Norton Commandos past & present

[John Wakefield]

Have recently posted this on the Real Classics forum, they are 'chewing it over' on there, what do you think of it.

Just got Real Classic August issue. In his members newsletter Frank reports on his visit to Norton Motorcycles to view his yet to be built 961 Commando Sport. He queries whether £12k (£12.5 actually) is enough to make a profit building what is after all a hand built CNC machined bike. SEVEN HOURS to machine ONE headlamp bracket??. Have we not been here before with the Hesketh? Even if Norton get orders for these are they (a) Going to be able to turn them out in sufficent numbers & (b) Make any profit.
In the same mag Frank reports on the Norvil Commando rebuild, but does not give any indication of the cost of these. Presumably again you are not going to get much change out of £12k plus a doner bike. Has Frank won the lottery?
Finally there is the road test of the 2010 Hinkley Triumph Thunderbird cruiser. What an animal or maybe tractor, who needs a 1700cc twin. Are Triumph loosing the plot?

[Peter Rotherham]

New Norton Commando.

In an effort to track down my 'old' Norton Commando, SRF 62 L, I joined the NOC. Obviously their Magazine, ROADHOLDER has the new machines featured wherever possible. The June issue has a good article describing one owners case.
The quoted purchase price for the 3rd production machine was £15,995 and, despite a purchase date of November 2009, delivery was the 28th of April 2010.
The latest ROADHOLDER describes a visit to the factory. There's a lot of 'bikes built, so maybe it's all ok. However, that said, there is a problem with gear changing that is under investigation. As with all early models, problems only show up with use. I had one of the 1st of the original 160 Gold Wings to enter the UK. In 18months of use it showed up many faults that were corrected on later models. Likewise, I had one of the 1st GS1000's that came into the UK. That was spot on, except for the infinitely variable suspension that was too sensitive to weight and road changes. Suzuki went over to Air on the succesive 'E' models, (Just like Dowty did for Panther!), far simpler.
As to the 'big twin'.......here we are caught in the fashion/exclusivity/power trip loop that has always existed. Most sensible 'bike engineers will admit that Turner's original 500cc Speed Twin, and Hopwoods original 500cc Dominator designs were nice all round bikes with tractable, efficient engines. The search for more power/speed lead to the Bonneville/Commando. Each far more 'lumpy' in running and fragile in use (Yes, my Commando had the Combat engine, and yes it blew up after 5,000 miles!) So why build them? Simple, people wanted them. I could have had a GS 750, quite fast enough, but I bought the GS 1000 for the cachet of having one.
People will always buy 'big' things to show off. The viability of a big twin beyond 1000cc is questionable, given the UK's roads. Maybe in the USA a slow revving twin doing 55mph for hours is optimal...over here I bet owners will be all loud pipes and high speeds. I used my RS100 BMW to cover over 250,000 miles in all weathers, in just under 20 years. It had enough power & speed for me. As a qualified Harley Mechanic, I found the Sportster engines less vibratory than the 1200, 1340 and later models, (hence the rubber mounted 'Evo' range).
No, if there's a market, then Triumph will enter it. Good luck to them if it keeps 'bikes on the road.....God knows there's enough "ANTI" legislation out there, and even more waiting in Brussels!

[John Wakefield]

I had a 650SS in the 60's, a con rod let go on way to Snetterton one Sunday, also problems with pistons melting due to over advanced timing on one cylinder because mag cam was giving more advance on LH cylinder. Also main bearings failed. RHP Bearings made a special super blend drive side roller bearing for the 650SS. Im with you Peter, keep stretching an old design & it breaks. The sweetest running Norton twin was the 500cc Domi 88.
With regards to your old Commando SRF 62L, I have done a DVLA web site check & last tax expired 1/3/85, currently UNLICENCED so probably gone as auto jumble by now or maybe in someones shed. Did you actually find it.

[Peter Rotherham]

Big Twins

Thanks John, using a undisclosable route to access the DVLA Computer, I found that SRF 62 L was still around in 1990, in Hinkley, Leics., No joy with local searches, and I too have the 1985 details.
I also have a 650SS in my workshop. A con rod let go on the way to Coleshill one morning, I reground the cam ring on the BTH Competition mag to get the timing right, and the tips keep falling off the push rods!
I worked , for a time, for a Norton Specialist, and the latest parts and gadgets transformed the Commando engine, however, for longevity we still 'detuned' them!
Do you think a 500cc Villiers twin would have worked?

[John Wakefield]

Do you think a 500cc Villiers twin would have worked?
It would have worked OK I supose (did not someone build one??) Would have been a poor mans Scott I suppose. Suzuki made 500cc 2 stroke twins (Hustler I think) of course with more than some success.

[John Wakefield]

Hinkley Thunderbird

Having read the article in more depth I note this monstrosity has a SIX speed gear box. 1700 cc @ 4850rpm there is enough torque to drive up the side of a house, crazy. I would have thought a two speed auto box would have been more appropriate.

[Brian Thompson]

Now this is more like it!

Shame the new Norton doesn't look like this.....!

http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=12917.0

[Dick F]

the scrambler

Hi Brian Mate,

What a cracking job that bike looks, it does look a bit like me overweight but fit, in a manner of speaking.:

dick f

[Brian Thompson]

DICKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'ello matey!!! Bout bl***y time you showed up on here and threw a 3 1/2 Whitworth into the works!!!!! Just don't click on any of the buttons ok...!!!

Yeah, lovely bike eh, that Noggy! I really like the pipe on it, as well as the rest of it.

By the way, cheers for that joke you sent me today mate....marvellous!!! I really like the puchline, '....and never ever let these four women meet each other...!!!" You are a very very naughty boy, but I like you!

PTE Walker.

[Colin Sparrow]

[B][ I really like the puchline.

A joke about Pathfinders I take it..?

[wfo47w]

More Commandos

I was pitted next to this group at a recent event. Very nice conversion to a scrambler.

Dean Newton
Seattle, USA

[Brian Thompson]

Nice Noggy!

Hi Dean,

Very nice indeed. I wouldn't wanna upset the guy that rides it though!!! Respect!

The Ajay and Matchy look tasty too.

Brian.