15:1 compresion on methanol

If your carbs are jetted slightly too rich, either raising the comp.ratio or advancing the ignition has the same effect as leaning off the jetting - you get more power. I use methanol fuel at 9 to 1 comp. I have advanced the timing 4 degrees of standard - 32 degrees BTDC. Then tuned the carbs by making my own needle jets and using the leanest MIkuni needles. The bike is faster and more reliable than I ever expected. Because of the steering geometry, and the gearing - the bike is more than competitive. The motor is fast enough for all purposes. If I entered a corner behind an 1100cc methanol fuelled CB750 Honda, that could just catch up with me near the end of the next straight. It is the way you use the motor which is important. The heavy crank makes it different. I suggest many guys think road racing is slow corners connected to drag races down straights. With a Commando based bike we need to accelrate immediately after braking into a corner. The next straight begins as soon as you are inside the preceding corner. I accelerate full blast from beginning to end. The only danger is the guy you pass as you leave the corner. With more steering trail bikes tend to stand up and oversteer when you accelerate.
It is almost impossible to lean a Manx Norton as much as a Japanese two stroke, and there is no need to do that. The Manx was actually a sensible motorcycle. A good guy on a Manx is usually very difficult to beat. A Commando engine is heaps quicker, and Seeley frames are better.

If your carbs are jetted slightly too rich, either raising the comp.ratio or advancing the ignition has the same effect as leaning off the jetting - you get more power. I use methanol fuel at 9 to 1 comp. I have advanced the timing 4 degrees of standard - 32 degrees BTDC. Then tuned the carbs by making my own needle jets and using the leanest MIkuni needles. The bike is faster and more reliable than I ever expected. Because of the steering geometry, and the gearing - the bike is more than competitive. The motor is fast enough for all purposes. If I entered a corner behind an 1100cc methanol fuelled CB750 Honda, that could just catch up with me near the end of the next straight. It is the way you use the motor which is important. The heavy crank makes it different. I suggest many guys think road racing is slow corners connected to drag races down straights. With a Commando based bike we need to accelerate immediately after braking into a corner. The next straight begins as soon as you are inside the preceding corner. I accelerate full blast from beginning to end. The only danger is the guy you pass as you leave the corner. With more steering trail bikes tend to stand up and oversteer when you accelerate.
It is almost impossible to lean a Manx Norton as much as a Japanese two stroke, and there is no need to do that. The Manx was actually a sensible motorcycle. A good guy on a Manx is usually very difficult to beat. A Commando engine is heaps quicker, and Seeley frames are better.