Pictures of your Norton Commandos

Superpole · May 6, 2021

Saber said:
Welcome to the forum. How long have you owned the bike?

Thank you for the welcome.

I purchased that bike in 2017 for a semi retirement restoration project. I had to have one more Norton! I stumbled on to Matts CNW website while looking for parts and fell in love with his work. So I decided to send the Commando up to Matt.

My very first British bike was a Triumph at 16 years old. But I had to have a Norton! I settled on a Atlas 750 at first. Than came the the 850 commando. I rebuilt the 850 Engine with the help of my dad, Lenny Gilzo and friends. Some parts came from Marino at M.A.P Cycle as well as Sid's cycles. We put a big bore kit and Norris cams in her and Lenny did his magic on the head. Lenny used to drag race a BSA he called Dino. (Might be some folks on here that may know him) Those were some really good times in my life, we were a tight group. Hoping to add some new memory's soon.

Carl H · May 9, 2021

One of my favorite photos, It shows the skill of launching a Commando. This is YD's first launch as all he did on the one day he rode the little white Commando were a few practices on the old original Laconia track. It's all in the clutch control when a bike has a close ratio 4 speed.. YD's Kawasaki factory rides on the Green Meanies served him well.

cliffa · May 9, 2021

This was Dave Rawlins (a Norton employee and factory sponsored proddy bike drag racer) way of getting off the line..

Not many photos of him on the internet, but in the day he was quite well known.

Fast Eddie · May 9, 2021

cliffa said:
This was Dave Rawlins (a Norton employee and factory sponsored proddy bike drag racer) way of getting off the line..

View attachment 79733

Not many photos of him on the internet, but in the day he was quite well known.

Wonder who won?

cliffa · May 9, 2021

Fast Eddie said:
Wonder who won?

Well this looks like the same sprint taken from another angle and Rawlings is ahead.

certified quarter-mile time.

Recently I read a claim that a stock Mach IV was capable of running a 12.0 second quarter-mile. Back in the day this was also often said but I am unaware of any stock bike that ever did it. If memory serves the Mach IV was not even as fast as the Mach III but I could be wrong. Does anybody...

www.accessnorton.com

Carl H · May 10, 2021

Interesting launch positions, Never saw those poses before. I don't mind skimming the front wheel as long as you manipulate the clutch or have the rear tire spinning up.

grandpaul · May 10, 2021

I never did much drag racing, but I figured the more I was hooking up, the faster I'd be going; and, if the front wheel was off the ground, it would be less drag!

MichaelB · May 12, 2021

Current rides.
74-850, mostly stock with upgrades
72-750, Modified

gortnipper · May 12, 2021

MichaelB said:
Current rides.
74-850, mostly stock with upgrades
72-750, Modified

View attachment 79767 View attachment 79768

Which is your favorite mistress, and why?

MichaelB · May 13, 2021

Interesting question, or two.
I've had to think about this. I can make a case for either.
Kind of like kids, they each have their own personality.
The 750 is a freshly built Combat, 20 over, 34mm Mk2's, Tommaselli quick throttle,
L/R iggy, fresh tight gear box with the 19 C/S, standard ratio primary, it just rips.
Will embarrass a lot of modern stuff if they are sleeping.

The 850 is the run of the mill stocker with fresh Premiers, standard throttle ratio, Basic (lazy) Boyer,
21 C/S with standard ratio primary upgraded Master and a Hydro clutch. Gear box needs work.
Not the fastest thing around, but can hold it's own, run 75 + all day.
It also brings me back to my youth as my first Commando was a NEW 73, 850 in Blue.
First new anything.

I have 5 M/C's. I get asked all the time which is my favorite. My stock response is whichever I am riding at the time.
I was thinking about the Norton's when I went to sleep last night thinking I would have the answer in the morning.
When I flipped on the garage light this morning, it was apparent. Of the 5 M/C's I own, one jumped right out and put a big smile on my face.

The Sparkly Blue 850, for no other reason than it makes me smile the most.....

Fast Eddie · May 13, 2021

Makes perfect sense to me... blue ones are the best...!

gortnipper · May 14, 2021

MichaelB said:
Interesting question, or two.
I've had to think about this. I can make a case for either.
Kind of like kids, they each have their own personality.
The 750 is a freshly built Combat, 20 over, 34mm Mk2's, Tommaselli quick throttle,
L/R iggy, fresh tight gear box with the 19 C/S, standard ratio primary, it just rips.
Will embarrass a lot of modern stuff if they are sleeping.

The 850 is the run of the mill stocker with fresh Premiers, standard throttle ratio, Basic (lazy) Boyer,
21 C/S with standard ratio primary upgraded Master and a Hydro clutch. Gear box needs work.
Not the fastest thing around, but can hold it's own, run 75 + all day.
It also brings me back to my youth as my first Commando was a NEW 73, 850 in Blue.
First new anything.

I have 5 M/C's. I get asked all the time which is my favorite. My stock response is whichever I am riding at the time.
I was thinking about the Norton's when I went to sleep last night thinking I would have the answer in the morning.
When I flipped on the garage light this morning, it was apparent. Of the 5 M/C's I own, one jumped right out and put a big smile on my face.

The Sparkly Blue 850, for no other reason than it makes me smile the most.....

The 750 is an early Dreer monoshock? OIF?

grandpaul · May 14, 2021

gortnipper said:
The 750 is an early Dreer monoshock? OIF?

I don't think so...

(but I could be wrong)

Flatspot · May 14, 2021

Here’s mine, now I’ve fitted a CNW starter and Madass brake disc.

MichaelB · May 14, 2021

gortnipper said:
The 750 is an early Dreer monoshock? OIF?

Negative, one off special built around the late 80's or so.

cliffa · May 14, 2021

MichaelB said:
Negative, one off special built around the late 80's or so.

I'd love to see how that shock is mounted.

gortnipper · May 14, 2021

MichaelB said:
Negative, one off special built around the late 80's or so.

I would live to see a thread breaking down how the nonoshock is setup, and ride report impressions of it. Hint, hint. :-D

Roadking7603 · May 16, 2021

grandpaul said:
Strip it back down (I think you can leave the forks on)

gortnipper said:
I would live to see a thread breaking down how the nonoshock is setup, and ride report impressions of it. Hint, hint. :-D

Here is my 1973 Roadster recent completed restoration after tuning and plug chops. Desirable mechanical / electrical replacements / upgrades in place. Key parts support by RGM Norton, Colorado Norton Works, Classic British Spares. Painting by Brent Budgor. Many hours of my time on polishing

Carl H said:
Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

YD #17 Nixon #9 aftermath of getting tangled with Chris Marshall in Turn 1 , 2002 Daytona, 3 months later YD rode my Commando, Marshall took the worst of it but they all recovered, YD was severely concussed . The BSA Rocket 3 was destroyed

Roadking7603 · May 16, 2021

Please explain process for uploading photos

Al's#5 · May 17, 2021

Roadking7603 said:
Please explain process for uploading photos

I think, unlike other sites, you have to be a VIP!

Pictures of your Norton Commandos

Superpole

Attachments

Carl H

Attachments

cliffa

Fast Eddie

cliffa

certified quarter-mile time.

Carl H

grandpaul

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

gortnipper

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

Fast Eddie

gortnipper

grandpaul

Flatspot

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

cliffa

gortnipper

Roadking7603

Dropbox

Roadking7603

Al's#5

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