Introduction

Hello:

My name is Frank Damp. Currently, I'm located in Anacortes, Washington State, USA (top LH corner, about 60 miles south of the Canadian border). I'm a Boeing retiree and currently work part time as a bus driver for the local transit Authority.

From spring 1967 to about Whitsuntide 1968, I worked as a development engineer at the N-V R&D facility at Marston Road, Wolverhampton. I was attached to Peter Inchley's Competition Department and reported to Mike Pollitt in engine test.

I was involved in a lot of the road and MIRA track testing of the Commando, and in the development of what became the AJS Stormer moto-cross machine.

I'd like to hear from any ex-Marston Raod folks who remember me.

Welcome to the asylum!

I'm just down the way in Seattle. When I've got my bike roadworthy, maybe I'll run up the road and buy you a coffee or two in exchange for some oral history on the BritBike biz.

You may be able to answer a question I have. In Mick Walker's book, "Norton: The Racing Story," he states that 1973 JPS Nortons used AJS Stormer stanchions and yokes (triple trees), improving their high speed stability.

Since you've dealth with both, I'm hoping you might be able to shed some light on why this was an improvement over the Roadholder gear.

David:

From the start of the Commando program, we didn't use the classic "Roadholder" front end. I think the forks were either Ceriani or a home-brewed equivalent. The bigger-diameter cast aluminum barrel with all the valving in it was attached to the spindle, and the high-tensile steel inner tubes attached to the headstock.

The Stormer used a similar set-up, but with smaller bits, as it was a much lighter bike.

I left N-V in June 1968, so I wasn't keeping tabs on things after that.