Rob North Commando in U.K.?

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Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

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Chaps and Chapesses,

Has anyone in the U.K. preferably close-ish to Oxford, got a Hemmings Rob North Commando, either completed bike or chassis kit, that I could come and have a nose around ?
 
I've only ever seen two Rob North Commandos.
Anyway, you won't fit one !

sam
 
I agree Sam. I’m not exactly a jockey build!

But if one were made incorporating Hyde Harrier style geometry, especially the sub frame...
 
I approached Lester Harris about 2005 about making a Harrier frame for me, he would have done but it was going to cost around £6000, ie same as a frame from Hyde so there was no advantage. I went on to build the North triple instead.
Anyway my point is, why don't you get in touch with Harris and ask them the cost ? if they are still in the game obviously.
sam
 
I tried that a while ago Sam (to house an 8 valve twin) and they were not still ‘in the game’ due to being bought out by, and busy with work for, Royal Enfield.

I might try again, but another concern I have is that whilst I very much enjoyed my old Harrier, some of the design details struck me as not being up to the vibes a big twin might subject it to. Indeed, fuel tank and oil tank both suffered cracks even with a ‘smooth’ triple lump.

I’m only pondering at this stage... as I have a tendency to do... but a Rob North style frame, borrowing some Harrier geometry, and utilising Comando isolastics is my current hair brained idea...
 
Martin Russell is most definately your man. Have a full wallet .
good luck
 
The Bandit/Fury frame for the 350 twins was Rob North based and takes 650/750 Triumph motors. Rare but they are around.
 
Yes, I know a guy who fitted a unit 650 motor in a Bandit/Fury frame , he told me it was a nightmare to do but I have to say it looked superb.
I haven't seen one of them frames for sale for at least ten years.
sam
 
Yes I suppose that would be ok, last time I was there Mick Pearce was still welding for him ?
I still think Martin would be the guy to "Commandoise" the North frame properly.
sam
 
A friend of mine sells a Commando Rob North here in Italy.
You can find it for sale on Classicandcar web site.
Piero
 
I have seen that Piero, it looks nice!

It’s not for me though.

Out of interest, do you know how much he wants for it?
 
Hi
Fast Eddie said:
I have seen that Piero, it looks nice!

It’s not for me though.

Out of interest, do you know how much he wants for it?
Click to expand...

I dont know.
I think he bought it for not less than 10000 euro and spent after other 4000 euro for a complete overhaull.
Same vendor sells other english bikes and the last PR built.
I can give the telephon number.
Ciao
Piero
 
Thanks Piero, but I’m thinking of such a frame to house my 920 engine and TTI box, so buying a complete machine doesn’t really make sense for my needs. Hence, your friends bike is not really for me.

I’d still like to know of one in the U.K. so I could have a close up look around it...
 
Keith Gibbons owns the one authentic 500 North still in existence (only 2 were ever built apparently), lovely little thing!!
 
Hi Fast Eddi, In Australia have one of the 10 Hemming's RN Norton, 920 Maney engine, TT Industries 5s gear box, may be a year late in posting however happy to share photos and any detail you may be after. Have had the bike for 20 +years so known it pretty well.
 
Roger, there’s an email in your in box... only a ‘few’ questions, honest...
 
Roger Middlebrook said:
Hi Fast Eddi, In Australia have one of the 10 Hemming's RN Norton, 920 Maney engine, TT Industries 5s gear box, may be a year late in posting however happy to share photos and any detail you may be after. Have had the bike for 20 +years so known it pretty well.
Click to expand...

Hi Roger, could we persuade you to post some pictures and details of your Northton? I have had one of Mick's full kits in storage since I imported it back in 1986, and I'm still curious to see how others have finished theirs. I originally planned to build it for F750 class historic racing here, but I retired from racing without ever doing anything with it. I decided I would instead build it up as a street bike, but still haven't managed to get started. Maybe this year:).

Ken
 
I saw a photo of a Rickman Commando in a magazine, yesterday. Looked good. If I was thinking about buying something such as that, I would look for a frame which has a 27 degree rake, and I would not use isolastics.
The Rob North triple frames had 28 degree rake in 1973. Playing with fork yokes can get expensive.
A while back, I bought a magnetic base protractor which can be stuck on a fork leg when the bike has two wheels on the ground - it will tell you the rake, you also need to ride the bike. I think the Rob North triples were very directionally stable to suit the heavier motor.
The latest Classic Bike magazine is mainly about Rob North. When I read it, I thought a Rob North Commando might be a good way to go. The only thing is, most of the rigidity of the Rob North frame is around the steering head - on the Seeley frame it is around the swing arm mount. Bill Horseman told me he could feel the MK3 Seeley frame walking in the front as it flexed. I've never felt that happening, but I have a strong chrome moly tube bolted in place of the usual ladder.
 
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If you read Peter Williams' writings - he always concentrated on making his frames extremely strong around the 'centre bracket'. Rob North does it differently. Have you ever noticed where featherbed frames crack ? It is the tubes near the top of the gusset plates which hold the swing arm, not near the steering head.
 
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