- Joined
- Jun 30, 2012
- Messages
- 13,223
I have sometimes made disparaging remarks about Commandos, however I would like to now say frankly - I am amazed they are as good as they are. I was road racing in the early 70s, and back then we would not even think of racing a Commando. However one of my mates said they were good, and I had watched Jeff Curley win a production race on one - but he was an A grade rider and full of tricks.
Another mate of mine used to work for S.R.Evans and did pre-delivery on Commandos and H1 and H2 Kawasaki two-strokes. The guys used to take the bikes to the Richmond Boulevard and 'test ride' them. The Commandos were right up there with the two stroke 'widow-makers', but not so likely to kill.
When I built my Seeley 850, I only did it out of interest - I never really believed in it, so it sat un-raced for about 20 years. About the tiime I retired, I arranged a divorce and subsequently achieved a better frame of mind, remarried and decided to have a few races.
As soon as you road race any motorcycle, you begin adjusting to make it competitive. I never expected the Commando 860 engine to be so responsive to tuning. I suggest the basic design of the internals must have been the result of a lot of racing experience. I never thought a crank so heavy, could actually be good. It did not seem to work properly until I got the close ratio gearbox.
One thing I would never do is race a very fast motorcycle, but my Seeley 850 is actually fast enough and that surprises me. What it stays with, it should not even get near.
Another mate of mine used to work for S.R.Evans and did pre-delivery on Commandos and H1 and H2 Kawasaki two-strokes. The guys used to take the bikes to the Richmond Boulevard and 'test ride' them. The Commandos were right up there with the two stroke 'widow-makers', but not so likely to kill.
When I built my Seeley 850, I only did it out of interest - I never really believed in it, so it sat un-raced for about 20 years. About the tiime I retired, I arranged a divorce and subsequently achieved a better frame of mind, remarried and decided to have a few races.
As soon as you road race any motorcycle, you begin adjusting to make it competitive. I never expected the Commando 860 engine to be so responsive to tuning. I suggest the basic design of the internals must have been the result of a lot of racing experience. I never thought a crank so heavy, could actually be good. It did not seem to work properly until I got the close ratio gearbox.
One thing I would never do is race a very fast motorcycle, but my Seeley 850 is actually fast enough and that surprises me. What it stays with, it should not even get near.