Norton Information

Hobot has expressed gratitude for some of my comments. I know I often ramble on a bit, but my experience comes from many years of involvement in road racing. I grew up in an era when we were always looking over our shoulders , and we told each other nothing about how to go faster. These days I take a different approach. I believe the faster we get the young guys going, the better. And the more technical expertise they develop, the better. My experience is concentrated in a few areas, most of the machines I've been involved with, have been 'historic racers'. I love my Seeley Commando 850, but I recognise its limitations. The motor is 'orrible, and I'm amazed at what it delivers. As far as information is concerned, I love this forum for its openess and honesty, and if I can help you guys, I'm happy.

Keep it comin man. Some of us appreciate the info.

Yes, good to hear some expertise. Need to come over State side and have a go at it with us. You will feel welcomed.

Alas only racing I did was in small hydroplanes that topped out like 60 mph, which can feel like 120 hitting wake to launch like a piece of paper or drifting wide hardly anything in the water but part of the prop, holding breath and control pressures and body English hoping it'd come around in time to miss dock or shore or other boats or it could hook up an edge and throw ya right out the cockpit by the G's. Similar in a lot of way of road racing where cycle will fly out of turns extending into the straight lane width and can trip out to hi side. They can even wheelie backwards on ya if air gusts + wave gets under just right.

Only thing that flashes me back to those intense states is a certain Commando. i did not know how to steer a motorcycle normally leaning in any kind of speed sense until I moved and found a Combat by accident in '99. I had to teach myself how to make it to pavement in one piece over 4 days = 6 crashes before I made it. I never had to worry about wheelies on my P!! dragster, so wheelie crashed the Combat on a track 7th day 160 mile from home. I'm all ears on how to get best thrills w/o hurting something but for sure ain't seeking it on no balloon tires rigid thingys nor too floppy un-tamed isolastics.

I would love to hear more on how you wild guys work up various lines heading into turns and what might scare you, such as braking or low siding or hi flying.


25 hp was biggest I ran on a 3 point, when prop hooked up it shoved ya back.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iETKA0R1Xr4&NR=1&feature=endscreen[/video]