World's largest Norton dealer

JimC · Dec 5, 2014

http://www.leossouth.com/aboutus.htm

Leo's was my Norton shop in 1971 when I acquired my first Commando, 1969 S.

dennisgb · Dec 5, 2014

JimC said:
http://www.leossouth.com/aboutus.htm

Leo's was my Norton shop in 1971 when I acquired my first Commando, 1969 S.

I'm familiar with Leo's. Visited the old store back in the day, but that was on the other side of town (in those days miles away) so didn't get there much. I always remember them being one of the biggest dealer's in the area. Were they actually the "World's largest Norton dealer?"

JimC · Dec 5, 2014

dennisgb said:
JimC said:

http://www.leossouth.com/aboutus.htm

Leo's was my Norton shop in 1971 when I acquired my first Commando, 1969 S.

Click to expand...

I'm familiar with Leo's. Visited the old store back in the day, but that was on the other side of town (in those days miles away) so didn't get there much. I always remember them being one of the biggest dealer's in the area. Were they actually the "World's largest Norton dealer?"

According to their bio they were the largest Norton dealer in the world. Just got PM from another forum member from Minnesota who said Leo's were blowing out 1975 Commandos for $1,000, back in the day.

I got to know Oscar Bedeaux quite well. Unfortunately, he was killed in a snowmobile accident quite a few years ago. I believe it was Oscar who suggested a Norris "R" cam. I tried it and beat everything around for a few years. I was running a 17T sprocket, so the Honda 750s could outrun me for top speed. Stop light to stop light I was pretty much unbeatable. Even outran a FX class two stroke, don't remember the make, at the old Minnesota Dragways in Coon Rapids.

dennisgb · Dec 5, 2014

JimC said:
dennisgb said:

JimC said:

http://www.leossouth.com/aboutus.htm

Leo's was my Norton shop in 1971 when I acquired my first Commando, 1969 S.

Click to expand...

I'm familiar with Leo's. Visited the old store back in the day, but that was on the other side of town (in those days miles away) so didn't get there much. I always remember them being one of the biggest dealer's in the area. Were they actually the "World's largest Norton dealer?"

Click to expand...

According to their bio they were the largest Norton dealer in the world. Just got PM from another forum member from Minnesota who said Leo's were blowing out 1975 Commandos for $1,000, back in the day.

I got to know Oscar Bedeaux quite well. Unfortunately, he was killed in a snowmobile accident quite a few years ago. I believe it was Oscar who suggested a Norris "R" cam. I tried it and beat everything around for a few years. I was running a 17T sprocket, so the Honda 750s could outrun me for top speed. Stop light to stop light I was pretty much unbeatable. Even outran a FX class two stroke, don't remember the make, at the old Minnesota Dragways in Coon Rapids.

I was a member of Gopher State Timing back in the late 60's and early 70's. As I remember they ran Minnesota Dragways...although I may have that wrong. My memory isn't as good as it used to be

We raced cars there. I had motorcycles but cars were a bigger part of my life back then as far as racing goes. Was also involved in Sports racing at Donnibrook (sp) and other tracks in the Midwest. I don't remember the $1000 Norton's...bought a 75 Commando 850 in 76 for $1895 if I remember right.

850cmndo · Dec 5, 2014

Spent many an afternoon there. Got know Oscar an Mike pretty well. Mike is still at the Lakeville store. I see him when they have a spot at the bike show. Almost traded my Norton for a T3 back then. They had Norton, Guzzi, Ducati and Rokon if I remember right. Seem to remember '75s going for 1200.00 and change.

1up3down · Dec 5, 2014

Leo's was my Norton shop in 1971 when I acquired my first Commando, 1969 S.

and that me right next to you, buying my first Commando, a 1971 Yellow HIGHRIDER, yes you can stop laughing now..

then one later at Leo's bought my 1972 Black Combat Roadster

then one later my 1973 Red Commando 850 Roadster

According to their bio they were the largest Norton dealer in the world. Just got PM from another forum member from Minnesota who said Leo's were blowing out 1975 Commandos for $1,000, back in the day.

now THAT is hard to believe, as even my new 1973 was like $1400 or something, or maybe my memory is shot...

JimC · Dec 5, 2014

I was a member of Gopher State Timing back in the late 60's and early 70's. As I remember they ran Minnesota Dragways...although I may have that wrong. My memory isn't as good as it used to be We raced cars there. I had motorcycles but cars were a bigger part of my life back then as far as racing goes. Was also involved in Sports racing at Donnibrook (sp) and other tracks in the Midwest. I don't remember the $1000 Norton's...bought a 75 Commando 850 in 76 for $1895 if I remember right.

$1895 seems about right for 1976.

As I stated in an earlier post, someone from Minnesota sent me a PM saying Leo's had sold 75 Commandos for $1,000. No time reference. Could have been well past their sell-by date. The person who sent me the PM may chime in. I only bought parts from Leo's. The 69 Commando I bought used in 1971 from a private party, in Hopkins or St. Louis Park if memory serves me correctly. I believe I paid $900.

As for the Minnesota Dragways: I'm almost positive I ran there in 1972. Forty-two years ago, been a lot of whiskey under the bridge since then, so to speak. IIRC, wasn't there was another dragstrip on Hwy 65, probably Blaine? Wasn't it called North Star Speedway? Also had a dirt track oval at North Star.

DogT · Dec 5, 2014

I paid $750 for my 70S (Apr 69 production) in 72 in the DC area with 4000 miles on it.

JimC · Dec 5, 2014

DogT said:
I paid $750 for my 70S (Apr 69 production) in 72 in the DC area with 4000 miles on it.

I guess I paid an extra $150 since the P.O. had customized it. No front fender. I'd say you got a pretty good deal.

dennisgb · Dec 5, 2014

Here's a link to a story about Minnesota Dragways. They talk about the time Evel Kenievel jumped there. I was there that day. I often told the story to my kids. The plan was for him to parachute onto the track but the plane crashed during practice the day before. Not many will remember that.

http://abcnewspapers.com/2013/08/20/ano ... -dragways/

WZ507 · Dec 5, 2014

I bought a 1978 BMW R100S from Leo's S, but didn't know at the time that they had just got into BMW.

The venue on Hwy 65 was originally Twin City Speedway, then North Starr and in the 70's consisted of a 1/4 drag strip, a 0.5 mi dirt track, and a figure 8 track in the infield. Demolition derbies were also run on the infield/ figure 8.

See chapter 1 in the link below for a brief history of the subject speedway.

http://www.gotomn.com/racing/history/grp_projects/grp_project.html

http://www.gstarod-custom.com/gstahistory.htm

dennisgb · Dec 5, 2014

We're talking about two different places. Minnesota Dragways was different from Twin City Speedway/North Star although they were in the same area. Minnesota Dragways was sanctioned by the NHRA and national names competed there. Those of us that raced at Minnesota Dragways sort of looked down on the strip at Twin City Speedway because it wasn't sanctioned and times there were not considered valid if you were to set a record.

WZ507 · Dec 5, 2014

dennisgb said:
We're talking about two different places. Minnesota Dragways was different from Twin City Speedway/North Star although they were in the same area. Minnesota Dragways was sanctioned by the NHRA and national names competed there. Those of us that raced at Minnesota Dragways sort of looked down on the strip at Twin City Speedway because it wasn't sanctioned and times there were not considered valid if you were to set a record.

Yes of course, Mn Dragway was on Co Rd 14 and Twin City was off Hwy 65. I should have noted in my response that I was responding to JimC's comment "IIRC, wasn't there another dragstrip on Hwy 65, probably Blaine? Wasn't it called North Star Speedway? Also had a dirt track oval at North Star." Apologies for any confusion.

Although North Starr was not your favorite, it was my favorite when it was the only game in town in the late 70's and MN Dragways had shut down.

dennisgb · Dec 6, 2014

WZ507 said:
dennisgb said:

We're talking about two different places. Minnesota Dragways was different from Twin City Speedway/North Star although they were in the same area. Minnesota Dragways was sanctioned by the NHRA and national names competed there. Those of us that raced at Minnesota Dragways sort of looked down on the strip at Twin City Speedway because it wasn't sanctioned and times there were not considered valid if you were to set a record.

Click to expand...

Yes of course, Mn Dragway was on Co Rd 14 and Twin City was off Hwy 65. I should have noted in my response that I was responding to JimC's comment "IIRC, wasn't there another dragstrip on Hwy 65, probably Blaine? Wasn't it called North Star Speedway? Also had a dirt track oval at North Star." Apologies for any confusion.

Although North Starr was not your favorite, it was my favorite when it was the only game in town in the late 70's and MN Dragways had shut down.

Sorry I misread your post. Yes you are right. In the late 70's I was not as involved with racing because I was married with 2 kids. Was restoring classic cars then because I could be home in the garage

I'm sure I would have changed my feelings about the Speedway had I continued racing. We all were kind of "snobs" about it anyway