Norton Commando Cafe Racer [visit 25 of 31]

Aug 28, 2020: I love hearing the sound of Chris' 1973 Norton Commando Cafe Racer and it sounded awesome riding up and down the cul-de-sac. He's a very talented rider and it's great to see a bike ridden well.
Buy me a coffee? ☕ 😉
If you found this video enjoyable and would like to support my channel, please consider donating here: www.paypal.me/themightygarage ...a huge thank YOU in advance 🙏
🔴 Please SUBSCRIBE to The Mighty Garage:
www.youtube.com...
✅ Other motorcycles that have visited the cul-de-sac:
• Feature | Tales from t...
✅ Oregon Norton Enthusiasts (oNe)
Website: oregonnorton.org/
Facebook: / oregonnortonenthusiasts
KZbin Playlist: • Club Vids | oNe (Orego...
✅ The Mighty Garage Playlists:
/ @themightygarage
✅ Follow on Instagram: / themightygarage
Many thanks to @SwooshDave for the cool thumbnails for many of my videos!
#TheMightyGarage
#talesfromtheculdesac

[@johnfreitag6185]

Gotta add a story... I am Chris' dad. A few years back after treatment for NHL (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) I went to see "da kid." I had a literal "pain in the neck" that had migrated from a shoulder-edge courtesy of a chiropractor. Chris came home from work and said, "Do you want to take the Norton for a ride?" I said, "Sure thing, but I have not brought my gear. (Gotta ride ATTGAT.)" So, after suiting up on a hot day, I had no strength to kick the Norton (thanks to R-CHOP). Chris said, "Here, I'll start it for you." (OMG, I thought, if I stall it I can't kick it and bump starting it is out of the question...) I took a route around Lake Oswego that included a bumpy peaked RR crossing. Bent over into the obligatory "Norton cafe racer tuck," I hit it at about 30 mph and "kersnap" went my neck... and the pain has never returned. So, I think this Norton is therapeutic. Subsequently, I tried to get my oncologist to write me an RX for a Ducati Monster 1200s to increase my upper and lower body strength since there was an unallocated RCHOP dose sequence of about $16k. He is an only child, and thus it didn't compute. I told him it would be a great Medicare adventure, and if it didn't work out, he could retire. Oncologists need better senses of humor.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks John for adding to this great story! That was terrific 😉. It's so clear how much of a great influence you have had on Chris. Best wishes!

[@kimhorton6109]

John Freitag you’ve confirmed my faith in the therapy of riding. Seriously though, happy for you that your pain is better

[@ethan073]

Loved reading this story 🤣

[@tompas11A3n52KkX]

Keep that lovely bike unrestored is my advice. And then there is the sound. WOW!

[@moddude101]

Looks great just the way it is. I'm glad I got talked out of unrestoring my original paint 64' Vespa.

[@edgeyt1]

Unrestored and properly used bikes are often the most attractive imho, that one's a beauty.

[@MarcS4R]

agreed...

[@ifitsfreeitsforme1852]

Yep, agreed.

[@54macdog]

That's a great looking bike, still, it's a credit to the original aesthetic that it's very hard to improve a Commando's looks.

[@twinphill900]

Oh boy, I replayed the first 30sec three times. The sound of that bike is exciting, I love how a motorcycle can make you feel.

[@vince43561]

😂"Best exit ever from the cul-de-sac!"😂. Cool videos, keep on editing, greatings from south-west of France.👍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Merci Vince. Thanks a lot for your comment. Best wishes, Mike

[@chrisnightingale6417]

What a cool bike and a great owner. Love seeing bikes that are obviously well used. The owners seem as cool, friendly and interesting as their bikes in these vids. Thanks Mike 👍

[@pauliebots]

Just brilliant! Bike,story, picture of his son on the bike and his dad's comment in this section. Love it, keep up the good work; heart warming stuff.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Paulie! It was my pleasure! Best wishes, Mike

[@Glasshousebc]

“I just ride the snot out of it” Words to live by. What a dude. Steve.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, thanks Steve. Yes, that was a great expression 😊

[@gsxrsquid]

I had a commando with aftermarket fiberglass, dunstall 2-1-2 exhaust, rearsets and clip ons. I stripped it o the frame and primed with a good zinc chromate primet then gloss black emron. The fiberglass was all pure white. I was lucky enough to Learn how to work on Nortons from Barney Tillman Before he sold the business. The Norton was an amazing handling bike. If only they had todays tires in those days.. Enjoy the ride.

[@TheReverb1]

Hello; in a cul de sac at this point, very probably that you are friend of all your neighbors... That Norton has a perfect stance; normally plenty of bikes do not have it; may be the front mudguard is not following the wheel lines but is a minor detail. I have 3 Triumphs and simply like changing the rear shocks for others a bit shorter I screwed the look; incredible but the urban sporty look (T140E but different than what you guys have there in USA--tank; handlebars; light; seat etc--the factory sent other combo for most countries) that had now have a tourism one... Cheers

[@dougauzene8389]

HELLA F*KIN' A! BADASS!

[@TheDavey333]

He knows how to leave your Cul-de-Sac, He gives it the beans 😀 What great looking and sounding bike. Nice story as well. Have great week, Mike and keep on editing 😂

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you David! I've got several videos in the works at the moment and have had to buy an extra external hard drive to store all the files on 😊. The projects are stacking up!! Cheers, Mike

[@estaban3248]

"4 grand 2 riding seasons, I need to just ride". Says it all about the bike, yes it has a lived look but that's what these bikes do for you when maintain them properly as this guy has done, they entice & engage you more and more. Thankyou for sharing such beautiful rideable classic with us.

[@chetjohnston7687]

“I was bored of exceptionally reliable and fast Japanese bikes, so I bought a British bike that will try to kill me every chance it gets. Also, here are the various ways I put Japanese parts on this bike so that it is now reliable.” All in good fun. It’s a very cool bike, and I’ve been friends with Chris for nearly 30 years.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Haha, thanks Chet 😉👍

[@swooshdave]

Japanese parts? Did I miss something?

[@TheMightyGarage]

@@swooshdave The front brake rotor :😉

[@swooshdave]

The Mighty Garage That’s it? That’s not much and doesn’t make it actually more reliable.

[@TheMightyGarage]

@@swooshdave Chet is just kidding, Dave 😉

[@leedsman3815]

That Chris guy is pretty spot on ride your bike when you can, make it better when you can't.

[@andreklein2529]

That's a real nice cafe racer with a cool noise !

[@bananabrooks3836]

You should re- visit this guy and his bike for a ride out with the 360 camera on board......if..............you could......... keep up....

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hee hee, I think he would leave me in the dust at the first corner! I've heard about how well and fast he rides and let's just say I don't think my bike has ever reached 70% of his top speeds 😉 Maybe I would just fasten the camera to his bike 😀

[@johndeere1951a]

....well the neighbors are awake NOW!

[@np1663]

Wow. What a beautiful machine. I would love a nice 2 hour documentary about this bike and owner haha.

[@TheMightyGarage]

hehe, I will see what I can do! 😉 I might have to ride it all day to make sure I get just the right video clips 😀

[@np1663]

@@TheMightyGarage I dare you! Great channel, just subbed.

[@petrsikora8358]

seems very fast when he revs out at the end of the video. this was one of the awesome visitors at your curb! I love watching those!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hee hee, yes, that has got to be one of the best exits from the cul-de-sac ever :-) I’m glad that you enjoyed the video. Best wishes, Mike.

[@nicolasdolley3882]

Very good Guy! Great bike

[@dducdude6315]

Yummy all over again!

[@tadpoles10]

Cracking episode Mike, thanks to Chris we love the sound of a good exhaust note from a distance .. Another 'true story' so much fun to listen about how the bike came to me & how I made it mine. Thanks as always for putting things together, coffee is drunk best get on with a couple of things including BSB Silverstone .. atvb t ..

[@donparker1823]

This was so cool. I also grew up in the Bay Area. Graduated HS in 1973 and I remember lusting after the Norton 750 Commando's. They were just way out of my reach at that time. I could afford one now but I'm just past the point where I can tolerate the maintenance that these old British bikes demand. My 2020 KTM 790 Adventure is just so good in every way. Amen to John Freitag and the therapeutic value of motorcycling. Keeps me tuned up in many ways. Love this channel.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Don! Thanks for sharing your great story. Best wishes, Mike

[@francois9330]

sorry but i m french and don t understand english very well. so is it a rickman frame ?

[@KakuiKujira]

No, it is a stock frame that has been nickel plated. People ask the owner if it is a Rickman frame.

[@derJoe1957]

That was my first thought too. Oh! a Rickmann Metisse 'frame. What a little nickel plating can do .....

[@nickohare7187]

Hi Mike another great video. You know the coolest people! Just got back from France so under quarantine in Blighty for a couple of weeks. My 750 behaved perfectly, two kicks to start her after a 5 month slumber. I really need to get a go pro to re live the rides out there. Swooping bends on excellent roads little traffic and plenty of Belle Moto comments. Heading back in a few weeks so may be I will have a GOPro by then Cheers Nick

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

This is how I like em, unrestored and running like a banshee.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Haha, thanks Dennis! Cheers, Mike

[@MothershipVideos]

That bike sounds so in tune it's unreal.

[@spotsterjon74cu]

I do like a bit of patina, put the restoration off for a few more years yet me thinks👍

[@seniorrider9337]

I had a 73 850 Commando back in 75. I put a Sonny Angle two into one intake manifold and carb kit on it and it was a one kick start also. Does Chris's bike have the same intake? Nice cafe bike! Had several 60's and 70's Triumphs back in the day. Then I went metric.

[@andrewmeers2086]

cool bike

[@dawidos117]

I like when bike looks like it’s ridden and not perfectly clean like it’s garage queen. This Norton looks nice. 👍🏻

[@Thatmaninrio]

Great personal style too with the gear he's wearing...

[@chriscraft4236]

Awesome video the Hyde rear sets are my favorite improvement I have a set on my 69 Commando 👍🏼, somehow I missed this one thought I saw all the Cul de sac vids. Keep them coming 😎

[@stancoleshill8925]

Idles at 2500 RPM ! Crotch on fire is a regular thing with the Norton. The tank will start to leak eventually. You must use 100% pure gasoline in it. Oh, by the way, I've had my 1970 Norton since 1973 and still have the original exhaust threads, licenced, insured and still riding.

[@bige3728]

hi mike wot a machine that`s how nortons should sound and as for restoring it no it looks the part sounds just right keep it as it is chris restore it when you retire

[@LarsBohr5]

I'm curious about the "documentation for the production race kit". I have a 72 Combat Norton and might like to do this conversion.

[@stephenreynolds6239]

Youve got a great scene going on over there mike.brilliant

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot Stephen. It has been a great joy during these past few months! Best wishes, Mike

[@dogpaw775]

nice looking tail/seat unit, nice looking machine. Get some Caswells in that tank pronto to save that nice looking tank. No pussy footing when the man pulls away, always going to have fun on a machine when you can ride it closer to its limits.

[@henryhawk7038]

He doesn't need anything any faster! Enjoyed the vid Mike.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you Henry! It was a great visit. Cheers, Mike

[@blackula109]

That's what the Cafe Racer vibe is all about! Keep the vibe alive.

[@dionmoore879]

Well ridden bikes are always prettier than polished garage queens.

[@dano196568]

Yep, best exit ever

[@TheMightyGarage]

😎😀 Yes, I still think it was the best exit. Thanks a lot Daniel

[@nigelfirth5601]

From a Velocette owner, remember folks - Black Bikes Matter

[@TheGreenle]

Mad man. You have some great and interesting mates.

[@BilgemasterBill]

She's a grumbly old girl, ain't she? And just scruffy enough that even I could feel comfortable on it. I was surprised to see just the single carb with the 1-into-2 manifold. The way it reverberated the whole cul de sac coming in, I kind of expected to maybe see a couple-few EXTRA carbs in addition to the stock pair of Amals sort of siamesed on there like some big pot metal fist. Hey, I just spotted the mini basketball hoop on the far side. When do the Mini Me Playoffs occur?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, it's a great bike Bill and doesn't it sound just brilliant! Cheers, Mike

[@JohnSmith-ki2eq]

The sound of my youth : )

[@candymintz]

interesting that the Norton owner says no to restoring the Commando, and he's right, motorcycles were made to be driven, I know it's great when you buy a low mileage bike but it leaves me to wonder why would someone buy a bike and not ride it? I've done 4000 miles in 5 months on my R3, the R3 had 19700 original miles when i bought it, it's a 2009,, mileage would have been more than 4000 but it just keeps on raining here in Florida, roll on winter when it's 75 degrees and 90% dry almost every day. Great video by the way and that's a very interesting, possibly one-off (with the added custom parts) Norton

[@Beeza56]

Now dat's wot I'm tawkin' abaht! Best one yet Mike and he nailed it when he described the allure of a rorty Brit bike over the moderns. Thanks a lot 👍👍👍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, thank you Ian my saan 😎👍 Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Mike

[@kimhorton6109]

Nortons are simply the nicest looking of the great British twins. Just too cool My third bike was an Atlas 750 I bought in Guam in 64. I got to keep it for four months before I got in a tiff with my Spanish teacher and went off to NMMI military school. My dad sold it to an airman and kept my $$. Tough lesson. No more Spanish Classes

[@waynetraube8299]

I had a 1974 850 Norton commando running short pipes running stack pipes on carburetors, pure airflow. That son of a gun from the time I bought it wrote it hard And that bike was so fast for the cc it would beat my Harley 2006 softail deuce In The quarter mile without blinking an eye. The thing was faster than hell in the half mile. Put a Barnett clutch in it.

[@mikeymike3240]

Hi guys, I absolutely love nickel plated frames, ever since easyrider came out. Please don’t restore this amazing bike, just keep adding to the rich history and patina, it’s absolutely beautiful as is. Awesome video Mike. 😎👍👍👍🇬🇧🏍

[@dogpaw775]

any chance of Chris sharing the drawings for the floating disc hub carrier, I have exactly same issue with my Black Shadow special front brake feel.

[@cmefryday]

Here's a link to all the files. I'd be happy to convert them to STEP or other format if needed. drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BwiS1cUzX0E-T3NHZWlYSzF5c1U?usp=sharing

[@chrisfreitag3924]

Here you go: drive.google.com/drive/folders/15aBafcQEQzUZsqNP3dLjGPB7woPBQsA1

[@EliteRock]

Don't often hear a big British twin that sounds as eager to rev as this Commando (and who's owner has no apparent fear of letting it!) - would love to have heard more about its engine - 'Superblend' main bearings? Other crank mods?

[@skyb8687]

Why would you run fuel with ethanol???? Wth...

[@skyb8687]

@@GiancarloBenzina this is in Oregon my friend, this isn't in a third world country, every gas station out here has ethanol free gas,its 2020,ive been putting premium in my bikes for 20 years never had a issue, but if I ran regular, yeah then problems occur, besides that,having that carb apart once a year is the way to go

[@havok531]

Too bad all you have is that ethanol-taInted gas.

[@swooshdave]

We can get non-ethanol but the stations are few and far between.

[@nick_b]

Very nice Commando! I like how Chris take off from cul de sac, it was like an air plane! Best wishes to you guys from Croatia

[@Marbleheadjed]

Cool bike

[@rochmel1409]

'I need to just ride' What more is there to say? Congratulations Chris. To my mind a bike that is used regularly and is in good condition sometimes looks better than a restored bike that is afraid of the rain.

[@Wooley689]

I like that it is not restored, just maintained well. It also sounded nicely like a prop fighter when he was coming in.

[@mickducati1947]

Hi mike and a big hello from sait rapheal on the on the French Riveria .....oh and that`s a nice Norton m8 😜👍

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video the bike looks and sounds fantastic looking forward to next one stay safe 🇬🇧👍🏻

[@estaban3248]

😅 that should read * "lived in look".🤦‍♂️

[@splodge5714]

Looks like Chris enjoys riding that and no sign of an oil leak. Nice one.

[@bobwampler3387]

Great bike and great story.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you Bob. That was a fun visit... and a great exit 😎👍

[@kevinschilling1368]

Another wonderful video, story and bike. Superb mix of British, American, Italian, Japanese, German and even British/Indian bikes. Very well done

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you Kevin! Glad that you are enjoying the videos! Hopefully there will be more to come still! Best wishes, Mike

[@hotwheel6663]

So modern gas eats up the old fiberglass tanks?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Yes, it’s the ethanol in modern fuel (gas/petrol) that dissolves the resin of the fiberglass tanks. Guys with fiberglass tanks try to use non-ethanol gas wherever possible.

[@chrisfreitag3924]

I was looking at pictures of when I first bought the bike and the tank was so smooth. Years of running ethanol gas gave it a lot of cancer, even after a thick liner. I’ve since switched to non-ethanol gas whenever possible, hoping to slow down the degradation.

[@Brit_Toolmaker]

It's great seeing old Brit bikes being ridden how they were meant to be ridden. Set up properly the combination of a long-stroke motor, heavy(ish) flywheels with the overall weight of a modern 250 makes for a beguiling bike with an exquisite and intoxicating mix. Throw in an amazing soundtrack and modern bikes become meaningless aberrations.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks for the great comment, John! Best wishes, Mike

[@frankmlchaelglasscock6539]

Great bike great video as always 👌👌👍👍

[@Bdb860b]

Cool bike, great story and well ridden

[@salihkasap3770]

Excellent stuff cool looking cafe racer

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

You're right, sounds good and good exit

[@erwinballings9155]

Awesom bike and sounds like 🎶 👌👍

[@gregbrassington2120]

Beautiful bike Chris ,I agree keep riding restore later. Great video as always Mike . Regards Greg.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Greg, as always. Hope all is well. Best wishes, Mike

[@williambaird6276]

Just Awesome 😎..😎🇬🇧🏍🇺🇸

[@Marbleheadjed]

2 wheel therapy is essential.

[@iivaridark6850]

Well, that's about everything there is in motorcycling! thanks!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, I think so too! Thanks a lot. Best wishes, Mike

[@larrys.3992]

Man on a Norton wearing a Cal Poly tee shirt, can't be bad! What a crew you belong too. Cheers!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you Larry! 😊

[@jimh.5286]

"Keep the rubber side down." On British bikes, isn't it the oily side down?

[@Thatmaninrio]

On early BSAs, and Harley Davidsons...

[@MarcS4R]

great story , thanks for sharing

[@gerrypowell2748]

Great guy great bike❤️

[@daveb1268]

Absolutely spot on ! Brilliant stuff....

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you Dave! Cheers, Mike

[@neilwilliams7957]

‘WOW’ smile factor 100%, Love it. (And the little chuckle at the end😁).

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, I couldn't resist leaving that in the video, Neil. I was chuckling away as I could hear him riding away through the neighborhood, scaring the residents 😊

[@neilwilliams7957]

The Mighty Garage What a rascal👍🏼😄

[@tonupturner]

Fantastic.

[@andytheflyer]

Brilliant!

[@wdhewson]

Did he retain the points ignition system?

[@chrisfreitag3924]

It had a Boyer that finally quit a few years ago so I switched to a Pazon.

[@tubadude905]

Nice - when he left and kicked it into gear that reminded me that the shift pattern is reversed with those Hydes...cool bike and guy.

[@swooshdave]

Actually there's a linkage so it's not reversed. Norton has had the GP style shift pattern (1 up and 3 down) for a long time. I find it vastly preferable to the other pattern.

[@tubadude905]

@@swooshdave Interesting Dave - thanks for the info!

[@swooshdave]

Some rearset kits just use a reversed shift lever which does reverse the pattern. You can get a shift cam plate that corrects this and brings it back to the GP pattern.

[@snbailes1]

Really enjoyed, magic.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks Neil, I really enjoyed this visit. Best wishes, Mike

[@waynetraube8299]

I'm saying it Would beat my 2006 softail deuce Harley Davison that I own now that's got a power commander screaming eagle cam No baffles, that's how fast that 850 highway rider Norton candy apple red that I owned. Hard to hold the front end down sometimes because the bike was not real heavy

[@robhelenflaherty9083]

Great story, great bike, great video!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you Rob & Helen. Glad you liked the video. Hope all is well. Best wishes, Mike