What To Build

[cliffa]

Hi Cliffa, not to sound dumb...but what is a 961? Isn’t that a new bike?

Oh sorry Norcoastal, I was presuming you were aware of the "New" Norton range. So to recap, as Kommando correctly stated (of course ), American Kenny Dreer - a long time Norton dealer / fan developed a next generation Commando and was about to go into production when his backers pulled out. Enter British entrepreneur Stuart Garner, who bought all the manufacturing rights and the Norton name, then "productionised" that Commando into what is now the 961. I won't go into the debacle that followed, however they are at least producing British built motorcycles and have been for the past 10 years. If you have a few days spare you can look on the (modern) Commando thread, and you will see the relevance of my comments.

So in essence the 961 is a beautiful but flawed handbuilt bike, with poor support outside of the U.K.

I hope this helps,


cliffa.

 

[Onder]

Im moving from the Roadster to Interstate steel tank for the range. There are fewer petrol places every day. We are SOL for non ethanol out west and more and more you cannot find premium fuel so easily either. Already have rearsets and flat bars. I never ride two up so the seat choice will give me
plenty of leeway.

 

[rvich]

I ride an interstate with standard pegs and handlebars and don't find it uncomfortable at all. So, I guess it depends on the individual. Of course I only have a 29-inch inseam, so maybe I don't have as much leg to fold into the space.

 

[worntorn]

Short legs but long arms is the best body type for comfort on an Interstate.
Fitness is important as well.
Ideally, you should look like this

 

[Ron L]

You could get a ComAtlas tank (assuming Ross Thompson will still make you one) and do a long range fastback or JPN hybrid.

Ross retired a couple years ago.

 

[Norcoastal]

Oh I get it on the 961, not sure how I can use that on my build.

 

[gortnipper]

Im moving from the Roadster to Interstate steel tank for the range. There are fewer petrol places every day. We are SOL for non ethanol out west and more and more you cannot find premium fuel so easily either. Already have rearsets and flat bars. I never ride two up so the seat choice will give me
plenty of leeway.

My flat bars foul the front of my interstate tank, and would dent the fronts if used together. I have the same wide ones from Flanders that CNW sells.

• 31" wide that will give you enough clearance between controls and trees
• 4" pull back and 9" straight center

 

[rvich]

Ross retired a couple years ago.

I sent an email to Ross after he retired and asked him what would come of his ComAtlas tanks. He said he enjoyed making them and would continue after closing his shop. He also said that he would sell the jig to someone if they wanted to take over making them. Of course that email was dated early in 2018 and I have not had any contact since.

I always liked the look of those tanks and think that you could make a killer cafe bike with one.

 

[rvich]

My flat bars foul the front of my interstate tank, and would dent the fronts if used together. I have the same wide ones from Flanders that CNW sells.

• 31" wide that will give you enough clearance between controls and trees
• 4" pull back and 9" straight center

 

[Norcoastal]

WOW!!!

That is one cool commando!

The thing I’m learning about Commandos is that the frame, engine and all the main structures are all the same.

A tank, seat and fenders change everything and they all look good. Some bikes are designed for one specific tank and anything else looks shotty. With the Commando, make these changes and the bike takes on a whole new personality.

 

[maylar]

The thing I’m learning about Commandos is that the frame, engine and all the main structures are all the same.

Be aware that everything changed with the MK3.

 

[Norcoastal]

I’m staying MK1. Nothing after ‘73 if I can help it.

 

[maylar]

73 and 74. Some 74 improvements were worthwhile.

 

[Scout63]

I think that the interback is a cool combination. For me, the stock Interstate with low pipes, but that is probably because that is how mine came. It’s your bike so anything you like goes.

 

[Scout63]

I think that the interback is a cool combination. For me, the stock Interstate with low pipes, but that is probably because that is how mine came. It’s your bike so anything you like goes.

 

[Ron L]

I ride an interstate with standard pegs and handlebars and don't find it uncomfortable at all. So, I guess it depends on the individual. Of course I only have a 29-inch inseam, so maybe I don't have as much leg to fold into the space.

I find Euro-spec bars and rearsets are perfect on the Interstate (I have a 31-inch inseam). The Roadster is stock with U.S. bars and stock footrests. I have always found the footrests too far back with these bars and wind up riding halfway back on the dual seat for a comfortable position. It's a little better with a Corbin seat. Riding two-up on the Roadster is not comfortable.

 

[ILLF8ED]

961 is Kenny Deers upgrade/redesign of the Commando which was sold on to Stuart Gardner and is the current Commando.

Kenny’s machine was a 952. Engine was redesigned and increased to 961 by current Norton Motors Ltd.

 

[ILLF8ED]

Another nice combination is an Interback. Interstate tank with Long Range fastback seat/tail section.

 

[o0norton0o]

The thing I’m learning about Commandos is that the frame, engine and all the main structures are all the same.

no, not true. Certain frames have a different angled headstock and also have different offset on their yokes to adjust each model's trail distance... cradles are specific to certain models, swingarms can be specific to cradles, different oil tanks, different battery trays, different coils, different headsteadies, different primary cases,... So much more to learn, right??

and the best version/model/configuration is MY bike...

 

[MexicoMike]

"On the road to Winthrop, a 90 mile distance from closest fuel. A hard climb all the way , from sea level to about 6000 ft. Lots of hairpins and full throttle fun.
Would a Roadster tank make it? Maybe, maybe not."

Based on my experience with two roadsters I'd be inclined to say "Probably not!" Which is, as I noted earlier, one of the reasons I converted to a Fastback. 90 miles was pretty much the "on reserve" point and considering that both of my roadsters had about a teacup of fuel remaining when going on reserve, 90 miles of hard climbing would probably leave me sitting at the side of the road at the 75-80 mile point!

Maybe a roadster with a single Mikuni would make it but it might not have enough power to climb the hill!