Ed Lee's 1950 ES2

Ken Dubey has been busy with his mid 50's ES2...

This Bike is an early 1970 Commando Roadster belonging to NNENO member Erich  B.  The original motor was wrecked by the previous owner--Eric replaced it with an 850 unit from a 1974 Commando. He pulled the head to replace a bad gasket and is repairing a broken fin. The bottom end looked good, so Eric held off on a complete rebuild  (so he can ride the bike).

Erich has replaced the Amal's with a single 34mm Mikuni and has installed a Boyer ignition to replace the points. A new Avon 100/90 Super Venom replaced the old K-81 on the rear and a Roadrunner in the proper size of 90/90 has been fitted in place of the overly large Swalow K-81 copy ( mounted by the previous owner). Handling is much sharper as a result. Eric has also fitted  an Aluminum Interstate tank and café seat for the bike, although he plans to get a full sized seat in the near future.

Other changes for the future are possibly a belt primary, an alternator upgrade, and a Halogen conversion. Other than some minor issues, a stripped exhaust thread, and a melted fiberglass tank  the Commando has been a good bike.

Alpo's  bikes
The 75 Commando ES seen here was pieced together for this photo just after it was purchased. Notice the wires hanging out of the headlamp, no silencers, no air box, no chain, and of course some rust. The previous owner had started to do a restoration and had finished the tank (inside and out) and bought Dunstal replica silencers. Since this picture, my friend has been receiving TLC and will appear here when completed. I have so far powder coated the frame and other parts, had the rotors surface sanded by a NNENO member, torn the motor apart (NNENO member help), replaced the two bushes for the high gear on the main shaft, refurbished the swing arm, rebuilt the brake calipers, and other  tasks too numerous to mention . I have received much help from NNENO members and some advise from my new friends I met at the Norton Coral. By the way, this is Alpo K's bike and the oil seen is NOT Norton blood.

Normally this picture would be small enough to do a side by side. But the quality of the image of the smaller picture did not do the "BEAST" justice. The BEAST and I had a good first year after rebirth (rebirth was the first week in June), we did approximately 5000 total miles this summer, a 1732 mile round trip to the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days where the BEAST won the long distance award (744 miles one way), Laconia where we rusted together, Triumph Days, The British Invasion, and British bike meet in E. Hartford Conn. A close inspection of the picture will show that there is no chain guard, the grab rail is missing, and that the seat is not the correct seat for a 75 ES. Also, not seen here is the starter. The starter which mounts on the inner primary cover is replaced by a starter base with a wine cork. The rusting together mentioned above is no joke, I had cleaned each an every nut and bolt, so when we got wet in Laconia, we rusted. I will probably replace almost every nut and bolt this winter with stainless. There is a lot of work left to get the BEAST where I want her besides the aforementioned missing items, new rims, new spokes, new chrome forks, replace the upper and lower fork bushes, new fork seals, some touch up painting, more polishing, etc.

I addition to the 75 I have above, I got lucky when I walked into Bernier Vintage Motorcycle and found this 74 Commando which Jim had just gotten. After a little talking and a price, I bought the bike. This bike has a bit of work, although it wouldn't take a lot to get it on the road. I am told that the bike was running well when it was put away 4 or 5 years ago. Notice that the tank has been painted along with the side covers. I will be changing those to black just like my 75 above. I am going to have an absolutely wonderful winter. Of course, I won't be able to wait for the spring to arrive.

This Commando belongs to Mike F and appears as he first saw it. It is a 75 Insterstate Electric Start. Portland Classic Motors performed the restoration work and the results may be seen on the right.

Here is Mike's Atlas before restoration and after restoration. Those of you who may have been at the Norton National Rally would have seen this bike there. He still has plans for this bike as it is still a work in progress. I would term the remaining work as finalizing touches. Nice to see a Norton brought back.