The first Commando Production Racer (?)

This is a photo from a 1970 Commando sales brochure. It was taken at Orange County raceway in late 1969. According to information that I've been able to access, it was built at the AMC/Norton factory on Plumstead Rd. as a prototype Production Racer. It predates the move to Andover, the Thruxton race shop, and the JPN racing team (some of the personnel who later worked at Thruxton may have been at AMC and may have been involved - I have no information on this), although a number of components appear to be the same or similar to items later used in the Thruxton production racers and the factory/Thruxton racers for sale through dealers.

This motorcycle was used by Cycle World (US magazine) for testing and was timed at 131 Mph at Riverside raceway in California. It was later sold to a dealer in Northern California (probably Alex McLean of Motorcycles Unlimited, north of San Francisco).

Does anyone know more about this motorcycle and its history subsequent to its sale?

don't see pic

Umm... what photo?

There are photos of the pre-production racers on Norman Whites website. They were taken on the roof of the Plumstead factory.
There is mention of a racer going to be built just after Villiers took over AMC motorcycle brands and the Plumstead Factory in 1966.

Sadly, John MacLaren would have known more but he is no longer with us. He worked at AMC / Villiers until the factory shut and then moved to Thruxton.
One of those who had magic in his hands, very much missed.

alan hodge said:

don't see pic

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Since Photobucket went to $300 a year, it's damned difficult to "share" photos, as this site requires. This is a Google Photos photo, and I can't figure out how to make it public. I'll keep digging or find another "photo hosting" opportunity. I can't think of any other website that I use that's as difficult as this one. Oh, well.

BFH - that's a PITFA!

Madnorton said:

There are photos of the pre-production racers on Norman Whites website. They were taken on the roof of the Plumstead factory.
There is mention of a racer going to be built just after Villiers took over AMC motorcycle brands and the Plumstead Factory in 1966.

Sadly, John MacLaren would have known more but he is no longer with us. He worked at AMC / Villiers until the factory shut and then moved to Thruxton.
One of those who had magic in his hands, very much missed.

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Thank you, Mr. Bloggs. That's a BINGO!! on the Norman White photos -- there is a green one and an orange one (both with oversized tanks) and a photo of what appears to be this motorcycle. The other two have what appear to be Lockheed front discs so it would appear a good chance that they're later. Both the others are shown with what appears to be a taped-on rear racing number plate (in a situation as similar to the original "Norvil" racing seat although the seats on all three have a profile on the rear fairing portion that's different to the "Norvil" seats) which is missing on the Norman Hyde photo but shown on my photo posted at the top (I hope you can see it). It would seem very likely that this is the same motorcycle.

I agree about the loss of Mr. MacLaren, that makes me quite sad to hear, as well as the deaths of Peter Pyket and Frank Perris (and Bob Trigg, the design boss at Wolverhampton). The original quard is leaving us, which is why I would like to document some pertinent facts before all of them are gone.

For Norman's photo collection, please see http://www.normanwhite.co.uk/oldracebikes.htm -- it's about the 8th one along in the queue.

Thanks and best regards, Bruce Henderson (Wolverhampton, Marston Rd 72 - 74; NVT California 74 - 76; NVT, Shenstone - Rotary 76 - 78)

I see them now thanks

postimages.org works good for me

Blewdy Yaink said:

Thanks and best regards, Bruce Henderson (Wolverhampton, Marston Rd 72 - 74; NVT California 74 - 76; NVT, Shenstone - Rotary 76 - 78)

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I recognise your name from FB.
If you have the time or inclination please share with us any of your memories or experiences of your NVT days.

Which reminds me, Frank Damp has not signed in since May ?

Time Warp said:

I recognise your name from FB.
If you have the time or inclination please share with us any of your memories or experiences of your NVT days.

Which reminds me, Frank Damp has not signed in since May ?

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My, memories or experiences? It was the most memorable time of my life. First job out of college and it was my dream job. Almost starved to death because the pay was so low but that's OK. I'm afraid I don't know Mr. Damp.

alan hodge said:

I see them now thanks

postimages.org works good for me

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Thank you, Alan. After a bit of frustration, it worked out. Thanks for letting me know. There was some "who can see this" restriction on my first try -- it showed up on my monitor just fine so I didn't know if any of the things I tried worked! Best wishes, BY

Blewdy Yaink said:

My, memories or experiences? It was the most memorable time of my life. First job out of college and it was my dream job. Almost starved to death because the pay was so low but that's OK. I'm afraid I don't know Mr. Damp.

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I believe he left the UK factory in 1969 and went to Boeing but is a member here.

Time Warp said:

I believe he left the UK factory in 1969 and went to Boeing but is a member here.

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Thank you. He would have left about 3 years before I went to work at Norton.

I posted this on Facebook as well, but I believe this bike is now part of Jamie Waters collection. He may have more information on its history. http://www.jamiewaters.com/motorcycles.html

Mr Waters has quite a collection......

Ron L said:

I posted this on Facebook as well, but I believe this bike is now part of Jamie Waters collection. He may have more information on its history. http://www.jamiewaters.com/motorcycles.html

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And there it is. Thanks, Ron.

Blewdy Yaink said:

It was later sold to a dealer in Northern California (probably Alex McLean of Motorcycles Unlimited, north of San Francisco).

Does anyone know more about this motorcycle and its history subsequent to its sale?

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Any kin to Alex McLean who pilots Rob McKeever's Manx Nortons in the AHRMA series? If so, I may be able to find out something.

www.workingatamc.london

brilliant web site ... has short video of early commando production

Blewdy Yaink said:

My, memories or experiences? It was the most memorable time of my life. First job out of college and it was my dream job. Almost starved to death because the pay was so low but that's OK. I'm afraid I don't know Mr. Damp.

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@frankdamp Ex test rider who rode Commando prototypes, IIRC, among other things.

Danno said:

Any kin to Alex McLean who pilots Rob McKeever's Manx Nortons in the AHRMA series? If so, I may be able to find out something.

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Thanks for that comment. I understand that the "original" Alex McLean was a Scotsman who settled in the "Bay Area" north of the Golden Gate bridge (Corte Madera) and founded Motorcycles Unlimited. A quick websearch shows an obituary for him from 2012 and an online mention of the motorcycle shop being operated in the 1980s by his sons, Neil and Craig. The obit does not list a grandson named Alex, but the current Alex McLean may be related "somehow" so it would be helpful if you'd ask!