1975 Norton Commando Shakedown Ride Part 1

See another one of my other vintage restorations at: • Moto Guzzi Le Mans - E...
See other videos of this Norton at: • Norton Commando Ride P... and: • Norton Commando Ride P...
Completed my Commando restoration. This is my third ride on it, a 60-mile local ride. At this point I need to re-torque the head, change the fluids, and inspect all the other fasteners and joints to ensure things are staying together. Unfortunately, I didn't have my helmet cam pointing up. Once I'm done servicing the bike, I'll post a better video.
See pictures of the restoration at www.flickr.com/photos/1952418...

[@robertshepherd3832]

That is a beautiful example of the '75 MKIII. Nice workmanship, effort and a great result. Congrats.....

[@tomquinn607]

Always wanted a Norton. Never happened. Thanks for the ride. Epic motorcycle.

[@paulbfields8284]

In my dreams this and an old triumph are my favorites.. to me THIS is a motorcycle.

[@herrlich1461]

Gotta love that chrome, what a rare beauty!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

There is chrome but much of what you see is aluminum and stainless steel. The exhaust, shock springs, handlebars, and headlight are chrome; Engine head/cases and gearbox are aluminum; Engine timing/primary/valve covers, footrest plates, fork legs, and wheel rims are polished aluminum; fenders, wheel spokes, and fasteners are stainless. Chrome looks great but over time it pits and rusts if you don't tend to it and keep it dry. This bike had new chrome rims installed just before it was left sitting for 17 yrs. When I found it, the chrome was pitted and peeling. Polished aluminum dulls but it can be quickly polished to like chrome appearance. Plus, scratches/cuts can be sanded out. Stainless is bullet proof however it tends to get micro scratches that are difficult to remove without skills. So, there are tradeoffs. After doing a couple high level restorations, I find all the little details add up when presented as a whole. Dissembling the entire bike forces you to address each sub/system and part. It starts with the frame. Nothing goes back on the bike until it's functionally and cosmetically as good as new. It can be fun, frustrating, and always challenging, but do that and you end up with what you see here, a bike that looks and runs as good, if not better, than new.

[@daveversion2.2]

Absolutely gorgeous! I loved mine too.

[@glennhelm9525]

I got close with a '75 Triumph Trident. It was purple & black. What a beautiful bike ,& the handling was sweet. So many electrical problems u bettet be an electrician to own one. On 1 long trip we were 150 miles from home & the valve cover gasket blew out on the right side, spraying me w/oil & had to get 2 qts. to finish. I had oil in my Red Wings. It was a love/hate machine, but it handled better than any of the Japenese bikes & was FAST. Loved those Nortons, but they were priced out of reach for me & never found a good used one. Thanks for the ride , w/ just Norton music. Beautiful.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

When I bought this bike last year it had 13000 miles on it. It had been sitting for a long time uncovered in a damp garage. I could have just freshened it up and ridden it, but I didn't want to experience perpetual breakdowns and put up with rusty fasteners/parts. Instead, I completely restored it so that I know that every component is reliable and like new. Nothing is put back on the bike until it's been examined, refinished, and brought back into spec. I can't say I won't have failures, it's an old British bike after all, but its safe, and I'm betting it'll have fewer problems. That said, owning one of these that you actually ride requires a detailed pre and post ride inspection and wrenching when needed. Unless you're willing to do this, it'll be an unhappy experience.

[@kevinlynch7865]

Awesome dude. Great job. IMHO the most beautiful piece of automative engineering ever - bar none (and I'm including 4 wheels too).

[@donmckinnon4765]

Thanks Bruce, nice job. Will check out your other clips. Great countryside too

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Cool, thanks

[@FO_Biggles]

A beautiful bike. Just beautiful! Wholeness. Harmony. Radiance.

[@paulhanlon5112]

Had the 750 in Candy Apple Red...What a Rocket !

[@garypatrick7817]

Miss my Norton Commando…

[@johnb5519]

Me too.

[@Jack908r]

That is one beautiful machine.

[@raymondvoigt7336]

Very Nice! Thank you for sharing.

[@f4tweet]

I had a 73 interstate with a 750 replacement engine.

[@SBCBears]

Wow! It sounds so mechanical. ❤😎❤ And then there's the reflection of the passing scenery in the headlight fairing. Beautiful. Takes me back.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Sounds like a BMW airhead to me. Both being pushrod fourstroke twins, I suppose it figures.

[@GPgundude]

So Beautiful!! And sounds GREAT!!

[@tomlinnane4979]

Beautiful machine. A real bike .Have a chrome bronze 350 RE .

[@jammaster7614]

Nice Bike Mate

[@erwinhellman6859]

Takes me back 48years ago when I worked in a little shop on Long Island, pre electric start, getting these bikes ready to sell. Never had the opportunity to take long rides, also the maintenance required, so I guess I got the best of both worlds. Sweet sounding and handling ride. You are a fortunate guy out there in Georgia. Thanks for your effort.

[@runingblackbear]

Wentworth tool's

[@stevensapyak7971]

⁠​⁠@@runingblackbear 12.18.23. 🇬🇧Whitworth™️ pattern thread form⚠️

[@stephencroft6481]

Beautiful bike and looking better with the wider rear tyre.

[@ramonscott6045]

A thing of beauty

[@Twinpot1962]

Stunning bike and a cracking environment to ride it.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Thanks! Yeah, I live in a wonderful area for motorcycles just outside my door. A couple hours north of me is Western North Carolina/Eastern Tennessee Appalachian Mountains with world class motorcycle roads.

[@alistairbernard9574]

Awesome ride on a Superb Commando. ❤

[@martinowl]

Beautiful bike. One of the main reasons I bought a RE Interceptor is because it reminds me so much of one of these. (Mine is also black.) I don’t for one minute claim the Interceptor is the new Commando, wish it was,lol.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

My daughter owns a GT650 Royal Enfield. I thought that this shows what a great job RE did recreating the classic feel. Very similar. The RE doesn't have the pushrod clatter and has a balance shaft too so it loses a bit of character though.

[@redbike6340]

Very nice 👌 ❤

[@victorduncan3254]

As much as I have always loved Triumphs, deep down I knew this was a superior motorcycle

[@Marius_vanderLubbe]

Everyone has an opinion. I have a 64 Bonneville and have ridden both. I'd have the Bonneville all day.

[@victorduncan3254]

@@Marius_vanderLubbe I had a 1970 Bonneville. They called it crimson with silver flash. Back in 1982. Engine siezed but I didn't understand English bikes very well. But I do understand today that even with the siezed engine, the same bike worth $10k or so

[@jimclarke1108]

Great lookin bike bud🏆

[@jeromebreeding3302]

I nearly sold my 72 Harley Sportster to buy one of those in 75. Electric start, and up to 850cc.I believe.

[@nappyheadedhoe]

Youve got the Guzzi as well! Love it.Have three Norton 850's and 6 Guzzi's.LOVE the videos! Stunning bikes!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Hanging out on the Guzzi and Norton forums, you see a lot of people who have both, Ducatis and Laverdas as well. All are great classic motorcycles of our past. I have modern motorcycles but lately with a beautiful Lemans and Norton in the garage, the other bikes are getting much love. Link to my Lemans: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ-0aKCKhKeGgdk

[@therealrobertbirchall]

Magnificent ❤

[@kevinmccorkle7476]

Nice! Well taken care of bike.

[@guilhermetanure6204]

CNW Norton. The best.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

I love what CNW does but my bike isn’t one. I did the work with some help from a number of local specialists. That said I spent a lot of time pouring over their specs as well as other high quality restorations. It’s part of the fun doing a high level restoration.

[@tedcity5861]

beauty!

[@runingblackbear]

Remember kids one down four up

[@kenroberts2556]

got one and never wanted anything more

[@TheGreatestBeyonder]

Beautiful machine. Stunningly condition. First dibs please when/if you’re ever mad enough to sell!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

It's staying with me... but thanks for the offer.

[@peterrestaino7047]

I have a rat shed find1970 roadster or S not sure with fiberglass tank found down my block. Paid a thousand bucks and pushed it home. Its going to be a long and expensive road ahead.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Good luck... it's a long road but worth it in the end if you plan on riding it.

[@sandrastyler5481]

Hi nice bike , just about to finish working on mine , 1975 like yours , have you made any upgrade changes to it ? Sounds great , l live not far from where your bike and mine was originally built , all the best , Don.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

As to upgrades... 13mm front MC, Girling rear MC, Borrani rims/stainless spokes - 19F/18R, Tri-Spark ignition and reg/rectifier, ICM charge warning light, lightened/drilled brake disks w/TrueDisk grind, rebuilt main electrical harness to remove unused wires/connections, euro handlebar w/shorter cables, Barnett clutch w/3mm plate for easy pull clutch, stainless fasteners throughout, powder coated frame. Entire drive train was disassembled with components measured, cleaned or replaced. New A/N stock spec camshaft (purely preventative... MK3 cams have been known to fail). Replaced the gearbox layshaft bearing. All rubber components, seals, and most bearings were replaced. Rebuilt brake calipers, new brake lines, new cables. Rebuild forks (thinking about re-doing them with Consentino fork kit or Consentino dampers). New Amal Premier carburetors w/stainless fuel lines. Good luck on your build Don. As I'm sure you are aware of by now, it's a time consuming and many times frustrating endeavor but incredibly satisfying in the end!

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Someone knows you?? Or just wants a ride. Thanks for showing. My older brother bought a Suzuki 750 triple back in the day, which suited his purpose ( touring) , but I always wish he bought a Norton or Triumph. He later bought a few BMW R100's and an R80. I guess the R100 has a similar riding experience to your Norton, being a big twin.

[@russellrehm6940]

Yours looks way better than mine, congrats! Sounds great too. What paint and color did you use for your triple tree?

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

VHT SP995 Engine Enamel Nu-Cast Aluminum with a several layers of Satin Clear coat to knock down the brightness. Very close to the original color but better.

[@chhindz]

I was trying to figure your countershaft sprocket but saw in the comments. I picked up my 72 in London new, in UK all had 21. US models were shipped with 19 at the time.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

I just installed the 21T today. Won’t be able to try it for a while, but I’ll let people know how it works out. It’s what a lot of Norton guys run. Should do 65 at 4000rpm.

[@chhindz]

Think I used to recall it doing 3000rpm at 50mph

[@wwakkoppakko]

Exactly the same as mine. My carburetor burned with a blue smoke this morning, and since then I couldn't start it. What should I do?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Disconnect the battery.

[@tregelsperger]

Ok. Fantastic bike. Is that a four brush starter? What do i need to do to my Norton to get it to start like yours?

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

It is a 4 brush starter, and a Tri Spark EI w/Tri Spark Rect/Reg. The timing and the carbs are set correctly, and I have a good battery. All of these things matter. See AccessNorton for help, in particular seek out Greg Marsh on AN.

[@kenroberts2556]

why do we have to share the road with cars

[@iosis99]

They don't come any nicer than that! Who did the painting? It appears to replicate factory work on the pinstripes better than most of the restorations out there.

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Precision Motorcycle Paining

[@iosis99]

@@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES thank you

[@rover100bunson]

the most fun you can have with a load of bolted together metal and one head! and the roads are amazing, the roads here in ireland are total shit

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

But your country is beautiful, go figure.

[@kenkayiii]

Wow..pretty bike, no mirrors?... geared with a 19 tooth? (4100 RPM at 60 mph) not a good ratio for 80 mph on freeways, Redline Oil (50w) will make it last

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Thanks, it's a blast to ride! Mirrors just arrived, installing them soon. I'm running a 20 tooth sprocket as was factory on an MK3. It's been a very long time since I last rode a Norton and sometimes I find myself reaching for 5th gear but overall I'm happy with the gearing. Checkout my Moto Guzzi Le Mans - East Cherokee ride on my channel to see a ride on another vintage bike I restored last year. Completely different experience from the Norton but equally satisfying.

[@Jack908r]

Your statements are very vague. Can you be more specific. LOL. You really know your Nortons, thats for sure.

[@stephenbaron5681]

Mk3 Nortons came with a 21 tooth sprocket unless it was an Interstate which came with a 22 tooth sprocket. Your 18 inch rear may be smaller and make your 20 T more like a 19T. Nice bike, built a 73 850 MK1 during the pandemic and will be building my second MK3 this winter.

[@balmoralpjk]

☹️

[@pizzulo8111]

Push button electric start???? Boooooohhhhh!!!!!!!

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Haha, I"m 69 and I still want to ride them, what can I say.

[@kenleishman7314]

If it was so great?? Why is he all over his side of the broad ?? I had a new 1967 305 honda scramble in the day. The 305 was half the price & twice the speed ! I was too young to appreciate what i had at that time

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

My suggestion is to find a Scrambler and I can assure you that after you restore it, you'll appreciate it. To each their own! Cheers.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Do you have a bike now??? Did you own any other Honda's?? Maybe a CB360 or a Goldwing .

[@kenleishman7314]

Purchased new 1975 goldwing ! Was not impressed at all. Owned kawasaki 750 ( 2 stroke ) 2 concours 1000 & 2 concours 14 . The concours 1000 was more user friendly & forgiving . To ride a vintage bike is living The dream for sure . Every trip has a story

[@stephenbaron5681]

Maybe you were to young to remember, Honda 305 23 hp and 86 mph. Half the price sounds about right

[@martinburke362]

Sounds like it needs a 5th gear

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Sigh... yes! Turns out there are 5 speed gearboxes, but I don't want to wander that far away from how it was manufactured. I'm using a 20T sprocket, might try a 21T, but it's pretty good as is in the mountains where I ride.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Yes, and water cooling, a supercharger, mag wheels, bikini fairing, and nothing. It's perfect, just the way it is.

[@haraldpeter267]

sorry.. deine norton klingt wie ein rasenmäher.. weit weit weg, vom urton norton..

[@BRUCE_SWAN_MOTORCYCLES]

Ha! Makes me laugh. Perhaps it's my GoPro microphone. I can assure you that when you are riding it, it sounds magnificent! What are your thoughts on my other vintage bike... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ-0aKCKhKeGgdksi=hJx7uQqsOzYy2mgG