I remember going to a dealers shop to look at a early commando. The early isolation bushes where worn out. When he started it on the centre stand the bike walked across the car park!!!.I still bought it and got a discount for the new bushes.. it was a good bike.just a few small silly problems .it never left me at the side of the road. Thanks for the memory's
Watching this hurts somewhat because, in 1979, I had one chance to own a 1971 Norton 750 Commando with less than 1,000 miles on it, and the price was more than reasonable. I took it for a test ride, loved it's lean profile and classic sound, and rode it back. I did not have the money straight up to purchase it, but I did not even try to work something out either. My young mind did not look at more possibilities. Thanks for the video.
I have two beautiful running 850 interstates a 73 and a 75 the 73 I bought when I was in the Navy they are absolutely wonderful motorcycles. Great fun to ride fast and go around corners wonderful
I've got a 1975 Mk III Roadster, and it is a reliable fast and fun bike to ride. And the sound with the peashooter exhausts is probably the best sounding bike in the world. Yes, if you wanna know, I've got a Ducati 900 and a Harley big twin too. The Norton Commando is a very speciel bike. If you want one and get the chance to buy one, just do it.
Commandos never had peashooters, they are called reverse cones. Peashooters are another design entirely. My MKIII 850 came with black caps, but when they failed, I replaced them with reverse cones, which last longer & people generally prefer the spund they emit.@@sallhame
Once you have heard that wonderful exhaust note and throaty induction roar, you will recognise it. Norton Commando Fastback is the one bike i always wanted, coveted and yearned for, but probably never own. My boyhood dream, having one of those and you were on the top of the world. Never mind it was a clunky bag of mismatched bits and bolts made by hammers in the bitter end of the once great British Motorcycle Industry. It was a monumentally wonderful motorcycle and should be remembered as such
To ride a sweet running Commando is pure fun. even though there vintage old bikes they will put a grin on anyone who is lucky enough to take one for a ride. the low down grunt and the on rail felling in corners is unforgettable, two wheeled enjoyment with a exhaust sound of music to the ears..
brian critchley you couldn't of explained it better . I had a 750 roadster and loved it . Sometimes I would just stare at it in my bedroom . Start every time .
I had one from new back in ‘71. It was a 750 black roadster - such a sexy looking machine. On a summer afternoon through the hills, it was magic. It did, however, have a few shortcomings. After fifty miles the seat would feel like you were sitting on a piece of lightly padded 3x2. In the rain, water would funnel off your front, down between the tank and the seat, and straight into the air cleaner. That would bring you to a spluttering stop after a while. Also in the rain, front drum brake, even with the air scoop blanked off, would fill up with water and cease to function. It used to chew clutch cables - I took to always carrying a spare. The side-stand fell off before I’d even got it home from the show-room. It had Lucas electrics - need I say more? But as I said, on a summer afternoon on a twisty road, it was magic.
Sidestand fell off-love that. I remember in 1975 looking at Nortons and Triumph Trident -but luckily i bought cheaper Honda 750 and rode happily ever after....
My dad's Suzuki dealership also handled Norton (among others). At age 15 I got to ride a new '71 750 Commando up the coast on a family trip. It was very light and easy handling compared to other big bikes. These videos are showing a rigid engine mount. I recall these engines rocking back and forth at idle in the "isolastic" suspended rubber mounts. This was due to both pistons rising up & down in unison (on alternate cycles).
NO, I could see the rubber housings at front of the engine....the Isolastics would rock more visibly when worn ....These machines are in TOP shape. The ends of muffler on some of these moved a bit Look at the bike @ 3:45🧐
The Commando had a completely isolated engine, IE the engine, exhausts and carbs did not make solid contact with the frame and could run without a frame as one independent unit on the bench, the isoelastic mounts as you say achieved this and when replacing them you could by 3 types, stiff, medium, soft, stiff for racing only, the only other engine I've ever found to work the same way is the Lambretta engine, it has "silent mounts" exact same principle as Norton's isoelastic mounts, I've made the Lambretta mounts myself as the replacement mounts until recently were not up to standard, 71 the year most people say the best Commando was built, new dynamically balanced cranks making it virtually vibration free, only 55K units were made that year and they are the machine to buy now if you want one, USA $25K for top standard.
Denis Railey well I'm still riding the Commando I bought new in '72 and have had nothing but fun and trouble free riding! doubt todays bikes will do that
My 73 and my 75 Norton Interstates are pointed at the door ready to go as soon as the roads get all the salt off up here in Minnesota. So right now it's right and the GSA every where
My Commando vintage race bikes were built with mostly OEM parts and beat many of the fastest 750 Bikes that raced AHRMA sportsman and F 750 . I had racers like Gerry Wood, Greg Nichols and 8 AMA Hall of Fame Race them, they all did well and We had several 1-2 Finishes at the reunion races at the original Laconia race track. A well set up Commando is the equal of most any vintage bike in the hands of a real rider. Yvon Duhamel #17 really blew off two AHRMA racers on Norton Featherbed racers on my old white Commando that had thousands of race miles on it in year 2000 at the Laconia track. No one close.
4 of us, in the US Air Force, ordered new 71 Norton Commandos from Halfords in Cambridge. Sold mine 2 and a half years later, the day before I left the UK.
I miss my 1971 commando 750. Bought it in London Drove around Europe then shipped back to states. I kept it for a few years then sold it. It was a great bike.
I am getting good flashbacks of this! I bought a brand new 750 Fastback in -72 in red, and I have to say it was the most fun bike I ever owned! And what a sound it had!!
Harry I bought a 72 fastback in British Racing Green. $1503.50 is what I paid for it. Sure miss that bike. Never thought they would become as collectible as they have. I had a 1973 also. Sold both of them to a friend for $500. My brother had a Ducati 450 Mark IV?. Another bike that has really soared in value.
@@flower2289 We just had no idea that our bikes would be so valuable later on....and of course we were young and did not have TOO much cash at hand all the time. Those were different times.....that I miss sometimes! But I am still riding bikes. Normally I would be in Thailand now touring around there, but not so this corona year! Maybe next winter!! Be well!!
What a treat. Thanks so much for making this video, I could watch all day. What a bike. However.. My old dad.. Frank had no love for British bikes after 1959, despite having raced Nortons and BSAs in the 50's. "But, Dad, they're beautiful.." "Nonsense." Then he'd go off on a tirade. "Look at the shape of that! Who put that there? Who designed this, an idiot? Is leaking oil one of its features? Are they stuck in 19 bloody 50?" And above all else.. "OXBRIDGE BLOODY MANAGEMENT!" Dunno why I'm sharing all this with the world! I suppose it's just my love for British bikes is still somehow down to him and his stories of the Isle of Man, scrambles and trials meets back in the day. For now I still plod along on an Indian Enfield, but one day a Commando shall be mine. I'm now getting on a bit, so I'd better hurry up ;-)
Concurrent with the canted forward engine was the Norton P11 which had a vertical engine. They were made from '67 TO '69 in two versions: the P11 which was a racer and the P11A Ranger which was the street legal version. I owned a 1968 P11A and to this day is the one of the best handling bikes I've ever ridden. The Nortons of that era were renowned for their 'featherbed' frame which was simultaneously comfortable, strong, and handled extremely well, nothing could keep up to me on the twisty mountain highways where I lived then. Now that I'm older I ride a cruiser but lately I've been toying with the idea of buying another P11A.
I owned three different Commandos, a 1969 (red), a 1971 (blue), and a 1973 (850, black). My riding buddy bought the first 750 Honda 4 in town and I could easily outrun him until he tore his Honda apart and put every speed gadget you can think of into it (he was a Honda mechanic). Then it was a killer, fastest thing in town throughout the year of 1970. The Nortons were great bikes and handled much better than the Honda but they were not much for longevity. My '69 needed a rebuild at about 30,000 miles and that Honda, even with the hot-rodding stuff, was still going strong years later. I actually had a 750 Honda the insurance company bought for me after my '69 was stolen, but I sold it right away and bought the '71.
Amazing how much better the Japanese bikes were at that time. As troublesome as they can be though, some of the English and Italian bikes sure are desirable.
Sounds like we have had similar experiences! I had a 75 850 commando, 66 Matchless g 80 cs, 66 and 71 Bonnies, Bultaco 370 Frontera! Thanks for sharing!
These were still beautiful machines. No comparison to today! Motorcycles with esthetics and powerful sound. Just the English (BSA-Triumph-Norton) mopeds were great!
Killed off by the CB 750 , then buried by the Z1. My friend had a Combat 750. Beautiful bike. IMO , the most beautiful bike Norton ever made was the P11 with the Matchless frame but the most sought after is the Manx. By the time they came out with the Commando the whole British bike industry was gasping for air.
My buddy had a CB 750 and we traded bikes for part of our ride. There wasn’t a single thing I liked about the Honda compared to my 1974 850 Commando Roadster and I couldn’t wait to get off that Honda. As they say, different strokes…
Here's what I remember about my 76; First off it had disk's front and rear and the pipes were different than the previous years equipment - these were up swept from about where the kick starter was located and without a taper in the muffler section. There was also a little black plug or baffle at the end of the pipes and these kept the exhaust noise down to something reasonable which I preferred. My Norton also had an Electric Starter which worked very well with a good battery. I was not a big fan of the cable connection for the clutch handle, mine broke two or three times during the time I owned the bike which at a traffic light made moving my ride out of the way of following traffic a real pain. One time on a busy street in Rhode Island the clutch cable and the little roller to which the cable was connected separated leaving me to push the bike out of the way which of course I could not do by myself. Thankfully the first driver behind me hopped out of his car and helped me move the thing so whomever you were thanks again. The worst thing about the bike were the rims which were very out of balance or probably just bent out of alignment. You could not take a hand off the bars because the bike would start shaking violently at traffic speed. The bike went back to the shop for adjustment but even after several re-adjustments you still could not take either hand off the handle bar without a little wandering in the front end and it wasn't the tires which were TT-100's and well worth the extra cost - I learned to live with it because I'd had other British bikes and all of them were pretty much the same and because I bought my bike at the end of Norton's production run replacement wheels were not available or at least that's what I was told. Oh ya, one great thing about my bike, it came with an electric outlet in the European style which is two little round openings which I'm told most of the rest of the world uses instead of the American type of slotted electric outlets. This connection was intended for powering a heated suit for winter riding. It took a while to find such a suit but eventually I found one in Canada and so I grabbed it. With the suit I was able to ride through most of 2 winters driving back and forth between home and school without freezing to death, though my hands and feet were usually numb by the end of my rides. Still - owning an 850 Commando was a treat and I wish I still had it but the guy I sold mine to crashed it soon after he bought it from me - don't ask.
ok guys dont hang me!!! im 5ft 11 and rideing a standard comando at speed is the worst, great for thrashing and scratching but touring..... forget it for me. i run mine with jota bars and rearsets, toured all over uk and europe, a policeman in porugal asked me why? i said because i can! a nice set up comando in my opinion is the best british twin ever made,.....my oppinion, for what its worth, guys, ride em, please dont hide em!!! Dusty, uk
In 1976 I bought a Norton Interstate cheap that had the front forks bent after running into the back of a car. I had the forks straightened and rode it for a year or more. Sometimes I would go out for a 100 mi. ride just for the fun of it. The only problem I did not like about Nortons of that era were its Amal Carburetors where a certain weight oil had to be put in it for some reason, which I cannot now remember. The sound was truly British, as was the Triumph and BSA of that era.
A mod back in the day was to swap the twin Amals for a single Mikuni, either 32 or 34 mm. The Mikunis were inexpensive when picked off of junk snowmobiles. No carb balancing to worry about, almost as much grunt but suffered a bit at the top end.
I had a 650 Bonneville, my brother had a 750 Commando, and my friend had an 850 Interstate, I was forever nagging them to change bikes for a ride. My friend loved the Bonny so we swapped a lot, my brother, not so much, which was okay because the 850 would leave his 750 behind. The 650 sort of kept up with them both, I guess because the Triumph is a lot lighter. I wanted a Norton for myself but fate stepped in when I had the opportunity to buy a yank twin at a bargain price.
The first black machine sure sounds like one side has a plugged idle jet. Why do you think you have to keep playing with the throttle to keep it running (?) Listen to some of the other ones that can be left alone and will keep running without wearing out the slides. It is possible with a bit of knowledge and a bit of guitar string of 0.015 inch diameter but no larger. The third Machine has a Mikuni which pretty well eliminates the sync. issue. This is why it runs so evenly. The yellow machine (1:43) is one of the best simulations of what it is really like that I have ever seen. The visual and sound are right on. It looks and sounds exactly like you were riding it yourself. The yellow machine (4:08) looks like it may fall apart soon. The muffler and side cover were doing about a half inch stroke in their mountings and the mirrors should break off in a few more days. Guys . . . . it's OK to let the clutch out and turn off the choke ! ! Barnett must love you. Norton owner since 1973 and still ride to this day a 1970 model purchased at 20 yrs. of age for $402.50.
Owned 1, a '73, good bike but it vibrated like crazy. The rear fender & seat would go nuts but it would smooth out at higher rpms. Anyone who rides a bike with shorts, in my opinion, needs to rethink.
Good old British Steel ... still making nice noises in far away places. Good to see and hear. Company now calling in the receivers... Sadly, nothing bar nothing lasts forever.
GOD, how I wanted a Commando when I was in high school! Looking back, I'm very glad I never got one. A better recipe for disaster than 50+ horsepower, 60s tire technology and a twitchy adolescent throttle hand, I cannot imagine!
If ever you want a daily rider vintage bike, this is the one. Redo the isolastics with modern silicone rubbers and that thing will ride and run anywhere for many years.
Podes poner si es posible la trident de la Triump modelo año 70 o más si mal no recuerdo.muy buenos los videos fabulosa las Morton.asi no se pierden las maquinas que hiceron historia y lo siguen haciendo.buenisimo.
Sadly, the 750 I had years ago, not only broke my heart. But also my bank account. It must have been bloody cursed........despite huge efforts to fix it , there was ongoing mechanical and electrical issues as well as the fact that it leaked everywhere except the headlight! Finally decided enough was enough and sold it. Happy now with my ‘68 T 120R.
I will stick with my BSA A10. Every one of the bikes in the film sounded like it was just looking for an excuse to break down !. And that rubberised engine mounting system, lol.
Oh yes, and about that rubberized mounting system .... it was so pitiful that it won design awards and because of it the Commando was nominated motorcycle of the year for how many years ??? like 4 or 5 .
The most important Reason because i dont drive an old English Bike is : i cant repair selv a historic bike + a special Service for old english bikes is far and rare ☝️☹
Learn how to work on them yourselves I Re built 2 of them on my own working with several good Norton supply houses. They were not cheap but I have been offered a incredible amount of money for both of them. But the wife told me she divorce me if I got ready either one of them so ha there's still in my garage 65 years old
I can't remember seeing one of these bikes in real life. I've only seen it in motorcycle magazines back in the 60s and 70s. What was in the magazines was good ( not as good as this video ). But in the advertising they made fantastic claims like the Norton 750 could do a quarter mile in under 11 seconds. Not too many bikes in the 70s could do a quarter mile in 11 seconds. I think you'd have a hard time on a Honda 750 four cylinder making it through the quarter mile in 11 seconds.
Alan, I'm 73 and became a Norton Nut and owner in 1970, the Commandos were the first production bikes to run the quarter in less then 13 seconds (the high 12's), when Dunstall came out with his 1971 or 1972 Dunstall Norton 810, (he was to Norton like Shelby was to Mustang), that was the first "production" motorcycle to road test in the 11's with a 11.9 sec. ET....just to be clear, I'm talking about stock bikes and motorcycle magazine road tests, I'm not on top of what serious drag racers accomplished back then. Hope this helps, I still have the 1970 brochure that states from the factory...12.69sec @ 103.68 mph. "Cheers" my friend
Just an added point, the FIRST Honda 750's were road testing in the very low 13's, you have to realize that late 60's Sportsters, Bonnevilles, BSA Lightnings and such, were only running low 14's at the time (stock in road tests), so when the Commando and Honda 750 came out, that was a BIG leap forward in performance. Even the Super Stock cars of the day were only running 13's off the showroom floor, It took a bit of tender loving care to knock a couple seconds off of that. I feel real fortunate to have been a teen in the 60's and to have enjoyed what those years had to offer.
@@markmark2080 it seems we basically have similar information. So there was a superbikes from Norton. The ads I saw were in mags like Cycle World from 1971 or 2.
NEVER make that mistake again von Berkshire. ALWAYS trust in your own judgement. Best policy and it is far more reliable. That way you rarely miss out. Similarly, NEVER take the words of all the Clarkson wannabees out there as gospel when they give some vehicle their appraisal.
He lied... (misinformed you), they were a pure joy to ride, I'm talking about a bike that is in proper adjustment and tune. Any machine that's not set up proper is "a real awkward handful", and Norton's are a "hands on" bike, after all, they were the last of and greatest (performance wise) of the "old fashioned motorcycles". The Honda 750 and Commando 750 came on the scene within months of each other, one closed out an era and the other began an era. It was a great time to be a young man.
@@markmark2080 yes it was wasn't it I rode from my Navy Base to home cross-country many times with tools and made it every time I still have that motorcycle and I'm 65 now and I still love driving it
No hernia necessary, just a firm swing. More dangerous is over tickling the carbs as a misfire will ignite the excess fuel which makes life interesting. If you want a hernis a Yamaha SR500 can help you 😉
Back in the day, I was going to race a Norton 750 with my Kawasaki H1 Mach 3. Unfortunarely, we never got around to it. I think the outcome would have been obvious.
Can tell you right now, an H1 will leave the Norton in the dust, but, the Norton will (perhaps depending on the owner) most likely, far outlast the H1. Also, a race winner would depend on a great many things. Even though the horsepower is the same, the power bands are extremely different. Then there is the H2 750. :-O
I raced a Kawasaki Mach 3 at the dragstrip just once with my '69 commando S, I made a "perfect launch" and flawless run (for my ability), got down to the finish and looked over and no Mach 3, he had pulled a wheelie coming off the line and crashed. I was disappointed and never got another chance to race one. I did get to launch a H2 Mach 4 750 once, back in the day, that was pretty exciting for me.
@@markmark2080 It's been roughly 38 years since I got rid of my Kawasaki, Mach 3. I often wonder what it would be like to ride one again. It might not be that impressive by today's standards, but it would definitely bring back memories. It was my first bike and one never forgets his first...
@@markmark2080 Those were the days when motorcycling was undergoing a revolution in power and we were lucky enough to have been there and at the right age when it started.
Loved my 1972 Honda CB450.It was the first bike I owned that could keep up with highway speeds. And it had one disc up front for stopping. After that I owned two or three goldwings. And now the poor 450 looks like a bicycle with an engine.
@@sammilner3480 I owned a Honda CB450 and I can't see how it could keep up with a Norton Commando. The ads for the Norton in the motorcycle mags made huge claims about power and speed. And people comment that the Norton's were faster than a Honda CB 750. I expect they were pretty close.
Frankly I’m a bit shaken by his dive toward the oncoming car at that junction. It looked like the young gentleman had wanted to turn left and changed his mind pretty late. Its been a few years, I wonder if he’s still with us.
Cant help but notice but the mk3 owners all started there bikes on the kick start! i put a norvil starter motor on mine and never used the pedal again .
That's because the Mk 3 ( I had one ) didn't have electric start.......it was just leg assist. PS. My 920 Mk3 Highrider blew up on the I.O.M on mad sunday 1984 coming back down off the mountain while racing against my mate on his GPz. Tragedy.
My first one was a 1977 mk3 with the prestolite starter. as long as i had a good charge in the battery it would start on the button cold! but if you tried to start it with a weak battery then it would kick back and take the sprag out. this was cured to some extent by a 4 brush conversion. on my last bike (early 75 model) as i said i fitted a norvil starter and the kick start was history, but i did use it to wind up modern riders at shows by betting them they couldn't start it on the kick start and then watch them get kicked back over the tank when they tried.
Haha, yes. I used to get asked all the time "can I ride your bike?" My answer too was "if you can kickstart it". I loved the high rider Mk 111. My first Commando was a 1971 fastback, I remember it as a beast.
Never had a love for the fastback. not sure why its miles faster then a mk3. the high rider looked like a death trap l.o.l.. but the interstate with its fat tank i fell in love with at a early age, and so easy to restore.
I never loved the shape of the fastback, just happened to be the first one I bought. I never quite liked the fat tank of the interstate but I would have one. I prefer the slim tank of the roadster, but I really did love the highrider, mine was white red and blue John Player colours. You're right about the speed difference though, and it's down to the higher compression and different cams of the 750 engine, this also makes it harder to kickstart. Norton detuned the 850 and made it a bit softer because of the bottom end troubles they were getting. The 750 is noticeably sharper.
Bit like owning a jag you need two so while ones being fixed ,your riding the other ! always prefered Norton over triumph held the oil in a bit longer ... still remember the 70s when they were seen on the road often then well honda took over ........... and brit bikes faded away
Hey I made a living keeping these bikes running when new. There was always lots of work when we started selling Norton`s. They were nice bikes but they loved being touched by tools.
@@derekcollins9206 sounds like you read "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance." If you haven't read it, it's pretty good, although the author is nuts.
I have had many commandos from the 70 until the last one I sold about 10 years ago which was a Mk 3 850 one of the last made , the person who put this video together should have checked the facts more thoroughly because there are a LOT of inaccuracies , and the bikes shown are not good examples they all have lots of modifications on them . Commandos I recon were the best of the British twins of the 70s but the bottom line is they were the end of a design from 1949 , its basiclly the same engine , which got expanded up to 829 in the end . the last ones had a unique Crank which was stronger and a higher capacity oil pump but even those if you ride one hard it falls apart bangs out the bottom end , the brakes are absoloutly awfull , the twin leding shoe drum brake which was fitted up to around 72 (although I had an origional 73 that was sold with a twin leading shoe drum but without the breather at the left side of the camshaft which isnt supposed to be ) Norton were in a terrible mess back then , lots of the Mk2 As had porous heads from new , most of the 850s sold in UK were Mk2As which were the US export model with horrible big plastic airboxes ,,, it was all a mess ,,,,,, back then , you could see the standard of the head castings deteriorate as the years went by I had a 73 750 and a 74 Mk 2 a 850 at same time back then and the 750 head casting was way better than the 850 ,,, you can be all nostalgic about them but the reality was that they were slung together on a hope and a prayer , they can be pretty well sorted out , best engine is the Mk3 850 has a unique stronger crank and Oil pump , electric start contrary to opinion is OK the weak part is the sprag cluthc bearing which is unique and so expencive to replace and VERY easy to break .
I have memories of them as police bikes with the radio fastened to the petrol tank and a snap on and of bacalite phone with the speakers on full blast so it could be heard over the engine . they used them in northern England forces for a long time until the honda 750 4 took over . fun memories . thank you .
Did they not also employ some BMW,s too? I could be just imagining it, but I seem to recall some BMW boxer twin (typical old footwarmer beemer) police bikes in maybe the seventies and eighties.
rationalmartian yes the police used Beemers and in the early/mid 80s Norton Wankels. I talked my way out of a speeding ticket by enthusing about how fantastic the Police Norton Wankels were 😊.
First gear is selected by pulling up on the gear lever, then down for 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Easy answer (Its a One up and 3 down gearbox - strange but true!)
They had a nice flat torque curve and sometimes you would goof up at a stop and accidentally take of in 2nd gear, no problem really, you won't do it on purpose, normally,
My small collection... the R90s sounds like this (from 1:13) ruclips.net/video/bViYmnYBWJY/видео.html the 1969 750 Commando is this ruclips.net/video/S_JCeyeTWv4/видео.html
I remember going to a dealers shop to look at a early commando. The early isolation bushes where worn out. When he started it on the centre stand the bike walked across the car park!!!.I still bought it and got a discount for the new bushes.. it was a good bike.just a few small silly problems .it never left me at the side of the road. Thanks for the memory's
Watching this hurts somewhat because, in 1979, I had one chance to own a 1971 Norton 750 Commando with less than 1,000 miles on it, and the price was more than reasonable. I took it for a test ride, loved it's lean profile and classic sound, and rode it back. I did not have the money straight up to purchase it, but I did not even try to work something out either. My young mind did not look at more possibilities. Thanks for the video.
I have two beautiful running 850 interstates a 73 and a 75 the 73 I bought when I was in the Navy they are absolutely wonderful motorcycles. Great fun to ride fast and go around corners wonderful
I've got a 1975 Mk III Roadster, and it is a reliable fast and fun bike to ride. And the sound with the peashooter exhausts is probably the best sounding bike in the world. Yes, if you wanna know, I've got a Ducati 900 and a Harley big twin too. The Norton Commando is a very speciel bike. If you want one and get the chance to buy one, just do it.
Commandos never had peashooters, they are called reverse cones. Peashooters are another design entirely. My MKIII 850 came with black caps, but when they failed, I replaced them with reverse cones, which last longer & people generally prefer the spund they emit.@@sallhame
Once you have heard that wonderful exhaust note and throaty induction roar, you will recognise it.
Norton Commando Fastback is the one bike i always wanted, coveted and yearned for, but probably never own.
My boyhood dream, having one of those and you were on the top of the world.
Never mind it was a clunky bag of mismatched bits and bolts made by hammers in the bitter end of the once great British Motorcycle Industry.
It was a monumentally wonderful motorcycle and should be remembered as such
To ride a sweet running Commando is pure fun. even though there vintage old bikes they will put a grin on anyone who is lucky enough to take one for a ride. the low down grunt and the on rail felling in corners is unforgettable, two wheeled enjoyment with a exhaust sound of music to the ears..
brian critchley you couldn't of explained it better . I had a 750 roadster and loved it . Sometimes I would just stare at it in my bedroom . Start every time .
Ny Chan, My Norton lives in my house, It is pure fun to ride..
I had one from new back in ‘71. It was a 750 black roadster - such a sexy looking machine. On a summer afternoon through the hills, it was magic.
It did, however, have a few shortcomings. After fifty miles the seat would feel like you were sitting on a piece of lightly padded 3x2. In the rain, water would funnel off your front, down between the tank and the seat, and straight into the air cleaner. That would bring you to a spluttering stop after a while. Also in the rain, front drum brake, even with the air scoop blanked off, would fill up with water and cease to function. It used to chew clutch cables - I took to always carrying a spare. The side-stand fell off before I’d even got it home from the show-room. It had Lucas electrics - need I say more?
But as I said, on a summer afternoon on a twisty road, it was magic.
Sidestand fell off-love that. I remember in 1975 looking at Nortons and Triumph Trident -but luckily i bought cheaper Honda 750 and rode happily ever after....
As good as they look and sound here., they are so much better in person, hard to believe but true
Thanks for the post.
My dad's Suzuki dealership also handled Norton (among others). At age 15 I got to ride a new '71 750 Commando up the coast on a family trip. It was very light and easy handling compared to other big bikes. These videos are showing a rigid engine mount. I recall these engines rocking back and forth at idle in the "isolastic" suspended rubber mounts. This was due to both pistons rising up & down in unison (on alternate cycles).
NO, I could see the rubber housings at front of the engine....the Isolastics would rock more visibly when worn ....These machines are in TOP shape. The ends of muffler on some of these moved a bit
Look at the bike @ 3:45🧐
The Commando had a completely isolated engine, IE the engine, exhausts and carbs did not make solid contact with the frame and could run without a frame as one independent unit on the bench, the isoelastic mounts as you say achieved this and when replacing them you could by 3 types, stiff, medium, soft, stiff for racing only, the only other engine I've ever found to work the same way is the Lambretta engine, it has "silent mounts" exact same principle as Norton's isoelastic mounts, I've made the Lambretta mounts myself as the replacement mounts until recently were not up to standard, 71 the year most people say the best Commando was built, new dynamically balanced cranks making it virtually vibration free, only 55K units were made that year and they are the machine to buy now if you want one, USA $25K for top standard.
gotta say I've had a number of British,Italian and American bikes but the Norton Commando is the bike I hold in the highest esteem,even today!
Not even close today. Those were the days.
Denis Railey well I'm still riding the Commando I bought new in '72 and have had nothing but fun and trouble free riding! doubt todays bikes will do that
My 73 and my 75 Norton Interstates are pointed at the door ready to go as soon as the roads get all the salt off up here in Minnesota. So right now it's right and the GSA every where
My Commando vintage race bikes were built with mostly OEM parts and beat many of the fastest 750 Bikes that raced AHRMA sportsman and F 750 . I had racers like Gerry Wood, Greg Nichols and 8 AMA Hall of Fame Race them, they all did well and We had several 1-2 Finishes at the reunion races at the original Laconia race track. A well set up Commando is the equal of most any vintage bike in the hands of a real rider. Yvon Duhamel #17 really blew off two AHRMA racers on Norton Featherbed racers on my old white Commando that had thousands of race miles on it in year 2000 at the Laconia track. No one close.
4 of us, in the US Air Force, ordered new 71 Norton Commandos from Halfords in Cambridge. Sold mine 2 and a half years later, the day before I left the UK.
You are so lucky, I just found out about them and I felt in love with them.
Wow .... what a sound !!! Norton, great and magnificent bikes !!! Even better with Dunstall exhausts !
I miss my 1971 commando 750. Bought it in London Drove around Europe then shipped back to states. I kept it for a few years then sold it. It was a great bike.
The 850 Interstate in dark blue was my favourite. Scrambler and green fastback were close behind as was anything in that canary yellow paint job.
Excellent post. The ones I didn't see that I recall the Combat ,the Dunstall and the John Player for the street but that Scrambler was sweet.
I am getting good flashbacks of this! I bought a brand new 750 Fastback in -72 in red, and I have to say it was the most fun bike I ever owned! And what a sound it had!!
Harry I bought a 72 fastback in British Racing Green. $1503.50 is what I paid for it. Sure miss that bike. Never thought they would become as collectible as they have. I had a 1973 also. Sold both of them to a friend for $500. My brother had a Ducati 450 Mark IV?. Another bike that has really soared in value.
@@flower2289 We just had no idea that our bikes would be so valuable later on....and of course we were young and did not have TOO much cash at hand all the time. Those were different times.....that I miss sometimes! But I am still riding bikes. Normally I would be in Thailand now touring around there, but not so this corona year! Maybe next winter!! Be well!!
What a treat. Thanks so much for making this video, I could watch all day. What a bike. However..
My old dad..
Frank had no love for British bikes after 1959, despite having raced Nortons and BSAs in the 50's.
"But, Dad, they're beautiful.."
"Nonsense." Then he'd go off on a tirade. "Look at the shape of that! Who put that there? Who designed this, an idiot? Is leaking oil one of its features? Are they stuck in 19 bloody 50?" And above all else.. "OXBRIDGE BLOODY MANAGEMENT!"
Dunno why I'm sharing all this with the world! I suppose it's just my love for British bikes is still somehow down to him and his stories of the Isle of Man, scrambles and trials meets back in the day. For now I still plod along on an Indian Enfield, but one day a Commando shall be mine. I'm now getting on a bit, so I'd better hurry up ;-)
Concurrent with the canted forward engine was the Norton P11 which had a vertical engine. They were made from '67 TO '69 in two versions: the P11 which was a racer and the P11A Ranger which was the street legal version. I owned a 1968 P11A and to this day is the one of the best handling bikes I've ever ridden. The Nortons of that era were renowned for their 'featherbed' frame which was simultaneously comfortable, strong, and handled extremely well, nothing could keep up to me on the twisty mountain highways where I lived then. Now that I'm older I ride a cruiser but lately I've been toying with the idea of buying another P11A.
I owned three different Commandos, a 1969 (red), a 1971 (blue), and a 1973 (850, black). My riding buddy bought the first 750 Honda 4 in town and I could easily outrun him until he tore his Honda apart and put every speed gadget you can think of into it (he was a Honda mechanic). Then it was a killer, fastest thing in town throughout the year of 1970. The Nortons were great bikes and handled much better than the Honda but they were not much for longevity. My '69 needed a rebuild at about 30,000 miles and that Honda, even with the hot-rodding stuff, was still going strong years later. I actually had a 750 Honda the insurance company bought for me after my '69 was stolen, but I sold it right away and bought the '71.
The Norton long stroke design was antiquated when it came out-John in Texas
Amazing how much better the Japanese bikes were at that time. As troublesome as they can be though, some of the English and Italian bikes sure are desirable.
Sounds like we have had similar experiences! I had a 75 850 commando, 66 Matchless g 80 cs, 66 and 71 Bonnies, Bultaco 370 Frontera! Thanks for sharing!
Had a 72 750 commando in so. Cal rode in San Bernardino mountains to Big Bear lake , 50 miles of twistys. Had the footpegs ground off...lots of fun!!!
These were still beautiful machines. No comparison to today! Motorcycles with esthetics and powerful sound. Just the English (BSA-Triumph-Norton) mopeds were great!
I had a Norton Commando S 750 back in 1971, love that bike!
Love the canary yellow commando , being ridden , what a great looking and great sounding bike , stay lucky boys 🤞
Killed off by the CB 750 , then buried by the Z1. My friend had a Combat 750. Beautiful bike. IMO , the most beautiful bike Norton ever made was the P11 with the Matchless frame but the most sought after is the Manx. By the time they came out with the Commando the whole British bike industry was gasping for air.
My buddy had a CB 750 and we traded bikes for part of our ride. There wasn’t a single thing I liked about the Honda compared to my 1974 850 Commando Roadster and I couldn’t wait to get off that Honda. As they say, different strokes…
Here's what I remember about my 76; First off it had disk's front and rear and the pipes were different than the previous years equipment - these were up swept from about where the kick starter was located and without a taper in the muffler section. There was also a little black plug or baffle at the end of the pipes and these kept the exhaust noise down to something reasonable which I preferred. My Norton also had an Electric Starter which worked very well with a good battery. I was not a big fan of the cable connection for the clutch handle, mine broke two or three times during the time I owned the bike which at a traffic light made moving my ride out of the way of following traffic a real pain. One time on a busy street in Rhode Island the clutch cable and the little roller to which the cable was connected separated leaving me to push the bike out of the way which of course I could not do by myself. Thankfully the first driver behind me hopped out of his car and helped me move the thing so whomever you were thanks again. The worst thing about the bike were the rims which were very out of balance or probably just bent out of alignment. You could not take a hand off the bars because the bike would start shaking violently at traffic speed. The bike went back to the shop for adjustment but even after several re-adjustments you still could not take either hand off the handle bar without a little wandering in the front end and it wasn't the tires which were TT-100's and well worth the extra cost - I learned to live with it because I'd had other British bikes and all of them were pretty much the same and because I bought my bike at the end of Norton's production run replacement wheels were not available or at least that's what I was told. Oh ya, one great thing about my bike, it came with an electric outlet in the European style which is two little round openings which I'm told most of the rest of the world uses instead of the American type of slotted electric outlets. This connection was intended for powering a heated suit for winter riding. It took a while to find such a suit but eventually I found one in Canada and so I grabbed it. With the suit I was able to ride through most of 2 winters driving back and forth between home and school without freezing to death, though my hands and feet were usually numb by the end of my rides. Still - owning an 850 Commando was a treat and I wish I still had it but the guy I sold mine to crashed it soon after he bought it from me - don't ask.
I had hand warming pads that wrapped around the handles of the bike with an adjusting knob.
Got off a50cc moped to Norton atlas then got 850 interstate got hit headon by a pick nothing beats a Norton
That blue "S" is my dream bike. Charles Deane did a road test of one in that blue colour for Motorcycle Mechanics in the UK in January 1970. :)
Rideable art.
Just gorgeous .
The yellow one 1:46 to 2:30 is the most authentic sound I have ever heard on this site ! I know because I've had one for 47 years. (49 now)
I can forgive that boast!
ok guys dont hang me!!! im 5ft 11 and rideing a standard comando at speed is the worst, great for thrashing and scratching but touring..... forget it for me. i run mine with jota bars and rearsets, toured all over uk and europe, a policeman in porugal asked me why? i said because i can! a nice set up comando in my opinion is the best british twin ever made,.....my oppinion, for what its worth,
guys, ride em, please dont hide em!!!
Dusty, uk
ditch the european bars and fit u.k market bars which are much lower, then you don't get your head blown off.
Freaky Fred's aka Shadetree Engineering out of Minneapolis, MN. We lived it and we loved it!
Beautiful bikes...I miss my Commando....
Really memorable
Me too Gary. Can't afford one now.
that first bike is mine :) bought it from a great guy in New Brunswick !
I miss my Norton as well
I had 2 Norton’s . Oh how I wish
Never owned 1 but looked for 850CC Black & gold electric start unlucky up to now @ 61yrs ...(UK)
Wonderful sound, beautyful machines!
Oil leaks?
In 1976 I bought a Norton Interstate cheap that had the front forks bent after running into the back of a car. I had the forks straightened and rode it for a year or more. Sometimes I would go out for a 100 mi. ride just for the fun of it. The only problem I did not like about Nortons of that era were its Amal Carburetors where a certain weight oil had to be put in it for some reason, which I cannot now remember. The sound was truly British, as was the Triumph and BSA of that era.
A mod back in the day was to swap the twin Amals for a single Mikuni, either 32 or 34 mm. The Mikunis were inexpensive when picked off of junk snowmobiles. No carb balancing to worry about, almost as much grunt but suffered a bit at the top end.
I have two of them in perfect condition you can't imagine how much they're worth now
Back in 1967 we called those handle bar grips Tit-Tee Grips. @1:51
They really did dampen vibration on a Honda 305 Scrambler.
I had a 650 Bonneville, my brother had a 750 Commando, and my friend had an 850 Interstate, I was forever nagging them to change bikes for a ride. My friend loved the Bonny so we swapped a lot, my brother, not so much, which was okay because the 850 would leave his 750 behind. The 650 sort of kept up with them both, I guess because the Triumph is a lot lighter. I wanted a Norton for myself but fate stepped in when I had the opportunity to buy a yank twin at a bargain price.
I had a Norton 850cc
Yes I had an Atlas, never liked the gas tank on the Atlas
The first black machine sure sounds like one side has a plugged idle jet. Why do you think you have to keep playing with the throttle to keep it running (?) Listen to some of the other ones that can be left alone and will keep running without wearing out the slides. It is possible with a bit of knowledge and a bit of guitar string of 0.015 inch diameter but no larger. The third Machine has a Mikuni which pretty well eliminates the sync. issue. This is why it runs so evenly. The yellow machine (1:43) is one of the best simulations of what it is really like that I have ever seen. The visual and sound are right on. It looks and sounds exactly like you were riding it yourself. The yellow machine (4:08) looks like it may fall apart soon. The muffler and side cover were doing about a half inch stroke in their mountings and the mirrors should break off in a few more days. Guys . . . . it's OK to let the clutch out and turn off the choke ! ! Barnett must love you. Norton owner since 1973 and still ride to this day a 1970 model purchased at 20 yrs. of age for $402.50.
Owned 1, a '73, good bike but it vibrated like crazy. The rear fender & seat would go nuts but it would smooth out at higher rpms. Anyone who rides a bike with shorts, in my opinion, needs to rethink.
Amazing
Good old British Steel ... still making nice noises in far away places. Good to see and hear. Company now calling in the receivers... Sadly, nothing bar nothing lasts forever.
GOD, how I wanted a Commando when I was in high school! Looking back, I'm very glad I never got one. A better recipe for disaster than 50+ horsepower, 60s tire technology and a twitchy adolescent throttle hand, I cannot imagine!
Nortons sounds so fucking nice,Guzzi V2,BMW Boxer,the old only,not the new like 1200 GS.I like Twin cylinder...
If ever you want a daily rider vintage bike, this is the one. Redo the isolastics with modern silicone rubbers and that thing will ride and run anywhere for many years.
I had two Norton’s and they sound great. As a daily rider I would go to moto guzzi. Much better in reliability with good electrics.
Der schönste Ton - Norton
That's the sound!!!
Podes poner si es posible la trident de la Triump modelo año 70 o más si mal no recuerdo.muy buenos los videos fabulosa las Morton.asi no se pierden las maquinas que hiceron historia y lo siguen haciendo.buenisimo.
cool - The 1970 750 would be my choice hands down - a much better looking bike with a freer revving engine then the 850
Sadly, the 750 I had years ago, not only broke my heart. But also my bank account. It must have been bloody cursed........despite huge efforts to fix it , there was ongoing mechanical and electrical issues as well as the fact that it leaked everywhere except the headlight!
Finally decided enough was enough and sold it. Happy now with my ‘68 T 120R.
I'm very happy with my 68 T 120.Beauty of a machine.
Love that one-only the headlight didnt leak!
best looking bike 850 with dunstall exhaust
I bought a 71 Drum braker Commando new. Fine bike except for the vibration.
@ 1:37 Norton commando roadster looks awesome of all the models, love it.
That was lovely. Thanx!
Beautiful motmorcycles.
From a 750 Royal Enfield Interceptor to a 850 Norton Interstate to a 850 Moto Guzzi Eldorado to a GMC Suburban.
Excelent video !
Lets go on a ride to the end of the drive and back.
Muy bueno👍
The 1970 750R must have later forks on it as the Disc brake wasn't fitted till 1971
riding a bike is short pants? Are you crazy?
I will stick with my BSA A10. Every one of the bikes in the film sounded like it was just looking for an excuse to break down !. And that rubberised engine mounting system, lol.
I hope that some day you will get to ride a WELL set up and tuned Commando, it's something every motorcycle lover should get to experience.
Yessir the A10 was so awesome the factory shit canned it for the unit construction models way back in ..1963 ? Lol 😂
Oh yes, and about that rubberized mounting system .... it was so pitiful that it won design awards and because of it the Commando was nominated motorcycle of the year for how many years ??? like 4 or 5 .
And HD copied the rubber mount idea for their V twins long after Norton was history
2ndcornets Beeza 4 ever.
I wish they would come back
Me too! Me three!!!!
You can buy or make a new one, check out Norvil
The most important Reason because i dont drive an old English Bike is : i cant repair selv a historic bike + a special Service for old english bikes is far and rare ☝️☹
Learn how to work on them yourselves I Re built 2 of them on my own working with several good Norton supply houses. They were not cheap but I have been offered a incredible amount of money for both of them. But the wife told me she divorce me if I got ready either one of them so ha there's still in my garage 65 years old
Yellow Norton at 2:14 looks like River Road in Louisville, KY.
I can't remember seeing one of these bikes in real life. I've only seen it in motorcycle magazines back in the 60s and 70s. What was in the magazines was good ( not as good as this video ). But in the advertising they made fantastic claims like the Norton 750 could do a quarter mile in under 11 seconds. Not too many bikes in the 70s could do a quarter mile in 11 seconds. I think you'd have a hard time on a Honda 750 four cylinder making it through the quarter mile in 11 seconds.
Alan, I'm 73 and became a Norton Nut and owner in 1970, the Commandos were the first production bikes to run the quarter in less then 13 seconds (the high 12's), when Dunstall came out with his 1971 or 1972 Dunstall Norton 810, (he was to Norton like Shelby was to Mustang), that was the first "production" motorcycle to road test in the 11's with a 11.9 sec. ET....just to be clear, I'm talking about stock bikes and motorcycle magazine road tests, I'm not on top of what serious drag racers accomplished back then. Hope this helps, I still have the 1970 brochure that states from the factory...12.69sec @ 103.68 mph. "Cheers" my friend
Just an added point, the FIRST Honda 750's were road testing in the very low 13's, you have to realize that late 60's Sportsters, Bonnevilles, BSA Lightnings and such, were only running low 14's at the time (stock in road tests), so when the Commando and Honda 750 came out, that was a BIG leap forward in performance. Even the Super Stock cars of the day were only running 13's off the showroom floor, It took a bit of tender loving care to knock a couple seconds off of that. I feel real fortunate to have been a teen in the 60's and to have enjoyed what those years had to offer.
@@markmark2080 it seems we basically have similar information. So there was a superbikes from Norton. The ads I saw were in mags like Cycle World from 1971 or 2.
best of the Nortons
Back in the day, I was put off owning a Commando when a friend who had one told me it was a real awkward handful.
NEVER make that mistake again von Berkshire. ALWAYS trust in your own judgement. Best policy and it is far more reliable. That way you rarely miss out. Similarly, NEVER take the words of all the Clarkson wannabees out there as gospel when they give some vehicle their appraisal.
It might have been a handful if he was used to shifting on the left. I think all British bikes were shifter on the right.
He lied... (misinformed you), they were a pure joy to ride, I'm talking about a bike that is in proper adjustment and tune. Any machine that's not set up proper is "a real awkward handful", and Norton's are a "hands on" bike, after all, they were the last of and greatest (performance wise) of the "old fashioned motorcycles". The Honda 750 and Commando 750 came on the scene within months of each other, one closed out an era and the other began an era. It was a great time to be a young man.
@@markmark2080 yes it was wasn't it I rode from my Navy Base to home cross-country many times with tools and made it every time I still have that motorcycle and I'm 65 now and I still love driving it
@@duanesmith5074 What years were these, what Navy Base, and what home state, if I may ask...
Those were the days. Giving yourself a hernia trying to start ‘em
No hernia necessary, just a firm swing. More dangerous is over tickling the carbs as a misfire will ignite the excess fuel which makes life interesting. If you want a hernis a Yamaha SR500 can help you 😉
Τι τελια μοτοσυκλέτα τι μέταλλα τι ήχος τι ((ΚΡΑΤΙΜΑ )) ΕΧΟ ΠΟΛΕΣ ΟΡΕΕΣ ΑΝΑΜΝΙΣΕΙΣ Κ ΜΕΣΑ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΑΓΩΝΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΤΗΝ ΕΤΡΕΧΑ
Back in the day, I was going to race a Norton 750 with my Kawasaki H1 Mach 3. Unfortunarely, we never got around to it. I think the outcome would have been obvious.
Can tell you right now, an H1 will leave the Norton in the dust, but, the Norton will (perhaps depending on the owner) most likely, far outlast the H1. Also, a race winner would depend on a great many things. Even though the horsepower is the same, the power bands are extremely different. Then there is the H2 750. :-O
I raced a Kawasaki Mach 3 at the dragstrip just once with my '69 commando S, I made a "perfect launch" and flawless run (for my ability), got down to the finish and looked over and no Mach 3, he had pulled a wheelie coming off the line and crashed. I was disappointed and never got another chance to race one. I did get to launch a H2 Mach 4 750 once, back in the day, that was pretty exciting for me.
@@markmark2080 It's been roughly 38 years since I got rid of my Kawasaki, Mach 3. I often wonder what it would be like to ride one again. It might not be that impressive by today's standards, but it would definitely bring back memories. It was my first bike and one never forgets his first...
@@markmark2080 Those were the days when motorcycling was undergoing a revolution in power and we were lucky enough to have been there and at the right age when it started.
Madman with not even trousers on! Gravel rash at even 30mph is bad news
That black roadster was the dogs
Any John Player Nortons out there?
What does the STOP-sign stand for?
Classic bikes, My CB 450 was as quick back in the day
Had 3 of those. Great bikes.
No it wasn't mate , you are dreaming. I've had 6 Commandos and no cb450 would get close
I doubt it my stock bikes ran high12s low 13s at a New England Dragway. I was holding my own against CB750s and Kawasaki triples.
Loved my 1972 Honda CB450.It was the first bike I owned that could keep up with highway speeds. And it had one disc up front for stopping. After that I owned two or three goldwings. And now the poor 450 looks like a bicycle with an engine.
@@sammilner3480 I owned a Honda CB450 and I can't see how it could keep up with a Norton Commando.
The ads for the Norton in the motorcycle mags made huge claims about power and speed.
And people comment that the Norton's were faster than a Honda CB 750. I expect they were pretty close.
that throttle blapping guy on the yellow norton was annoying
Indeed sir, he struck me as a jolly bad egg with no understanding of the function of a gearbox.
Capt Ron Stop signs must just be a suggestion
It's kind of like rev matching at least he shifted smoothly
He's probably a new rider, he'll smooth out over the years if he doesn't kill himself first.
Frankly I’m a bit shaken by his dive toward the oncoming car at that junction. It looked like the young gentleman had wanted to turn left and changed his mind pretty late.
Its been a few years, I wonder if he’s still with us.
I thought that 72 was first year for front disc. Please correct me if I am wrong..
I had a 72 fastback and it had drum brakes on the front.
Soft fragile things that constantly leaked oil but good looking and good handling.
Some but not all and all sortable
Cant help but notice but the mk3 owners all started there bikes on the kick start! i put a norvil starter motor on mine and never used the pedal again .
That's because the Mk 3 ( I had one ) didn't have electric start.......it was just leg assist.
PS. My 920 Mk3 Highrider blew up on the I.O.M on mad sunday 1984 coming back down off the mountain while racing against my mate on his GPz. Tragedy.
My first one was a 1977 mk3 with the prestolite starter. as long as i had a good charge in the battery it would start on the button cold! but if you tried to start it with a weak battery then it would kick back and take the sprag out. this was cured to some extent by a 4 brush conversion. on my last bike (early 75 model) as i said i fitted a norvil starter and the kick start was history, but i did use it to wind up modern riders at shows by betting them they couldn't start it on the kick start and then watch them get kicked back over the tank when they tried.
Haha, yes. I used to get asked all the time "can I ride your bike?" My answer too was "if you can kickstart it". I loved the high rider Mk 111. My first Commando was a 1971 fastback, I remember it as a beast.
Never had a love for the fastback. not sure why its miles faster then a mk3. the high rider looked like a death trap l.o.l.. but the interstate with its fat tank i fell in love with at a early age, and so easy to restore.
I never loved the shape of the fastback, just happened to be the first one I bought. I never quite liked the fat tank of the interstate but I would have one. I prefer the slim tank of the roadster, but I really did love the highrider, mine was white red and blue John Player colours.
You're right about the speed difference though, and it's down to the higher compression and different cams of the 750 engine, this also makes it harder to kickstart. Norton detuned the 850 and made it a bit softer because of the bottom end troubles they were getting. The 750 is noticeably sharper.
What would these sound like on a dnepr mt10. Trying to get rid of sewing machine whine
Where was this last one being ridden?
The bike was taking part in the Maryhill (Vintage) Hill Climb near Goldendale, Washington, USA
2:15 - real bikers don't wear shorts.
Bit like owning a jag you need two so while ones being fixed ,your riding the other ! always prefered Norton over triumph held the oil in a bit longer ... still remember the 70s when they were seen on the road often then well honda took over ........... and brit bikes faded away
great bikes but you shouldn't have to be a master mechanic to get your bike to run on a daily basis
Hey I made a living keeping these bikes running when new. There was always lots of work when we started selling Norton`s. They were nice bikes but they loved being touched by tools.
Something to do when not riding.Being with your bike.Knowing it.
@@derekcollins9206 sounds like you read "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance." If you haven't read it, it's pretty good, although the author is nuts.
Many sat in showrooms for 3 years
3 has a HiRider tank.
On #3, it says 1970, but did they actually have front discs that year? I was thinking it wasn't until 1971/72, but maybe I'm confused.
Ok, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks Steve.
I have had many commandos from the 70 until the last one I sold about 10 years ago which was a Mk 3 850 one of the last made , the person who put this video together should have checked the facts more thoroughly because there are a LOT of inaccuracies , and the bikes shown are not good examples they all have lots of modifications on them . Commandos I recon were the best of the British twins of the 70s but the bottom line is they were the end of a design from 1949 , its basiclly the same engine , which got expanded up to 829 in the end . the last ones had a unique Crank which was stronger and a higher capacity oil pump but even those if you ride one hard it falls apart bangs out the bottom end , the brakes are absoloutly awfull , the twin leding shoe drum brake which was fitted up to around 72 (although I had an origional 73 that was sold with a twin leading shoe drum but without the breather at the left side of the camshaft which isnt supposed to be ) Norton were in a terrible mess back then , lots of the Mk2 As had porous heads from new , most of the 850s sold in UK were Mk2As which were the US export model with horrible big plastic airboxes ,,, it was all a mess ,,,,,, back then , you could see the standard of the head castings deteriorate as the years went by I had a 73 750 and a 74 Mk 2 a 850 at same time back then and the 750 head casting was way better than the 850 ,,, you can be all nostalgic about them but the reality was that they were slung together on a hope and a prayer , they can be pretty well sorted out , best engine is the Mk3 850 has a unique stronger crank and Oil pump , electric start contrary to opinion is OK the weak part is the sprag cluthc bearing which is unique and so expencive to replace and VERY easy to break .
a very popular police bike in the UK before thecjap stuff took over .
I have memories of them as police bikes with the radio fastened to the petrol tank and a snap on and of bacalite phone with the speakers on full blast so it could be heard over the engine . they used them in northern England forces for a long time until the honda 750 4 took over . fun memories . thank you .
Did they not also employ some BMW,s too?
I could be just imagining it, but I seem to recall some BMW boxer twin (typical old footwarmer beemer) police bikes in maybe the seventies and eighties.
rationalmartian yes the police used Beemers and in the early/mid 80s Norton Wankels. I talked my way out of a speeding ticket by enthusing about how fantastic the Police Norton Wankels were 😊.
that guy at start not really dressed to ride a bike......shame on u
What's with taking off in 2nd gear
First gear is selected by pulling up on the gear lever, then down for 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Easy answer (Its a One up and 3 down gearbox - strange but true!)
They had a nice flat torque curve and sometimes you would goof up at a stop and accidentally take of in 2nd gear, no problem really, you won't do it on purpose, normally,
Real motorbikes. Today's ones are computers on wheels.
Yes but they get you home!
I had two... one restored by professional... they're junk... I preffer the ES2 (had 2 also)...
My small collection... the R90s sounds like this (from 1:13)
ruclips.net/video/bViYmnYBWJY/видео.html
the 1969 750 Commando is this
ruclips.net/video/S_JCeyeTWv4/видео.html
And what STOP?!
No helmet, no armor, not even gloves?
Guy at 1:13 single carb is cheating.
Not really, with the 360 degree firing order a proper single carb flows nice and smooth, nothing better than keeping things simple...imho.