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Made to Ride: A Norton Commando Story
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Shot & edited by / hammer.creative
A motorcycle restoration with a unique twist, Rob built this custom Norton Commando from a box parts after it's the previous owner attempted to bring it back to life.
Rob, born and raised in the UK during the golden era of motorcycling, always saw the Norton Commando as his dream bike after getting his first taste of one at a young age.
Decades later, he was finally able to make that dream come to fruition, building his very own Commando that unique to him.
Пікірлер: 28
Good to see someone who truly appreciates what great bikes Commandos are, even by today's standards. Nice video.
Cracking story and beautiful bike.
I like the dark grey frame and the upgraded brakes. Commandos are one of the few vintage bikes that can be updated and improved for modern riding. Parts availability are better that for many Hondas that are half the age.
I couldn’t agree more, the commando is the best British twin by far and can still be a daily driver. Like you I had two older brothers who were all bikers and I had made a decision that as soon as I could buy one I was having one. I got it in the early eighties after a year on a moped and then a 250 to pass my test on. It was an early model, a 68 fastback. I loved it and used it as my daily transport for the next five years during which time I had painted it every colour but finally settled on British racing green. Since then I’ve had a ton of bikes and still have a commando, a roadster this time but I would never be without it and I’m 58 now. I’m guessing we’re about the same age from you’re description of the motorcycle hey day we lived through. Keep on commando’ing, take care.
I started riding bikes again some years ago, after a break for twenty years. First a Enduro bike, then now a CB600F. All good but I have been thinking about a Norton instead for a long time now. Next summer I will most likely get one myself. Thank you for the video and the story :)
Awesome video mate, love the colours you chose and the general vibe is just beautiful. Have a merry Christmas.🇦🇺
these videos are beautifully produced
Great video! I have had my 71 now for about 4 years. I feel like I missed that time you discussed when these bikes were king!
@stancoleshill8925
2 жыл бұрын
I bought mine in 1973, when I was 20 yrs old. Still have and drive it today.
Its rare to see a Mk.3 Commando tricked out and customized like this.
Beautiful bike Rob.👍
rob looks like quite the movie star :)
A beautiful specimen! Leave the chrome for those......you know who I mean.
When I saw the Shacks Holden sign painted on the wall, I knew you were in Fremantle, ha.
Had mine Commando) 23 years, one before that I regretted selling
I’m sure he said 0 to 100 in 4seconds. I may be mistaken. He meant 0 to 100 KPH. Love the colour combination.
Very nice touches to make it a tasteful custom. My only quibble is no tach. Fine for Harleys that don't rev anyway, but not for Commandos that will rev with power to 7000. Seems to be a common thing with customs though
Fremantle? did you build or have someone do it? if so, who? I've got one which could use some work.
Eyup Rob
I'd love to know where that rear light came from, just what I'm looking for
Its my bike. I got my mph and kph mixed up!
@kdsowen2882
4 ай бұрын
But you got The-Bike 'Right' ! I had a 750-Atlas when I was young (69 now ) I always wanted a Commando ( mates had them ) I'm riding an 82 TR1 XV1000 and a W650 (my Old-Man-Bike ) I could just about get one if I sold both my bikes , but I Love-Them also ! Dave nz
Beautiful bike but after all that work what a shame to compromise a vintage Norton Commando by installing that single Mikuni. You may have forgotten what your brother's bike really ran like?
Nice bike and the paint pops but the engine doesn't. Yes they're torquey and punchy but not with that single Mikuni mounted on it. You have lost the acceleration, the torque and the grunt these bikes are known for. Get the dual carbs back on it and it will perform like it's suppose to. For Norton rebuilders, it's much cheaper to rebuild the old dual Amals than buy the single Mikuni kit and you will also keep that Norton grunt.
@kdsowen2882
4 ай бұрын
Maybe.....'they' say more-torque with a single-carb and less top-end ? I'll take the-torque any-day Dave nz
@robertshepherd3832
4 ай бұрын
@@kdsowen2882The single Mikuni does not give more torque than dual Amals. Torque is less effected at low rpm's because at low rpm's the air/mix demand is less and the single can supply most of the mixture. When the rpm picks up the demand for more air mixture is needed and the single 34mm can't supply what the 2x32mm (or 2x30mm) Amals provide. As rpm increases the torque, speed and acceleration start to drop with the single compared to the duals. The one dyno readout I saw provided measurable and noticeable losses for hp and torque climb at 3500 rpm and were ~10% at 4000rpm to almost 20% @ 5500+ rpm. The good torque the Commando/Combat provides (for a 50 yr old) is helped by design elements like stroke over bore and relative low weight and gearing (19 tooth drive sprocket standard). Hence the myth of the single Mikuni being the equal of the dual Amals in regards to torque and/or acceleration. Single owners claim there is no loss cruising at 3000 rpm. Mostly true until you hit the throttle and the myth and the fallacy becomes unavoidable. Single owners do say they like reliability because setting and tuning duals is difficult for them. I haven't seen any 50 year old Mikunis however and I find setting and tuning the Amals very easy. Rebuilding Amals is cheap. Removing the corn syrup from the Amal idle circuitry also helps if your Norton won't idle.
@NortonCombat-ib3xw
2 ай бұрын
@@kdsowen2882Not possible to increase torque by removing a carb. It maintains some torque in spite of the single Mikuni.
@ragstags1198
3 күн бұрын
Id be willing to bet the difference would be so small as to be noticeable. But I do plan to fit new amals, more for looks than anything