An other good deed done, the Norton is now fitted with brandnew Girling shocks from Paul Goff. First I was scared that the old ones would be hard to remove but after all, in not even 30 minutes time they were changed. They fit perfectly, the exact same size.

New Girling 12.9″ shocks (Hagon replicas) for the Norton

While I was at it, I also removed the battery to charge it. I guess the electrical system still works well; it was charging for about 5 minutes and already stopped, it just didn’t need more which should indicate that the battery was still charged enough.  After that, of course a test; they work good, the Girlings, but they’re “softer” than the old Koni’s. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as I’m mostly driving around town and not speeding the Norton.

I’ve received them today; the new rear shocks for the Norton Commando. Though of course the original ones aren’t made anymore, there is an exact to the identical Girling replica. Some may say that nowdays shocks are more avanced; they are progressive, gas damping adjustable, ..
Yes, true perhaps, but then they won’t have the same look as “original” and I would like to keep the Norton as original as possible.

Girling replica shocks for Norton Commando

It would be possible to use more advanced equipement like better brakes, more reliable ignition, more reliable carburators, .. But as I’m not using the Norton for every-day-trafic anyway, I just prefer to keep the original aspects.

I’ve also ordered a new headlight (Lucas 7″) and rim as well as indicators (Lucas 5″ stalks). Soon I’ll take the Norton to Machines & Moteurs for some work. I also took the Norton out for a ride 4th of January; weather was dry though near freezing, but my wife gave me for Christmas a thermo underwear combination. It is amazing, it was really as if it wasn’t cold at all, though my fingers started to freeze in my handgloves.