World's Highest Norton

[bonedoctor]

Just saw the movie, "World's Fastest Indian", and was inspired to try to put together a little photostory. Not a huge set of pics, just some from a roll of 36 I shot. I have the fortune to live (temporarily) in Aspen, CO. It's a beautiful place. Right in my backyard is CO 82, which runs from I-70 (Glenwood Springs), 40 miles south through Aspen, then 20 miles southeast to the top of Independence Pass, then about 20 more miles over the pass and on to Twin Lakes, CO. It's an awesome ride and a fun, fairly short afternoon ride. The pass is a little over 12,000ft and the weather's always interesting up there, to say the least. Ran into a bunch of Harley riders in Twin Lakes on a previous trip. They'd attempted to go over the pass, but a freak hailstorm, complete with lightning, had covered the road with about 3 inches of slippery stuff. They had to turn around. The pics from their cell phones up there were really wild--It was July 4th!

Anyway, I took my old 1970 Norton 750S up and over a few weeks ago and shot some pictures. Got the bike off eBay from a guy in NM. He'd done quite a few nice modifications, but the bike really stays true to its vintage nature. It's equipped with resleeved twin Amals and actually ran okay at that altitude. These pics are of the bike before I installed the Dart Flyscreen (which, though designed for the new Triumphs, fit perfectly). There were two guys on Harley Heritage Softails and we kept leapfrogging past each other, i.e., they'd stop and I'd pass them, then I'd stop for some pics and they'd pass me. We did that all the way up to the top. I took a pic of their two bikes and mine--all twins, but different strategy (parallel vs 45 degree).

The last pics are going down the other side. In some of the pics, the roadway can be seen in the background, waaaay below. The next to last pic shows the descent on the Twin Lakes side (can see the roadway on the left) down to the final hairpin. The last pic shows the road heading off towards Twin Lakes, way down below, just ahead of the front tire. Look closely to the right of the bike's front tire. There's a pile of little rocks that surrounded a small plaque with a person's name. Don't know if they plunged off the side (this side has zero guardrails while the Aspen side does) or maybe somebody scattered their ashes up there. It's hard to see, but that bike is parked literally on the edge!

Here's an overview of the route and a smaller map of the pass itself. You can see the hairpins and cut backs.

[bonedoctor]

A little fun with Photoshop...

[exwingnut]

Very nice...the bike, the ride, the scenery, the pics...thanks!

[fastlane]

Originally Posted by exwingnut

Very nice...the bike, the ride, the scenery, the pics...thanks!

+1!

I love that Norton!

[Chocoholic]

Kewl pixs....nice view too. My fav is the one you photoshop and view 1/2 of the back of the moto.

[Astroblue]

Nortons of the late 60s and early 70s are my favorite Brit bike.
Great photos, great bike!

[Orson]

Originally Posted by bonedoctor

Got the bike off eBay from a guy in NM.

what a gorgeous bike

it's hard to believe you can just pluck something like that off E Bay!

Good thing I don't frequent E Bay

[Ogsarg]

Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures. Enjoy your time there. I was fortunate to live in Estes Park for a couple of years back in the 70's and didn't really make the most of it. If you're fortunate to be able to make a decent living at High altitude, do as much as you can....while you can.

Nothin quite like living in the Rockies.

[Loki]

NIce pics, great scenery. How did your Norton like those twisties?

[bonedoctor]

Originally Posted by Orson

what a gorgeous bike

it's hard to believe you can just pluck something like that off E Bay!

Good thing I don't frequent E Bay

It certainly was the biggest purchase I'd made off eBay. The guy had lots of good pics and had a very detailed ad with all the stuff he'd done--things and places I'd heard of and it sounded like something I would write if I wanted to sell a classic bike. I still communicate with him via e-mail and he likes to hear about the bike. He's been helping me with some adjustments of the Amals since I'm a bit of a rookie and those things take a little getting used to. I sent him the pics I took of the bike posted here. Since buying it, I've added the Dart flyscreen and detailed the bike. Been thinking about a set of these bags, but kinda pricey.

Also, check out [url]www.coloradonortonworks.com[url]


Those are beautiful bikes in the gallery under "about us". Too bad they're $$$$. I can only afford the eBay versions!




Most of the ads are fairly vague, not very comprehensive. Here's the text of his ad--otherwise, I would have been very hesitant to spend $5200 on a bike I couldn't ride or see in person before purchase:

1970 Commando, starts first or second kick, runs great, and sounds even better!! Current owner for past 12 years. List of recent work done:

*Forks rebuilt/ bushings, seals, Progressive fork springs, head bearings, dural top nuts (100

miles ago)

*Gauges (tach, and speedo) rebuilt@ Foreign Speedo Inc. (100 miles ago)

*New surflex clutch plates (200 miles )

*RGM anti wet sump valve

Stock Amal carbs sleeved

*Koni dial-a-ride rear shocks

*Corbin Saddle

*Headwork done by Total performance Racer (Tulsa) seats guides etc. (500 miles)

*Clubman Racing Accessories rear sets

*Converta gauge mounts

*Stainless spokes front and rear

*Tons of stainless hardware (head bolts, cyl base nuts, axel nuts, etc...)

*Halogen headlight

*Renthal aluminum handlebars

*Low miles on isolastics

*Tommaselli rubber isolated headlight mounts

*Oil filter updated to 850 spin on type

*Updated wiring:

-Boyer electronic ignition

-Dual fire 3ohm ignition coil

-Podtronics solid state rectifier/ regulator (no more Lucas plate rectifier, or zener diode!!)

-Plug in auto style fuses

-All new wiring and connectors

*Magura trap door throttle

Comes with S lower triple clamp (chrome), stock footpegs and brake set up, Aluminum wrench for dural fork top nuts, instruction sheets etc. for most of the upgrades, and a factory shop manual.

Mileage believed to be correct. I bought it from the second owner, who claimed it was accurate. No leaks, no smoke (.020 over with fresh rings). Transmission shifts smooth, no clutch drag or slip, and with the new surflex plates, goes smoothly into neutral while stopped and running. Paint is in great shape, a few chips, but very presentable. The right side of the gas tank, the paint crazed right after it was painted (10 years ago), has never gotten any worse, but is noticeable. Frame, engine, and transmission numbers all match.

Need to sell to fund new project. Will help with shipping, can deliver to Forward Air terminal in Albuquerque for no charge. Will not crate. Will deliver within 150 miles free. Buyer pays all shipping charges. Please drop me a line with any questions.