I would like to rig up a hitch for a light duty trailer for the Commando for groceries etc. Has anyone had any experience doing this?
In 1952 my (now sold) Norton WD16H was owned by a logger. He fitted a hitch and a bicycle trailer. To get his 60 lbs chainsaw out in the woods.
It’s all about context though isn’t it? In 1952 ex WD machines were about as worthless as a motorcycle could be !Given the year and model I have to wonder how many trips he made before he couldn't make any more trips?
In general I find it a bit sad that the older a machine gets the less respect and care it is given. I can appreciate (barely) that the logger may have had no other options left open to get into the woods to begin one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. Poor WD16H, I hope that you rescued it and gave it a warm place to park...
Best.
Our neighbour has a trailer on his 50cc moped!A Commando is a little on the light side for towing a trailer..... not something I would do, but I've heard/seen stranger things.
Well you knew you would get opinions, but looks like the real answer is no, no one has any actual experience of doing this!I would like to rig up a hitch for a light duty trailer for the Commando for groceries etc. Has anyone had any experience doing this?
A decade or two you say… hmmmm… have you visited the ‘Modern Norton Commando’ forum recently…?Not worthless, but the cheapest motorized transport you could get. Fairly reliable too. Even ridable 69 years later. Capable of most modern speed limits. Though brakes are not up to modern standards.
Contrary to modern bikes where electronic faults will make them unusable in a decade or two.
Or fit a sidecar. Though I've never seen a Commando with one. All Ural I've seen had sidecar attached.The solution? Get yourself a (cheap/worthless) Russian made Ural, there was a towbar and a plough in the accessory catalogue.....
For the necessary spare parts and tools…All Ural I've seen had sidecar attached.
On the one I had in the '70s the tool kit fitted in a locker space on top of the tank!....but included a set of piston rings!For the necessary spare parts and tools…
Mine didn't....but to be fair....it had been removed!Or fit a sidecar. Though I've never seen a Commando with one. All Ural I've seen had sidecar attached.
EstuaryBoy said:A decade or two you say… hmmmm… have you visited the ‘Modern Norton Commando’ forum recently…?
“Meow” isn’t a sign of disagreement …EstuaryBoy said:
Can't put them in the 'modern' section... neither of them needed a trailer :-O
Meow !!
Touche.......
It’s all about context though isn’t it? In 1952 ex WD machines were about as worthless as a motorcycle could be !
I guess you could use it for shooting around corners after using it as a lever to pry something...I built a black powder Kentucky long rifle years ago; even with meticulous cleaning the barrel got shot-out to the point where my .45 caliber groups went from about 3" at 50 yards to off the paper; it became "worthless" and hung on my fireplace mantle for over 20 years. I could have used the rifle as a crutch (I have broken my share of bones), perfect length, or a lever (the Barrel was 43" IIRC). I had too much respect to slowly destroy it by "re-purposing" it...
best.