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    Road-going commandos

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    Jun 30, 2012
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    I have sometimes made disparaging remarks about Commandos, however I would like to now say frankly - I am amazed they are as good as they are. I was road racing in the early 70s, and back then we would not even think of racing a Commando. However one of my mates said they were good, and I had watched Jeff Curley win a production race on one - but he was an A grade rider and full of tricks.
    Another mate of mine used to work for S.R.Evans and did pre-delivery on Commandos and H1 and H2 Kawasaki two-strokes. The guys used to take the bikes to the Richmond Boulevard and 'test ride' them. The Commandos were right up there with the two stroke 'widow-makers', but not so likely to kill.
    When I built my Seeley 850, I only did it out of interest - I never really believed in it, so it sat un-raced for about 20 years. About the tiime I retired, I arranged a divorce and subsequently achieved a better frame of mind, remarried and decided to have a few races.
    As soon as you road race any motorcycle, you begin adjusting to make it competitive. I never expected the Commando 860 engine to be so responsive to tuning. I suggest the basic design of the internals must have been the result of a lot of racing experience. I never thought a crank so heavy, could actually be good. It did not seem to work properly until I got the close ratio gearbox.
    One thing I would never do is race a very fast motorcycle, but my Seeley 850 is actually fast enough and that surprises me. What it stays with, it should not even get near.
     


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