Norton 850 Mk III

I had a 75' Interstate and it was a very good bike. Did lots of touring miles on it and it was very reliable. Getting a little bored with my Bonneville at the time, I went to Ryan's at Parramatta and fell in love with a red and white T160 but it had no compliance plate so I ended up at Eade's in Ashfield and rode home on the Norton.
As others have said, the electric start was more of a wish than a reality and the sprag clutch was useless.
Also, the front brake was rubbish and I replaced both the rotor and calliper with a Norman Hyde job which improved braking performance immeasurably.
The quality of finish and fittings was very good, better than Triumph in some respects...( the footrest mounts and swingarm etc were thicker and more solid. ) Handling was excellent and ground clearance good.
What I would liked to have had would have been a 5 speed box. It was too big a bike for a 4 speed.
My bike now belongs to my nephew in Brissie and is still going strong though not ridden much by him as he's a young fellow who rides a KTM Super Duke thing.
I just recently bought a T140 project....despite the Norton...I'm, a Triumph man.

steve59 said:

carpenter bonnie, 100 hp

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WEVE already done some THRUXTONS with the modded engines and it transforms the bike into a very exciting fast modern classic capable of outperforming the large displacement V Twin cruisers

IMFASTTOO said:

WEVE already done some THRUXTONS with the modded engines and it transforms the bike into a very exciting fast modern classic capable of outperforming the large displacement V Twin cruisers

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RocketGarage Blogsite .. go have a look at the Scrambler they just featured

That would do! Must say, though, that I'd be happy with just a plain old stock one with the Arrow pipe.

I like the new Smaller Triumph Twins always have but they feel physically too small after having full size bikes over the last 30 years ,before that I rode a G12 650 Matchless twin and a Triumph Trophy both seemed to be "big" at the time ,I sat on a new Bonneville the other day and it felt tiny like an old CB 250 Honda
the Thunderbirds are a better fit for guys around the 6ft or more ,I remember the big coppers used to look funny on their 650 Saints in the 60s,they looked like a circus bears on tricycles

cusso ken said:

I like the new Smaller Triumph Twins always have but they feel physically too small after having full size bikes over the last 30 years ,before that I rode a G12 650 Matchless twin and a Triumph Trophy both seemed to be "big" at the time ,I sat on a new Bonneville the other day and it felt tiny like an old CB 250 Honda
the Thunderbirds are a better fit for guys around the 6ft or more ,I remember the big coppers used to look funny on their 650 Saints in the 60s,they looked like a circus bears on tricycles

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YES after riding the big modded Rockets with 240+ HP the Bonnevilles do feel small But with the modded engines they are very fast and handle great and will outperform all those big VTWINS with engines over 100 cubic inches

TOMCAT said:

Appreciate his email , thanks mate. That's a nice looking Commando. Aussie dollars not fairing too well at the moment but that'll change.

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Norton 850 TRIICK put me onto will be staying with it's current owner as his health has improved. Hoping to be riding it for another couple of seasons .. great news for him .. and my search continues. Any of you fellas run into a 850 Commando Mark 3 or a T160 Trident .. appreciate you letting me know .. thanks.

steve59 said:

carpenter bonnie, 100 hp

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My Bonnie is in bits for a rebuild/custom frame etc
will be a lot lighter & 100hp (not just cams)
should be more fun with a bit more oooph.

@TOMCAT saw this today. Not forsale but very nice. Saw another black one riding out but didn't get a photo of it.
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