With the introduction
of the Commando Norton sought to address one
of the problems associated with large capacity
parallel twins, vibration. By isolating the
engine, gearbox, primary drive and swinging
arm from the main frame with adjustable rubber
mounts vibrations were not passed to the rider.
The "isolastic" system proved successful,
although in its early form it required careful
adjustment and regular maintaince to work effectively.
The engine was derived from the Atlas unit canted
forwards at a slight angle which required modifications
to the oil pick up. The initial version was
equipped with a twin leading shoe front brake
and a seat unit with a fastback tail section.
By the early seventies the range had expanded
to include a "Street Scrambler", Roadster
and a "chopperesque" variant with
high ape hanger handlebars and a saddle incorporating
a back rest. The Roadster was easily the most
popular with good looks and performance to match.
The Commando,
a fast and refined version of Norton's parallel
twin, was introduced in the late 1960s. Early
models were of 750cc capacity and were good
for 120mph. 1973 saw an improved 828cc version
with rubber-mounted engine to combat vibration.
Aimed at the US market and intended to take
on the Japanese competition, the 1975-launched
Mk3 had an electric starter and discs brakes
front and rear. By 1977, however, the NVT Wolverhampton
factory was in Official Receiver hands and Commando
production finally ended.
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
Norton Commando |
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One of the first great British 750 twins.....maybe
the best
Engine - air-cooled 745cc OHV vertical
twin
Horsepower - 58bhp @ 7000rpm
Top Speed - 110-120 mph
Brakes - drum/drum (later disc/disc)
Frame - tubular steel cradle, Isolastic
engine mounts
Transmission - 4 speed
Launched - 1967-1976
Picture kindly provided by www.vintagebike.co.uk
Norton
Commando Mk1 |
| Norton Commando 750 SS |
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| Norton Commando 850 |
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| Norton 850 Commando |
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1968 Norton Commando Fastback |
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Launched in 1967 the Commando was quite
a sensation; at last a big British twin that
did not trouble the rider with uncomfortable
vibration. |
1969 Norton Commando S, 750cc |
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1969 Norton Commando S, 750cc |
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| 1969 Norton Commando Fastback |
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| 1969 Norton Commando Dunstall |
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Purposful racerm everything lightened.
810 dunstall barrel and reworked dunstall
head, oil cooler , mk4 3029 dunstall street
cams, larger oil pump |
1971 Norton Commando Racers |
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1971 Norton Commando
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This particular machine was built during
1971 and exported to Italy. It was subsequently
purchased Norvil Motorcycles Ltd as a
basket case and rebuilt by Les Emery at
Norvil between 2004 and 2005.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
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| 1972 Norton Commando 750 Roadster |
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| 1972 Gus Kuhn Norton Commando |
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1972 Norton Commando 750 Combat |
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| 1972 Norton Commando Combat |
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750cc. |
| 1972 Norton Egli Commando 750 |
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Beautiful 1972 Norton Egli Commando
in stunning condition. This exceptional
bike is mounted on an Egli Racing chassis
(which was initially destined to accommodate
a Vincent 1000cc engine).
This bike comes equipped with a dry clutch,
4 cam Ceriani front brakes, Ceriani GP
fork, and 2 exhausts. |
1972 Norton Commando 750cc Roadster |
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| 1973 Norton Commando 850 Roadster |
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Norton
Commando road test |
| 1973 Norton 750 Commando |
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1973 Norton Commando 850cc MkII Roadster |
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More
Norton Commando Roadster info..
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| 1974 Norton Commando 850 |
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Norton
Commando 850 road test |
1974 Norton Commando 850 Roadster MkIIA |
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| Norton Commando John
Player Race Copy - 1975 |
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850cc in white with twin headlight faring
registered 1975. |
| 1975 Norton Commando Mk2A |
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850 Interstate. |
| 1975 Norton Commando Mk3 |
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| 1979 Norton Commando Production Racer
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All the new parts are genuine and have
been supplied in the main by Norvil.
- The frame, engine plates and swing
arm are nickel plated, Most of the rest
is polished alloy or stainless.
- New forks
- AP Racing Front disc and Caliper
- New Full Exhaust System
- Flanged Alloy wheels and stainless
spokes
- New Bearings throughout
- Belt drive primary with vented cover
- Larger tank
- Boyer electronic ingnition
- Boyer powerbox
- New, adjustable isolastics
- Twin Amal 32mm concentric carbs on
rubber manifolds
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| Norton Commando 750 Production Racer |
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