Is Torque an Illusion ?

I suggest that the torque characteristic is a major strength of the Commando engine. However using it to best advantage depends on the gearbox, which was always the weakest link in the factory Norton production racers..
Thought you might find the following interesting :

About torque and horsepower:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differenc ... power1.htm

Calibrating a dyno for torque
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/1065.310

Alan, I just posted some interesting info here on how Norton finally overcame the transmission problems on the JPN race bikes, as well as some chassis specifications you might be interested in.

jpn-monocoque-specs-t25780.html

Ken

Thanks for that Ken. I have often wondered what rake and trail was used on the monocoque. From Peter William's results, it is pretty obvious that the bike must have handled extremely well. The steering geometry aspect is something I stumbled upon almost by accident. It gives a major advantage when you can brake about a third of the way into a corner, then get straight back onto the gas. In the distant past I always raced a Triton - with the featherbed, changing the steering geometry is difficult. In any case you would only want to do that if the Triumph motor was being used - the manx naturally tends to tighten it's line in corners