World's slowest Commando

I've lurked and learned enough to justify being a contributor, have also seen there are no lengthy introductions given by new members, so here's the very short version that focuses on Nortons.
My first bike about 50 years ago was a '65 Lightning, then a '67 Lightning, then my buddy dealt his Thunderbolt on a wierd looking green thing called a Commando Fastback. I already was wanting an Atlas, but holy crap he left me for dead while he was two-up and I was solo. Being broke, I wound up buying an Atlas with a blown engine and a Commando that was bent around a tree. Paid $500 for the package deal and built a super quick bike that vibrated so bad my feet would come off the pegs, endless broken/cracked parts, dead bulbs, all the usual. My 'garage' had a dirt floor, and my toolkit was a set of sockets, 4 screwdrivers and a hammer. For about 3 months it was my sole form of transportation and I kept it running well enough I should have earned an Electrical Engineering degree. I let it run low on oil, put a rod through the cases, and it has been relegated to several different garages and attics since 1972. Subsequently I bought and sold a Commando, had some Japanese bikes, picked up another Atlas that was running but frame is butchered hopelessly, now also part of the mound o' Norton in the attic. Meanwhile I got into Harleys, presently keep a couple insured and on the road, and now finally in retirement I have dug into 'the project'.
In 1985 I bought a 1972 Combat Commando for $500. It had been running, owner removed the head for a valve job and got tired of it. It has a single Mikuni carb, otherwise relatively stock. My goal is to get it running, and ride it long enough to remember the excitement when a buddy let me ride his Combat back in '72, then likely sell it. If I do, I hope it goes to somebody younger to try and keep the community going as the rest of us all croak. This thread is now too long, future threads will be about the Combat. At some future time I may try to build an Atlas cafe bike with surviving parts.

Welcome and if your Commando is dead it only ties for worlds slowest Commando. Lots of dead Commandos out there and bringing them back is what the clubs and this forum do.

Quite a few combat riders on here. On my second one I bought in ‘97 and restored, now with over 35,000 miles since.
Keep posting when you need help.

Welcome to the forum.

Even without the "long version", I'm sure you'll get on just fine putting together e decent Commando.

I'm sure I'll get it running. I've got literally decades of NOA magazines, the Tech Digest, a shop manual, and now you guys for info and advice. Plus, I have a well lit shop with an epoxy floor and way more tools including calipers, a dial indicator, and some bearing pullers. Over the years I had 3 different bikes down to bare frame and back, and did enough top end work on my various brit bikes to know my way around fitting pistons and torquing heads. The biggest barrier to progress is keeping the bike on top of the priority list versus family, house, other hobbies, all the usual. I've gotten more done since December than I did in the previous 33 years, so the World's Slowest Commando is actually accelerating towards making an engine sound. I'll have to open a thread under the Bike Rebuilds.

Exactly, go to the bike builds sections and read up. If you look at any of mine, they have excellent criticism.

Sadly, IMO, no "younger" riders are going to want a Norton Commando. It's just a bike for old guys with nostalgia for when they were younger and (thought they were) faster.

For that matter, most motorcycle manufacturers are desperately trying to woo younger riders with little effect. I have two nieces in their mid 20's and I have met many of their male and female friends/coworkers. NONE of them are even remotely interested in motorcycles. Heck, most of them don't even own or want cars. They subway, bus, bicycle, walk, or, if there is no other way, Uber to wherever they want to go. A good number of them still live at home, including two of them who are in their early 30's. ! It's hard to even identify with folks with such an opposite view of life compared to mine. I couldn't wait to get out of the house; a guy I idolize ran away from home at 15 and is now a high level executive. When he and I talk I often say, "DAMN, I wish I had though of leaving when I was 15 but I didn't have the cajones." I left at 20, got married/joined the Army and was tickled sh1tl3ll to be away from home and on my own. For years a motorcycle was my only means of transportation! These young folks I refer to are college masters/PHDs in responsible jobs...

It's a whole different generational view nowadays..

MexicoMike said:

Sadly, IMO, no "younger" riders are going to want a Norton Commando. It's just a bike for old guys with nostalgia for when they were younger and (thought they were) faster.

For that matter, most motorcycle manufacturers are desperately trying to woo younger riders with little effect. I have two nieces in their mid 20's and I have met many of their male and female friends/coworkers. NONE of them are even remotely interested in motorcycles. Heck, most of them don't even own or want cars. They subway, bus, bicycle, walk, or, if there is no other way, Uber to wherever they want to go. A good number of them still live at home, including two of them who are in their early 30's. ! It's hard to even identify with folks with such an opposite view of life compared to mine. I couldn't wait to get out of the house; a guy I idolize ran away from home at 15 and is now a high level executive. When he and I talk I often say, "DAMN, I wish I had though of leaving when I was 15 but I didn't have the cajones." I left at 20, got married/joined the Army and was tickled sh1tl3ll to be away from home and on my own. For years a motorcycle was my only means of transportation! These young folks I refer to are college masters/PHDs in responsible jobs...

It's a whole different generational view nowadays..

Click to expand...

Always a few exceptions. Angel in the local club is mid to late 20s. Heck his dad that recently bought a blue 850 is younger than me. Chime in Angel if you read this.

David

Yes, I've also met many younger people who have no mechanical inclinations whatsoever, let alone the interest & ability to keep a classic motorcycle on the road. That said, I've got 2 sons in their 40's and 1, maybe 2 grandsons with some interest. 1 of those grandsons has the mechanical talent to keep a Commando living on. Younger people with the interest are very much in the minority. I think it's a frigging shame, so hoping maybe I can find a younger buyer rather than another guy like me in their 60's.

Atlas Commando, AC for short, your avatar and history almost feels like me. Combats can be cream of the crop with essentially all factory parts, few easy mods. I suspect you are bored with the mundane cycles world and long for living by wits and will again but this time on a dream cycle that delivers the most satisfying flowing thrusting ease sensation - especially for old farts. This may be the last golden age of Commando as original authorities and products mostly gone but still plenty of supplies and upgrades providers galore though beginning to thin out. Comapred to Hogs Nortons parts are bargains so even a totally option maxed out Command ends about where low end Harley stuff starts. A Commando will always be let into, nay invited/enticed at Harley only party and then get more attention discussion and Norton stories than can stand after a while. Here's what ya missing out on...

my 'puter being taken down tonight so off line a while so leaving this poem to ponder on plans and pecking order.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE MOTORCYCLE

by Geoff Seddon

("The Evolution of the Motorcycle" is reproduced from Ozbike Thunder Down Under, an Australian lifestyle magazine.)

On the first day, God created the Heavens, the Earth, and the Wisemans Ferry Road. But He wasn't too happy, His Kingswood would sway on the corners, crawl up the hills, and use heaps of juice.

On the second day, God took a new tack, and created the step through. He enjoyed the wind in His hair (He hadn't created helmets then), it was fun, and used bugger-all petrol, but it still crawled up the hills.

On the third day, God created the Honda Four, and it flew up the hills. With four into ones, it sounded better, it never broke down, but the corners remained a problem. Yet He had tasted power, and craved for more.

Thus, on the fourth day, He added two more cylinders to His Honda, and created adrenaline. His insurance premiums doubled, and it cost a fortune to get the tappets done. He also created fear (His hair turned white), and the cliché "enough is enough".

On the fifth day, God blew a couple of joints, had rap with Willie G., and created the Harley Davidson. He would cruise up and down the hills in top gear, and pick up heaps of babes. He would get off on the note. But the Hog was too heavy, broke down a lot and handled like the Kingswood.

Then, on the sixth day, He made the Bonneville. He would still pick up babes outside Wisemans Pub, and it sounded good. His bike was light, and for the first time, the corners were fun. It handled! God was stoked. But the vibration gave Him a pain in the arse, His kidneys were history, it was a touch gutless and He ran out of juice every 100 miles. He wasn't happy, but shit, He was close.

So finally, on the seventh day, God produced a motorcycle with the speed of a Honda, the torque of a Harley and the handling of a Triumph. He could afford the petrol, tune it Himself, pick up chicks and still blow off Ducatis through the corners. He called His bike Norton, and He was happy.

By the way... for those not in the land of Oz... a Kingswood was a 70's family sedan made by Holden (GMH) a mundane performer - handled like shit (but not quite as bad as a Ford Falcon)
Great poem Steve
Cheers
Rob

I had a ‘72 falcon with a 302 V8 handling wasn’t an issue ... would dig holes in blacktop no problem ...

MexicoMike said:

Sadly, IMO, no "younger" riders are going to want a Norton Commando. It's just a bike for old guys with nostalgia for when they were younger and (thought they were) faster.

For that matter, most motorcycle manufacturers are desperately trying to woo younger riders with little effect. I have two nieces in their mid 20's and I have met many of their male and female friends/coworkers. NONE of them are even remotely interested in motorcycles. Heck, most of them don't even own or want cars. They subway, bus, bicycle, walk, or, if there is no other way, Uber to wherever they want to go. A good number of them still live at home, including two of them who are in their early 30's. ! It's hard to even identify with folks with such an opposite view of life compared to mine. I couldn't wait to get out of the house; a guy I idolize ran away from home at 15 and is now a high level executive. When he and I talk I often say, "DAMN, I wish I had though of leaving when I was 15 but I didn't have the cajones." I left at 20, got married/joined the Army and was tickled sh1tl3ll to be away from home and on my own. For years a motorcycle was my only means of transportation! These young folks I refer to are college masters/PHDs in responsible jobs...

It's a whole different generational view nowadays..

Click to expand...

Maybe it’s got something to do with the fact that you have enabled your kids to grow up in different social circles to what you did?

I left school at 15 and (almost) all that mattered was motorbikes and everything that revolves around owning one. But the truth is, we were a rum lot.

I am rather relieved that neither of my daughters revolve in the same social circles that I did. Which I hope continues !

If either of them brought home a younger version of me there’d be big trouble !!

Our first US car was a '63 Falcon wagon with the "big" (for a Brit) 200 cu.in. 6-banger. I didn't realise that 3.3 liters only got 77 horsepower! We kept it going until I got laid off from Boeing and landed a job at NASA-Langley in VA. Traded the Falcon for a one-year-old Mercury Colony Park station wagon with a 4-barrel 429 engine and drove from Seattle to Hampton to the new job. Drove back again 3 years later, but as gas prices soared, 9 mpg wasn't viable. Traded for a new Toyota Camry, and we've had "foreigners" ever since.

The weirdest was a '58 DKW. It was front-wheel drive, with a 950-cc 3-cylinder 2-stroke engine, 4-speed column-shift gear stick and no clutch pedal (centrifugal clutch actuation). I paid $50.00 for it, ran it for two years at about 38 mpg and sold it for $75.00. I had fun telling the gas station attendants (yes, we had them then!) not to start gassing up until I poured oil into the gas tank, and "only 5 gallons, please". I was still getting parking tickets on it for 5 years after I sold it.

If I was going to go back to riding on public roads, I would buy a Commando rather than anything else - based on cost/benefit. At least they have got a soul. Of all the modern bikes, only Ducatis are real motorcycles, but who could afford to pay the bills for an expert to work on one.