroming...loved the bike overall....congrats Sir

[@donaldwayne4219]

What a stunning Norton!

[@DesertMotors]

It really is a beauty. Love all of the design choices and modifications he made.

[@jeanmarc6769]

beautiful in white and chrome! Very good taste! :))

[@randalmontgomery4595]

Gorgeous! Much nicer than stock.

[@mikecrook8434]

The color change is beautiful. I'd keep it in my living room when not riding it.

[@DesertMotors]

The white and chrome with gold logos really are so nice together.

[@trevorjameson3213]

That is a show piece, beautiful!

[@glenboase8994]

What a beautiful looking Norton

[@Nubby007]

Whats the rear light and license plate bracket you used? It really helps to slim the bike down a bit. Looks much better than the original.

[@alfred-vz8ti]

arguably, the best 'classical' motorcycle. even now, it wins points for relative simplicity. quite smooth, goes fast enough.

[@DesertMotors]

For sure. Such a clean, timeless design.

[@bastiaansmit4144]

Beautiful bike and sound!

[@LOGOASSASSIN]

These always had a very distinctive sound I remember noting that at the time.

[@c.a.marsupial.1282]

White works great. Great design. I love the sound of a Norton. Best motorcycle sound ever.

[@DesertMotors]

I really does. It's elegant and allows the shape and details to really shine through.

[@davidburgis2734]

Awesome job last time I rode a 850 was in the UK round Oulton park a test day later 70s when Trident were last built great machines 👌

[@corporalclegg914]

those that have issues with these don’t know how easy they are to keep up. Britt Twins are super simple…it’s all about proper valve lash & carb jetting. I learned the processes when I was 11yrs old & would buy left-for-dead Britt bikes from newspaper ads in the ‘90s. I filled our hangar with Norton, Triumph, R-type BMWs & a few Triton cafe bikes. I never met one that I couldn’t repair & would sell 2-4 per year to pay tuition…and it was easy; I’d restore one & display it on or around campus with a For Sale sign on it. it would be gone before I wanted. then, I’d fly home & get the next one ready in a weekend. professors & towns people would pay whatever I asked, after a quick test rip. if you ever visit downtown Athens, GA & see a ‘70s era Commando, Bonneville or R50-R90, then there’s a great chance that it came from me. my signature is on every front fender. I held on to the more rare bikes & still have them in our hangar, though they’re in company with a few modern bikes these days. the Norton 850 is a fast ride for its time & for what it is. cheers

[@old_shupshe]

Gorgeous bike! White is a great color for that machine.

[@glenminnick3724]

Love Nortons, had a'75 850 commando, 66 Bonnie, 73 Tiger, 66 Matchless G80 cs ! Then i got married, Haaaa... oh well..I put a new ignition and mikuni carb set up on my baby, ran like a top!

[@alloomis1635]

just about the best you can do with a brit parallel twin, satisfying ride, easy to look at.

[@williamrose2506]

Really like the white color. Love the exhaust note. Oh, and there's no 2nd "i" in "Aluminum".

[@DesertMotors]

Yeah, the combination of white, gold and chrome/polished bits really work on this particular bike. Also, as for Aluminum vs. Aluminium, that's not quite true. Only in North America is there no second "i".

[@rover100bunson]

stunning, sensible upgrades

[@sscbkr48]

What a gorgeous bike and a great decade.. I love the look of the full fendered classics. Maybe I should swap the TU's fenders over to my 650 Interceptor.. the TU won't notice. 😄

[@GPgundude]

Absolutely Stunning!

[@alloomis1635]

the best brit twin, bar none.

[@paolopolo2207]

Semplicemente un gioiello complimenti ė fantastica

[@randyhiles3939]

That a fantastic looking norto

[@alloomis1635]

the best of brit parallel twins.

[@chrisward7085]

I had a 1971 Fastback with 2LS front brake, which wasn't great. As I wanted to race the bike, and use racing tyres, I changed the front to a Grimeca 4LS brake and a 18inch WM2 rim. The handling was much better. It lost that light front end feeling.

[@stancoleshill8925]

I have a 1970 "one kicker" After storing it for the winter I put gas in the tank, turn on the gas taps prime the carbs and kick it over once, then turn the key to on and one kick and it starts right up. After about 30 seconds running, you can walk away and it will keep running without stalling, something that most older Nortons on KZbin seem to do. I know what the problem is !

[@keithmoore5224]

Only problem i had was my mate use to break side stands and the footrest use to snap he had spares for both he was a fast rider

[@JARRETT7121]

In my opinion of course as a former Norton rider and owner put rear sets on it and a straight handlebar get rid of the disc brake and put a dual leading drum you will love riding it that way believe me

[@1924ab]

What company did that beautiful chrome work? VERY nice bike.

[@orsonkart4794]

Stunning machine!

[@notrondayt9]

Love it in white

[@johnkeen6714]

Just an effen' beautiful, beautiful looking bike

[@krystikitten9336]

What tyres did you use? I caught the size but not the make/model. ✌️❤️🏍

[@DesertMotors]

Sorry, old comment, but I just saw this. Avon Roadrider tires.

[@davidshattock9522]

My wife referred to me looking at this saying why are you looking at this bike porn..I thought mydear you have paid that bike designer a great compliment.here

[@mikeyjoechicago5818]

Stunning!

[@eddieg4320]

I love it,! With a white dress 👗, she is very nice!! A true wedding dress for her owner lover!!

[@andrewwindsor7469]

Beautiful bike a long way from wolves

[@moosey62]

Bloody hell! Great job!

[@Mustangdriver64]

Was für ein Kunstwerk.

[@rcnelson]

Beauty and the Best.

[@the_one_03]

i have only seen a 750 in my life. Wanna own a big garage of old bikes ngl

[@mikeypl1957]

Awesome, excellent work.

[@mray8519]

Perfection.

[@whitefields5595]

I know this is a 'dry weather' bike, but how does the front of the engine and frame downtube stand up to the muck thrown up past the short front mudguard? In the UK this would turn into a real mess. The short mudguard looks better, but is it at a cost to the front of the engine? Is there a plate that could be fitted to protect it?

[@nmoriss]

Nice. Did you put a valve in the fuel line to stop wet sumping ? Does anyone have any views on this. I was going to fit one but hear a lot of horror stories !

[@snake_eyes_garage]

You mean the reed valve on the oil return line. Don't get a cheap one. If you are nervous, you can also run a second line up top.

[@nmoriss]

@@snake_eyes_garage thx for reply. where would the second line be routed to?

[@snake_eyes_garage]

@@nmoriss There a couple of ways to go about this depending on year. You can put the return flow / vent (1) at the sump and (2) at the clutch. You can get the (Comstock) sump valve through James directly or NYC Norton. Or another way is to put it on the backside of the crankcase (machined, check with Colorado Norton Works) and at the top of the engine (Old Britts > services > breather vent). I've seen people also add the return nearest the camshaft. You should consider adding an oil pressure gauge or an oil pressure 'idiot light'. Too much here to write - but there are many options. Call James Comstock or any of the businesses listed for more information.

[@dogdr4275]

To prevent wetsumping, the valve goes in the OIL line, not fuel line. The reed valve is for better engine breathing, nothing to do with wet sumping. Plenty of information on the net through Google.

[@snake_eyes_garage]

@@dogdr4275 Sorry I mixed that up. Thanks for the clarification. Yes I have a reed-valve I use as a check-valve to prevent wet-sumping and yes I have a reed-valve (72 combat case) to dissipate excessive crankcase pressure.

[@MrPnew1]

Beautiful job Congrats

[@karthik-manickavelu]

Omg, what a beauty!

[@andrewmorton395]

I had a 1973 850cc Norton commode

[@davidtaylor6793]

Pure Class..

[@jeffg.679]

Superb

[@jimclements3190]

Beautiful 😎

[@zizoomo]

it's beautiful

[@Stoneitful]

no electric start ?

[@TornadoCAN99]

Dual Mikunis or is that the more common single 34mm Mikuni?

[@swooshdave]

That looked like dual Mikunis as he said they were 28mm.

[@TranslateToEnglish]

Is it street legal without turn signals.

[@brucesherborne408]

Really nice bike but your exhaust cones are moving around a bit

[@garycody1929]

Love the white

[@richardarnold3812]

for an 850 cc bike, how small and neat.

[@kjm-ch7jc]

Black and gold would be a nice colour, white doesn't seem right .

[@secretspyfrog593]

you should send this to me please😄

[@DesertMotors]

This comment is 5 months old, so you should have received it by now, right? :P

[@stoned66neves]

Linda demais...

[@rosstisbury1626]

magic

[@ryancarpenter9289]

beautiful bike. also, are you like 6'8". i have never seen a man look so big on a bike

[@rajb5595]

As best as a norton could get

[@pierluigisimonetti3850]

Wooow bianca è stupenda.

[@sakellaridesandre5629]

Does anybody know what the front brake system is? The bike looks gorgeous..

[@DesertMotors]

If I remember correctly, it may be off of a Yamaha or something... Should be able to figure out for certain, just need to check on something.

[@sakellaridesandre5629]

@Moe Lester oh, thank you. I am going to seriously think about it

[@olevaiti4302]

That's jewellery.

[@kenkayiii]

Looking at the pipes, it appears that there is excessive movement in the isolastics or the swingarm bushes are worn.... shouldn't wiggle around... might even be the head stay... I should know, I've ridden a Norton since 1971. Pretty Looks may be deceiving....

[@jonpage4029]

Pretty in white

[@michaelslack4937]

I am so in love.