A gold mine has been found

rickyboy · 01-12-2011, 01:50 PM

I got this from a friend of mine and thought you all might enjoy reading this.

11 New 1975 Norton Commandos Found in Belgium !

A "brand new" 1975 Norton Commando Interstate still in its crate, one of 11 found recently in Belgium

Heres something you dont come across every day: 11 brand new 1975 electric-start Norton Interstate motorcycles, still in the crate and awaiting final assembly!

The horde of Nortons came to light recently following the death of the owner of Motoshop Podevyn in Aalst, Belgium.

Incredibly, the bikes are just a small part of an even larger collection.

From what weve been able to learn, the owner of Motoshop Podevyn had quite a reputation for collecting bikes and parts, but he also collected quite a

reputation for being difficult to deal with, many former customers saying he rarely let go of parts or complete bikes from the huge collection he amassed over the years.

Here are the other 10 Nortons, still in their original, unopened packing crates.

Regardless, collect he did, and we can tell you from looking over the auction bill that this is going to be an amazing auction, with almost 400 lots being offered.

In addition to the 11 Nortons theres also an ex-Peter Williams Norton-powered space frame racer, a Rotax-powered 1989 Matchless G80 still in its crate, numerous

standard and customized Nortons, a Triumph T160, Bonnevilles, piles and piles of wheels and seats, and racks of used and new-old-stock gas tanks.

Also discovered was this never-assembled 1989 Rotax-powered Matchless G80.

Sin City Stan · 01-12-2011, 02:36 PM

Wow, sure brings back some old memories.

AlabamaNomadRider · 01-12-2011, 03:08 PM

Wow, those will be worth a fortune.

**nomadbehappy** · 01-12-2011, 06:31 PM

I would love to get my hands on one of those. Probably would be replacing a lot of seals etc that would have dried up, but what a find :-)

macmac · 01-12-2011, 06:56 PM

Yeh all rubber parts are dead or damned close to it. Being out of sun and rain helps, but I would check real hard ALL rubbers.

Wicked cool never the less..... Who ever he was is worth more dead than alive I guess.

**glwilson** · 01-12-2011, 07:11 PM

This is an old story, and was posted here a year or so ago. It seems to continue to circulate the internet appearing to be a "recent-find".

Evidently this guy was a dealer and there was additional "stuff" related to this situation -- of which I remember to not necessarily be good -- but can't remember at the moment.

These bikes have long ago been disposed of from what I remember of the story when checking deeper into it after I first saw it.

Still... these are cool bikes from "back in the day".

**ringadingh** · 01-12-2011, 07:33 PM

It is an old story as Greg mentioned, the bikes were owned by a European distributor , not a dealer. apparently he was a miserable old codger who wouldn't sell people parts if he didn't like them and charged very high prices to those he did sell to.
He finally died and the stuff became available. Those Nortons were all auctioned offf about a year or so ago.
Still pretty cool seeing crated bikes from bygone days.

rickyboy · 01-12-2011, 07:43 PM

I didn't know it was old news. I just received it from a friend.

**glwilson** · 01-12-2011, 08:06 PM

Still a cool story and bikes...

**canuckrider** · 01-14-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwilson

These bikes have long ago been disposed of from what I remember of the story when checking deeper into it after I first saw it.

Still... these are cool bikes from "back in the day".

UPDATE: 6/22/2010
Selling prices for the Belgian Norton Commandos have finally been revealed. The cheapest went for just under $21,000, while the most expensive sold for just under $23,000. The Matchless G80 went for a shade under $12,000. - Richard Backus

Read more: http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/bl...#ixzz1B2kf8iQP

**ringadingh** · 01-14-2011, 04:51 PM

Thats actually more than I would have figured that they would sell for. I remember it being debated that the bikes are only considered new in the crate while they are in the crate, and once assembled and possibly ridden they are used bikes.
I guess if your a real Norton fan its still a good chance to own a pristine bike.

**glwilson** · 01-14-2011, 05:46 PM

From where I am from; "new" means never having been "titled".

Technically, then one could have a 20-year old "new" bike. Doesn't make sense given what I said.

**ringadingh** · 01-14-2011, 07:18 PM

To me new would be a twenty year old bike with zero miles on it, titled or untitled. Once you ride it it is used in my mind.

**canuckrider** · 01-15-2011, 11:52 PM

New? Used? Never Titled? Who gives a flying leap?

No matter how you classify it, one of those would be a really cool bike to have!

hammer · 01-16-2011, 01:50 AM

I 2nd that notion. I would love to have a Norton again.

01-12-2011, 01:50 PM	#1
rickyboy Top Contributor Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 108 Mile Ranch B.C. Canada Posts: 5,472	A gold mine has been found I got this from a friend of mine and thought you all might enjoy reading this. 11 New 1975 Norton Commandos Found in Belgium ! A "brand new" 1975 Norton Commando Interstate still in its crate, one of 11 found recently in Belgium Heres something you dont come across every day: 11 brand new 1975 electric-start Norton Interstate motorcycles, still in the crate and awaiting final assembly! The horde of Nortons came to light recently following the death of the owner of Motoshop Podevyn in Aalst, Belgium. Incredibly, the bikes are just a small part of an even larger collection. From what weve been able to learn, the owner of Motoshop Podevyn had quite a reputation for collecting bikes and parts, but he also collected quite a reputation for being difficult to deal with, many former customers saying he rarely let go of parts or complete bikes from the huge collection he amassed over the years. Here are the other 10 Nortons, still in their original, unopened packing crates. Regardless, collect he did, and we can tell you from looking over the auction bill that this is going to be an amazing auction, with almost 400 lots being offered. In addition to the 11 Nortons theres also an ex-Peter Williams Norton-powered space frame racer, a Rotax-powered 1989 Matchless G80 still in its crate, numerous standard and customized Nortons, a Triumph T160, Bonnevilles, piles and piles of wheels and seats, and racks of used and new-old-stock gas tanks. Also discovered was this never-assembled 1989 Rotax-powered Matchless G80. __________________ Nomad'a What ! "rickyboy" Richard Cole Canada West Region 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia Canada Vulcan Bagger Assoc. #00722 Black 2006 Nomad https://cdn2.iconfinder.com/data/ico...Book_32x32.png Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-12-2011, 02:36 PM	#2
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	A gold mine has been found Wow, sure brings back some old memories. __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
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01-12-2011, 03:08 PM	#3
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	A gold mine has been found Wow, those will be worth a fortune. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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01-12-2011, 06:31 PM	#4
nomadbehappy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Barrie, ON Posts: 332	A gold mine has been found I would love to get my hands on one of those. Probably would be replacing a lot of seals etc that would have dried up, but what a find :-) __________________ Brian Muscat bamuscat@gmail.com Barrie, ON KawaNOW #1404 2008 Kawasaki Nomad (Ultra) *Red* and Black because they're the fastest colours! Winter is nature's way of telling us to add more *Chrome!*
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01-12-2011, 06:56 PM	#5
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	A gold mine has been found Yeh all rubber parts are dead or damned close to it. Being out of sun and rain helps, but I would check real hard ALL rubbers. Wicked cool never the less..... Who ever he was is worth more dead than alive I guess. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-12-2011, 07:11 PM	#6
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	A gold mine has been found This is an old story, and was posted here a year or so ago. It seems to continue to circulate the internet appearing to be a "recent-find". Evidently this guy was a dealer and there was additional "stuff" related to this situation -- of which I remember to not necessarily be good -- but can't remember at the moment. These bikes have long ago been disposed of from what I remember of the story when checking deeper into it after I first saw it. Still... these are cool bikes from "back in the day". __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
	0

01-12-2011, 07:33 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	A gold mine has been found It is an old story as Greg mentioned, the bikes were owned by a European distributor , not a dealer. apparently he was a miserable old codger who wouldn't sell people parts if he didn't like them and charged very high prices to those he did sell to. He finally died and the stuff became available. Those Nortons were all auctioned offf about a year or so ago. Still pretty cool seeing crated bikes from bygone days. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

01-12-2011, 07:43 PM	#8
rickyboy Top Contributor Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 108 Mile Ranch B.C. Canada Posts: 5,472	A gold mine has been found I didn't know it was old news. I just received it from a friend. __________________ Nomad'a What ! "rickyboy" Richard Cole Canada West Region 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia Canada Vulcan Bagger Assoc. #00722 Black 2006 Nomad https://cdn2.iconfinder.com/data/ico...Book_32x32.png
	0

01-12-2011, 08:06 PM	#9
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	A gold mine has been found Still a cool story and bikes... __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
	0

01-14-2011, 04:51 PM	#11
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	A gold mine has been found Thats actually more than I would have figured that they would sell for. I remember it being debated that the bikes are only considered new in the crate while they are in the crate, and once assembled and possibly ridden they are used bikes. I guess if your a real Norton fan its still a good chance to own a pristine bike. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

01-14-2011, 05:46 PM	#12
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	A gold mine has been found From where I am from; "new" means never having been "titled". Technically, then one could have a 20-year old "new" bike. Doesn't make sense given what I said. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
	0

01-14-2011, 07:18 PM	#13
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	A gold mine has been found To me new would be a twenty year old bike with zero miles on it, titled or untitled. Once you ride it it is used in my mind. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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01-15-2011, 11:52 PM	#14
canuckrider Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Okotoks, AB, Canada Posts: 1,088	A gold mine has been found New? Used? Never Titled? Who gives a flying leap? No matter how you classify it, one of those would be a really cool bike to have! __________________ "Sun on my face, wind in my hair, sound of my bike in my ears and peace in my soul..." VBA Member #01514 2008 "Ultra" Nomad 1600, Candy Plasma Blue
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01-16-2011, 01:50 AM	#15
hammer Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,329	A gold mine has been found I 2nd that notion. I would love to have a Norton again. __________________ Hammer aka CrocHammer KawaNow#00988, VROC#26389, VR#2202 Abbotsford, BC, Canada 2006 Black Nomad
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