1974 Norton Commando 850 - Part 7 - First Ride!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

That was a pleasure to watch. And we didn’t need to see you. We could hear your huge silly smile very clearly.

[@TheMightyGarage]

😉😉 So true! Thanks a lot. That was a really fun first ride. I can't wait to ride it much further 😉 best wishes

[@themoog3889]

It's funny how watching someone ride bike makes you want to ride , leapt out of bed whipped open the curtains to be met by heavy rain ! So coffee & a fry up while watching this is a close second !

[@Beeza56]

Hah! Me too, but it snowed again,lol!

[@spotsterjon74cu]

You’ve got to be pleased with this little beauty👍🏻🇬🇧

[@raypusey8037]

Well done Mike ! Too use your words if I may = Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah, Oh Yes , Wow, Wow, Wow, it look’s great 🤩😎 Ray 🇬🇧

[@bartmotorcycle]

Wow she's beautiful! Didn't think I'd like an orange commando but that's an amazing color. Reminds me of the orange early CB750s

[@gpo6581]

I remember looking at the nortons in London, metalflake paint jobs. The orange and purple were amazing. Maybe I'll get my Mk3 repainted.

[@alanbstard4]

progressing well

[@SpringVinMoto]

Wow wow wow! That orange is so great! This has got to be the nicest original Norton on the road.

[@Beeza56]

We’ll done Mike, a wonderful job. And that comment from Loscar? Well he’s one of the best, so I think you’ve now officially joined the ranks of the greats! All the best from a snowy Putnam Valley NY.

[@TornadoCAN99]

Sweet! I like your method of staying within easy pushing distance of home base! I just had a ton of work done my '74 850 and got about 3 blocks from home when a nasty rattle began from the primary casing. Got it turned around but then it got really loud so had to shut down and push home....all uphill! Turned out to be the workshop had omitted the wavy/serrated lock washer under the rotor fastening nut...so rotor went on walk-about, machining itself into the timing scale. Shop is covering for new parts and compensating for my time (I will be doing this myself).

[@tomeoftheancient2225]

That is a very handsome bike.

[@paulosergiomelchertmarques9886]

Good mornig Mike! Wonderful job!!!! Thank you for the ride!!!! Cheers!!!

[@pinslayer4579]

Bike looks GREAT nice work. Thanks for the short ride temps in the teens (F) with snow in Oh. today. Moto therapy helped

[@sf940477]

Sounds great Mike bet your thinking bring on the spring 👍

[@hillarylevenworth8824]

You smiled more when you started the Vincent! Looks great, enjoy!

[@jimbyrne9071]

Way to go Mike. Shes a runner!

[@MothershipVideos]

That's going to be enjoyable out on the highway and country roads.

[@redleadervfr-v4906]

The bike looks “mint” Mike you sure are in for a lot of plesiosaurs from this beauty. Enjoy

[@samueljeppsen9785]

I ride two Harleys (an 03 and a 2012) and a Yamaha stratoliner (06) and have to say, I love your channel. Love-love-love Commandos, always have.

[@andyrussell2873]

Lovely looking original bike Mike you have made a great job of putting it back on the road

[@nautn]

The bike islooking good, Mike. I am jealous.

[@henryhawk978]

Nice very nice, look forward to seeing you take it out on the open road!

[@johnb5519]

It runs nice. Don't do what I did with mine though. One time when I was driving through a neighborhood like that, I thought I'd look cool driving past some kids playing road hockey with no hands. I was only going slow, and when the bike went over a manhole cover, it did a tank slapper, and down I went right in front of them. Learned a lesson on being a show off.

[@billysolhurok5542]

A pair of 'premiers' and tri-spark transformed my twin as well! Can't go wrong folks Worth every penny. The idle stabilization feature allowed me to drop the idle to 600-700 rpm Just won't stall. Like the hot rod Lincoln. Maybe it could be lowered even more so. ? Idle now set at 900rpm.

[@ronnronn55]

You want to maintain enough revs at idle to keep a good feed of oil to the top end.

[@TornadoCAN99]

@@ronnronn55 THIS plus the little dribbling to the cam from above are the scary thing with low idle speeds. Hear the local Norton guys always blipping throttles at stop lights for this very reason.

[@billysolhurok5542]

@@ronnronn55 Agreed sir,absolutely. The fact that this ignition,would even allow for a 600 rpm idle,speaks volumes. I'm 61,been riding since '76,when my brother and I went half and half on a Bultaco Pursang 250. I have only owned "vintage" Brit Twins,for the street. In my experience,Tri-Spark is one step beyond Boyer,and the rest. I have no financial interest in Tri-Spark. Cheers!

[@alanstockley391]

Just lovely Mike enjoy 👍🇬🇧

[@patrickmathews1646]

Goodness, it sounds brand new!

[@daveb1268]

Just lovely Mike - I recognise all those emotions - Roll on spring !🌞

[@davidefland1985]

Beautiful bike. Norton such a good bike and isolastic ride

[@dgordon130]

I have to say I hate when these videos end. :-) The sound, the look, just everything. So well done and thank you.

[@gerrypowell2748]

Sounds great,don’t get blinded with that paintwork😎

[@BobfmBali]

Nothing beats the sound of a Norton Commando, to own one would be a dream come true 🙏

[@TheLeylander]

Absolutely gorgeous , commando,s are very special , takes me back to my younger days . Thank you for sharing.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Andrew! I'm glad you liked the video. Best wishes, Mike

[@LoscarMotorcycles]

Hello Mike. Congratulations for the good job. It is a completely new original motorcycle. I enjoy your videos. Thanks ✌

[@stephenwilliams926]

What's it like riding on the wrong side of the road lol. Nice vid.

[@TheMightyGarage]

😉 Hehe, thanks Stephen. It's second nature now but there were some interesting moments when we first moved here 😉😉. I think I would have a very hard time adjusting back to the driving in the UK now!

[@daveelsbury7103]

I don't own a Norton but wish I did. This is exactly how I feel every spring on my first ride of my 1988 Honda after a long winter. I enjoy your videos as I look at the cold snow with a cup of coffee.

[@edwinthompson159]

Just a beautiful machine. That Norton side rofile is so fine! The engine sounds great. The paint came out brilliant. Wonderful motorcycle.

[@mv4ago]

Hi Mike, I have to say that I'm a Triumph man at heart but that bike is utterly gorgeous! I remember a friend of mine buying a new Commando 750 Roadster in purple metalflake back around 1972 when I was 14 years old. I always thought that bike was the nicest thing I ever saw (along with the 1972 Trident in Regal Purple). Your bike takes me straight back to those days, thanks for sharing it with us, I'm very envious! Andy.

[@manfredmatzdorf4728]

Hey,Mike,very well done,, and great sound….. as you said before :” oh yes,”… greetings Manfred

[@nigelcox7477]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more joyful commentary on a rider’s 1st experience with a new bike! The joy in your voice as you repeatedly said ‘oh yes’ was wonderful. That is a really beautiful bike and a great video. Enjoy!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, thank you so much Nigel. I'm really enjoying the sparkly bike. The color/colour is certainly growing on me. It still needs a little work here and there but it is an excellent bike. Best wishes, Mike

[@garycb8592]

As always thanks for posting. Getting close to perfection.

[@t.s.racing]

OUTSTANDING MIKE ! You truly deserve all the accolades in the comments. If after a few miles, clutch engagement still isn't 100 percent, I would be happy to offer a few tips that I know will help. T.S. RACING

[@swooshdave]

I thought the clutch was great. Might just need tweaked a little to change the engagement point but otherwise it’s light and doesn’t slip. Every bike is a little different so you have to adjust to the bike.

[@iivaridark6850]

A very nice bike indeed! Congratulations!

[@nickohare7187]

Love the joy and the boyish enthusiasm! What fun enjoy her as you get the tune up perfect. Ride safe N

[@havok531]

Looks good, sounds good, another winner.

[@alansummons776]

Top job Mike that looks and sound great

[@bruceferguson6637]

I feel your excitement! A real beauty that bike is. Congratulations!

[@RWayne-nu2fi]

That bike is just stunning. I'm looking forward to its next ride. Stay safe.

[@scottstuber5857]

I have the same bars on my 850. Super comfortable riding position. Great work Mike. That bike has found its rightful home!

[@bluesplayer59]

I love that machine 😍

[@esr243]

What a beauty

[@charliebrown4624]

That looks very much like the same colour as my 750S. it was called "Wildfire Bronze."

[@johnmcclain3887]

I don't think I've ever heard a Norton with electronic ignition, that is so smooth even, that is really running well! I've retrofitted a few dozen electronic ignitions in Harleys, but no experience with the Brit twins, that really runs well, thanks for sharing this!

[@ironcast]

Sounds and looks very nice.

[@martiniv8924]

I have a feeling my black roadster is going to get a new coat of 🍊 🤓

[@tomgarney7700]

Engine sounds great!

[@ArmenianLifewithMitch]

On the throttle, she sounds beautiful Mike👌👍

[@jukeboxfan60]

That’s a lovely motorcycle sir 👍👍

[@MickTheDig]

Superb looking motorcycle!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks Mick! Really happy with the bike✌️

[@Doug19651983]

Nice, too bad you can't ride it on sunny days without going blind.🤩

[@Colin399]

That sounds very sweet 👍👍

[@andytheflyer]

Front pads may be old? I fitted EBC sintered HH pads to my 73 Tiger 750. Made a huge difference, even on a 50 yo disc.

[@tadpoles10]

Really pleased for you Mike, a little more 'tinkering' on you set up then head for the open road well more top gear time anyway ... 😉 .. 😂 .. 👍 .. 🏍 atvb t ..

[@andysignol]

Wow, looks great. When I put new Amal premiers on my Triumph one of the carbs wouldn't flood. After a lot of fiddling around I discovered that you can adjust the tickler. Problem solved and bike now starts first kick.

[@samueljeppsen9785]

Beautiful bike, marvelous sound!

[@jonathanhucker4634]

Beautiful looking and sounding Norton! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@SpringVinMoto]

Great camera set up. Chin mount? Audio is very clean too. Could you do a video on it for us aspiring youtubers?

[@mldiode]

Whoo!!! Hoo!!!

[@MotoFelipe]

Looking good Mike! Sounding great! Good work!

[@ToddSloanIAAN]

My front brakes works better than my back brake because I used the front most of the time and I like it that way but I'm always on a straight line when I use it. And curves I use them both when decelerating. I would like this Norton your I want to have more growl1 I hear the engines really clean and timed well. I love it and your show.

[@gregbrassington2120]

Excellent Mike very happy for you ,sounds nice & looks to ride very smooth .🇭🇲👍

[@mikesayre5002]

Very cool Mike!

[@gillestrombetta3019]

Hello mike très belle vidéo la moto est magnifique et les transformations sur les carburateurs et l’allumage électronique top 👍👍

[@TheDavey333]

Bike is looking beautifully pampered, you looked so involved with the polishing 😎 Have a good week Mike 👍

[@johndeere1951a]

😂🤣🤣🤣👍 ...... First ride .. worry about everything..... Stay within pushing home range 🤣👍 Go a little further..... Larger radius from home.......ok? O K ! I trust it now .👍✌️☕🍺☺️ Now some fine fiddling Well done mate. Stay SAFE.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot! 😉. Yes, that's the plan. Ever increasing circles 😉 Cheers!

[@mevcarter6664]

Gorgeous machine ❤

[@jeffduggan6427]

What a cool project Mike, been fun watching the bike transform, seeing you working on this bike definitely gets me off my bum and in the garage.

[@54macdog]

The bike is magic! I'm looking forward to an eyeball to eyeball comparison with your other Commando.

[@Beanerds]

Sweet ! imagine if the Pom's had this tech back in 1974 ? , instead of The Prince of Darkness ? ,, awesome brother !

[@TheMightyGarage]

😀Thank you Brian!!

[@frankiej4128]

As of late, I constantly want to sell my thruxton R and get a Norton Commando. Then I think of the occasional commute on TX freeways and it makes me re-consider

[@eddiebradford1571]

Hi Mike that fuel tank is beautiful, the bike sounds lovely too! Enjoy mate😊👍 kind regards Eddie

[@martindavies8326]

Hi Mike, the bike looks awesome, I’m not usually a gold fan, but it really does suit the commando, hope your going to fit some mirrors Mike, I don’t feel safe with out them myself, thanks for Sharing the first ride with us. 🇬🇧👍

[@ianmorgan7198]

Your Norton looks and sounds fantastic, love the metal flake Orange paintwork, it suits the bike and makes it really stand out.

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

Sounds and looks brilliant. I don't know if you get Classic Bike magazine over there, but in the February edition there is a long article and front page picture of a 72 Combat engine Norton, same paint but blue.

[@erwinballings9155]

Hello Mike, that looks wonderful. And the polishing is very well done, it looks like the parts have been repainted. Just a few more details like the front brakes and you can hit the road. You have done a wonderful job again, congrats. 😃👍👍👍Thanks for sharing.

[@danielmcneil3004]

Congratulations Mike on the first ride. Looks beautiful. Cheers, Dan 👍🏍🇨🇦

[@ulrich.hoffmann]

Great to see your videos every Sunday morning, they come steady like wetsumping on my Commando! 😄 Your bike looks great you will make it a great runner for sure!

[@mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454]

Matt’s dad. Had a 61 Dominater SS 600 first sold in UK. Open dual carbs sold that way, no air cleaner. Tank paint was poor. Candy apple metal flake tangerine too glittery. My painter suggested Candy Apple Metalflake Tangerine. In FL sunshine never saw a better look.

[@mickgerard6696]

Hello Mike. You’ve taken an incredibly well preserved motorcycle and brought it to another level! I’m a true believer in what I like to call Dynamic Preservation. Lots of unrestored motorcycles out there that you couldn’t even ride across the street and back, or can’t ride at all. Motorcycles that are static are only half alive. You can lovingly and carefully use an original, unrestored motorcycle and not degrade it to any extent. I have some bikes that I’ve put 20k on that don’t look anymore worn than the ones with 2k on them. Are they’re risks something could happen? Of course but I don’t lock myself in the bathroom because I may fall down the stairs one day! 😜You should be very proud of your careful and thorough preservation of that beautiful piece of art. 🤩👍🏻😎

[@daintree2455]

Looks and sounds real good Mike. Don't mind a slow lumpy idle. Love that colour and I think Royal Enfield might have sampled it on the Interceptor and whats not to like about that. Sounds like front disc a little warped maybe. Skim and good to go.

[@JR-bj3uf]

Runs just like my 74 850

[@georgemartin5481]

Stellar looking ride Mike. 😎 Very pleased to hear running strong and needing the front brake more than ever! Like already mentioned, new brake pads with a modern compound may square away your stopping. As always thanks for sharing! 👍

[@mickbrown8249]

Black & Gold insignia Was Best, later model , dude down rd had one last of best UK superbikes..no doubts whatsoever..

[@larrys.3992]

What's it like to ride a brand new Norton? Cheers Mike!

[@davidwilson2621]

Just wondering if you are going to show a final tune up. I am interested in your use of the dual pressure meters connected to each carbi. What sort of readings did you get when idling and when at different revs? And did they match right thru the rev range?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks David, yes I'm definitely going to do a video of the fine-tuning with the synchronizers. They really make a difference. Cheers, Mike

[@russellrehm6940]

We've all been there, Mike - test riding our Nortons. This is a great video of the process: listening, questioning, pushing boundaries. Syncing the carbs really pulled it all together for my bike. I'd be curious what change you make to the timing, if any.

[@elmerfudd1086]

The 70s porn music is perfect😜🏍🍻Sounds like you are going to enjoy your new ride.

[@aiflechita]

lovely perfect roadster 74 850,,,,!!! Needs rear view mirrors..!!!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks! Yes, I've fitted a new el-cheapo mirror already and will see how it works. It's just temporary for now until I decide what kinds of mirrors to fit. The old original metal mirror was flopping around and vibrating so much that I couldn't see anything in it 😉

[@duckysan]

Absolutely awesome! I am so jealous. Always fantastic to confirm the bike is a great as you thought. Did you swap the front disc yet?

[@bucktadlock5258]

What type of handle bars are those and where did you find them, I'd love a pair on my triumph,

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi Buck, these are the original handlebars that came with the bike. I think you can find them in most vintage Triumph or Norton dealers. I believe they are called the Western bars

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

I’ve been rewatching. Have to laugh. If I wasn’t watching the visual I’d be forgiven for thinking a porno was playing … “oh yer, oh yer, that’s great etc 😅

[@TheMightyGarage]

😊😊 haha, I know, I realized afterwards how awkward that scene was! Cheers 😊