cant get it outta my head

[tanken2]

When I was new to motorcycles (very early 70's ) I used to buy Cycle and Cycle world magazines. One issue has stayed in my head for ever, it was a road test of a 750 Norton commando roadster (yellow). One image that influenced me was where the tester stopped for a rest in the Californian country side under a huge tree with this beautiful bike (have searched for this picture online with no success). It was a scene of a perfect day, the closest I came to owning a Commando was choosing between a brand new Mach IV or the commando , the thrill of the crazy two stroke won me over , but will never forget that image, still hanker for a yellow commando roadster but must have those whistling mufflers.

[Cosmik de Bris]

When I was new to motorcycles (very early 70's ) I used to buy Cycle and Cycle world magazines. One issue has stayed in my head for ever, it was a road test of a 750 Norton commando roadster (yellow). One image that influenced me was where the tester stopped for a rest in the Californian country side under a huge tree with this beautiful bike (have searched for this picture online with no success). It was a scene of a perfect day, the closest I came to owning a Commando was choosing between a brand new Mach IV or the commando , the thrill of the crazy two stroke won me over , but will never forget that image, still hanker for a yellow commando roadster but must have those whistling mufflers.

Funny, I had the same decision to make and went with the Mach IV. I liked the Commando but the isolastic (????) engine suspension made my eyeballs bounce up and down in the socket when it was idling.

Cheers

[tanken2]

pics of the bike I fell in love with but never owned

[merv]

When I was new to motorcycles (very early 70's ) I used to buy Cycle and Cycle world magazines. One issue has stayed in my head for ever, it was a road test of a 750 Norton commando roadster (yellow). One image that influenced me was where the tester stopped for a rest in the Californian country side under a huge tree with this beautiful bike (have searched for this picture online with no success). It was a scene of a perfect day, the closest I came to owning a Commando was choosing between a brand new Mach IV or the commando , the thrill of the crazy two stroke won me over , but will never forget that image, still hanker for a yellow commando roadster but must have those whistling mufflers.

What's it worth to you?

Cycle World has archived all its magazines and it just costs a subscription to see them all http://covertocover.cycleworld.com/join/

There doesn't seem to be anything similar for Cycle which was taken over by the company that owned Cycle World in the 90's.

[pete376403]

oooh the Norton Girls. Vivienne Neves was the original and the best, but i wouldn't say no to any of them
https://www.pinterest.nz/andovernorton/norton-girls/

[AllanB]

Ah memories. The title of your thread immediately remindeed me of a old ELO song. A goodie as well.

I had been a very long time Cycle World magazine subscriber, until a month back when I cancelled the subscription. The monthly mags are now quarterly, cost the same, content is similar (print and mag is improved) and just not worth the same value. Sadly this is happening across the USA with massive falling paper magazine sales. A shame.

Oh and the Norton. When I was a young chap, a man down the road had a yellow fastback with a black 2-1 exhaust. Sounded fantastic.

[husaberg]

When I was new to motorcycles (very early 70's ) I used to buy Cycle and Cycle world magazines. One issue has stayed in my head for ever, it was a road test of a 750 Norton commando roadster (yellow). One image that influenced me was where the tester stopped for a rest in the Californian country side under a huge tree with this beautiful bike (have searched for this picture online with no success). It was a scene of a perfect day, the closest I came to owning a Commando was choosing between a brand new Mach IV or the commando , the thrill of the crazy two stroke won me over , but will never forget that image, still hanker for a yellow commando roadster but must have those whistling mufflers.

A lot of that sort of thing is here but not that
http://www.yeoldecycleshoppe.com/roadtestlibrary?category=Norton
If you know what year it was buy the mag on Ebay.
Here is a much better bike under a tree take a closer look at the hand whats up with that.
341064

[tanken2]

What's it worth to you?

Cycle World has archived all its magazines and it just costs a subscription to see them all http://covertocover.cycleworld.com/join/

There doesn't seem to be anything similar for Cycle which was taken over by the company that owned Cycle World in the 90's.

have the subscription , alas not there . maybe in Cycle mag

[F5 Dave]

I don't know which Norton lass would have most regretted that. The Rideability girl would have had to live that down. But think of the Freedom one with the big hair and clown handlebars.

[Voltaire]

Sometimes I take mine into the city office.
Isolastics make for a smooth ride, riding position does not lend itself to high speed.

341074

[tanken2]

closest I can find is Motor cycle world magazine march 1973. cannot see if it is the article in question though. It is a yellow roadster .

[F5 Dave]

Gotta say that looks fantastic Voltaire.

Mind you having ridden neither but being young (cough) and biased for RingDings I'd grab the chance for the H2 first. Actually I know someone with one but I'm not asking.

[tanken2]

Actually I loved most of the many bikes I have owned and the Kawasaki triples rank up there. But if I could have any of those bikes back it would be the Honda VFR1000R. Other than the weight it was way ahead of its time.

[F5 Dave]

I'm way ahead of my time. Most people don't get cantankerous til they're in their 60s.

[husaberg]

when i was new to motorcycles (very early 70's ) i used to buy cycle and cycle world magazines. One issue has stayed in my head for ever, it was a road test of a 750 norton commando roadster (yellow). One image that influenced me was where the tester stopped for a rest in the californian country side under a huge tree with this beautiful bike (have searched for this picture online with no success). It was a scene of a perfect day, the closest i came to owning a commando was choosing between a brand new mach iv or the commando , the thrill of the crazy two stroke won me over , but will never forget that image, still hanker for a yellow commando roadster but must have those whistling mufflers.

march 1973 motor cycle world
341134

[Voltaire]

I thought the disc brake was 72 and the 750 was gone in 73.

But who can forget the Highrider, early factory custom.

https://motorcycles-for-sale.biz/img/motorcyclephotos/big/motorbike360258.jpg

[sidecar bob]

This beautiful yellow Norton came out of hiding for the first time in 39 years for the Pukekohe NZCMRR Classic Festival display this year.
Robbie Dean, with Paul Pavelitich beside him on the GS1000.
The Norton is currently in my care.

[F5 Dave]

I was quite surprised how heavy they were. Had a bit of time on the dyno last year or so methanol blah blah, but not as slim as they look.

[Voltaire]

I was quite surprised how heavy they were. Had a bit of time on the dyno last year or so methanol blah blah, but not as slim as they look.

Its the extra 2 stokes per cylinder.

[speedpro]

I remember watching Robbie on the Norton vs Glen Williams on an H2 and I think Vince Sharpe maybe on a Z1 doing laps at Pukekohe. Roger Freeth may have been somewhere around as well. 3 totally different bikes with not a whole lot separating them

[speedpro]

In Swanson this morning a mint standard looking and sounding 850 rode past while I was going for coffee. I don't want one but I do like the look of them

[sidecar bob]

The Norton today.
I can't figure out how to turn it the right way up:brick:

[F5 Dave]

Maybe it won't leak that way?:innocent:

[husaberg]

The Norton today.
I can't figure out how to turn it the right way up:brick:

Its clearly leaning to the left just like you Bob.
341140

[Voltaire]

The Norton today.
I can't figure out how to turn it the right way up:brick:

Indicators....is that when they used to ride to the track, race and ride home?

[husaberg]

Indicators....is that when they used to ride to the track, race and ride home?

Esp considering that primary case doesn't look like it has room for an alternator, The case looks dead sexy though.

[Voltaire]

Esp considering that primary case doesn't look like it has room for an alternator, The case looks dead sexy though.

Long inlet manifolds too.

[Grumph]

I remember watching Robbie at Levels on an earlier incarnation of that bike. It may have been his first visit there too.
I think at that time it was still running as a proddy bike. Anyway, he'd obviously not found out how to adjust the isolastics - the only time the wheels were in line was down the back straight. Frightening to watch. I told him that some years later when Kirby and I ran him in the SI in his F1 championship season - he reckoned I should have seen it from his seat....

[husaberg]

Long inlet manifolds too.

And looks like MK2'S hiding back there at the end of those also
I dont think other than a the GP ceriani anyone's ever made s sexier fork than a roadholder.

[sidecar bob]

The rear brake is on the right (wrong) side too.

[husaberg]

The rear brake is on the right (wrong) side too.

Rear brake pedal looks on the left to me, otherwise what is that cable?

[sidecar bob]

Rear brake pedal looks on the left to me, otherwise what is that cable?

No, the actual brake, not the pedal
Have a look at a regular Norton.

[husaberg]

No, the actual brake, not the pedal
Have a look at a regular Norton.

Do you mean they have reversed the forks so the front caliper is behind the forks.

[jellywrestler]

The Norton today.
I can't figure out how to turn it the right way up:brick:

nor could robbie hence i called him rubber dean

[sidecar bob]

Do you mean they have reversed the forks so the front caliper is behind the forks.

No, the rear brake. Nortons usually have the brake back plate inside the rear sprocket.

[husaberg]

No, the actual brake, not the pedal
Have a look at a regular Norton.

QD rear wheels never noticed, a lot of BSA's have those.
https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/bsa-1966/images/BSA-1966-Hornet-Owen-8.jpg
So now although he has a cooler running brake,but no ability to QD
bloody poms likely had brakes on that side as it was cheaper save 2p on the rod length no need for cable and nipples plus cross over shaft etc.
I think triumph swapped over controls about late 70's for the yanks or something.
All the early suzukis like the T500 and wolf etc used to have provisons for swapping the gearchange to the other side internally

[Voltaire]

QD rear wheels never noticed, a lot of BSA's have those.
https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/bsa-1966/images/BSA-1966-Hornet-Owen-8.jpg
So now although he has a cooler running brake,but no ability to QD
bloody poms likely had brakes on that side as it was cheaper save 2p on the rod length no need for cable and nipples plus cross over shaft etc.
I think triumph swapped over controls about late 70's for the yanks or something.
All the early suzukis like the T500 and wolf etc used to have provisons for swapping the gearchange to the other side internally

I had a look at my Norton and by joves he's right.
Dean bike is probably modified as the rear brake on a Commando is pretty useless.
Right hand shift and Left hand brake was quite common even on Italian bikes.
I can swap between left shift and right Triumph shift easily enough as its the same pattern but you need to remember on the Norton with its 'racing change".
Get even more confused some days riding the Vespa with its twist shift.
It was all standardised to suit America.

[sidecar bob]

As a young bloke, Rob was the only mate of mine that had a Commando.
I thought this bike was normal & later I started to notice all the differences between this bike & other standard ones.
Initially I thought other ones had been modified & that this one was original. How wrong I was.

[husaberg]

As a young bloke, Rob was the only mate of mine that had a Commando.
I thought this bike was normal & later I started to notice all the differences between this bike & other standard ones.
Initially I thought other ones had been modified & that this one was original. How wrong I was.

I should have figured it Was Rob Muldoon.:cool:

[tanken2]

I remember my Kawasaki mach 3 triple had a straight through shift shaft splined on both ends to enable swapping gearshift from left to right. brake was cable operated to allow swapping of pedal .

[tanken2]

I remember watching Robbie on the Norton vs Glen Williams on an H2 and I think Vince Sharpe maybe on a Z1 doing laps at Pukekohe. Roger Freeth may have been somewhere around as well. 3 totally different bikes with not a whole lot separating them

Another Norton rider at Pukekohe , first name Ken , ginger hair owned a Motor cycle shop at the top end of Onehuga , Suzuki dealership 40 yrs ago now. Ha just remembered Ken Fletcher , used to own Onehunga motorcycles . He won Castrol at Pukekohe on a Norton Commando fastback , he went on to become Barry Sheene's mechanic.