Commonest Commandos Crappolaness

hobot said:

The lack stereo, cig lighers and drink holders

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Sometimes I'm not sure if you're serious or just trying to get a reaction from the traditionalists.

Well last Ms Peel just lacked the stereo but next one won't. Hope shell'l be the least Cdo presence possible hill climber as well as the most heavily cluttered and equipped GoldWing mimic.

Got to figure out some way to recoup and rationalize Ms Peel project, so like today I need to zoom out and collect a gallon of joy juice over a teeth gritting wash out driveway climb/decent, then take an Ultrasound boxed to mail off and then collect and deliver a 40 lb reel-reel tape deck w/o beating it up inside to a friend whose driveway took me and Trixie down a couple weeks ago on first clutch let out attempt to leave. One of the Cdo features that makes up for alot of the sloppy crappyness to me is how much droppage they can take in stride. I almost tried to do this today on Trixie but thought better of it as she ain't no startlet character like you know who.

Despite all of its faults, a Norton Commando has the "right" looks, sound, and feel. Of my 10 or so bikes, it is probably my favorite. Unfortunately, it dates from the days when a motorcyclist would have to know how to do the maintenance and repairs himself. The British motorcycle industry catered to customers who they believed wanted "real" motorcycles that dripped oil, needed a kickstart and needed a lot of hands-on tinkering. "Real" bikers wouldn't ride Jap bikes. Yes, Ted Simon rode a Triumph around the world, but he was prepared for the inevitable breakdowns and was able to spend time getting the bike fixed (as well as time in jail, etc).
I bought mine from a fellow who did not want to ride a bike that needed regular work. He bought a Triumph Thruxton that captures the look of a classic British bike and with aftermarket pipes also has the right sound but built to a very high standard with low maintenance. I am less impressed with the Norton 961 so far. Since I don't depend on my Norton as my only means of transportation, I don't mind having it down for a few days at a time for repairs. Still, I ride it to work regularly. Compared to when the bikes were new, we can now call for help with cell phones and spare parts can arrive from suppliers in just a couple of days.
When I was a kid, my Triumph was my only vehicle for awhile. I kept boxes of spare parts and carried quarters for pay phones. Too many times, I would call a roommate to drive out to where I was broken down and to bring me a cable or a Zener diode or something I needed to get home. I still have a couple of shelves of spares that I have accumulated over the years.
I have also had new bikes that left me stranded with failed electronic ignition (Hinckley Triumph), failed regulator/stator (Harley) that are unfixable on the side of the road.

kickstart pawl should be up there

I kept boxes of spare parts and carried quarters for pay phones.

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oh the memories!

Okay. I just got home from a quick ride to work and back. While parked, had a stranger walk up and admire it and ask about it. Somebody else stood and watched (and listened) while I fired up the Norton and rode off. While at traffic lights, it got looks from the drivers next to me and the occaisional thumbs up. Why do Commandos get this reaction after all these years? Not because of any particular mechanical excellence. It is because they are beautiful and very cool. They are beautiful enough to have been in the Guggenheim "Art of the Motorcycle" exhibit. Don't forget this. Everybody has forgotten all the DNFs of JPNs and the Combat fiasco.

mostly just one reason

the word Norton on the gas tank

it's just a cool name as names go

many remember when it was called a "Snortin Norton"

rangy, physical, great sound, jumping front forks at idle

maybe the best looking right side timing cover and gearbox in all the world

and who didn't like Ed Norton anyway?

Christulin, A few months ago I took my Seeley 850 to Winton Motor Raceway and had all sorts of silly problems, however I managed to fire it up and r ide it around the pits. The effect on the young guys who practice there , was remarkable. They all ride nice quiet 600cc and 1000cc sports bikes, and I got the distinct impression that they were not used to seeing and hearing a real motorcycle. My Norton has really big bark to it, and it always gives me a giggle. I'll have my gearbox problems sorted in the next few days, and I'm going to video a startup, so you guys will understand what I am talking about. I love it !
'Some things are so bad, that they are good' !
You've got to have a sense of humour to own a commando ?

I believe a lot of people expect too much of a Norton Commando. I would really love to own a standard one. I suggest we should simply love them for what they are, even if they give us pain. If you put the clock forward 30 years, most of you will still be alive. Think about what the reaction would be if you ride your beautiful Mk3 850 through town then ? And everybody else is whirring around on electric bikes, wearing straight jackets over their impact resistant space suits.
There is a big message for all of you in this - if you've got a decent classic bike - NEVER SELL IT. The reason that old farts like myself have desirable old bikes, is that we had them back then, and kept them. Even something as silly as an old cafe racer is a real head turner these days. If I had one, the cops in this town would really love me. I'd ride it through the main drag pulling 8,000 RPM, and get all the dogs barking.

Yes Sirs, even though a Commando is rather mellow sounding compared to the brute-ish big twins it still sounds all out of proportion big compared to its size, and its got a racy look built in with the raw canted engine leaning forward like muscular chests of stallions do taking off. Its helps make new friends to fill in for the past ones getting killed off their cycles w/o near our uncanty joy on a flunky flying carpet with its turbofan torque smoothness. Within its horse power range of good pull speeds 80's 90's its torque to mass for acceleration is still about as good as it gets.

As for as asinine crap, how 'bout them ole AAU's and ugh, Lucas Ass-simulator doohicky. Fortunately neither of my Combats came with that piece of history.

There is a combined car and bike historic race meeting at Winton Motor Raceway each May. Sometimes there is some lucky bastard who turns up on a sparkling commando. Normally few people would even notice a motorcycle coming into a meeting, but something like the commando always attracts the cameras. When I see something like that, I feel alive again. It gives me faith that all that was in the past has not been lost.

When I see something like that, I feel alive again. It gives me faith that all that was in the past has not been lost.

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Strikes me similar Alan but in the end its all about the bikes that will out last us.

hobot, what were AAUs and assimulators?