Why Norton? Why Commando?

swooshdave · Feb 4, 2012

Dave Swanson said:
At 18 years old I was the proud owner of a new 74 Honda 750. I was completely smitten with my new bike and was enjoying it immensely. I hadn't considered a Norton as all my riding buds back in the day were Honda riders, plus the nearest Norton dealer was a good bit away from home. I hadn't seen one in person, but like all of us, enjoyed the Norton girl ads.

When riding through a local park I saw and heard a Commando up close for the first time. The owner jumped on the lever and I could not believe the sound coming out of those pipes. When he motored off, I thought "damn that's a real motorcycle". I still liked my CB 750, but I never looked at it in quite the same way after that day. I knew I would have a Commando one day. It took many years but I've got it now, and am continually impressed how good a motorcycle it really is!

Great story.

Some people love their motorcycles, but only a few know what lust is.

DogT · Feb 4, 2012

Having been broken in on a BSA 500 thumper in the early 60's and experiencing a CB450 in the early 70's, my next expenditure was for the Norton. I think the CB lasted a month or 2, it sold real quick. I couldn't wait to get rid of it.

Dave
69S

Hobot · Feb 4, 2012

Can't speak for the rest of you but a modified Norton Commando is my tool of choice to get the most glee from harsh acceleration and cornering G's with least sense of a motorcycle or pilot effort. A Commando is what I want to spank some super bike 'puterized fly by wire appliances with at a shoot out and practice my local hobby of teasing squadrons here with - can I tag along till bored. Took about 2 seasons of a summer and fall for word to get out about the Nut on a Norton in Kingston, so riders form out of state would seek me out to play. Some of them dead now by traffic and ride mistakes so look forward to finding some more before I get taken out. Will have ashes poured in a unusable fiber tank as who'd throw that away if painted up nice.

cjandme · Feb 4, 2012

Geez hobot that's pretty hard core, no going quietly in your sleep for you I guess. Cj

Hobot · Feb 4, 2012

We just don't have much choice in the matter, my 2 yr younger brother i traveled with to pick up Tirxie Combat died in his sleep before I could get 2 bike running at once. Almost made it but deer about did me and Trixie in. So plan is wear the hell out of everyone, i mean everything around me with least scars showing on me. I ride scared to death and try not to forget it, how about you. I enjoy my time on a Commando more than any other bike so want to spend as much time in that bliss as I can.

davamb · Feb 4, 2012

Why the Commando? Well, I'd known the previous 3 owners, the last one I caught up with after being out of touch for a couple of years around 17 years ago.
"Still got that Norton?" I asked.
"Yeah, but it's in bits under the house coz I threw a 'rod" he replied.
"You want to sell it?" That odd brain cell that normally lies dormant fired.
"Sure, but I want 12 for it."
"Umm." I thought $12k is a lot of money for a blown bike in bits.
"Yeah, I won't take less than 12 hundred for it."
I arranged to pick the bits up the next weekend.

Hobot · Feb 4, 2012

A place to be, something to do and things to look forward too.

850cmndo · Feb 5, 2012

A couple years ago a friend and I, now both in our 60's, were standing near our bikes outside a saloon. A young lady walked out, looked at the bikes and said "these bikes really rock". There ya go.

hoppy · Feb 5, 2012

Becouse my dad give it to me, when i was a young lad i loved washing dads commandos, dodnt think il ever sell this one.

Matt Spencer · Feb 5, 2012

As , once the tecnique is mastered , they do superb near vertical wheelstands . :mrgreen:

Why Norton? Why Commando?

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