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- Nov 16, 2010
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- 1,275
Anyone know where Commando frames were originally manufactured back when the bikes were new? I was told about this tonight, and must say I was surprised that it wasnt in the UK!
Carbonfibre said:In the case of the Norton Commando motor its basic design dates back to 1948, and the Triumph twins were I think 1937. It seems a real shame that the greed and stupidity of those running the Brit motorcycle industry in the good times, pretty much sealed its fate, which may well have been averted had there been a proper level of investment, and a design program related to the present, rather than merely rehashing things already more than 30 years out of date.
79x100 said:...But.... This resistance to change has left us with a 1970s motorcycle embodying the charms of a machine from the 1940s with a direct line going back to before the First World war. I can't feel completely sorry about that. We are at least involved with our bikes, whether we want to be or not...
I can't really see me dreaming of an Earles-forked BMW or an AMF Harley either.
Carbonfibre said:Lack of investment in the industry when they were making a great deal of money pretty much killed any prospect of modern engines to rival the Japanese, as they simply didnt have machine tools good enough to manufacture anything up to date!
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. It seems a real shame that the greed and stupidity of those running the Brit motorcycle industry in the good times,
That is what I meant by "patriotic myths". I suppose Renolds still make loads of money out of straightening frames for BMW, Ducati etc.......... because, as opposed to Renolds, who weren't equipped to make motorcycle frames in industrial quantities, Verlicchi became one of the industry's leading frame manufacturers by supplying nothing but crap that has to be rectified by Renolds before it is fit to go in a motorcycle.splatt said:I read something about this awhile ago, if I remember correctly the frames were made by Reynold tubing before going to Italy, Reynolds made more out of straightening the Italian frames than making new ones .
Carbonfibre said:Verlicchi are still in the business of making frames today................what has become of Reynolds operations in this area I wonder?
ZFD said:and it puts the great achievements of Mr.S. in perspective. He was but a welder with Renolds tubes, repairing frames at the TT.