When it absolutely must be done right and with integrity, you need Greg Marsh Enterprises. Our motto, promise, mission, and ethic is: Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Home Motorcycle Home Triumph Home Export Home Norton Info Home Special Parts Updated 03/27/26 Master Switch Bracket Updated 03/08/26 MKIII Rebuild Updated 03/08/26 Combat 5 Updated 03/28/26 High Performance 750 Updated 03/28/26 Roadster 850 Updated 03/05/26 High Mileage Combat Delivered 03/27/26 Customer Combat Partial Rebuild July 24 Delivered 03/22/25 850 Commando Recommission Delivered 09/20/24 Customer Combat Build Oct 23 Shipped 7/13/24 1975 Norton Wiring Delivered 06/07/24 Blue 69S Delivered 05/17/24 High Mileage 850 Delivered 03/26/24 Mk3 Engine & Gearbox Delivered 03/07/23 1973 Customer BasketCase Build Delivered 07/15/22 1974 Norton 850 Commando Rebuild Sold 01/12/21 Updated 06/10/21 Customer Combat Delivered 09/07/20 First Place Norton 05/18/2025 1972 Norton 750 Commando Rebuild Completed 05/15/19 First Place Norton 05/16/19 Sold 01/01/20 1972 Norton Wiring Completed 07/19/18 1974 Norton Wiring Completed 07/27/20 Customer Combat and 69S Builds Closed 10/18/23		Sunday, March 29, 2026
	March 23, 2026 Last April a guy I knew died. His widow contacted me as he had a lot of bikes but she knew I did a lot with Norton Commando Combats. At the time, she did not have a clear title so the basket case she had was of no value to me. Fast forward a year and she called again, this time with a title. The last think I needed was another project, but... She delivered the bike today. If it were just another Combat build, I wouldn't document it, but it is actually a 1973 High Performance 750 and it is going to be probably the worst/ugliest bike I've brought back to life. The Rebuild from hell had that distinction, but this is worse! A little history: Later in 1972, the Combat had gotten such a bad name that Norton dropped it (more or less). By the time they did, the problem were resolved but they had already planned on the 850 to get more or less the power of the Combat bur with much less stress on the engine. they were still making 750s so they made two. One with an RH5 head which provided 8.9:1 compression and with a standard cam. they also made one with an RH6 head which provided 9.3:1 compression that was called a High Performance, but as far as I can tell, they never actually marketed it. The RH6 head was basically a RH5 head with .020: skimmed off. The Combat head (RH3) had .040" skimmed off and provided 10:1 compression. The Combat had a "2S" (hotter) cam. Not sure about the High Performance - will figure that out. This bike has a RH6 head so should be a High Performance. I will build it with a 4S came which is hotter than standard but nicer on the street at lower RPMs. there are several bikes ahead of this in the queue so it won't get much in the way of updates for a while. I am out of space to it will come apart, lots of it recycled, and the rest in bins. However, I might use the frame for Combat5 if it's better than the frame I've been restoring for it. There are some pictures of it untouched since arriving today. BTW, I'm open to names for this. I though about "Ugly One", "Ain't No Way", "You've Got to be Kidding me" and so on. March 25, 2026 I had no plan to do anything with this right now, but then I had a guy stop buy with questions. In another write-up I told of a new shop rule and actually I have another (getting old so might as well become even more consentaneous). Here they are: You put something away where it's doesn't go and the penalty is you lose a finger! You can put anything in my red roll-around cart and I'll put it away, just don't find your own spot! You come to me for help, I'll drop everything and help you, but then you must plan on being put to work. In the past I never let people help, now I need free labor - especially for heavy things! So, when I helped the guy that came today for 10-15 minutes, I put him to work helping me with this bike. First we moved things around and put it in a much better place where he could work on one side while I worked on the other. You can see in the picture that we got quite a bit done. The reasons to take this apart are: Get rid of the junk and put the good parts in bins or shelves to save room Inspect the frame. the priority project right now is Combat5 and the frame I'm working on for it is in really rough shape. I think this frame is good other than the paint. I really would like to get that bike done this spring. I suspect that in two more hours this can be apart and out of the way. March 26, 2026 I jinxed myself with this statement yesterday: "I suspect that in two more hours this can be apart and out of the way." The first picture shows trying to accomplished the simple task of removing a passenger grab rail. The screws on the drive side unscrewed easily from the captive nuts on the clamps. The timing side two were rusted solid and the captive nuts broke free. After trying many things I finally cut them with my Dremel. Next it was time to remove the swingarm. Should be max a 15 minute job! over four hours later it's off! The 2nd picture shows a car lug nut cross-threaded into the spindle. Once I got it out I was able to chase the treads - luckily only the first 2/3 were damaged. The third picture shows it rigged for the first inch of pull - this was actually the 2nd rigging. My longest 1/2" drive breaker bar was just enough to start if moving a tiny bit. Then I used my air impact wrench (it's not very strong) and after about 20 minutes it was out about an inch. The fourth picture shows the 4th rigging used up and the 5th shows the result of the 4th rigging. Then I was out of things with a large enough OD and ID so it was slide hammer time as shown in the 6th picture. The "hammer" is an old bad Lucas rotor. I didn't count but I bet it took around 100 blows to get the spindle out from that point. Even though I had two steroid shots this morning, and they eliminate all pain; however, my left arm/shoulder are NOT happy! It's REALLY annoying when idiots put grease in swing arm spindles! Clearly the spindle and bushings are ruined but probably the cradle is as well. The last picture shows the rest of the progress today. In all, the "two hours" has taken five and I'm a long way from having power unit out of the frame and the front end off :-( March 27, 2026 Had a lot going on today so only had only a little time for this. Did get the primary completely disassembled. Also was able to get to the top of the gearbox and clean it off. The gearbox does match the engine so that made me happy. March 28, 2026 I had so much trouble getting the engine/gearbox mounting studs and bolts out that I completely forgot to take pictures of the engine rigging and pulling. So the picture below will have to do. I have a thick aluminum plate I've used for years for various things. It has LOTS of holes.To pull a Commando engine I use the strap from a ratchet strap looped twice under that plate with the plate screwed to the head using the screw holes for the head steady. Then I jack the engine up as far at is will go and swing it out on the timing side. Once rigged and all the fasteners are out, it's a simply task.

	Copyright © 2003-2026 Greg Marsh Enterprises 8116 Arlington Blvd. #171, Falls Church, VA 22042 (703) 200-4025 marshg@gregmarsh.com