The Norton is a lot lighter (better handling too) than the CB750 so that really helps.

I went to the dark side in 1979 as well, with a new GS750 Suzuki. It was better than the Norton in every way except one: soul. 30 years later and I have two Nortons but no UJM.

Debby

Gday Brithit, would dearly love to see Cycle mag still around to disect a 961!!
Foxy

Hobot Thanks for that link, that brought back some great memories. Bought the Mach 3 on its performance on paper then the Mach 4 for the same reason. Realised they were quick over a short distance (they did not go far on a tank of gas) and my riding mate on his BMW 75/5 ran all over my back in the corners but could not keep up in a straight line (may have been the smoke screen under full throttle and the fact he could not see where he was going.) On any trip over a tank of gas in the Kwakas he got sick of waiting while I filled the tank. Turned to the darker side and bought the CB750, what a difference relaxed but quicker over a longer distance and by then was 2 up all the time until 1999 and she got her 1st bike on the road. Something about if she was going to die on a bike she would rather be in control not on the back of and old fart who was losing the plot and not seeing things of a concern to her safety.
Ian

hobot wrote:Must of gotten a Commando assembled on a bad day from sloppy parts.
A '71 factory Commando ran 12.24 sec in a magazine shoot out
before Combat Bombs came out.

http://data.sohc4.net/AR750/cycle_march_1970.pdf

So I'm working up for a rematch against current factory elites
and one off speicals, 0-100-0 and any other tests that matter.
Cargo loads, pillion and pilot comfort and fuel range and economy
and just plain sex appeal for picking up girls.

hobot

Riverside, Ca 1973 and my first (new) '72 combat roadster. Street racing around San Berdo, Palm Springs and south to Camp Pendleton, ran into some of the competition in the article - Honda SOHC 750 (no problem), XLCH 1000 Sportster (not bad), Kawasaki H1 (beat him in a light to light race in Palm Springs). The Honda was absolutely no match for the Commando on SR76 coming back to March AFB from Pendleton. Saw him as a dot in front and just wanted to ride with someone. He got competitive and all I saw was a dot in the mirror. Bill's Cycle in San Bernadino did my tuning and after getting it back...what a ride.

I had a Suzuki T500 Titan!!!

Bought it new and rode it from Minnesota to Los Angeles and back.
Did not miss a beat.

Carried extra two stroke oil to refill the right side reservoir.

Fond memories of that bike, I think I recall it having 46 horsepower. Really a nice running, strong, two stroke.

And it was bulletproof reliable.

I loved it.