On board racing the Commando at Barber

[Doug MacRae]

Racing the Commando during my last trip to Barber-

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kuI2attacE[/video]

 

[ElTigre1]

Wow! October is coming. I'll be there. This is a really outstanding, fun video. Thanks.

 

[jaydee75]

What a shame! You were doing so good. I love how you came off the line about 7th and passed all of the leaders quickly. That Norton is fast, makes us all proud.
I was down there and never knew what happened. Hope to see you again this year.
Good luck.

Jaydee

 

[lcrken]

Another great video, Doug. Too bad the race wasn't one lap shorter. You and Herb make a great team.

Ken

 

[Ashphalt Al]

Love the video Doug , i know the feeling of a belt going pop! . The last time was at Donnington park and i was flat out in third ...two bent exhaust valves was the end result as the revs went off the scale .

 

[acotrel]

Thanks for the adrenalin rush. That's a very nice crisp-sounding engine, what comp. are you using ? I was a bit surprised at how much you were getting off the side of the seat, to get around. I think If I did that with the Seeley, it would tie itself up into a knot. Videos can be a bit deceiving, but your bike seems less agile and direct than mine. Makes me think I might have gone a bit too far with my bike's handling - could be dangerous ?

 

[Doug MacRae]

I now use these 'Megadyne Isoran RPP Gold' belts that are twice as expensive but supposed to be much stronger than a regular Jason belt.

My bike with it's steeper geometry really is very agile- I have ridden Kenny's Seeley and they do feel like a sharper tool but I am happy with how well my Commando works.

 

[MikeM]

Great video!
Too bad about the belt, next time is the charmer.
Good Luck

 

[acotrel]

I've read Kenny's write-up on his Seeley and the offset on the fork yokes seems similar to my own. A standard Seeley in the 60s came with Metal Profiles fork yokes and judging from what I have read, they were fairly neutral handling. There is a local guy here in Victoria who rides his mate's Minnovation Seeley - said it doesn't get around tight corners too well. With my own bike, you put your mind where you want it and it is there. It is probably too much for anyone who is unprepared. What I really like about is that I can get really aggressive with it - feels so positive, quick steering and direct. I don't think you could achieve similar handling with a commando with isolastics, however a standard commando might be better on a big circuit.

 

[Dances with Shrapnel]

I don't think you could achieve similar handling with a commando with isolastics, however a standard commando might be better on a big circuit.

I have track ridden one of Herb Becker's Commandos and he warned me that "it wants to turn in"; a warning well worth heading as it was lightening fast. So, yes, you can get similar responses though the Commando will always have a different feel. In some ways, I say a Commando is better as you are not faced with rider fatigue due to vibration which can be a big factor, even for young riders. Herb's Commando was like riding a magic carpet and I am not exaggerating here. Herb had done a lot to the bike to make it respond like that.

 

[acotrel]

I don't find rider fatigue is a problem with the Seeley. What IS a problem is getting accustomed to the riding position. Once my tendons have stretched after getting my feet onto the footrests all is good. If you have a commando quick steering, you won't have to keep dragging it away from the edge of the bitumen - that is exhausting. What find a bit disconcerting is when you always have to have your head where you are going to come out of the corner. Every time I start riding the Seeley, I test it to see how much it is self-steering in corners. When I know that, it is full steam ahead. It's a very easy bike to ride aggressively. Most bikes I've ridden have always required a bit of reserve or they bite. With the Seeley everything is instantaneous, however I still don't place my complete trust in it.
I know what I am saying might sound silly, however I'm very sensitive to the way my bike handles. I rely on that rather than motor performance when I race. Before I fitted the TZ350 fork yokes to it, I was caught out badly when it mishandled - there was little warning when it happened.

 

[Dances with Shrapnel]

I don't find rider fatigue is a problem with the Seeley.

Have you raced a well sorted Commando road racer to compare to?

 

[jseng1]

Doug - your got a very fast (if not the fastest) Norton 750 on the track and know how to ride it. If belts are your only problem - its no big deal.

 

[swooshdave]

Doug - your got a very fast (if not the fastest) Norton 750 on the track and know how to ride it. If belts are your only problem - its no big deal.

Considering what happens when one fails I'd say it's a big enough deal. :mrgreen:

 

[acotrel]

I don't find rider fatigue is a problem with the Seeley.

Have you raced a well sorted Commando road racer to compare to?

The only basis for comparison I have is the Triton I used to race - it was exhausting. The Seeley is much easier and I suspect a standard Commando would be even better. The question is whether rider comfort is a primary issue on shorter road race circuits. I tend to stay well away from big race circuits, mainly because I know what is inside the motor. It has to explode one day - only a matter of WHEN - not IF. In addition, I would not like that quick steering on a high speed sweeping bend. There is one on our local circuit which is not a problem, however Turn One at Phillip Island might be terrifying - bad enough on a very stable bike.

 

[jseng1]

Doug - your got a very fast (if not the fastest) Norton 750 on the track and know how to ride it. If belts are your only problem - its no big deal.

Considering what happens when one fails I'd say it's a big enough deal. :mrgreen:

Sure - bad things (blow ups & crashes) can happen when anything fails. Fortunately he didn't over revv it and tangle the valves. But a belt is one of the easiest things to fix and a better belt should take care of it.