First Norton Memory

I learned to ride when I was 12 on a Honda 90, my older brother had an MV Augusta 150 and led me astray (thank God!) When I was 15 one of my father's colleagues bought a Norton Dominator 99 in a scrapyard - we all lived in the same gated compound and he would work on it every night after work with myself and occasionally some other lads in attendance. I ended up cleaning things and handing him tools etc. and when he finally finished it it was immaculate. After doing a few test rides on it himself he insisted that I take it for a ride on the private road within the compound, what a thrill, the biggest bike I had ridden prior to this was a 360 DT Yamaha. My next Norton experience was when one of the senior guys in the Hong Kong motor Sports Club bought a 750S Commando and converted it to Dunstall spec, he won every sprint, slalom and hillclimb that season and all of us youngsters vowed to get one, even if we had to go round to his house at night and steal his!. Finally my best mate bought a 750 Combat with Dunstall bodywork with a view to racing it in The Macau Grand Prix, we used to practice two-up on public roads late at night egging each other on, When it came to the race the lack of ballast on the back made the bike go so well that he came second amongst a field of Japanese professionals drafted in by the local importer. I've loved Nortons all this time and recently had my best mate - now a prosperous lawyer - come and take my cafe racer for a spin, he is still getting the bugs out of his teeth!

Around 1969 on loop 410 in San Antonio, Texas two yellow Norton Commandos went by us doing over 100 mph. That sight and sound has never left my mind.

1969, I had just finished working in Thule, Greenland and was living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I purchased a 69 Trident. Met some guys from an outlaw club, the Spartans. They all rode British, except for two Sportsters. Actually, they were pretty decent guys and I ended up riding with some of them. One fellow, Larry Holland, had a 69 Commando "S". That was a must have for me. Couple years later I sold the Trident and bought a 69 Commando "S". Never have been attached to a motorcycle like I was to that one.

The premise of this topic's main question tends to favor those with a good memory!

I had seen a few Nortons here and there that never really made a lasting impression, until I saw a friend's 750 Commando for sale in a local shop window (about 1998). I had never given it much notice in his garage, as I was more interested in his Triumphs and sportscar collection (Lotus, Ferraris, & Porsche). After checking it out closer, I started to like the look of it.

Much later, 2004, a different friend offered me his '75 Mark III Interstate, which I bought on the spot (great price). I still have it and have no intention of selling it as long as I am able to ride; after that, it goes to one of my boys.

I've since acquired a '72 Combat which is now Norvil & DunsTall equipped in quarter-faired cafe trim. I also have the custom monoshock bike with all the Dreer stuff, and now am building a '74 850 which will also be a monoshock bike, but for sale when it's done (baby needs new clothes, she's growing like a weed).

It took me a while to get over the relative length of the tail loop, rear fender and tail light position; I'm liking it just fine now, but prefer "shorter" custom treatments.

Since '04, I've also bought and sold at least a half dozen other Commandos, and restored or custom buiolt another half dozen. I've got one other client build in the shop at the moment, it will be my third monoshock build. (that's the long answer)

So, the initial LASTING impression a Commando made on me, was in 1998 (short answer).