1972 Triumph Bonneville T120RV 650 & 1973 Norton Commando 100 mile classic bike ride - Part 13

[@TheMightyGarage]

Dave & I just survived another "Reduction In Force" at our company and so this is our RIF ride! I hope you will enjoy these clips of the 100 mile ride on my 1972 Triumph Bonneville and @swooshdave's 1973 Norton Commando Interstate 850. Cheers! Mike

[@russjan2811]

A good ride always "clears our mind" and gives us a greater appreciation of riding. Good to hear you and Dave made it through the reduction. Cheers, be well🙂

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

I just put a new K70 rear tire on my 78 Bonnie, wore out the K81 in less than two months riding with my niece. Thanks for all the beautiful rides you showcase!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks for your comment. Yes, I have been very impressed with the new Heidenau tires so far. Cheers, Mike.

[@adriandeluchin5982]

nice little 100mile country ride, the music from the both bikessss was sweet, old classic bikes still have the best exhaust soundssssssss

[@triumphmanful]

Damn, I am soenvious of you guys. My 67 Triumph Trophy 650 sits in my garage and my 72 Norton Commando Interstate too. ! Every time I go out for a short ride to town ( 14 miles ) some fool tries to run me off the road while BS ing on their smart arse phones ! I hate those things ! My wife wants me to sell them both. She is afraid I won't come back one day ! I hate to sell them. So many great memories ! Today is beautiful to ride too ! Temps in the 50s. Damn I love to ride ! You guys are so lucky. Count your blessjngs, be safe, God speed !

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks! I know what you mean about the crazy drivers out there. It seems to get worse all the time with so many distracted drivers. I love getting out into the countryside away from all the craziness and traffic of the towns and cities. It’s such a thrill.

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hello, I remember one statistic of A.M.A. Champion Gary Nixon's road racing Triumph 650 with four speed transmission.. It made 72 m.p.h. In first gear. My first three motorcycles did not make that speed using all four gears. It floored me!

[@lucapallino2063]

Bellissimo giro mike .. i love your street without trafic! In Italy this it’s impossible now... too many cars very dangerous

[@rogerwilliams2902]

The old Nortons look hell of a lot better than the new rubbish, any day !. Nice video.

[@martintruszkowski1825]

They just make a great noise to, love my 850 mk2a.

[@rogerwilliams2902]

@@martintruszkowski1825 Rode the 850 version round Oulton Park years ago on a test day, lovely bike to ride and to look at too !. Have owned an air cooled rotary Norton for 40 years, one of the prototypes , lovely too. But the latest Norton's are overrated and overpriced.

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

Beautiful, hardly any cars, clear skies and great scenery

[@swooshdave]

The lack of traffic is one of the things we love about this area. Once you get into the countryside there is very little traffic.

[@martinstults9419]

Thanks! I needed that. Wish I could have been riding along with you guys on this fine Sunday morning . Really makes me miss the '60's. Nothing could stop me from riding all day and into the night.

[@mred7030]

most enjoyable , as i look outside at the cold and rain .

[@philmuskett265]

Great ride out on two fantastic bikes, mate. Congratulations on beating the RIF!!! Fish and chips $22!!! About same here in Oz. When I was a lad in Huddersfield it was a shilling for a fish and six pen'oth of chips!!! Your countryside looks very similar to New Zealand.

[@splodge57]

I remember fish and chips for 1/6d wrapped in newspaper. Good days.😊

[@henryhawk978]

This video teaches the ESSENCE of riding a motorcycle. What a pleasant ride. Enjoyed the video and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Henry! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. It was a really unexpected longer ride and so enjoyable. We had a great time. Here is too many more rides, this spring and summer. Best wishes, Mike.

[@thakery5720]

I remember the first time I filled up my Interstate back in '79.... couldn't work out where it was all going, but it only ever did about 25 to the gallon the way I rode so maybe it was just as well - lucky I worked in a filling station. BTW the price you are paying is about a half of what it is here in the UK - I bet you really miss this place Mike ! Regarding the vibrations, from the late sixties onwards Triumph (owned by various parent companies) cut the cost of manufacture of the bikes by lots of engine mods one of which was not 'dynamically' balancing crankshafts - a few friends had them done when giving the bikes a major overhaul and found that a lot of the vibes stopped. Metal was removed from the webbing on the right-hand side of the crank which may well be a legacy of the change in main bearing size around the time of the Oil in Frame models.....

[@ninjafrogg5721]

What a great ride Mike, and the sound......sweet!!! It beats working alright!!! 😎

[@TheMightyGarage]

Oh, it sure did that day after a long and crazy week. Best wishes and I hope you have a good weekend.

[@AndoverClassicMotorcycleW-S]

That's a journey and a half. Lovely sounding bikes

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks. Yes, it turned out to be quite a ride. I was only expecting a quick ride to McMinnville and back, but had a great time. Cheers, Mike.

[@davewojcik1854]

I love the sounds of the bikes. Thanks for including those.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers, Mike.

[@CRUZER1800]

Nice ride along.... Hard to beat Oregon Scenery on a sunny day! Thanks.... Russ

[@Gerk8]

Congratulations on surviving another RIF, my condolences to those who will be looking elsewhere. Hopefully the ride was an RIS (Reduction In Stress)!

[@tadpoles10]

'RIF' ... 😅 scary words Mike, fingers crossed for you guys .. 👍 That was a great ride out, certainly cleared any cobwebs for sure, both bikes sounding awesome. Thanks for editing in the route map, always interested to view the trip. Thanks as always for sharing, atvb t .. 😎.. 🏍

[@alistairbernard9574]

An Awesome Ride Mike. The video was very Addictive i must say. That Commando sounds Crisp and the Bonneville a Nice Machine too. ❤

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you very much Alistair. I’m glad you liked the video. Best wishes.

[@neilfordham5790]

So lucky to have those fantastic roads to ride under big sky and no traffic.

[@rscaryrsc]

Hi Mike, glad you survived the RIF. I recognized all of the roads you travelled as I used to go to McMinnville often to visit a friend and would take some of the many roads to and all around the area. One of those roads is mostly straight but has many blind hills that always scare me. Glad the Bonneville is running so well. With a much lower seat, it would be just about perfect. I'll forward the link to Al so he can see the great job you did with that bike.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot Scott, the RIFs are getting closer and closer each time. We both just escaped this one, but it was close. Hope you are doing well. Cheers, Mike.

[@tmackinator]

I own both these bikes. (Commando roadster though). The Triumph is like a proper gentleman and the Norton like a cocky teenager.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Ha ha, a bit like Dave and myself then 😀😀☺️👍👍

[@macgraham100]

Thanks for the ride Mike and congrats on your ONE Show entry.

[@Norton731]

Another great video Mike, I'm starting to think I go on more rides with you than I do on my own commando,

[@TheMightyGarage]

😀😀 thanks for riding along😉 we really appreciate it. Hope you have a great weekend.

[@georgemartin5481]

Thanks Mike & Dave for taking me along visually on a super back road ride. I might have to strafe a few corners in the Hoosier NATL. Forest tomorrow thanks to your inspiration. Cheers mate! ✌️

[@frenchenstein]

Really enjoy your videos. Fantastic roads; reminds me of 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales✅ Many thanks 😊

[@tyelav13]

I live in Wales and own a commando 750 roadster and a triumph t120rv 650 😊.

[@johnx.k.4603]

Glorious Oregon sunshine and rides. How lucky! I may have passed you two out there. Great video. Much needed with this sub optimal weather. Thanks.

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

I spend a lot of time on motorcycle and car videos, it helps avoid "the drums of war" that rattle all around us. It must be nice to see other British bikes" on the road, but i content myself with anyone else "up on two wheels". "You've got the mechanics" well in hand but then there's "the lucifer electrics" to contend with. I envy you your rides in Oregon, they appear so pastoral!

[@bobstevens9040]

Super bikes Mike. They never missed a beat

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot Bob, glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers, Mike.

[@Marius_vanderLubbe]

Great stuff. Thanks for the vid.

[@splodge57]

Lovely ride on two great bikes. At last we have a dry, sunny day in SE England so I'm now off out for a ride. Cheers😊

[@havok531]

Love the sound of classic British twins.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot for your note. Cheers, Mike.

[@mikerider58]

Your idea of the Meusem would be an absolute success. Bikers would flock to it.

[@ronanrogers4127]

T120RVs are really great bikes, the 5th gear really transforms them compared to 4 speed models (I’ve had TR6P Saint and a pre-unit). I had a 750 Fastback that was stolen after I spent 2 years restoring it, beautiful bike, but I’ve never had an Interstate

[@ronnronn55]

You deserve to live in the country Mike. Ronn

[@TheMightyGarage]

Ha ha, thank you, Ron! I’m working on it :-)

[@jimsheldonswe7846]

Loved my interstate.

[@danwalkowski992]

What a great ride! And a great day!

[@chrisbolton5461]

Great video and great bikes with understated commentary.

[@Richard-pe4cx]

i think i may have said it before but i do like the paint job on your triumph here in the UK it is sunny so i will be out on my T120 soon then down to the shed where my bsa super rocket is being transplanted into a replacement frame

[@bradkorando]

Great looking Bonneville!

[@gillestrombetta3019]

Hello Mike ,très belle balade et les deux motos sont magnifiques

[@jintanner6412]

Thanx for posting!

[@alanhodge984]

spring in the air here in NC too i think i'll take my 72 T120 out today...70F

[@mldiode]

Nice ride! Thanks for sharing. I went for a morning ride on my XS650C Yamaha today. Got caught in some rain. This week in Daytona is Bikeweek. Forecast is off and on rain. I may go to the speedway and demo some new bikes. Maybe get some t-shirts. Other than that it’s too crowded for my tastes.

[@danielmcneil3004]

Thanks Mike for another leisurely ride. Two beautiful bikes. I hope the fish n chips were top quality for that price. Wow! The days of a reasonably priced restaurant meal seem to be long gone. Not to mention the current annoying practice of automatic tip. Cheers and ride safe, Dan ✌️🏍🇨🇦

[@swooshdave]

The fish was pretty good but it was panko coated and I prefer a beer batter. Just being picky.

[@stewy62]

That was a treat ! 70mph was a comfortable speed on my T140V back in the day, I occasionally went up to 80 mph if in company but it felt unpleasant, perhaps I have too much mechanical sympathy. I’m sure in the early days of ownership I opened the throttle even more to see what it would do but it wasn’t enjoyable. Never mind the cost of ethanol free, with a tip that food must have cost you the fat end of $100 ! 🇬🇧

[@kathyroberts3905]

great, have both bikes

[@tyelav13]

Me too 😊.

[@zepelin-on-road]

Hi, enjoyable movie !👍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I thought I would let this one run on a little bit longer than normal. Hope it wasn’t too much! Best wishes, Mike.

[@TornadoCAN99]

The title "Reduction in Force" made me nervous you were going to announce a bike was leaving your garage for good....that is the term my company would use whenever there was a lay-off coming!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Yes, that's just what happened! Dave and I managed to avoid the latest round of layoffs!! Phew!

[@garypatrick7817]

Beautiful 😍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Gary. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@54macdog]

Reduction in Force - oh dear. Congratulations on surviving.

[@keithmoore1354]

Nice video and bikes 👍👍

[@yamonda900]

Hi mate, I do KZbin motorcycle videos, ( Classic Motorcycles Australia ) just wonder what you are using to record your awesome videos , your audio and video is just perfect , I love watching your channel, keep up the good work.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi, I would be happy to help if you can send me an email at [e-mail]? Cheers, Mike.

[@wdhewson]

I'll be putting the battery in my bike today !!!

[@GiancarloBenzina]

T120, NCI850, … it’s hard to decide. I think every garage should have both together with a Velocette Venom Clubman, and an Ariel Square4, and a proper v-twin, a James 500. ;-) ;-) ;-)

[@dgordon130]

Mike, another brilliant episode! Have to ask your thoughts on the compare between the two? More vibes for the trumpet. More power and comfort for the Commando. Is there anything else you'd share between them? Lastly, the mufflers on Dave's commandos aren't the peashooters I was familiar with. Are those the authentic Interstates? I thought those were supposed to be really quiet but his sound brilliant. Like all Nortons. :-) Thanks kindly for the channel! Dave

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Dave. Yes, those are the authentic interstate mufflers. You’ll notice that they hang lower down. My understanding is that that was to accommodate luggage on the “longer distance “interstate model with a much bigger tank than the roadster. I haven’t written many 60s Triumphs, or later 70s triumphs that have the lower frame, but this particular model certainly feels too tall for me. I really like the riding position of the commandos, which feels much lower. My 850 Commandos certainly feel like they have got tons more power than the 650 Triumph, which actually feels a little underpowered for the size of the bike (just my opinion!) 😉😉

[@jimcockburn4652]

The Norton sounds like the bloke who last tuned it knew what he was about.Norton leads the way.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, Dave knows his way around a Norton 😀

[@kathyroberts3905]

great, got both bikes

[@nmpan-shovel]

lovely ride on two great bikes. On your Triumph, you mention 5th gear as helpful, but didn't you know the 1:1 final drive ratio is identical to my '71 T120R? Yours is merely a close ratio gearbox. Just FYI...

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks for the info!

[@dhovious6247]

Is the area you were riding considered the Willamette valley? Great video?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Yes it is! 👍😉

[@garymitchell6897]

In early seventies I had a 750 commando and 5 speed 650 1972 both models as liked both. Use one one day and then the other. Commando was a better bike.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi Gary, yes, I agree with you. Both are great bikes, but I do think that the Commando is a stronger bike for the longer rides like this.

[@daveco1270]

I picked up a 78 Triumph T140 recently. My handlebars are a bit kinked as well.. if kinked means not 100 percent straight when the wheel is straight. They seem off by a hair. Maybe you'll show us how you fix that on your bike. The OIF triumph 750 shakes way more than my 64 TR6. I like the 64 650 way better. It's just a nicer, smoother ride than my oil in frame 750. And the 650 is a lot lighter. I'll have to ride someone else's T140 so I can compare the two, see if they're all similar. The 72 Bonneville was still a 650, so it's probably closer to my TR6 than my T140.

[@nigeldavis4220]

A week off work, what did you do to deserve that? Another very enjoyable video, hope you enjoy your week off.

[@havok531]

".....Dave is rubber mounted..." lol!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hee hee, I’m still working on my rubber mount 😉😉

[@bananabrooks3836]

Nice roads over there. Stick a note on the bars F.Brake, H.Bars Centre stand. Try some foam grips to avoid Triumph white finger.

[@georgemobbs4413]

GOOD VIDEO LOVERLY SEANERY TRIUMPH NEEDS TREATING TO NEW HANDLE BAR HOLDERS TO LESSEN VIBRATIONS ALL THE BEST

[@Ajoe5810]

👍

[@edwardmccaine497]

Top gear ratio is 1 to 1 on both the 4 and 5 speed gear boxes, no?

[@dennisschell5543]

That Trumpet sounds... 🤔

[@richardbartlett6932]

I assumed you were retired.

[@hdevo80]

Thank you the good video! Your motorcycle collection which the pet motorcycle? Vincent, or black Norton, or which? Sorry my english George from Hungary Á and the music tiresome. Sorry 😇

[@georgemobbs4413]

GREAT SEANERY GOOD OLD BRITISH BIKES NEED SOME NEW HANDLE BAR HOLDERS AS IT HELPS LESS VIBES ALL THE BEST

[@ruahinesrider]

$22 US for fish & chips that's $40 NZ 🇳🇿 & I thought food was cheap in the US. I got fish & chips no salad $18 NZ 🇳🇿 & one pub & was very nice & good price.Another pub was $28😲but came with salad & was only ok & salad was basically $10 & was overpriced & won't be buying feed there again that'll be a Ginger beer 🍺 pub only.

[@mickgerard6696]

Good day Michael! It was wonderful riding along with you two! Always surprised to see the green in your area as, although we’re warming up here in Wisconsin, everything is brown and dead usually till end of March! Picking up my first Norton later this week hopefully, as the gent is trying to get the title straightened out. 1971 Commando 750 Roadster with 11k original miles. Can’t wait to get into the preservation! God Bless you and your family!

[@pdm2201]

Food is cheaper in the US Southeast. The West Coast and the Northeast are more expensive.

[@ruahinesrider]

@pdm2201 I do notice portion sizes are much larger in US.New Zealand 🇳🇿 people buy 1 serving between them to eat while in US as can't eat a whole serving alone🤣.