Okay.... Lets have a quick hands up.

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jbruney

jbruney

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I'm feeling a bit exuberant after becoming 'Norton Privileged' again. So's who all has been able to sneak a Saturday morning ride in to be able to understand what I'm getting at?...... Do yourself a favor and go shed 20+ years if even for a little while...... And donate some of that good feeling to a great buddy of mine who broke 8 vertebra in a bike accident a short time ago so some of it may drift his way for full recuperation and a riding future.
 
I just got back from a ride, not a Norton (yet). I took my '76 R90S out to make sure that it will meet the expectations of the buyer who will be picking it up next Wednesday. Absolutely PERFECT riding weather today in New England!

I'll miss it, but I have another beemer in process along with a '73, 750 (sneak preview below) and a '70 BSA Lightning .

Okay.... Lets have a quick hands up.
 
Returning home from a ride last Saturday I pulled along side a modern kawasaki at a red light. We both knew how it would end but I knew the old girl would feel good roaring through the gears. We got smoked (in style) and while it may not have rolled back the years for me, it did for her and she's worth it.

I've yet to have more fun on a motorcycle. I love my Norton.
 
NPeteN said:
Returning home from a ride last Saturday I pulled along side a modern kawasaki at a red light. We both knew how it would end but I knew the old girl would feel good roaring through the gears. We got smoked (in style) and while it may not have rolled back the years for me, it did for her and she's worth it.

I've yet to have more fun on a motorcycle. I love my Norton.
Click to expand...
1973 in Palm Springs same scenario, I’m on my ‘72 combat roadster waiting for the light, up against a Kawasaki H1. Didn’t come out so well for the Kawi that time.

As to Saturday ride, I did take the newly finished ‘69 750 S around town this morning. Starting to venture further, but still not so far I can’t walk home :)
 
Only Kawi I've ever tangled with was a 900 way back when and my old girl didn't fare well after 2nd gear.... I thought I'd broken the drive chain or something he left me behind so fast..... Always wanted a Z1 too.
 
I am taking my Norton out today after a few maintenance checks it 8 am its been just on 2 months since I have taken it out been so busy with my house reno work and then later on the day take my other bikes for a run, they have all been neglected in the last few months and have only been out on the 1200 Thruxton with the wife for the day 2 weeks ago, I was getting the DTs from not being on the bikes, but the reno work is now finished and time to arrange a few rides with my other retired friends, we do need our escape or we go mad, mad I say.

Ashley
 
Speed is a known quantity that any dope can write a check for... I don't expect to outrun a 165hp hayabusa on my 47hp Norton.
 
Didn't know squat about them, but I was a quick learner. Recall having him by 1 1/2 lengths until I hit 3rd and that kawi got to cooking. Dance ended not to be repeated again. I don't need no Millenium Falcon I just need my old Commando.
 
Took the Norton for a 7:00 am coffee meet and 30 mile ride to Wellfleet Harbor with a friend this morning. Scott has 3 commandos, 2 BSA twins and two Meridens. He gets it. Later I took the 61 Matchless out and about town just to annoy the tourists and move some fuel through it. Then I tried to fix the Gravely and dumped the crank oil all over the garage floor. Oh well.
 
I don't ride on weekends anymore. Would weekday ride good feelings work?

I don't pull up next to anybody on a motorcycle that I don't know, and haven't for years. Never know what their skill level or state of mind is. However, a young buck on a large displacement not real clean Japanese 4 cylinder pulled up next to me at a light last week. He asked me what year my bike was, and told me my bike was beautiful regardless of what it was. He'd never seen a Norton before. No racing away from the light ensued. Seemed kind of pointless.

I feel for your friend regarding his back. If he has the will to ride, he'll ride again.
 
Worked on daughters/ her fiancés house till noon - came home and offered to help my bride of 40+ years with housework. Some how she suspected my lack of sincerity regarding my offer and sent me off to air the Commando in below 70 degree air. Just an hour or so spin but enough to re confirm how much these motors love ingesting cool dry air . After a few hundred miles of post rebuild restraint I saw the tach needle drift past 5 k now and then . Music .....
 
I am curious (no not really) what is the macho need to race a wonderful vintage bike against other bikes of the era?
Isn't winding through the twists enough fun? Is it always "I won, you lost?" Just asking.
 
It wasn't vintage at the time in my case. We romped everything pretty hard back then..... bikes, cars, wimmen, etc.
I'm fortunate both my 850 & I survived that period...... Wish we had twists near here.
 
My wife had a Mini S for a couple years. It was just as fast as the Norton, but it certainly wouldn't handle better. The torque steering was horrible, it would almost pull you off the road when you went around the corner and gave it the gas. We finally sold it to a sucker that offered us 3K for it, but I held out for 5 because it had the bad 'seat belt' light and wouldn't pass inspection which was 3K to fix, insane. That car was worse than a boat and we know a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into. However we all know riding most other bikes after the Norton, is like being forced to have sex with a condom after enjoying the real thing.

I rode a Z1 back in the day, but I'd rather have the Norton any day. If you like fast and death, that's another thing.
 
I am only really trying to spread word of a mysterious purple Norton stalking the desolate service roads of the northeast. Thundering out of the dusky evening gloom, primed to pounce upon the unsuspecting UJMs! Thirsty for the immortal moment of explosive release, the ground pounding, iron grinding mayhem! Rubber burning, tire ripping, chain slapping madness before the eventual falling back... Out of thunder I arrive and into it I disappear...receding into the mist, into motorcycle history, was I ever there at all? What's a Norton? Where IS that Norton.... I may not stand a chance, but they will respect the name Norton, and fear the name COMMANDO!

Night!
 
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Back in the day I would engage in stoplight drag races with any vehicle at an any time - regardless of what vehicle I was in/on or what the other vehicle was. Nowadays, just like Clint Eastwood in "Unforgiven," "I'm not like that any more." ;)

The Norton did pretty well against other bikes though there was a Mach III Kawasaki that could nip it on the real drag strip. The most important thing to me back then was that it never got outrun by a 750 Honda! Ironically, I later sold the Norton specifically to buy a 750 Honda. Why? You could just push a button to start it!! HOLY MOLY, what'll they think of next? :)
 
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