That’s all Folks 2

Hey, leave Tiger Cubs out of this.

My Dad bought me one when I was 12 to keep me off street corners.

Still got the bloody thing !
 
MxMartin said:
all 3 of my seat bases have been cut the same way, a 3 yr old with a dremel could do a better job lol
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Remove the clips, fill plastic triangle things with chemical metal, put seat in place and drill with long drill through where bolts go then remove seat, open holes and epoxy glue in blind rivet nuts which have been roughed up on the outside. A bit more fiddly to locate but solid.
 
Clive, that’s good thinking.

Perhaps even better would be to use a strong epoxy that could be tapped, you’d then have threaded holes that lined up perfectly with the frame holes. Grind a taper on the screws to act as a guide and bingo.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I have come to the conclusion that the solution may be to spend less time on the Internet...
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.... and that is indeed the solution, just keep away from the darn thing! Politics, bikes, animal welfare, human rights..... is just fills your head with irrelevant, inappropriate garbage.... this site being the exception :)
 
Fast Eddie said:
Hmmm, that’s not how I see it to be honest. I think Norton would be crazy to go head to head with Triumph in that market niche because Triumph will wipe the floor with Norton!

Triumph have got that whole niche perfected, they have the size to produce bikes at low cost, they have the brand recognition in the market place, and they have the global dealership network to both sell and support.

Messers Garner and Skinner along with a handful of temporary workers (sorry, but that’s what it sometimes seems like) ain’t gonna compete with that!
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Well, yes and no.

I love the new Triumphs twins I think they are very nice for what they are, but I’m not proposing that Norton compete with them at all.

The Triumphs are designed from the ground up to closely incorporate the visual cues of the old classic Triumphs, but include technology improvements underneath, like overhead cams, 4 valve heads, wet sum crankcases.

My 750 Commando II concept is totally different.

Norton start with an existing, thoroughly modern engine/chassis design (from their 650’s) and make minor changes to improve the classis/engine appearance, without damaging performance. With this concept you have:

1. A modern narrow valve angle combustion chamber with down draft intake ports feed from a large plenum air box (the Triumph twins do not have this)

2. A much lighter, smaller power plant with smaller balancer shaft, less chance of annoying vibs

3. Smaller motor allows a small lighter chassis with the engine as an integral stressed member

4. Moving the air box to under tank position now allows easy adaptation of a mono-shock suspension (the Triumph twins do not have this)

The new Commando II would be a more attractive, slightly higher performance version of the Ranger, Nomad models. Certainly this will be less purely classic in appearance than the Triumph twins, but a new generation of the Commando twins. Something young riders would fine attractive, and a concept that keeps the Commando moniker alive. If done right, the light weight , nibble 750 would easily out perform the Triumph twins, not just in acceleration but around corners. But I’m not suggesting that it would compete for sales with the Triumph. It’s a totally new class of Modern classic, produced in limited quantities, as SG is fond of, as opposed to mass market production.

And seriously, be honest, do the monikers of Ranger, Nomad evoke excitement and passion as does COMMANDO??

Of course not.

Sorry for polluting this thread with an unrelated post.
 
I'm just wondering the qualifications of the hands in the hands built dept. And seiously... get someone to write a proper program for the mapping. Having one off the first boat load here in the US, I expected some problems. Also....eventually somebody took the reins in the factory and did an amazing job helping me out after months of ranting. But the a few months after.. that person would leave or be sacked. Also....my dealership is notorious for personnel changes and shoddy work too. Probably as much to blame. Ok...I have a tank to remount.
 
BritTwit said:
Well, yes and no.

I love the new Triumphs twins I think they are very nice for what they are, but I’m not proposing that Norton compete with them at all.

The Triumphs are designed from the ground up to closely incorporate the visual cues of the old classic Triumphs, but include technology improvements underneath, like overhead cams, 4 valve heads, wet sum crankcases.

My 750 Commando II concept is totally different.

Norton start with an existing, thoroughly modern engine/chassis design (from their 650’s) and make minor changes to improve the classis/engine appearance, without damaging performance. With this concept you have:

1. A modern narrow valve angle combustion chamber with down draft intake ports feed from a large plenum air box (the Triumph twins do not have this)

2. A much lighter, smaller power plant with smaller balancer shaft, less chance of annoying vibs

3. Smaller motor allows a small lighter chassis with the engine as an integral stressed member

4. Moving the air box to under tank position now allows easy adaptation of a mono-shock suspension (the Triumph twins do not have this)

The new Commando II would be a more attractive, slightly higher performance version of the Ranger, Nomad models. Certainly this will be less purely classic in appearance than the Triumph twins, but a new generation of the Commando twins. Something young riders would fine attractive, and a concept that keeps the Commando moniker alive. If done right, the light weight , nibble 750 would easily out perform the Triumph twins, not just in acceleration but around corners. But I’m not suggesting that it would compete for sales with the Triumph. It’s a totally new class of Modern classic, produced in limited quantities, as SG is fond of, as opposed to mass market production.

And seriously, be honest, do the monikers of Ranger, Nomad evoke excitement and passion as does COMMANDO??

Of course not.

Sorry for polluting this thread with an unrelated post.
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Ok, now I gotcha.

Actually, you convinced me, sounds like a pretty good plan !
 
Fast Eddie said:
I was with you there Mr Fredvincent, you were making a very profound and eloquent case.

Seriously you make make a strong point about the very point of owning, and joys of riding these things, that perhaps those who have suffered problems have (understandably) forgotten.

Actually, whenever I read comments like “I sometimes want to sell it, but it just looks too gorgeous” I have to disagree. Yes, these bikes do look gorgeous, but their real purpose, their real value, is the way they stir the soul and cause a very broad smile when RIDING them.

Sadly, despite agreeing with you so strongly, I reached the point about the Clive long pipes and realised you’re obviously just a nut job... and / or Clive under a pseudonym...
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Aah. Thought you might feel you have to respond to those splendidly long opens.
Still waiting to see a true side on photo of a bike with the Thiel longs so I can comment on the length and proportions. Or see them in the flesh.
That lovely man in the white coat has just turned up to collect me so I have to go now.
 
These are the Thiel short pipes. They’re actually longer than the Norton shorties, which even I admit is an improvement, and about 8ft shorter than the stock Norton pipes.

It’s the overall lines of them that I find most appealing, no awkward kinks / cut n shut bends, etc.

Anyone who says these look anything less than the ultimate in tubular stainless art needs more than ‘men in white coats’ ...

And yes Sam, I know the grass needs cutting...!

That’s all Folks 2
That’s all Folks 2
That’s all Folks 2
 
Fredvincent said:
Another one here with no issues apart from a blowing left hand exhaust which was changed, 2018 model, 1400 miles so far.
I am 65 and had always planned to build a Commando with all the latest upgrades (I had a 1972 combat roadster which was my personal transport in the 70’s for a few years). When I looked at the cost and time required to build one and realised that I would still be left with an engine that could still shake itself to bits, produce 60 bhp and a frame that was in my mind still an engineering comprimise in terms of controlling vibration, I started to look at these beauties.
With a bottom end built like a brick outhouse, a single balance shaft, nikasilled alloy barrels, 70 bhp+, a proper tubular frame with Ohlins and Brembos, I justified the cost to myself.
Having become bored with all the major manufacturer’s bikes that were becoming less like bikes with their seamless power delivery (read boring), bits of plastic tacked on everywhere and electronics and quick shifts that not all of us need.
Where else in the world can you buy a hand built bike to this spec where you can choose polished billet alloy, carbon fibre and chrome bits, any colour you want with no unecessary plastic bits and NO seam welds.
This bike rocks, especially if you have the Clive long opens. At 4,000 it changes note and picks up its skirts. Yes it vibrates but nothing like the old days. Yes it has too many sensors but life ain’t perfect.
But this to me is a proper bike. End of rant.
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I agree, however there are other handmade options, for example

https://www.heskethmotorcycles.co.uk/

https://www.heskethmotorcycles.co.uk/gallery?lightbox=i111gu


A well proven engine, with top notch ancillaries. Granted not as pretty as the 961, but you can spec them out to your choice.

Cheers,

cliffa.
 
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Fast Eddie said:
These are the Thiel short pipes. They’re actually longer than the Norton shorties, which even I admit is an improvement, and about 8ft shorter than the stock Norton pipes.

It’s the overall lines of them that I find most appealing, no awkward kinks / cut n shut bends, etc.

Anyone who says these look anything less than the ultimate in tubular stainless art needs more than ‘men in white coats’ ...

And yes Sam, I know the grass needs cutting...!

View attachment 11844 View attachment 11845 View attachment 11846
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Great photos. I meant the short Thiels, not the longs.
Now they have promise - if only the taper up to the reverse cone was a few inches longer...
Then I guess they would stick out too much at the rear.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Ok, now I gotcha.

Actually, you convinced me, sounds like a pretty good plan !
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All except the part about outhandling an R.
Maybe talk to Steve Parrish about that!
His 109 mph IOM lap passing factory race bikes ridden by McGuinness and the like said it all.
It's certainly the best handling bike I've ever straddled, common though it may be!


Glen
 
worntorn said:
All except the part about outhandling an R.
Maybe talk to Steve Parrish about that!
His 109 mph IOM lap passing factory race bikes ridden by McGuinness and the like said it all.
It's certainly the best handling bike I've ever straddled, common though it may be!


Glen
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The ‘BritTwit Commando’ would be a lot lighter than the Triumph twin range, which would therefore pay dividends in handling.

Weight is the one negative for the current Triumphs twins IMHO.

Seems Triumphs just got a little heavier every year from around ‘68 onwards.
 
Don’t panic Clive, I believe that Hesketh are no longer, or at least not currently, building bikes.
 
Fast Eddie said:
These are the Thiel short pipes.
Click to expand...

Maybe I have been a bit uncharitable to those who are a bit short-changed in the pipe department - these are not at all unattractive but looks as though you need a tube of autosol there mate. Brushed/matt steel is fine for a toaster or kettle (or T. Thruxton) but has no place on a real motorcycle.

And Hesketh .... YES BUT I WANT ONE OK???? I'm already in touch with WeBuyAnyUnwantedBodyOrgans.com; I blame it on the engine in that Humpty Dumpty Breakout I borrowed....
 
Those new Humpty Dumpty engines are really addictive aren’t they Clive? I’ve come close to buying one on several occasions, but everything else around the engine is, err, less impressive. Ultimately it’s the weight that puts me off, I don’t think I could get one in and out of my shed!
 
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