Dirttracker
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Hobot, I don't think you'll find many people racing a Commando in flat track races, those few who race Nortons normally use a different frame with the appropriate strength and geometry to suit this type of competition. I personally like a flat track styled street bike and plan on building one just as soon as I finish my various other pending projects.
lcrken
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Just to reinforce what dave M said, none of these bikes (in this thread) are Commandos. All are custom frames, with no isolastics. Commando engines, yes, but Commandos, no.
I don't recall ever seeing a Commando flat track bike, but I'm sure someone, somehwere, has tried it. Around here, we have a Hooligan class at the local vintage flat track events, where almost anything goes except real race bikes. A Commando would seem to be a natural for that class. Usually it has a lot of street Harleys in it, including full dressers, and at least one old school chopper. It's pretty entertaining.
Ken
I don't recall ever seeing a Commando flat track bike, but I'm sure someone, somehwere, has tried it. Around here, we have a Hooligan class at the local vintage flat track events, where almost anything goes except real race bikes. A Commando would seem to be a natural for that class. Usually it has a lot of street Harleys in it, including full dressers, and at least one old school chopper. It's pretty entertaining.
Ken
When my father brought this bike home (1969) it had a modified stock frame, no isolastics, steering head cut, etc. May have been a P11 for all I know. The frame broke to pieces after a couple years and was replaced with the Baker. Less than 600$ in 1970. Back then we raced 3 times a week, and there were 20 or more bikes in the 750 expert class. today, mabey 10. I only know of 1 other Norton on the West coast and it shows up once in a while. I do know of a fast Trackmaster Norton thats in SF. Built for miles/half miles, wheelies @ 100mph. I road this bike in 71' and it makes mine feel slow if theres enough traction. My bike's wheelbase as is set's at 55".
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I've never heard of nor seen a flat tracking Commando, so enlightening news to me.
I had a full race P!! and it could of wheeelied @ 100 mph but for it being lowered 2" in front so only floated to level till just about the ton.
I've missed out on the real dirt racing you grew up with. Making up a bit this last decade+.
I think i can flat track my rod linked iso Commando and then some, so interested to try it out if they have track days at dirt ovals. Not much practice on a surface rear can dig into some, instead of just roll on pebbles or slide in grip along pavement.
Besides minimal mass get go I'm fascinated by the isolastics on traction pulses and
handling wild spikes of loads. Thanks for raising my blood pressure.
Just seems to me a Combat is good core for a supermotard.
I had a full race P!! and it could of wheeelied @ 100 mph but for it being lowered 2" in front so only floated to level till just about the ton.
I've missed out on the real dirt racing you grew up with. Making up a bit this last decade+.
I think i can flat track my rod linked iso Commando and then some, so interested to try it out if they have track days at dirt ovals. Not much practice on a surface rear can dig into some, instead of just roll on pebbles or slide in grip along pavement.
Besides minimal mass get go I'm fascinated by the isolastics on traction pulses and
handling wild spikes of loads. Thanks for raising my blood pressure.
Just seems to me a Combat is good core for a supermotard.
Hortons Norton
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Like this?
[/quote]
Dave Aldana #13
Alex Jorgenson #44
GOOGLE THOSE NAMES for a couple of the baddest Norton racers in history !!!!!
CR Axtell anybody ???
Dallas Baker & Trackmaster frames were pretty trick back in the day
You still see them raced today in the vintage Open Twins Class
Factory backed race team
Here's a link to a cool Video of a norton showing how it's done and schooling the field:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHY5zXP-Gs4
Dave Aldana #13
Alex Jorgenson #44
GOOGLE THOSE NAMES for a couple of the baddest Norton racers in history !!!!!
CR Axtell anybody ???
Dallas Baker & Trackmaster frames were pretty trick back in the day
You still see them raced today in the vintage Open Twins Class
Factory backed race team
Here's a link to a cool Video of a norton showing how it's done and schooling the field:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHY5zXP-Gs4
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Oh My Oh My Oh my, Bad To The Bone, these are what hot Norton twins really are to me down deep and what I most want my special to be deep down. Its just not full fun till something is loose or skewing like crazy! I am depressed, Pike Peak get paved to the top this year. No matter its way safer to ski tarmac than loose stuff.
More please!
More please!
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Ha, I lived on one of these a few years in two states as my only transport as poor student having more fun than legally allowed or should of afforded. P!! had head and tail light added is all. Its my basic impression to the bone of Norton performance in minimalist form - for ever more.
hobot logic - forms follows function - experience brings wisdom - so Ms Peel gets permanent luggage race as part of the chassis actve suspension for efficient beer and feed runs. I'll also concede to pure flat tracker by a front brake, cushy seat and lights and fenders. Ok crash bars or else.
lcrken
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mkane77g said:
Sure. I've know Ron for over 30 years, and he helped me a lot when I started racing Nortons in the early '70s, but his flat track bikes aren't Commandos either. I think you missed my point. These are custom built race frames with Commando engines, but no isolastics. They are great bikes, but not Commandos.
Ken
Hortons Norton
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lcrken
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This is Ron with his 1978 Ascot Grand National winning Lightweight bike. The only Norton to ever win a Grand National.
These are shots of one of his earlier (1974) big tube framed bike.
They are now owned by Norton enthusiast (and friend of our own Holmeslice, Kenny Cummings) Jamie Waters, and are in good company, as you can see.
Jamie has a bit more info on the pictures, as well as his other bikes, on his web site, http://www.jamiewaters.com/motorcycles.html
Ken
These are shots of one of his earlier (1974) big tube framed bike.
They are now owned by Norton enthusiast (and friend of our own Holmeslice, Kenny Cummings) Jamie Waters, and are in good company, as you can see.
Jamie has a bit more info on the pictures, as well as his other bikes, on his web site, http://www.jamiewaters.com/motorcycles.html
Ken
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In case you have missed my point - I'm besides myself to field isolastic Commando with rather more power to mass than these world class examples that are not isolastic d/t not handling well. I know what its like to live on a solid 360 twin that weighs under 300 lb. Just think how many Commando Norton could of sold if they stayed smooth as well as out handling other bikes. I would stradle my P!! to lift it and spin around to leave garage front first as easier to dodge other stuff on way out.
I love the looks and behavior of air cooled twins with nothing but engine frame and tires blocking view through it. Will take a bit longer but not much else on my mind 24/7.
I love the looks and behavior of air cooled twins with nothing but engine frame and tires blocking view through it. Will take a bit longer but not much else on my mind 24/7.
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