Bike: 1974 Mk2A 850 Norton Commando
Owner: Speed
This bike was sold new in 1977 and was purchased by the current owner in April 1985. It then had 3500 miles on the odometer, but has now clocked up around 100,000 miles.
This machine has seen quite a few long trips from Sydney to such places as Tintaldra, Melbourne, South Australia, Brisbane and Mackay, and proven to be very reliable with regular maintenance.
The only real drama occurred when the original Portuguese lay shaft bearing collapsed without warning at 80kph, locking up the rear wheel. It was replaced with a FAG roller bearing.
Many other mods have been done over the years, and after a recent refurbishment the list goes as follows:
· Single 32mm Mikuni carb with cut-down original air filter and single intake plate;
· Stainless vernier isolastic adjusters;
· Custom wiring harness;
· 3 phase alternator;
· Boyer electronic ignition;
· Automatic timing chain tensioner;
· Stainless steel mufflers (stainless headers will crack);
· Mostly stainless steel fasteners and nyloc nuts;
· Norvil isolastic head-steady;
· Stock standard 850 motor with aluminium bronze valve guides;
· Custom-made drilled front disc with alloy centre;
· Master cylinder re-sleeved down to ½” for better braking;
· Steering damper set to mid range;
· Avon Supervenom tyres – transforms handling;
· Needle roller swingarm conversion.
The countershaft sprocket is currently 21tooth, but may change in future to 22tooth for more relaxed highway cruising.
The new paint job is the same as the original, and was done by Keeds in Arncliffe.
