1962 Model 88; previously 1957 basket case value?

[R]

There has to be some oil at least pooling in the crankcase, for the oil pump scavenge to function...

Don't recall if its been mentioned here yet, but one of the reasons the oil pump was 'improved' back then was the addition of oil squirt holes in the conrods. This was a (misguided) attempt to solve piston seizing problems - the pistons themselves were eventually identified as the problem. Adding more oil flow capability/pressure doesn't improve anything if all the extra oil simply gets bypassed out the oil pressure relief system....

[Kiwi]

Hi Beng

My frame is the same as your photo of the "twin" including the engine mounts from what I can see, however mine has the flat looking exactly the same as your "single" frame.

When I stripped the frame down there was no sign of re welding of the engine mounts that was visible after blasting that I can recall and the engine and frame number are the same.

May be you see something in this picture I don't I will send the frame number photo when I can find it.
 

[Kiwi]

I found the next project! It is what I set out looking for in the first place when I found the 88. The Commando needs a lot of TLC! The engine and gear box are actually working! This bike has been sitting for about 13 years in a shipping container. It seems to be a 1974 MK2A Roadster or high rider I think?

[R]

Roadster. The HiRider has seriously tall handlebars and seat.
Although mechanically they are all the same underneath.

Nice looking find - a good wax and polish, and you'll be off riding into the sunset. !
Something has happened at those exhaust ports, examine carefully.

P.S. Show us how the 88 comes out when down....

[Kiwi]

Yes should be running the 88 next weekend fingers crossed! Will post good before and after photos as a finale for it.

The commando head has had threaded Ali pipe welded directly to the head sadly and it needs valves as the stems are badly worn. The good news though is it appears to have just had a fresh set of pistons, rings bearings and been bored to +20thou only.

Needs a little more than a polish to ride it though, cables, brakes and carby all need work but it was a very good price so I am happy to bring her back to her forma glory.

Were the extra high bars, headlight and different seat the only difference between the high-rider and the roadster? The original paint looks like burnt orange or similar, is there some clue there other than the obvious "it could have been re-painted at any time?"

[Kiwi]

A Mate of mine just sent me this photo of a few bikes!!! Just south of the the QLD NSW Boarder here, he was riding with some mates through the back country when they happened on this old truck that appeared to have been sitting for many years, but just check out the payload. and NO its not photo shop!! He said he would have had a closer look but he was sure he could hear some banjos playing.

The truck is not on a road it's just sitting there in the middle of a field miles from anywhere.......... Funny old world...........  

[R]

That truck photo is just weird.
Must be an interesting story behind it.
Obviously not collectible...

Hadn't clocked that small headlamp - could be the HiRider one.
The HiRider also had a very small slim tank, and is now a Roadster version.

Where is this original paint ?
Tangerine was a HiRider colour (an orangy red),
and Fireflake Golden Bronze was a metallic orange on Roadsters,
as was Signal Orange (on earlier models, not sure about for 850's).
Are the tank and sidecovers steel ?

[Kiwi]

The side covers are in near perfect condition and were painted over what I would call hot orange/red which would coincide in my mind with your orangy red. The tank though was painted over black but in saying that it has clearly had a small repair done and been fully repainted so I think it is possibly a replacement tank, it is a very narrow tank too.

I guess I can make it either.........?

[R]

That red tank on it now is a Roadster tank.
The HiRider tank was slimmer and smaller capacity again...

[Kiwi]

I have just looked at an original high-rider picture and I was rather hoping mine wasn't one! the tank on mine is different to the high-rider I looked at as you say and the bike was sold to me as a roadster so I will steady my mind to that path.. I am repainting the tank and side covers as they are badly blistered with osmosis from being stored in a container.

 

[R]

Heyhey, HiRiders don't have much of a fan club...

1953 88 frame currently on offer looks to have that flat in the frame tube.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODk5WDE2MDA=/z/BToAAOxyLm9TE-H3/$_57.JPG

[Kiwi]

I see it and I note they call it all of these things;

  1953 Norton Dominator Model 7 88 99 Atlas 500cc Manx *467 Featherbed frame

[murdo]

Nice pick up on the Commando Kiwi. Always thought they were a good thing.

[Kiwi]

Thanks murdo

I am pretty chuffed, I've always wanted one since I first saw one and they are a cool piece of kit

[wetdog]

being rode thro Adalaid last year