Killing the bike that killed mine
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Can't avoid agreeing that Norton-Villers in particular, and British industry in general, had very serious problems of their own making. This had been standard operating procedure since at least the time of the Spitfire aeroplane and the Merlin V-12 engine. However, my point about the finicky buying public stands. The Honda 750 had issues with being top heavy and excessive weight and poor handling.
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I used to wonder why my riding buddies were so far behind on twisty roads. I had to pull over and wait a few minutes for them to catch up. Once I had a few rides on Honda motorcycles I knew the reason. They only go in a straight line. Kind of like American muscle cars of the era.
Zactly!frankdamp said:
The SOHC CB750 is definitely one of my favorite bikes, I've owned about 20 of them over the years.
For a while I had a 1975 GL1000 (Goldwing). When parked side by side next to my 75 MK3 Interstate, It was pretty apparent which one was the better "touring" bike.
worntorn said:You' ve got it Mark, those Commando Interstates are a great touring machine! Unless you prefer wallowing along on something that looks like a small car missing two wheels
Glen
Touring the Interstates of America is a bit different than riding around Europe. The Goldwing is the hands down Winner when it comes to 600-700 mile days crossing the USA.
When compared side by side for the task at hand, the Norton was a dinosaur (a weak dinosaur) even when new.
The GL1000 was a horizontally opposed, 4 cylinder, 78hp., low C.G.,water cooled, unit constructed, shaft drive, longer wheel based machine with a larger carrying capacity.
The MK3 interstate had a bigger gas tank (that's it)
Honestly, it's no wonder that Norton is out of business and Honda has the biggest share of the worlds motorcycle market.
When I have to make a long run without issue - I ride my Honda Valkyrie.
FWIW,
I'm rebuilding a 67 BSA right now and I can't even count the amount of times that I have said "You got to be kidding me" while working on it.
I'm truly surprised that BSA lasted as long as they did building such machines.
But.... I've got bitten by the brit bike bug and know that I am forever doomed to, Buy them, ride them, break them, fix them, repeat.
As much as I like my Norton, I know that it is not the "best" motorcycle that was ever built.
The CB750 would have a much better claim at that title.
DogT
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That's a personal opinion, and depends on what one wants out of a bike. Since I have no interest in touring the US on a bike, I have a whole different personal opinion on what is the 'best bike'. But that's OK. Each to their own, that's what makes the world go 'round and thing interesting.Mark said:
Dave
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Mark said:worntorn said:You' ve got it Mark, those Commando Interstates are a great touring machine! Unless you prefer wallowing along on something that looks like a small car missing two wheels
Glen
Touring the Interstates of America is a bit different than riding around Europe. The Goldwing is the hands down Winner when it comes to 600-700 mile days crossing the USA.
When compared side by side for the task at hand, the Norton was a dinosaur (a weak dinosaur) even when new.
The GL1000 was a horizontally opposed, 4 cylinder, 78hp., low C.G.,water cooled, unit constructed, shaft drive, longer wheel based machine with a larger carrying capacity.
The MK3 interstate had a bigger gas tank (that's it)
Honestly, it's no wonder that Norton is out of business and Honda has the biggest share of the worlds motorcycle market.
When I have to make a long run without issue - I ride my Honda Valkyrie.
FWIW,
I'm rebuilding a 67 BSA right now and I can't even count the amount of times that I have said "You got to be kidding me" while working on it.
I'm truly surprised that BSA lasted as long as they did building such machines.
But.... I've got bitten by the brit bike bug and know that I am forever doomed to, Buy them, ride them, break them, fix them, repeat.
As much as I like my Norton, I know that it is not the "best" motorcycle that was ever built.
I agree with everything you say about the Goldwing. I have a 1980 full dresser, Interstate. Love it for what it is. I don't get the hate for other bikes. I realize some of it is tongue in cheek. I use my two bikes for two totally different purposes. I would never consider taking my Commando on a long distance two up tour. But it is the awesome flicking around two lane country roads.
And although the Norton is not the 'best' motorcycle ever built, it is the coolest. Hands down. :mrgreen:
Listing a bike as the best is subjective at best and really impossible given all the reasons and ways you use a bike.
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To missquote Winston Churchill ; The Norton was the very worst motorcycle , apart from all the others . ( Democracy is the worst form of Govt. , apart from all the others .)
Id think the alchol factor was inherant in the demise of rationality in Olde Blighty . And if the New Computor at B.S.A. was made by Lucas . . . . what else is there left to say .
Id think the alchol factor was inherant in the demise of rationality in Olde Blighty . And if the New Computor at B.S.A. was made by Lucas . . . . what else is there left to say .
Mark said:worntorn said:You' ve got it Mark, those Commando Interstates are a great touring machine! Unless you prefer wallowing along on something that looks like a small car missing two wheels
Glen
Touring the Interstates of America is a bit different than riding around Europe. The Goldwing is the hands down Winner when it comes to 600-700 mile days crossing the USA.
When compared side by side for the task at hand, the Norton was a dinosaur (a weak dinosaur) even when new.
The GL1000 was a horizontally opposed, 4 cylinder, 78hp., low C.G.,water cooled, unit constructed, shaft drive, longer wheel based machine with a larger carrying capacity.
The MK3 interstate had a bigger gas tank (that's it)
Honestly, it's no wonder that Norton is out of business and Honda has the biggest share of the worlds motorcycle market.
When I have to make a long run without issue - I ride my Honda Valkyrie.
FWIW,
I'm rebuilding a 67 BSA right now and I can't even count the amount of times that I have said "You got to be kidding me" while working on it.
I'm truly surprised that BSA lasted as long as they did building such machines.
ZBut.... I've got bitten by the brit bike bug and know that I am forever doomed to, Buy them, ride them, break them, fix them, repeat.
As much as I like my Norton, I know that it is not the "best" motorcycle that was ever built.
The CB750 would have a much better claim at that title.
I dont understand how it means that Honda is good and Norton bad because you feel a new machine will be more reliable than a fifty year old one! If you chose to ride a 72 cb 750 instead of a 72 commando, that would be different, but you probably wouldnt want the vibes, even if you could find a runner cb 750.
Funny thing is you can get an old Goldwing or cb750 for nothing yet the bad old Norton just gets more and more valuable!
Glen
worntorn said:
Don't get so upset.
My original comparison was a 1975 honda VS. a 1975 norton. Both of them their companies "touring" bikes.
You know what,
The 1975 Mk3 that I have been talking about..............just so happens that I traded a 1974 honda CB750 for it back in 1993.
Then toured on it all over the southwest (about 14,000 miles) from 94-96, A lot of that 2 up through some pretty desolate country.
From first hand experience, I can tell you that without a doubt,
water cooling, shaft drive and wider tires make for a better touring bike.
Not to mention that the longer wheelbase and extra weight come in handy when being jostled in the wake of a semi truck out on the freeway.
Not upset, just not in agreement.
I had a motorcycle repair business in the early seventies, was not all that impressed with the Hondas of that time, although they were cheap to buy, the metallurgy was quite awful.
im not one for heavy long wheelbase touring bikes either- this is my favourite two up tourer, like a Commando with some extra torque! 30,000 miles and counting, mostly long trips 2,000 mile +, no issues to date except a broken speedo cable and lots of worn our tires.
I had a motorcycle repair business in the early seventies, was not all that impressed with the Hondas of that time, although they were cheap to buy, the metallurgy was quite awful.
im not one for heavy long wheelbase touring bikes either- this is my favourite two up tourer, like a Commando with some extra torque! 30,000 miles and counting, mostly long trips 2,000 mile +, no issues to date except a broken speedo cable and lots of worn our tires.
variety is the spice of life!J.A.W. said:
I like vanilla ice cream, but that doesn't mean I won't eat chocolate or strawberry.
I like blond women, but that doesn't mean I can't like redheads or brunets.
I like Nortons, but I'll also ride Hondas, Triumphs and yes...... even BMW's.
It would be a pretty sad existence to pigeon hole myself into only experiencing one little portion of what
the motorcycling world has to offer.
I like 'em all!
I.M.O.
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Doesnt look entirely standard .
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@Matt
Rex Wolfenden's bikes are really beautiful, they dominate our period 4 historic class so much that we rarely see a commando or Rob North replica these days. I suspect they don't handle so well. The last time I raced there were three up on the ripple strip on turn two at the start of a race, while my Seeley turned under them with the circuit open in front of me. Unfortunately I popped a fuel line and stopped. But I'll be there again, probably next April at Winton.
Rex Wolfenden's bikes are really beautiful, they dominate our period 4 historic class so much that we rarely see a commando or Rob North replica these days. I suspect they don't handle so well. The last time I raced there were three up on the ripple strip on turn two at the start of a race, while my Seeley turned under them with the circuit open in front of me. Unfortunately I popped a fuel line and stopped. But I'll be there again, probably next April at Winton.
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