Hi there, beautiful bike. You actually turned the choke off instead of on when trying to start it. These old Amals are the reverse to Mikunis. cheers, Mike

I just bought a 72 with an engine that was blown to bits, did a complete restore on the frame, bought a combat engine off eBay after taking the head off I realized she was good enough to run. Put a new copper head gasket on her, she is all back together now, compression test shows perfect compression on both cylinders, but for the life of me she won't get spark. My uncle had one and as a kid I would sit and drul over it, I'm 27 and this is my first vintage British bike rebuild so this is new territory for me lol. But I'm currently working on my own dream of owning a vintage Norton commando

@iosis99

2 ай бұрын

Probably should at least change the oil pump seal before running for extended periods of time. If it's still assembled with the original oil pump seal (rubber washer) then that seal is now more than 50 years old. Camshaft and lifters, main bearings, tabbed timing side thrust washer are also additional things you should familiarize yourself with. Good luck.

@aaronturner5409

2 ай бұрын

@@iosis99 I ordered an entire gasket set from Andover Norton and went through all the gaskets as well, I forgot to mention that to my surprise when I took the head off we noticed that she has been bored 20 over. I also added an oil filter from a later model, mine was set up to run on an electronic ignition with a boyer Branson power box to run without the battery, it looks like it's been raced, I bought it with drag bars I think I might keep on, I'm trying to hook it up with turn signals because my 72 never had that

Beautiful bike. I had one just like it in 72. Fastest bike I ever had. It brings back fond memories.

I have had 2 of these, in 69, 2 months after my 17 birthday I purchased my first brand new Norton 750 Commando, I never had any problems like what you’re having starting, whether it was in the depth of winter snow on the ground, or in the heat of the summer, never late for work, ha ha 😂, you might find you’ve got cheap fuel in that tank, as we all know nowadays there are funny additives in them, Not sure whether I like the yellow or not, Definitely do not like the Siamese pipes, from 17 to about 25-26 , I had two Norton commandos one Norton dominator, chopped, A rally wisp, and two Bonneville, In the midnight, I became a Harley rider, And I have had four of those, I currently own a Softail deuce, And I’m in my 70s, And I think I’m retired living in France, 😂,

Just tickle and DO NOT use the choke. Just a tiny bit of throttle.

When i was a kid growing 💗 Norton was my dream bike the yellow either 650 or 750.. i now have a 125 Honda cafe racer.. and thank you great video and beautiful beautiful bike i also had a Honda CB 650

Ca se mérite un Commando !! ;)

Best to use the center stand when trying to start it. The side stands have been known to break under the weight. I’ve owned my Commando since 1974. Finally got an electric start before I mess up my knee. Although some aficionados consider it to be heresy a single Mikuni carb can make life easier. These canary yellow Commandos can draw a crowd. An “S” model like this ran the fastest quarter mile in a 1970 Cycle magazine comparison test against 6 other super bikes of the day.

Only a fool would turn the chokes to OFF and kick a Norton ON the sidestand (a guaranteed frame breaker) - lol. Where is the strap to hold the tank down at the back ? Nice bike though.

My uncle had a yellow 69 Commando S. Brings back memories!!

The choke is largely useless, flooding the carbs is plenty with these old things.but you have to KICK it.

Don’t need the choke in warm weather, just a little throttle.

Awesome, beautiful!!

Been watching this it looks to me he's never started a Norton before beautiful bike though

This bike would be a first kick starter if you just tickle the carbs and give it some throttle. it needs air, not choke.

@robertshepherd3832

2 ай бұрын

Exactly

Nice, but shame about the exhausts and the reluctance to start.

I had an 850. It took much more of a kick to start it than what you are doing. Try jumping up in the air and kicking out your foot as you come down. Mine had 11.5 to one compression ratio and SS cams.

That's one of those weight loss-"exercise bikes"! By the time you've gotten it to start and run properly...you've burned off enough calories to make up for the pizza you ate earlier! LOL! Nice bike though!!! I had a yellow '73 w/a black 2 into 1 exhaust system (low exit on the right side). 😎

@robertshepherd3832

2 ай бұрын

Was that your experience? Some of us own single kick Commandos.

@NortonCombat-ib3xw

Ай бұрын

If you knew how to adjust the timing and the carbs you would've had a Commando that started easily. Mine starts one kick but I do maintenance on mine and eat later.

DO NOT KICK THE ENGINE OVER WHILE LEANING ON THE KICKSTAND. My '71 had the kickstand fall off from doing that (the pin that the kickstand rotates on has a deep notch - that is where it will break off). Either kick it on the centerstand, or put both stands up and just balance the bike when you kick it (that's what I usually did). You are using the choke wrong I think. What I did was tickle the carbs (and don't be shy about that), gave it full choke if the bike was cold, cracked the throttle and then roll it on a bit through the kick. In kicking, first take up the slack, then give it a substantial kick. Usually 2 or 3 kicks to get it running. I see lots of people saying no choke. To be honest, I can't recall because it was long ago (sold 1999 or so), but I *think* I used the choke. I wouldn't bet my life on it.

Very nice color, I had a red one.

Why do we not get to see what is pouring out?

Learn how the choke works on Amal Carbs my friends. And always,ALWAYS get to know the lady before you ask her to dance!

Whoever told you 'no throttle' doesn't know Commandos. Tickle the carbs, give a little throttle, you don't need the choke unless its very cold out. If you take an Amal carb apart you would see that 'half choke' does absolutely nothing for starting the bike. Never kick with the side stand out and learn to kick it without the centre stand also if poss. With sidestand out you will wreck the frame rail and starting with the centre stand you can eventually damage the cradle. Good luck.

@randybarraclough4941

Ай бұрын

Glad you know how to start the 'beast'. Obviously, the owner doesn't have a real grip on how to do it. They usually start really easy. But, it is a gorgeous bike. Wish I had it!

Beautiful bike. I had a '70, same color and all. Mine was cafe'd out though , with lower bars, Dunstall megaphone pipes, Girling disc brake from a '73, and other Dunstall and Barnett goodies. Loved the bike, don't miss starting it. If it wasn't in perfect tune, it could be a bitch. Riding a Ducati Monster 1100 EVO now.

Sure wish I still had mine. It was yellow, too. Oil-soaked jeans option

All the gear with no idea?

Check that your ignition system is setup properly. It should start much easier than this.

I remember these well. This one has the “scrambler pipes” which I never understood. Most Commandos were black with gold lettering. Those Amal carbs were a pain in the butt. The only “stock” bike that could give my Kawasaki 500 Mach 3 a race back when these were new.

@robertshepherd3832

2 ай бұрын

A friend had the 500 Kawasaki and he always wanted to swap me for my '72 Norton Combat. We traded once and it was a waste of 20 minutes of my life. I wasn't used to the buzzing in the handlebars, buzzing in the footpegs, revving the hell out of it to get it going because of zero low end torque and it handled like sh-t. He kept asking me but once was enough for me. I saw him decades later and asked him if he still owned it, he said no, it didn't last that long. I still own my '72 Combat . Lots of torque, no vibration and it still handles.

@kimmorrison9169

2 ай бұрын

@@robertshepherd3832 I understand what your saying. A Commando was much more expensive bike than the $1200 I paid for a brand new Kawa Mach 3 in 1971. I don’t recall it buzzing and vibrating thou. I also rode a BSA 650 Lightening back in the early 70’s and it shook so hard thru the handlebars I couldn’t believe it. Back to my Kawa, I bought it for drag racing and it used to run 12.80 @ 102 mph and I was a bigger guy. Most racers were small wirey guys that weighed 140 lbs soaking wet. If I owned a 750 Commando I wouldn’t trade it for a Mach 3 either but I if I owned the Commando I certainly wouldn’t bet again’st the Kawa in a drag race.

@paulx2777

2 ай бұрын

@@kimmorrison9169 I paid $1285 for a new Norton N15 in 1969. A new Norton Atlas cost $950! I got my 71 Commando used, in '73 or so. I always thought my N15 handled better, but only single leading shoe brake and no Isolastic so my hands would fall asleep.

My A10 sat in a field for 6 months, started first kick

install electric Ignition makes starting much easier. Do some research to find which is best. I like Amels Throttle cable junction should be secured in place to frame, sync carb slides and mixture. Adjust valves don't think you need the choke

For the love of God man take her up to the compression stroke b4 you try to kick it over

I wish people would understand the machine before making mugs of themselves and a great machine on u tube.

Just try not to stall it at a busy intersection 🎉

Looks like the front brake cable is disconnected. Hmmm

So.....was the intention of this video to, umm, SELL the bike?

fiberglass tank side covers and (sob) SEAT PAN. RIGHT HAND SHIFT.. one up, 3 down. Dump those junk AMALS - mine DISTORTED THE BORES when WARM - idled at 3000 rpm. Substituted with single Mikuni... Bub replica mufflers. PrinceOfDarkness electrics..

Why no throttle to start it? Its not a big single!!

Primal carbs, then choke on not off, maybe float in one of the carbs is sticking

Try setting your plugs and points better

Really, is using Amal carbs worth it? I get wanting to have your bike as original as possible, but a single Mikuni would be much more user friendly and delivers a better riding experience. Save the Amals for the collectors if the bike becomes a show queen. Such a gorgeous bike. Very few bikes can rival its design. Envious!

@g.g.6362

5 ай бұрын

Had a Mk11, 850 Roadster which started and ran beautifully with a single SU carb and electronic ignition...... Wish I still owned it.

@ronpage101

5 ай бұрын

​@@g.g.6362I bet you do! We all have some of those regrets. I had a BSA B50 mx I wish I still had.

@mickgerard6696

4 ай бұрын

You Mikuni knuckleheads are clueless. Amal carbs work fantastic if set up and operated correctly.

@robertshepherd3832

2 ай бұрын

Lots of owners are challenged and don't have a clue how to set up dual Amals. Their solution is install a single Mikuni and accept the performance loss. Amals are easy to set up once learned and you keep the acceleration, the torque and the grunt the bike was designed to have which the single Mikuni won't give you.

@ronpage101

2 ай бұрын

@@robertshepherd3832 I just picked up a Cheney B50 Victor. Been sitting for 25 yrs. It has the original Amal. I'll give it a go if what you are saying is in fact true.

Nice bike But unfortunately in the wrong hands

Need a proper lunge on the lever just a kick is never going to do it lovely bike though

looks nice...........alas runs poorly

You dont understand how that choke works. You turned it OFF not on. Dont start on the side stand and bring the kick start up and kick right through. If it hasn't run for a few weeks pour an egg cup of oil down the pushrod tunnels. Kicking it over and over with a dry cam and followers is a perfect way to destroy the cam. Someone save this bike from this guy.

Pathetic. Know your machine. I’m amazed you put this out 🤨

Should have had someone who knows how to start one of these things or just get a Honda. Nice bikes if you like wrenching more than riding.

@NortonCombat-ib3xw

Ай бұрын

Checking a used bike website I counted 20 CB750 Hondas for sale 1970-1980. 8 of those Hondas were 'projects' and not running. 6 others 'need work', whatever that means. Average $ is Cdn $3700. Lowest was $800. Plenty of CB750's are available. Of course you might need to buy 2 just in case you can't get the parts you will need. There were 3 Norton Commandos for sale, average $ is Cdn $11,000. Norton Commandos, any parts you need are available globally in 1 week or less. Of course a bike is more reliable when parts are available. Funny how things have changed.

No wonder people turned to Japanese Motorcycles,

@joeblow5037

Ай бұрын

True...But NONE (except mabe an early 90's Duck 900SS) come close to the sex appeal of a proper Norton

@Norton851

2 күн бұрын

@@joeblow5037 Je suis entièrement d'accord avec vous même si un 900 SS n'a rien de japonais !!.... ;)