Welcome, Frank. That's my name also. Although I'm not currently a motorcycle rider (too chicken?) I have a great deal of Commando background.
I joined the Norton-Villiers organization just as the Commando was being developed and was actively involved in the early proof-of-concept testing of the prototype bikes and the subsequent endurance testing of the Commando. I finally decided that N-V and the overall UK motorcycle industry was headed down the toilet and emigrated to work for Boeing in mid-1968.
I decided, soon after arriving in Washington, that riding a motorcycle in this part of the world at that time was at least self-destructive and at worst, equivalent to a death wish. I remember the head of the State Patrol saying that there were two classes of motorcycle riders - those that had experienced a serious accident and those that would soon.
After 30+ years living here, I think my perspective is still the same! Maybe in the rural north-west Washington area where I now live, away from major cities, riding a motorcycle or a scooter wouldn't be quite as hazardous.
I still regret not having bought a Commando at employee discount (roughly $850) and shipping it to the US as part of my Boeing-funded domestic "acoutrements" shipment.
In retrospect, I might not be around to participate in the forum had I brought a bike with me from England.
