Preferred Commando model (2017)
- Thread starter peter12
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Vampire fantasy cliches have some basis considering what all the quirks in all models put owners through. Preferences change over a life time as do ride conditions so thank goodness there a range of Commandos trying to please expectant buyers and demanding gov'ts regulations. Fact of the mater is, all Commando's can lug around and hwy cruise like a short shifting heavy HD w/o the shaking but wheelie risking holigans that will never grow up prefer Combat Bombs as cream of the crop.
Consider that every other cycle brand got faster with more displacement while Commando got more tame civilized and gave up its place as best cycle 5 yr in a row, mainly after Combats warranties struck so it also is infamosly the least perfected.
Another realistic way of people voting for a preferred model is how many still exist or others try to mimic. So if say at least 15,000 Combats sold, there are at least 20,000 Combat spec Commandos still thriving. Facts is facts so just gotta love the ones ya stuck with for now.
See if can tell which model Stone movie makers and audience preferred before life and times changed. At the speeds allowed by the urban opens the Commando would out pull the wheelie prone heavier 900 and for sure take it in a mere round about so rest assured pilot had to cause crash on purpose for the script. Btw its pretty easy and fun to nail rear brake and still steer with front to carry on in crab like skewed fashion. Wonder what happened to the stunt Commando?
Consider that every other cycle brand got faster with more displacement while Commando got more tame civilized and gave up its place as best cycle 5 yr in a row, mainly after Combats warranties struck so it also is infamosly the least perfected.
Another realistic way of people voting for a preferred model is how many still exist or others try to mimic. So if say at least 15,000 Combats sold, there are at least 20,000 Combat spec Commandos still thriving. Facts is facts so just gotta love the ones ya stuck with for now.
See if can tell which model Stone movie makers and audience preferred before life and times changed. At the speeds allowed by the urban opens the Commando would out pull the wheelie prone heavier 900 and for sure take it in a mere round about so rest assured pilot had to cause crash on purpose for the script. Btw its pretty easy and fun to nail rear brake and still steer with front to carry on in crab like skewed fashion. Wonder what happened to the stunt Commando?
G'day Hobot ! It's strange that Combats are so popular as the most performance oriented. Yet people seem to delight in buying them, lowering the compression ratio and installing the standard cam, then pronouncing them "fixed". The neutering doesn't seem to bother them. The fact that the new main bearings would fix the issue by itself doesn't seem to dawn on them. They have gone down the path of "accepted wisdom". A Combat with just one of my nheads added would be an awesome bike with that simple change alone.
You are at the other end of the spectrum to me, preferring high revving horsepower, while I love the simple, low revving grunt of the 850. Each to their own.
I believe that was Ken Shorter's own bike used in Stone.
You are at the other end of the spectrum to me, preferring high revving horsepower, while I love the simple, low revving grunt of the 850. Each to their own.
I believe that was Ken Shorter's own bike used in Stone.
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You know it wasn't as many as 15,000.
Even 10,000 would be optimistic as approximately 1,500 were recalled and detuned and not all Commandos built during the series were Combats and there certainly wouldn't be enough spare parts to build 10,000+ Combat replicas or convert existing standard models to Combat spec. However, 8-10,000 Combats is a still considerable number so it's not surprising many Combats exist but certainly must be less now, not more than there were originally.
One with a drum brake, silver barrels and small Hi-Rider/SS headlamp (Movie maker preferred because it's what was available. Audience probably didn't give a toss what it was).
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I'm writing with tongue in cheek as its a silly subject to get very serious about. I stop framed the Stone crash scene to see no turn signals and drum brake so assume a '71 doing its thing for us - against '74 900 Kawi.
I use whole scope of Commando behavior and ride rather dangerous loose steep sharp narrows so routine smooth low rpm low throttle use that allows even bats to fly up helmet or get trapped in fork clutter by entering from behind, seemly attracted by the similar hi pitch head and header tinkle sounds of Commando barely making oil pressure rpm. Alas if not blasting hi throttle past deer on sides of road I and others had them leap from behind to to strike us or worse leap in front then stop and turn, bam. Yet Ozarks is made for sightseeers to road racer vacations so do occasionally let my 2 Combat's hair out. Factory Combat can barely keep up with moderns here - usually maxing at 120 in opens which my factory Trixie can match if risking redline for minutes a go, but only did that twice to see if it could - otherwise hang back some in opens at 110ish depending on the twisties to slow em for turns where I catch right up and can stick with em blasting out of turns till about the ton. Untammed Commandos are too dangerous wigglers to be really racing in public.
Dang visiting 850's I've run with on SV650 or Ms Peel were hard to stay with in twisties as their torque gave em advantage to leap out of apexes by just roll on while smaller displacement had a delay to rev in in lower gears and by time caught up another turn to slow for allowed 850 to stretch away again. I think 850's are prettier in general than 750's.
Ms Peel performance is beyond scope of comprehension here or by elites she embarassed so my preference approaching 8000 at time but more impressive/useful is ability to take ease on full throttle at 1500 rpm and not stall out just increase torque w/o increase rpm or spin out when climbing a off road steep loaded with cargo like couple cases of beer or couple 50 lb feed bags. Do have to ease up throttle while climbing pass steepest part to avoid spin out or just let it for fun of climbing grass slope like a flat tracker crossed up accelerating while leaned.
All's yoose guy know about is parade rides or road racing while Ms Peel was able to do most of what trials/MX bikes do in woods, ravines drops and climb out, creek beds stumble runs and through head high brush surprising nesting deer, so silly to accuse hobot of only red line drop clutch drag starts, which I am guilty of too.
I use whole scope of Commando behavior and ride rather dangerous loose steep sharp narrows so routine smooth low rpm low throttle use that allows even bats to fly up helmet or get trapped in fork clutter by entering from behind, seemly attracted by the similar hi pitch head and header tinkle sounds of Commando barely making oil pressure rpm. Alas if not blasting hi throttle past deer on sides of road I and others had them leap from behind to to strike us or worse leap in front then stop and turn, bam. Yet Ozarks is made for sightseeers to road racer vacations so do occasionally let my 2 Combat's hair out. Factory Combat can barely keep up with moderns here - usually maxing at 120 in opens which my factory Trixie can match if risking redline for minutes a go, but only did that twice to see if it could - otherwise hang back some in opens at 110ish depending on the twisties to slow em for turns where I catch right up and can stick with em blasting out of turns till about the ton. Untammed Commandos are too dangerous wigglers to be really racing in public.
Dang visiting 850's I've run with on SV650 or Ms Peel were hard to stay with in twisties as their torque gave em advantage to leap out of apexes by just roll on while smaller displacement had a delay to rev in in lower gears and by time caught up another turn to slow for allowed 850 to stretch away again. I think 850's are prettier in general than 750's.
Ms Peel performance is beyond scope of comprehension here or by elites she embarassed so my preference approaching 8000 at time but more impressive/useful is ability to take ease on full throttle at 1500 rpm and not stall out just increase torque w/o increase rpm or spin out when climbing a off road steep loaded with cargo like couple cases of beer or couple 50 lb feed bags. Do have to ease up throttle while climbing pass steepest part to avoid spin out or just let it for fun of climbing grass slope like a flat tracker crossed up accelerating while leaned.
All's yoose guy know about is parade rides or road racing while Ms Peel was able to do most of what trials/MX bikes do in woods, ravines drops and climb out, creek beds stumble runs and through head high brush surprising nesting deer, so silly to accuse hobot of only red line drop clutch drag starts, which I am guilty of too.
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Enlightening? Some claim I'm so clear headed can see light through my ear canals but I know they are just teasing as its solid bone and scar tissue. Recovering enough to risk bannter in public on flippant subject lines.
To put the various Commando wheelie images in prospective, any cycle will wheelie if standing still or going slow on rev up bar jerk clutch drops so merely a fun stunt not demo of hauling ass power lifting front. Thankgoodness a really powerful Commando tends to catch rubber for loud squealing and thrust hesitation on shifts rather than popping up too high at speed. Best factory Combats can do is lift front a few inches in 1st & 2nd before too far over redline but until runing out of hp can out pull more powerful wheelie prone moderns to almost the ton.
My preferred Commando has large full fairing 6 gal tank and Hog size hard bags with robust luggage rack and king/queen over stuffed saddle and chin bag for nick naks. Silliest thing I see at Norton rallys is how many use back packs not to cover their pretty tail end profiles.
Ain't yet up to respond to reality of grippner's health report we all will face in due time too.
To put the various Commando wheelie images in prospective, any cycle will wheelie if standing still or going slow on rev up bar jerk clutch drops so merely a fun stunt not demo of hauling ass power lifting front. Thankgoodness a really powerful Commando tends to catch rubber for loud squealing and thrust hesitation on shifts rather than popping up too high at speed. Best factory Combats can do is lift front a few inches in 1st & 2nd before too far over redline but until runing out of hp can out pull more powerful wheelie prone moderns to almost the ton.
My preferred Commando has large full fairing 6 gal tank and Hog size hard bags with robust luggage rack and king/queen over stuffed saddle and chin bag for nick naks. Silliest thing I see at Norton rallys is how many use back packs not to cover their pretty tail end profiles.
Ain't yet up to respond to reality of grippner's health report we all will face in due time too.
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Wheelies are the bain of a Commando and I do not recommend at all.
I lunched a gear box in the 70's and a motor in Y2K.
To abuse this antique designed cycle is just plain stupid. There, I said it.
I am sharing this for any new comers, the rest can do as you please...........
I lunched a gear box in the 70's and a motor in Y2K.
To abuse this antique designed cycle is just plain stupid. There, I said it.
I am sharing this for any new comers, the rest can do as you please...........
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I solved that dilemma by getting two Commando, one to care for to preserve for posterity and another to have your way with abusing. I'll part out Peel before selling plain jane Trixie tame enough to operate in old age but my dying memories will be Peel adventures.
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Oh, my side hurts!
K
KiwiNeill
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A bit unfair on Mk3,s as their weight, airbox and silencing everyone bangs on about is all easily fixed, but if mine was anything to go by, compression was estimated at only 7.7 ~ 8.3:1, possibly to make life easier for the Prestolite starter.
This obviously wouldn.t compare favourably to a lighter, healthy lower geared 750 or Combat so not a good comparism, but a lighter, similarly healthy 850 is another matter on the road, as opposed to a racer.
My (true 850cc) 78mm bore engine with 0.005" deck height, measured 51.5cc combustion chambers and standard 0.040" composite gasket is still only around 8.6:1 static but an easy load for the electric start, (kickstart removed on my bike).
I ,ve fitted a 5 speed Quaiffe cluster (one of the best upgrades for the long distance fast road rider) where 4th is actually the same 4.84 as the 750 top gear, so can compare the two anytime.
So much better with the higher gear and that creamy 850 torque with occasional journeys through the gears to the 7000rpm redline, a 750 would be pushed to equal the effortless on-road performance and comfort on one of our long euro trips over the Alps. It,s as rewarding to ride as my modified FJ1200, just has more potential warts to keep an eye on thats all.
On the positive side they are a fantastic bike to modernise with a great rear disc brake, electric start, again fairly easy to upgrade, L/H gear change and the same engine potential as any other Commando so alot of the prejudice is unfounded, all Commandos can benefit from upgrades.
I have fitted a second Norton calliper at the front, clipons, rearsets, reduced much weight to a measured 472lbs fully fuelled, 428lbs dry, wider alloy rims with 18" Pirelli Angel GT radials and Maxton suspension, far from standard, but it still looks pure Commando with all the defining elements like Amals, Lockheed callipers, Roadholders, Lucas lighting, alloy footpeg plates, and peashooters.
On the minus side, my modified but trouble free RH4 head, responsible for it,s lovely engine characteristics, has suddenly developed a mysterious oil leak on the dreaded fins above the gasket that has defied all attempts to locate and will need to be pressure tested. On the plus side, I am now the owner of one of your superb Fullauto heads, a brilliant achievement and a credit to your vision and hard work. This will be fitted and used next August for a trip to Slovenia and the International Norton Rally in Austria.
To answer the original forum query, my favourite Commando is a fully sorted Mk3 Interstate but that,s only my opinion...
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The weight in question is the Estart setup, about 25 lbs or so. Put an Estart on a 750 and it will weigh very close to same as a MK3.
I haven't heard any 750 owners complain that the Estart made their bikes into ill handling slugs.
When you actually look at the numbers involved, Fullauto's comments look pretty silly. Maybe intended as such.
Glen
I haven't heard any 750 owners complain that the Estart made their bikes into ill handling slugs.
When you actually look at the numbers involved, Fullauto's comments look pretty silly. Maybe intended as such.
Glen
Fast Eddie
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Thats it, you done it now Ken, you got the MK3 boys ganging up on you...!
Is it only me that sees the mild irony here...? MK3 owners, with their RH4 heads, are your biggest customer base Ken...!
Is it only me that sees the mild irony here...? MK3 owners, with their RH4 heads, are your biggest customer base Ken...!
Well, Nigel, they need my heads to keep up ! I don't mind people ganging up on me. it's just when they twist what I say or tell me what I meant to say, that I become less than impressed. Bring on the discussions.
I can only applaud your extreme good taste for buying one of my heads. You will love the extra power and torque it provides to your lardy old MKIII. However, I see a couple of paths that you have gone down towards Darwinian dead ends. A 5 speed box? On a Commando? Really? Mick Hemmings said in an article on Commandos that the thing all Commandos needed was a 5 speed gearbox ! I laughed and laughed all the way out of the toilet, I mean reading room! With my torque output where it is and my 22 tooth gearbox sprocket, my third gear is where a 750s top gear is and I have ample grunt to handle any situation, while keeping the revs relatively low at 70ish MPH. 5 speeds are simply an extra gear you don't need, unless of course you have tuned the motor to put more power into the mid range and top end. In which case, my condolences. I have never liked the way you have to rev a 750 to get anywhere, and the fact that they feel so busy at highway speeds.
The other thing is, of course, my pet hate, namely 18 inch wheels. Totally unnecessary. An attempted cure for failure to set up your bike correctly. Enough said.
K
KiwiNeill
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Mick Hemmings 100% spot on, laugh at him as much as you like, he makes a far more experienced and credible reference worldwide than you ever could, trying to justify using a 4 speed in your "very strong, low mid range" 46hp bike with its weird dyno chart.
In fact you subconciously contradicted yourself and gave the 5 speed a nod when referring to the low gearing of the 750,s, effectively saying they needed an extra higher gear as they feel too busy at highway speeds.
Your overgeared bike would be no fun to ride for me, but hey, even though I can get the same mpg or better on my bike if I ride, er, sedately as you do, if that was the priority the running shoes or pushbike would be wheeled out.
Your engine setup also appears mismatched and illogical. It would greatly benefit from a standard cam or Web#312 and twin Amal Premiers to go with the Fullauto, go on, you know it,s the right thing to do....
A 5 speed coupled to a good torquey Commando of any year makes a great bike superb, not just across Europe and the Alps, but especially on my local Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire A and B roads.
Rolling thunder across a perfect mix of bumpy and smooth, fast and slow, through the most beautiful leafy countryside and village scenery.
Evocative and soulful, Norton Heaven in the country and area where my bike was built, makes perfect sense.
Have you accurately weighed your bike recently by the way? Don,t be surprised if it,s not far off my more fully equipped Mk3. My local MOT tester weighs each bike front and rear as part of the test, but this always comes out lighter than my work and home scales so never used as a guide.
With 18" radials and firm Maxton suspension my Commando is the real Featherbed, smooth and surefooted at all angles, solo or fully loaded and suits the frame perfectly, try it yourself, you know it,s the right thing to do etc etc...
Look forward to fitting the head, and sincere apologies to Comnoz for not acknowleging his profound contribution to this excellent piece of engineering, along with his many interesting insights on these forums.
I bought my Web#312 cam from him as advised and it,s a real sweet item, quiet, torquey, with a smooth idle and good top end.
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Yet another example of people putting words in my mouth. "Subconsciously contradicted myself"? 'Fraid not. I've always said that 750s are undergeared because they ARE. How you can claim they would be better off with a 5 speed because they are undergeared is just wrong. They need to be given an extra tooth or two, that's all. Makes them a much more pleasant machine.
Laughing at Mick? Nope. Laughed at his statement because I thought it was incorrect and a shameless piece of advertising, with him selling Quaifes and all at the time. Comparing my credibilty to Mick's is fairly, um, I'm not sure of the word. Insert your own.
Weird dyno chart. Hmm. My own overgeared bike? No fun to ride? Who said I ride sedately? I've got the speeding tickets to prove otherwise. Benefit greatly from a standard cam? Been there, done that. No comparison at all. The old Anal Eccentrics. Not for me, thanks.
You seem to have taken my post very personally. For some reason. I'm just glad that you love your bike enough to spend money on it and actually ride it. in the end, that's what counts.
johnny Lagdon
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My favorite Commando is my MK3 850 that I have had since 1985. Of course, over the 32 years I have extensivley modified, de modified and upgraded etc. The first thing i did when I got it was remove estart and associated gubbins, beancans, black airbox (have ya seen how much people want for em now?) indicators and any bolted on brackets that I could. Many years dispatch(courier) riding in London when most others rode Honda CX500's racked up many miles. Slowly it has evolved into what it is today, with Maney alloy barrels and race pistons, pw3 cam, landsdowne damper setup, Madass's big brake setup, 5 speed (yes, from Mr Hemmings and i love it!) Bigger inlet & exhaust valves from Mr Moning with appropriate porting etc 18" back wheel standard electric start drive train with new small motor that works EVERYTIME albeit with the biggest mofo battery I could jam into early type battery tray, 35 mm FCR's, and Koni dialarides with big fat comfy mk3 seat... alloy rims and new electronic instruments. In some senses it has gone complete circle with weighty things added back on for convenience and lots of weight expensivly removed in other areas. The bike has carried me over 100,000 miles, and no, not trouble free ones either, and I love its current state, its fast, handles well, docile around town, even suprises a few people with its turn of speed and relativley standard trim. Grin factor high, but then it always has, 'cept when it stops for some reason and requires further development/repair. Left/right shift not a problem, I have vincents as well and I find no issue with switching sides.
The reason its the best model Commando? Because its the only one I have ever had, was my transport at my wedding, is part of my life and I ride as much as I still can. I reckon other owners will agree that the best commando model is the one they have, as thats the one you make YOUR one. And I am always right!
The reason its the best model Commando? Because its the only one I have ever had, was my transport at my wedding, is part of my life and I ride as much as I still can. I reckon other owners will agree that the best commando model is the one they have, as thats the one you make YOUR one. And I am always right!
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Hello,
For me it is 750 MK4 Interstate, not engine combat; that I bought new in May 74, having had, have new also, one 750 MK2.
We made, in duet with luggages, that longs trips ( often on highways in 140 km / hre ) in France and in a big part of Europe: Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy.
I had one 21 teeth, it was a motorcycle with great engine, comfortable also, the best of 3 commando that I had.
I have,today, this interstate 850 MK3 for 27 years, longs trips also as with 750 MK4 but the engine character is very different in spite of peashooters, exhaust pipes, air filter of 750 and 21 teeth what gave him a little more character,But it is very sufficient with the numerous radars especially in France today
For me it is 750 MK4 Interstate, not engine combat; that I bought new in May 74, having had, have new also, one 750 MK2.
We made, in duet with luggages, that longs trips ( often on highways in 140 km / hre ) in France and in a big part of Europe: Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy.
I had one 21 teeth, it was a motorcycle with great engine, comfortable also, the best of 3 commando that I had.
I have,today, this interstate 850 MK3 for 27 years, longs trips also as with 750 MK4 but the engine character is very different in spite of peashooters, exhaust pipes, air filter of 750 and 21 teeth what gave him a little more character,But it is very sufficient with the numerous radars especially in France today
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My Mk2A was purchased from Victor Horseman Ltd., Liverpool, and shipped to me in Panama in early 1974. I.D. date stamp is 9/73, #307143. The original mufflers and plastic airbox are long gone. It does not have the cutaway in the chain guard but is does have the black plastic Dzus fastener in the bottom corner of the right side cover.
It also has the black covers that fit under the speedo and tach.
It also has the black covers that fit under the speedo and tach.
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