Overview Major rebuild completed by recognized San Diego British iron expert and collector, Wade Douglas. Wade's bikes have appeared on the cover of British motorcycle magazines; one of which now sits in the 47th floor window of an office building in Tokyo as a show piece. When I bought it restoration was complete but bike had not been started. I commissioned GP Motorcycles of San Diego to do complete assessment of bike as is, followed by startup and initial ride to establish any further issues. Despite a meticulous job of restoration, there were a number of issues found e.g. non matching carburetors, ozone crack in new tire from sitting, leaking oil line to head, clutch sticky, chain too tight when rider sitting on it, turn signal not working properly, front brake a bit squishy etc. The engine ran quiet as expected. Since my intentions were to ride this bike hard and fast on Oregon back roads, I wanted it perfect and reliable and fast. So what followed was considerable more investment to raise the quality/performance standard. Yet, despite all the intentions and work, I have never ridden the bike out of the garage.
Rebuild details - Wade Douglas
1974 850 Mk. 2 engine completely rebuilt with standard crankshaft and new Superblend bearings. Standard cylinder block bored .020 over with new EMGO pistons, U-S made rings. Block powder-coated in semi-gloss black. Cylinder head rebuilt with new guides, valves and springs. Carburetors rebuilt AMAL Concentric 932. Stock air cleaner replaced with K&N custom air cleaner and ignition switch relocated. Non-crossover exhaust pipes fitted with 750 style exhaust nuts and standard EMGO Peashooter silencers. Stock points replaced with Boyer Bransden ignition and new Lucas replica 6 volt coils. Stock clutch pack rebuilt. New triplex primary and "530" final drive chain fitted. New EMGO fork tubes, polished sliders with custom alloy seal retainer nuts, OEM Euro-gaiters, and custom alloy top nuts. New steering head bearings. Rebuilt Twin Leading Shoe front brake with new bonded linings. WM-2 X 19 Sun brand (Buchanan manufactured) alloy front rim laced to brass screened lightened hub with Buchanan stainless steel spokes and nipples. Front fender is Wassell brand stainless steel replica of original. Headlight EMGO replica of original Lucas. Instruments are professionally rebuilt (Foreign Speedo) late Smiths, retrofitted with early ('68) Commando "green blob" faces. All switchgear is fully rebuilt. New handlebar in UK bend (vs. U-S). Tasteful custom grips. Frame, swing arm and rear brake backing plate are custom finished in gray powdercoat (black was stock), to resemble racing colors. New bonded rear brake linings. Rear hub cover was drilled and brass screened to match front hub. New stock spec. EMGO rear suspension units fitted. OEM fiberglass Gas tank interior is fully Caswell coated. It and all other body parts (all fiberglass per original) are finished in two stage Urethane in period opaque red. All logos are over-coated with clear finish. All chrome plated parts have been refinished and all miscellaneous alloy parts polished. Rear wheel is same spec as the front except rim is WM3 X 18, whereas original fitment was 19-inch. (Common Commando modification to allow for beefier rear tire). Stock original stainless steel chain guard. All fasteners new or re-plated. Tires are AVON. Seat is OEM, rebuilt by Mark Luhr's Custom Upholstery, Santee. Paint prep, urethane basecoat and motif stickers done by Wade Douglas. Clear urethane topcoat was applied by De'Alba's body shop in La Mesa. Original gearbox rebuilt using new components and unworn original components and new bearings. - GP Motorcycles
GP's Norton expert completed both the pre-start up assessment, the startup, and subsequent work. After startup, the following work was completed: brand new matching pair of correctly jetted Amal carbs, re-coated inside of fiberglass tank, new Avon tires, chain adjusted, clutch pack dissembled/reassembled, electrical issues fixed, new quality oil line unions installed on head, brakes adjusted.
Seller notes - After getting sign-off from GP that bike is running as a new Commando should, I had it shipped to Portland where I live. Bike started easily, ran quietly as expected. But then I started thinking how I was going to hustle this thing through fast corners racing Panigale's and GSXR's on my favorite roads. I rode these bikes "back-in-the-day" as a teenager and early 20 yo against CB750's and Trident's, but I don't remember them being so small; the brakes and suspension so rudimentary, ground clearance so little. Maybe I have gotten used to modern super bikes doing track days, but I cant imagine my middle age, 6'3" body hustling this thing anywhere outside the garage! And puttering along the boulevard isn't my kind of motorcycling.
- So regrettably I have decided to sell the Fastback without riding her a single mile. Thought about putting her in my living room or office on display but after 120+ bikes, I have a policy if I don't ride it it has to go. So she has to go. The new owner will get a wonderful, fully sorted rideable bike or museum piece to admire.
- This bike has had more money spent on it in total between both stages of restoration, than what I expect to get back from selling it; still, I don't need to sell it and want it to go to someone who appreciates it for what it is, and is willing to pay a fair price.
NOTE: This will not appeal to collector seeking authentic 750cc Fastback as the engine has been changed to the more powerful and reliable Commando 850cc. This suited my needs perfectly but may not yours.
NOTE: I will make a start up and run video for serious buyers
feel free to contact me with any questions.
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Year:
Mileage:5
Color:
Engine Size (cc):850
Warranty:Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Type:Standard
For Sale By:Private Seller