Which is the best year for Commando
- Thread starter FASTLIKEJUDY
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+1 for David.
A 1973 750 had all the bugs gone just a universal layshft bearing concern.
I'd like to ride an 850 some time for comparrison.
My combat is a rabbit.
I ease out of the traffic light on green and there is nobody near me in my rear view mirror.
0-50mph in a blink of an eye. I have had her at highway speeds 70mph at 4300 rpm's .
With a 19 tooth sprocket I feel like I'm spanking her a little to hard at high way speeds.
I like it orig so thats the trade off w/ hi gearing.
I look at an 850 in the final days and see a copy of what the Japenese were doing w/ Yamaha.
They started to copy the brits and in the end the Brits copied them to hang in there to no avail.
Just my take on stylin designs.
My 72 Roadster never gets mistaken for anything but a Norton 8)
Marshal
A 1973 750 had all the bugs gone just a universal layshft bearing concern.
I'd like to ride an 850 some time for comparrison.
My combat is a rabbit.
I ease out of the traffic light on green and there is nobody near me in my rear view mirror.
0-50mph in a blink of an eye. I have had her at highway speeds 70mph at 4300 rpm's .
With a 19 tooth sprocket I feel like I'm spanking her a little to hard at high way speeds.
I like it orig so thats the trade off w/ hi gearing.
I look at an 850 in the final days and see a copy of what the Japenese were doing w/ Yamaha.
They started to copy the brits and in the end the Brits copied them to hang in there to no avail.
Just my take on stylin designs.
My 72 Roadster never gets mistaken for anything but a Norton 8)
Marshal
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An interesting discussion!
The mods introduced for the 'a's were solely to pass more stringent emissions regs - plastic airbox, annular discharge 'blackcap' silencers and modified gear ratios.
I don't believe any of these 'improvements' would enhance anyone's experience - except for stockists of peashooters and breadbox filters :mrgreen:
Maybe it's more to do with the fact that the 850 had the 'best' motor - not necessarily the fastest, but the most tractable, combined with the most practical brake setup, IMHO.
The MkIII was certainly the heaviest :roll:
Just my ha'pennyworth - as a MkIIa owner
The mods introduced for the 'a's were solely to pass more stringent emissions regs - plastic airbox, annular discharge 'blackcap' silencers and modified gear ratios.
I don't believe any of these 'improvements' would enhance anyone's experience - except for stockists of peashooters and breadbox filters :mrgreen:
Maybe it's more to do with the fact that the 850 had the 'best' motor - not necessarily the fastest, but the most tractable, combined with the most practical brake setup, IMHO.
The MkIII was certainly the heaviest :roll:
Just my ha'pennyworth - as a MkIIa owner
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Like lot o people said you could get just about any year and be very happy with it. Just a couple of things to watch out for, I want to say the the 69' and earlier frame had a tendency of cracking on the top tube where is joins to the headstock. Many of these frame have been modified so you should be good there. Late in 70' they started moving the centerstand from the frame to the engine cradle. 73' THe 850s came out, and the cyclinders are a bit more robust then the 750s were. I do have to agree from a development standpoint the 74 850 MkII would probably have the most bugs worked out although much never really changed in the basic design of the engine. The 850s in general would be better for commuting and are not as "strung out" as the 750, and the are a bit more robust. Maybe some of the other guys could confirm this, but the 750 have a tendancy to be a bit quicker then the 850s. In the US, most of the 74s that were imported to the US were not MkIIAs, but standard MkII. Like someone stated the MkIIA was a European model that had to meet higher emissions standards.
I have both a 74' MkIIA that my father bought when he was stationed in Germany, and a 71' MkIII 750 that is hopped up a bit. Both are great bikes and I would not trade them for anything. Both have tons of torque and run much smoother then any triumph that I own. The 750 is more of a beast, and very raw in producing the power. The 850 pulls like a freight train, and its much smoother in the delivery of the power. For commuting the 850 would probably be best. Either way, you could not go wrong.
Also the Mk nomenclature can be a bit confusing. The Norvil website has some pretty good information on what years and models are represented by the different Mk #s.
I have both a 74' MkIIA that my father bought when he was stationed in Germany, and a 71' MkIII 750 that is hopped up a bit. Both are great bikes and I would not trade them for anything. Both have tons of torque and run much smoother then any triumph that I own. The 750 is more of a beast, and very raw in producing the power. The 850 pulls like a freight train, and its much smoother in the delivery of the power. For commuting the 850 would probably be best. Either way, you could not go wrong.
Also the Mk nomenclature can be a bit confusing. The Norvil website has some pretty good information on what years and models are represented by the different Mk #s.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm sure that will be the case, but didn't the MKIIA have the swingarm upgraded like the MKIII? I thought it had the same type of cotter pin arrangement, and welch plugs for caps. If so, that's a real positive. I think by now, a great deal of the black cap silencers and air boxes have been removed.
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ebowling81 said:
I can't agree, I think the Norvil info. http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/engrange.htm is totally misleading, because it is far too basic to be of any real use.
For instance, according to the Norvil list, various models don't even exist, such as the 750 'R', '73 850 Roadster MkI, '74 850 JP Replica and attempting to group models together by mark number to a specific production year is very misleading, as the mark numbers of the various 750 model types were not always produced during the same period, for instance the Fastback MkII was supposedly only produced between 9/'70 and 12/'70, and the 750 Roadster MkII produced between 1/'71 and 12/'71. Also, according to various other sources there were no 750 MkIII Roadsters, as the 750 Roadster mark number jumped from II to IV. However, the mark numbers appear to have been applied somewhat unofficially to the 750 models, so it's all a matter of conjecture.
http://www.nortonownersclub.org/models/commando
Unclviny:
Yes it was "electric assisted starting". After my time at N-V, but I did follow that particular development.
As a resutl of the research conducted for the space program, there were major developments in the flux strength of permanent magnet materials, specifically the rare-earth magnets. These improved the torque of starter motors by an order of magnitude. My son-in-law picks up computer peripherals from places like the Salvation Army Thrift Stores and strips them down for components he can use for other things. You should find a magent out of a disk drive some time, and stick it to your fridge. You'll need a chisel to break it loose!
The Norton twin is a real bear to turn over, and Lucas didn't develop their starter to use rare earth technology before the Commando was history. As I've mentioned in other posts, Norton was a minor player and Lucas seemed to "condescend to doing business" with us.
It's fortunate that some of the other manufacturer's bits fit, When you're pushing 70, (I'm not dragging it behind me just yet) kick starting a Commando would really be difficult. Having a high-torque, relable starter motor would be a real boon.
When I think of some of the J. Michael Mouse electric starters of the past, the mind boggles. A lot of Villers engines were equipped with a system called a SIBA Dynastart, where the starter motor was switched tp being the generator once the engine was running. A college buddy had a "Maicoletta" scooter, which had a weird starter that rocked the engine against TDC until it fired. Problem wasm since it was a side-port 2-stroke, it could easily start the wrong way. Quite a surprise to put it in gear, drop the clutch and take off backwards!
That happened to me when riding a works 360 motocross bike (on Trade plates) in Wolverhampton traffic. I was approaching a tradffic light when it went red. I snicked the transmission into neutral and started braking to a stop. The engine promptly quit. I had just enough speed to drop the clutch to restart the engine and shifted into neutral. An older half-cab double decker bus pulled up behind me, the kind with the big radiator out front with the big "Leyland" logo. When the light turned green, I selected first, opened the throttle, let go the clutch, and the bike took off backwards. The "Scrambles" knobbly tyres tried to lock into the radiator hoeycomb of the bus and climb straight up. Fortunately the bus driver had quick reactions and managed to avoid flattening me.
Electric start is something British motorcycles should have had from the early 1960's. Small cars (the 850cc Mini for example) had the typical car-type Bendix system, so why not bikes?
Another marketing feature and very useful capability frittered away by the "We macho bikers don't need it" attitude combined with a lack of courage by the suppliers!
Yes it was "electric assisted starting". After my time at N-V, but I did follow that particular development.
As a resutl of the research conducted for the space program, there were major developments in the flux strength of permanent magnet materials, specifically the rare-earth magnets. These improved the torque of starter motors by an order of magnitude. My son-in-law picks up computer peripherals from places like the Salvation Army Thrift Stores and strips them down for components he can use for other things. You should find a magent out of a disk drive some time, and stick it to your fridge. You'll need a chisel to break it loose!
The Norton twin is a real bear to turn over, and Lucas didn't develop their starter to use rare earth technology before the Commando was history. As I've mentioned in other posts, Norton was a minor player and Lucas seemed to "condescend to doing business" with us.
It's fortunate that some of the other manufacturer's bits fit, When you're pushing 70, (I'm not dragging it behind me just yet) kick starting a Commando would really be difficult. Having a high-torque, relable starter motor would be a real boon.
When I think of some of the J. Michael Mouse electric starters of the past, the mind boggles. A lot of Villers engines were equipped with a system called a SIBA Dynastart, where the starter motor was switched tp being the generator once the engine was running. A college buddy had a "Maicoletta" scooter, which had a weird starter that rocked the engine against TDC until it fired. Problem wasm since it was a side-port 2-stroke, it could easily start the wrong way. Quite a surprise to put it in gear, drop the clutch and take off backwards!
That happened to me when riding a works 360 motocross bike (on Trade plates) in Wolverhampton traffic. I was approaching a tradffic light when it went red. I snicked the transmission into neutral and started braking to a stop. The engine promptly quit. I had just enough speed to drop the clutch to restart the engine and shifted into neutral. An older half-cab double decker bus pulled up behind me, the kind with the big radiator out front with the big "Leyland" logo. When the light turned green, I selected first, opened the throttle, let go the clutch, and the bike took off backwards. The "Scrambles" knobbly tyres tried to lock into the radiator hoeycomb of the bus and climb straight up. Fortunately the bus driver had quick reactions and managed to avoid flattening me.
Electric start is something British motorcycles should have had from the early 1960's. Small cars (the 850cc Mini for example) had the typical car-type Bendix system, so why not bikes?
Another marketing feature and very useful capability frittered away by the "We macho bikers don't need it" attitude combined with a lack of courage by the suppliers!
rvich
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This is an interesting discussion but in the real world I think finding the right Norton is more like picking your new dog at the pound. If you have ten bikes sitting in front of you, various years, configurations and conditions it gets a lot more subjective as to which one you pick. At that point I think the year of the bike is less important, particularly if you are then going to take it home, strip it and rebuild it into something modified from stock. Which everybody does to some extent if they plan to ride it often.
I would do my best to learn about some of the different "problems" associated with different years and then just see what I could find for sale. If you want to buy a dog with papers from a breeder, just get out the check book. Most of us don't get bikes that way. When I went shopping my biggest criteria was to find a bike that had not been highly modified (I wanted to do it myself), was complete and had a steel Interstate tank. After that the rest was up to what I could find in a price that seemed fair. I live kinda outta the way, so the other thing I had to ask myself was if I was willing to spend a lot of time and money travelling around looking at lots of bikes. At some point the expenses invovled in the search start to bite into the funds available to buy parts. That is a sliding scale that is singular to every buyer.
Just my thoughts on it!
Russ
I would do my best to learn about some of the different "problems" associated with different years and then just see what I could find for sale. If you want to buy a dog with papers from a breeder, just get out the check book. Most of us don't get bikes that way. When I went shopping my biggest criteria was to find a bike that had not been highly modified (I wanted to do it myself), was complete and had a steel Interstate tank. After that the rest was up to what I could find in a price that seemed fair. I live kinda outta the way, so the other thing I had to ask myself was if I was willing to spend a lot of time and money travelling around looking at lots of bikes. At some point the expenses invovled in the search start to bite into the funds available to buy parts. That is a sliding scale that is singular to every buyer.
Just my thoughts on it!
Russ
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Hi
I've had 4 Commandos 2 750s 2 850s All kick start the 750s have a better pick up and revving power. Don't listen to 850 engines are more reliable rubbish a late 750 1973 would be great. Put Boyer Brandsen Electronic ignition on it don't get Lucas. Electric start models were overweight and generally crap losing all the advantages of a pre-unit engine construction.
Hope you get a good one!
Dave
I've had 4 Commandos 2 750s 2 850s All kick start the 750s have a better pick up and revving power. Don't listen to 850 engines are more reliable rubbish a late 750 1973 would be great. Put Boyer Brandsen Electronic ignition on it don't get Lucas. Electric start models were overweight and generally crap losing all the advantages of a pre-unit engine construction.
Hope you get a good one!
Dave
rvich said:
The narrowing down of the port increases gas velocity and with the hefty flywheel you get good low down running and idle. With a stock cam the 850 makes good power up to 5500 but then the narrower ports become restrictive, reducing the extra edge the big port motors have in the top end.
Mick
I think they are all special. To love any, is to love them all. Norton history is rich and the Commando is at the end of a very long line of greatness. An example is the notorious Combat. Notorious? Yes. Sought after? Totally!
It's so hard not to mention the great motorcycles of the past in this Commando forum. God, I wish I had the 5 grand for this when the BuyItNow was active. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1947-Mat ... 2559e93c9b
Alas, I had a 74 Mark IIa once. Red, White and Blue. Had to give it up during hard times. Super Bike! I own a 72 Commando now. Love is relative with these things and just like being in love, when it happens you will know it.
Bottom line..... What's the best year Commando? The one that's one our garages.
It's so hard not to mention the great motorcycles of the past in this Commando forum. God, I wish I had the 5 grand for this when the BuyItNow was active. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1947-Mat ... 2559e93c9b
Alas, I had a 74 Mark IIa once. Red, White and Blue. Had to give it up during hard times. Super Bike! I own a 72 Commando now. Love is relative with these things and just like being in love, when it happens you will know it.
Bottom line..... What's the best year Commando? The one that's one our garages.
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Very cool 47 Matchless. Bike is adorable.
Someone is going to get a nice bike for around 4 grand.
You couldn't put it together for that price.
I love my 72 Combat too :mrgreen:
Marshal
Someone is going to get a nice bike for around 4 grand.
You couldn't put it together for that price.
I love my 72 Combat too :mrgreen:
Marshal
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