When I was in my very early 20's I worked for a Honda bike shop. The owner gave me a fantastic deal on a new bike. I got married and moved to the city. I could not get 3-kids, a wife and a dog plus me on the bike so it sat. When I moved back home I went to the bike shop owner and told him that if he could sell it for me, I would give him 10%. He looked at me and said,"You have to be nuts. Do you know what the replacement cost of the bike would be if you wanted to ride again." He was 100% correct. I would be far better off if I were to just hold on to her. When you have a bird in hand, if you let go, it will be harder to catch another bird.

 

Way back when, around the time man first landed on the moon, I was very fond of British bikes. From that time I have owned a BSA Starfire, BSA Shooting Star, Triumph TT 650 (Bonneville) that I spent a summer flat tracking, a Triumph Trident and the Norton 850 that I am the original owner of. I would gladly give my first born to have that TT650 back.

Then I survived a couple of years riding a Kawasaki 750 Triple which brought my riding of Brit bikes to an end (except for the Norton).

I have had my share of speed over the years and now am happy with the nice sedate Hurricane. The Norton will become my special occasion cruiser.

bob

 

You're the man!

 

Definately, compared to the new stuff!

Nice list of bikes! BIG$$ to get hold of those now. What state is the Norton in? Throw up a pic mate.

 

Yeah!.....of a Norton girl.......here's a few.


Norton girls

Norton ads

 

The Norton is not a basket, but not a gem either. It has had a hard life. I bought it new in 1975, but it had been through 2 other owners before I got it back years ago. The last guy that had it left it with a friend when he went overseas for 3 years and the friend decided the garage was too crowded with the Norton in there so he parked it under a mulberry tree for a couple of years. That took a toll on the paint and chrome.

I have been lugging it around for years now, and as soon as I get the Hurricane back on the road the Norton will become my main focus.

I doubt I will get it back to original, the first time I had it I replaced the Amal carbs with a single Mikuni and took the electric starter off. But, I will look for those items.

bob

 

Who cares? You don't need to make it original unless you are planning on showing her, all you really need to do is make her yours.