Norton Commando - Will Teenage Fantasy match Reality?

The Norton Commando was my teenage fantasy bike. But I could never afford one. But today I get to ride one. Will I be disappointed by the REALITY?

[@markmark2080]

They sound so sweet when they are just loafing along on medium speed curvy roads, they have broad sweet spot around 3500 rpm (it's been awhile) where it feels like they could run forever... Got my first Norton, a Commando 'S' in 1970, life long love affair, many thousands of wonderful miles in the Rocky Mountains.

[@davidjennings1771]

I had a used Black 69 Commando 750 'S' in the early 70's that was reworked after the young first owner got more into it than he could handle. The fall snapped the right-side fork stop and the resulting redline plus destroyed the engine and several cases along with cracking the tank. It also destroyed the young guy's desire to ride ever again sad! The 21/2 gal. glass tank would seep fuel out because of the fork damage. It required lots of expert welding of covers and a 30 over bore. It was a beast I enjoyed it for three years. Having a family and the need for $$$ forced me to sell it. I secretly cried myself to sleep for weeks. I got a 72 750 combat a few years later, and also had a 67 650 Tiger for a while. It was sweet for putting back roads on Sunday mornings. Some asshole stole it, and the 72 combat I gave to my nephew when the knee got tired.

[@danapeck5382]

Same here, wish I still had it, all the best. Loved the gear change reference

[@stephenbaron5681]

Norton Commando’s can be restored 100% original or improved with a 13 mm front master cylinder makes the braking significantly better or put on a Brembo like mine. As for the clutch, a Teflon cable routed correctly (no tight bends) makes it an easy pull. If you add one more steel plate in the clutch basket you will have a two finger clutch pull.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks for the tips. Clutch? Turned out it just needed a new cable. Works nicely now.

[@geraldscott4302]

I just turned 65. My first bike, at age 16 in 1975, was a 1972 Suzuki GT380 two stroke triple. I only had it three years, but I remembered it being a real blast to ride. A couple years ago, I was finally able to get my hands on another one. I had it totally rebuilt. And as it turned out, my memory was 100% correct. It is STILL a real blast to ride. Of course, compared to the flat black computerized trash they make today, just about anything from back then is going to be a blast to ride. I have also owned two vintage British bikes, a 1966 Triumph Bonneville, and a 1968 BSA A65 Lightning. Loved them both. I currently own a 2013 Royal Enfield B5 Bullet 500, converted from the dreadful EFI that it came with to an Amal Concentric MK1 carburetor, and an aftermarket Triumph style "peashooter" exhaust, both from Hitchcocks. I bought it new, and currently have just over 21,000 miles on it. I would have left the original Amal Concentrics on that Norton.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Lucky you. I’d love to get my hands on a 500 Suzuki Titan like I owned in 1974.

[@fatbudgiekillen8997]

Happy birthday! Only 68 , that means many more years of great videos like this for us to enjoy.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks. Let’s hope so. 👍

[@terrykissell1633]

Back in the day, before kids, my wife and I road my 1973 750 Interstate. Had it equipped with Bates king size saddlebags, a Windjammer, and a trunk. We rode as far as southern CA and it was Soooo nice! Still got 60 mpg..

[@brianroche4127]

As a young 21 year old I owned a beautiful Norton 850 Commando Mk3 built in 1976. I spent a lot of my time and spare money on it, planning to keep it forever. Things change and I traded it in for a used K100 Rs (1984). Any way - Lucky me, purchased a mint example of the exact same model at the age of 63. You only live once and I always had some regret selling my first Commando. Lots of spares and upgrades available - lots of knowledge and support available from your local Norton Owners Club. JUST DO IT!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Lucky you. But I have it even better. I get to ride it any time, without the expense of ownership 😁

[@fortboy66]

The Norton commando had the world's first abs brake system, especially the front disc, it NEVER locked up!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Sad but true!

[@mytube2959]

Great video. My brother had an 850 interstate when I was 10 year old. He took me out and I was beside myself with 'oh my goodness'. I have been into bikes since then. Rocking the Africa Twin 1000, but at 58, I may sell up and get a proper bike 😁

[@dannyhall3287]

Great video, I'm 70 yrs old(still riding) I have had the same fantasy.I have a Norton tee shirt.😂😂

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ha! I also have the TShirt. Sadly I still can’t afford the actual bike. But maybe it’s better to have a mate that owns one!

[@jimburdick8441]

It's a start. 😊

[@jimburdick8441]

It was a mortally wounded 1974 Norton 850 Commando that got me hooked on this wonderful sport of motorcycle riding back in 1983. I wasn't able to put 1,000 miles on that bike that summer, but it definitely got me hooked on the sport. The next year, I went over to Harley-Davidson. They were more reliable back then, but only by a degree or two. In 1993, I had a 1975 Norton Roadster completely restored by TC Christensen out of Sunset Motors in Kenosha Wisconsin. That was my only motorcycle for seven years. It was triple time maintenance to keep it running, but on the days that everything was working right on that bike, nothing could touch it through the curves. I remember both of those days well.😂

[@davidobyrne9549]

I owned two Commandos, a 750 JPS (John Player Special) and an 850ES Interstate. Both were great bikes, far better than any Triumph or BSA that I owned. Comfortable, handled well, very little engine vibration due rubber mounts and lots of power instantly available. The JPS was my fun bike with full race style fairing and low bars. The 850ES was my touring bike which I used with luggage panniers for annual trips into Europe from home in UK, it would cruise the French and German motorways at 130kph all day with plenty of reserve power for an overtake up to 150kph. The Nortons are quality bikes compared to Triumphs and BSAs which is why they were more expensive, as well as being made in smaller numbers. The Triumph I'm comparing them with was a 1969 Bonneville and the BSA a 1966 Spitfire.

[@jimcockburn4652]

Nothing better than a Norton Commando on full song. A friend made up a hydraulic clutch set-up for my 1970 750 Commando and it is so much better .

[@JR-bj3uf]

What a great video with views both on the bike and of the bike. There are a lot of brake upgrade options for the late model Commandos. I have a Harley disk coupled with a Honda CBR600 caliper and master cylinder on my '74 *50. It works a treat. In fact there are a lot of sensible upgrades for the Norton like braided steel over head oil lines, swing are upgrades, isolastic upgrades, charging system upgrades, electronic ignitions and more.

[@alistairbernard9574]

Great video and what a Fantastic ride on the Commando. Super stuff. 👍

[@johnkestly4762]

I owned a 1972 Norton 750 Commando in 1973, then a 1975 Norton 850 Commando Mark III in 1977. (the only Norton to have a factory electric start that they called an assist) I enjoyed them both very much and never had any problems with them. My wife and I toured on the 850 two up for several days.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Lucky you. Thanks for sharing

[@jjrider6758]

I bought a Mk3 too, a 1977 built bike. I got it in 1989 and still own it ! - It's true that the original starters are weak but they can be upgraded from two brush to four which does make them functional.. Mine hasn't been uprated but it does actually work if you set the engine with the kickstart to give it a good run at compression !.. I've bitten the bullet now and bought a new and much more powerful starter by 'Wosp' from a UK supplier.. Fitting it - along with a bigger amp-hour battery and thicker starter cables - is one of my Winter projects. Apparently they work really well so I'm looking forward to finding that out for myself ! (my kickstarting days are coming to an end I'm sad to say..)

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

That’s good info. Norman’s kick start days maybe coming to an end too as he will shortly be getting two new knees.

[@grahamglencorse307]

G’day Adrian, thanks for that great description and video of your fantasy ride come true. You had me leaning into the curves, and the big twin sounded magnificent. There was some envious watchers and everyone’s ears copped a treat when you left Jerry’s. Have a good one tomorrow, hope Wendy bakes you a cake.🎂

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Good to have said “hi” again at Jerry’s. I still have a stupid grin on my face. I need a good slapping.

[@kdsowen2882]

I always wanted-one back in the day , my mates had them ( their Parents had deeper-pockets ! ) I have often wondered whether the Dream would match the Reality . I did own an Atlas for a few-years and it was a fast-bike with some Commando-engine-parts and mods . I guess If I sold All my Toys , I could buy a Commando.... Dave nz

[@Grahamvfr]

Fantastic.. When I read a Rd test in uk Motorcycle mechanics circa 1973 showing a quarter mile in 12.2 secs, I was so impressed . Don't think mechanical sympathy would have let me attempt to match it, even If I'd been brave enough to buy one over the super reliable Japanese competition. Great bikes thank you.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Yes. I also went with the reliable Japanese in 1973. The Commando is certainly fun to ride though. But this example has been rebuilt so well, it’s way better than a “factory floor” version that leaked oil and rattled.

[@robertshepherd3832]

​@@AfricaTwin-StuffThe "factory floor version" is a typical comment initiated by someone that never owned a Norton. Me: a multiple Commando/Combat owner that knows that you no not what you speak of.

[@NortonCombat-ib3xw]

​@robertshepherd3832 This rider still hasn't ridden a genuine Norton Commando with that performance loser called a single Mikuni. Besides being a first ride he's now an expert on Norton Commandos, both originals and rebuilds.

[@Tim_TGN]

Happy birthday. Interesting details about the Norton. I still prefer the NC! Have a great day. Tim from Spain

[@carlhokanson9160]

They don't call them Commandos for nothing! The Commando still remembered and loved. If the dealers knew how to prep them, they would have had a larger following.

[@rickydee5863]

Yeah the comando has a beautiful noise. The best i have heard..ownd both the 750 and the 850 a perfectly balanced handleing bikecoluld have done with an extra gear though .allso had a yamaha to.an RD 350 too it was a revelation in its day enjoyed your video . Like going back in time .great memorys flooding back .look forward to your yamaha video.

[@regularguy9264]

Sorry to hear about the pup. Funny enough, the dogs were the first thing I thought of when you were pulling up for breakfast. I hope you enjoy your summer riding season.

[@drdoolittle5724]

My 'dream ' turned sour, so very glad your's was a success! Yup, thought RE Meteor 350 ( new ) would 'take me back' but turned out a very damp squid indeed, apart from chassis/handling, everything else just so-so! You appear to have same road repair gangs we have in UK, plenty of warnings/cones but nobody actually working!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ha! Wondered if anyone would notice the lack of actual road workers. Sorry to hear your fantasy hasn’t yet come true. Keep dreaming.

[@drdoolittle5724]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff Actually, my NC700D is all I ever need/want, it is unbeatable in my eyes so stuff the past!

[@jjrider6758]

I've had two Commandos, a 1970 Mk1 750 Roadster (basically identical to a 'S' Type but with standard low-level Roadster exhausts) and a 1977 Mk3 850 Interstate (which I still have..) Everyone says Commandos don't handle and call them 'Bendys' but that's usually because they don't know how to ride them, you've got to keep a bit of power on in the corners or they can get a little bit 'out of shape' - I was watching you closely to see if you made that mistake too but you seemed to have got it right first time so there was no problem ! - The engines do vibrate of course but the beauty is you can barely feel it !! - I've just been out on my '65 650SS and compared to the Commando it feels like it's going to shake itself to pieces - to be fair, sometimes it does !..

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks for your observations. I love riding the Commando. It feels like a “real” bike. Not like riding the computers today that only look a bit like bikes.

[@TornadoCAN99]

Thank You & Norman for making the Canadian winter hibernation of my '74 850 Commando more tolerable.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Lovely. Thanks for commenting. I’m enjoying riding the Commando. It’s the essence of a “real bike”.

[@graemesydney38]

Funny ! When you sped up the vid it sounded just like an RD250LC. 😃

[@braikka]

I had a short blast on my friends Commando once. Years ago. Very nice bike

[@jeeves6490]

Most enjoyable, confirms something I suspected that applies to boats to some degree also. Owning a classic bike can be enjoyable at times, having friend with a classic bike that let's you ride it, is much more enjoyable. Look forward to the LC video, another teenage dream bike. I don't suppose your mate has an early Bonneville for a video? Enjoy the vids mate, pleasant to watch and a relief to not be treated as a cash cow, to be milked at each opportunity.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. No Bonny on the horizon. Yammy vid will be out next week hopefully if the rain buggers off. Still have to do a couple of “glamour” shots.

[@davidjennings1771]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff A regular boat is a hole in the water you toss money in. A bass boat is bliss on a good lake or river! Smallmouth's forever....

[@sandrastyler5481]

The best Norton commando vid on KZbin, l have seen , l have two of these MK2 and MK3 electric start , the front brake can be much improved 13 mm sleeve down conversion , Vernier isolastics , etc great bikes , roll on better weather , ! Don.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Good tips too.

[@phelpsholloway6054]

Always wanted a Commando. Glad you got a ride!

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Even better - I get to have more rides in the future. As Norman has multiple bikes he needs a mate to help him keep the oil circulating. So I sacrifice and condescend to ride the Commando.

[@Norton851]

Excellent !! 👍

[@chrislye8912]

I love a commando (also can’t really afford one) 🤣. My old chap was in the trade and always had a commando; interstates, fastbacks and bitsas. I rode a GPz back from Germany to the UK and as I pulled in he told me to try an 850 up the road, all was well until I hit a roundabout grabbed a handful of front end, after being ‘quite disappointed’ with the result I panicked and instead of putting the back brake on I jumped on the gearbox and locked the back up…. I just managed to get around the roundabout and rode back, I never told him 🤣🤣..

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ha! Very relatable. Hard-wired brains are difficult to change.

[@alansivkoff282]

There is a technique to follow, learn and enjoy.Normally you can start a Norton from the seated position.

[@Paul-kp1tu]

Great channel plus the shed is very very helpful for me. I lusted after a Commando as well , but could not really afford one. I did buy a pretty worn out 72’ Triumph trident T150. Then a fellow turned up on a 75’ Commando Interstate 850 mk 111 with electric start and wanted to swap!!! I said yes and bingo I had my dream bike. Mmm, what do they say about meeting your heroes?. The bike felt great, lots of power and torque , I love the look if it, the sound of it, the way handled. But, it failed regularly, everything broke, fused, melted, rusted or corroded. Despite my efforts. It gave me a serious pain the shoulder and neck, i traded it a new Ducati 900 Gts i. About 1977 or so. Still, passion dies hard and I still want another. Go figure.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes it’s sad that the Brit bikes were potentially great. But only achieved true greatness with a complete rebuild (like this one I rode) before they became reliable.

[@yorkshirebiker1293]

I've two 850s a mk2 and a mk3 and believe me if you spend a little time on the clutch stack hight the clutch ant half bad. I thought mine was heavy when i goy it ,but miles better after sorting the stack hight out. But great vid, thank's

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks mate. Turned out it was just a new cable that was required. All fine now.

[@jimcockburn4652]

Mate the Commando has an excellent clutch if you convert it hydraulic with a master cylinder on the handle bars and slave cylinder to work the the clutch rod at the gearbox end.🎉 Top machine that in its day could out run near on all and any comparable machine. It was the Norton Commando race bike that took out the first ever World Super Bike series.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

The clutch is now fine. Turns out it just needed a new cable ! Thanks. And Norman has now added an electric start so I don’t have to show to the world I’m not a real man, by not being able to kick it over 🤗

[@WOMotorrad]

very nice👍

[@pdm2201]

I had a guy do some work on my Commando and when I picked it up the clutch was extremely difficult to disengage. Took off the tank when I got home and found that the clutch cable was not properly routed.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Sort of similar here. Replaced the cable with a genuine one and all good now.

[@lgwappo]

Interesting how similar the Norton is to the Honda NC750 in some ways. Both undersquare twins making about 58 hp.

[@garypeatling7927]

A fine sounding machine

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

That it is. Whenever I ride it I find myself looking for opportunities to open up the throttle just to hear that music.

[@alexwardle8108]

Double up on the last clutch plate or weld 2 together ? Or buy an extra thick one from RGM in sunny England , 1 finger is all it takes 😮

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Turns out a new clutch cable solved the problem 🤔

[@nickmarshall9192]

Its a shame it had a single mikuni and not the twin amals for a full power commando experience

[@crispernator]

gday mate never ride one of the nortons but the lc 250 was the start of a long affair with the yamaha two strokes after older friends had the air cooled rd models ,had the red 250 lc ,then upgraded to the ypvs rz bikini firing and after that bought a rz 250r with full fairing would have loved to own the 500cc but at the time on a soldiers pay with a family it was out of reach they were a very fast well handling bike and had the undistiguisable smell of a two stroke .

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Lovely. I love 2 strokes. Most of my dirt bikes were 2 strokes and my second road bike was a Suzuki 500 Titan. I’ll feature the LC in an upcoming video. It’s beaut to ride.

[@crispernator]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff my uncle had a couple of titans

[@paulbarnes6124]

Thanks to the isolastics for an enjoyable ride !!

[@streetscrambler8075]

Time to go and buy one, you only live once!!!

[@arthurdunga345]

its about the only british bike i fancy but i'd have to get the later model with a starter motor

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ha. Yes. If you weigh less than 90kg it would be a challenge to kick past the compression. But I confess it’s a buzz to use the kick starter and have it fire up.

[@frederickbowdler8169]

the finest aesthetic.......... commando rear mudguard😊!!!

[@paulegan7250]

Hello mate, haven't seen anything from you since this video 3 months ago, Just checking in and hoping your fit and well, Cheers, Paul from the UK.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Thanks for asking. We are fine. I just haven’t had any useful or interesting content to share. Just returned from a 6 day ride, so will post that shortly. It will be boring for most viewers but is a way for US to look back on our adventures when we can no longer ride 🥰

[@paulegan7250]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff Glad to hear it. I hope you dont think Im being nosey I was just worried about you, Glad all is well mate.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Not at all. Kind of you to ask.

[@stevef8763]

Fanbl@@dytastic!