'07 Raffle Bike Sitrep
by Dean Baker
Most NTNOA members are aware of the 1972 Norton Combat
Commando the club purchased from Keith Martin’s RPM Cycle last year
to use as a raffle bike. Some might not be aware of what has
happened to it since. Here is a quick recap and a report on where we
are today.
After purchasing the Combat for the 2006 rally, several members
began prepping it. The bike was very rough, but mostly all there and
with the attention of Rally Chairman Dennis Tackett and his helpers
it was soon up and running. Now fast forward to Lake O’ the Pines,
2006. The bike, purchased for $2000, brought in $2600 in ticket
sales. The lucky winner was none other than Rally Grand Marshal Sam
Wheeler. With his ongoing efforts to set the motorcycle land speed
record with his E-Z-Hook team, Sam really doesn’t have the time to
spend on the Combat and agreed on the spot to sell it back to the
club for $1000.
Now for a little history: This Norton was made in November 1971, and
is number 201623. The frame and engine numbers match, by the way.
According to information provided by Bob Cox, one of the club’s
Norton experts, that makes ours the 700th Combat off the assembly
line. Early bikes garnered a lackluster reputation due to bottom end
problems associated with the more powerful Combat engine. Later
Combats were fitted at the factory with Superblend bearings to allow
the bottom end to handle the strain. Those earlier machines that did
not get the Superblends at the factory were either retrofitted with
them or otherwise led short lives punctuated by a violent demise.
Although our bike predates OE Superblends, the fact that the engine
has survived to see its 35th birthday makes it a virtual certainty
that the conversion was made somewhere along the line.
Presently the bike is going through what can be described as a
“Combat Makeover”. Years of neglect have resulted in a uniform layer
of surface rust on the chrome parts and oxidation on the aluminum.
Fortunately, the liberal application of various polishing techniques
is proving that there is still shiny metal below the surface. The
severely corroded mufflers are being replaced by a new set of
peashooters donated by Bob Cox. Captain Commando (aka Phil Dansby,)
has also offered to contribute needed bits from his vast Norton
parts stash. Jason Small, a local painter rapidly making a name
among the motorcycle crowd with his show quality work, has agreed to
donate his time to paint the tank and side covers. At the November
meeting the members present voted to allocate an additional $1000
for the purchase of parts. Thus far a portion of that sum has gone
to the purchase of new fenders, a new chain guard, center stand,
various rubber bits and gaskets. Soon the rejuvenated wheels will be
shod with new Dunlops, fresh exhaust pipes will flow into the
peashooters, and a set of Amal Concentrics are also on the list.
The bottom line is that we will soon begin the campaign to sell
tickets for the Norton for the second time, with the drawing made at
next year’s rally. This year we made $600 on a bike that many ticket
purchasers secretly hoped they wouldn’t win. Now, for the same cash
outlay as last year, the club is going to have a Norton that is
going to be a very desirable machine and will without question
generate much more in ticket sales. Look for its debut in the
spring. |
