Norton Commando - 1 or 2 carbs? please help

[modsvsrockers]

So I recently bought a 71 Norton that had been sitting since 1982 and needed everything, and I am now almost done. Motor was seized. Fixed. New valves, springs, guides, punched, pistons, rings, gaskets, tranny, bars, controls, headlight, front and rear fender, I mean a bunch of stuff....a lot more than just this stuff. It is getting close to being done, and I may even put fire to her in the next few weeks.....

anyhow, moving on.

I have read of the joys of the Norton's power and handling, but the misers of it's unreliability and trouble starting. I wouldn't know, I have never had this bike running or been on a Norton. Online research indicated that electronic ignition is a good place to start (pun intended), so I bought that to ditch the points, condenser, etc. Now, I've also read that you should go with a single carb conversion instead of the dual carbs.

But wait...my Bonneville is special because it has dual carbs and gives it a few more horses than the tiger? Why would I want to do this with my Norton?

I obviously need to have my Norton carbs rebuilt, but have held out spending this money because I am on the fence about buying a single carb mikuni conversion here at MAP. Insert plug. But I don't want to sacrifice power solely for convenience. I know amals, I am not afraid of them, I have had my Bonne since I was a teenager. But it seems like such a popular conversion...so you Norton guys must know something that I don't.

So, my question, is it really that much of a benefit to go single with this modern conversion? How much power are you sacrificing for an easy start? Do you sacrifice only high RPM power, or low end? I could careless about losing top speed, but would be PISSED if I lost acceleration. And is it that much more reliable? I mean, my dad got a pair of mikuni's for his Sonny Routz Triumph and had so many problems with tuning them that he ditched them and went back to the amals.

Rebuild the dual set up, or change to the mikuni single? Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope......

Dan Lucas

[framus]

Well, it's not just an easy start. It's tunability, reliability and consistency. Sure, nothing looks like a vintage Amal but nothing quite fouls up like one either.

I know as well as anyone else that a twin carb setup looks cool. The same performance can be had with a larger single carb rather than two smaller carbs. For me, I'm a KISS guy and I really do like simple stuff. The less for me to fiddle with, the happier I am. I just want to ride the blasted thing, not worry about if my Amals are going to catch me and the bike on fire, why the left side one is sticking this time or where my new vacuum leak is coming from.

I'm personally not afraid of Amals either, I just dig the practicality.