Paging TOG and any Norton experts..

OK, have a relation that has a Norton Commando to (possibly) sell, and
were looking for a bit more info..

Bike has a Norton engine, in a rebuilt frame that is possibly a Triumph
frame, or it has also been suggested, an Uncle Bunt frame..

Tank is an original BSA it is thought...

I can supply engine numbers/frame numbers if they would help clarify
matters, but for the moment, Ive slapped some photos up over here..

http://picasaweb.google.com/richards.mike/Norton




Long story short, how interesting would people say this particular
specimen is? And how much would it be worth?

TIA ec etc..

 

YUK - looks like an abortion masquerading as a bitsa.
Plunger rear suspension, wierd top sprung front.
The F reg looks wrong, it should probably be on a Q plate.
I suppose a Notrun collector might want it for the engine .....

 

I normally don't recommend going somewhere else for more info, but you
may be better off asking the question at www.chopperbuilder.co.uk
instead of here. Somebody over there even may recognise the bike.

Given that it is a proper old-skool chop, I wouldn't be surprised if
you'll get between 1500 and 2k for it if it's running and potentially
MOT'd.

 

Spike wibbled

Novelty [1] value, I'd give you fifty quid for it. I have little doubt
that there'd be some value for someone somewhere who likes Nortons and
needs an engine.

[1] I dislike 'choppers', and this one looks particularly bad, IMHO.

--
Paul - xxx

'96/'97 Landrover Discovery 300 Tdi 'Big and Butch'
'98 Suzuki DR 200 Djebel 'Small but perfectly formed'
Dyna Tech Cro-Mo comp "When I feel fit enough'

 

£200 quid upto £400 if you find a proper mug

 

Never underestimate the Chopperites. If it's got a hardtail and
apehangers, some idiot will start dribbling over it and reaching for
his wallet.

Oh yes. Don't forget the wheels and the springer forks as well -
they're always worth money to the Chopperites.

That's true. If it's an Uncle Bunt (John Reed) frame, though, I'd
expect the quality of the workmanship (ie: welding) to show through.

If it's a runner, I bet it's still worth £2k, or close to. Though I
wouldn't touch it with yours.

 

Yes, sorry, of course.

 

Eh? he moved to the USA in the mid 80's, still talked about recently and
had a stroke sometime after 2000 and was designing parts for Custom Chrome
last year.

 

'Swot I thought.

 

You thought correctly:

http://www.american-v.co.uk/news/news/news07/body.html

Uncle Bunt inducted into the US Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame
Those who have come to Harleys late in life, after years aboard a
variety of British and Japanese bikes through the last couple of
decades, will know the name of one of the UK's foremost customisers.
John Reed was responsible for much of the ground-breaking custom
engineering initially through his shop - the original Uncle Bunt - and
then as a world-respected designer, and inspired generations of
bikers, which culminated in an explosion of interest in custom bikes,
spurred on by the Kent Custom Bike Show and the launch of Back Street
Heroes magazine.

He broke into the US with a Supercharged Triumph-powered lowrider and
ultimately moved to the 'States to set up and run the R&D department
for CCI for six months, in California, in the mid-eighties, applying
for permanent residency after 2 years. This year, alongside Erik
Buell, John was admitted into the ranks of the great and good in
recognition of his contribution to motorcycling. Take a bow Mr Reed.

 

Bad form posting, but also from the report on the Hall of Fame award:

John picked up just about every top custom award going in the UK,
before turning his attention to the 'States where his supercharged
Triumph blew away judges in the prestigious ISCA shows, gaining Best
Engineering trophies. He'd slowly phased out the shop in the early
eighties in favour of short-term design and trouble shooting contracts
before accepting an invitation to set up an R&D department for Custom
Chrome in California, where he has worked ever since.