The Magic of a Norton Commando | A Bike and a Beer Episode 11

[@jimcockburn4652]

That engine sounds so tough, you can hear how "solid" it is with a audible "thump" each time the cylinders combust and fire.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Oh yeah baby!

[@desmo54]

I raced Norton Commando’s in the early 70’s in Northern Calif. I had joined AFM, a local racing club and mainly raced at Sears Point and Laguna Seca raceways. When set up properly, the Norton excelled on tight twisty tracks. The torquey motor gave good grunt exiting turns. It was a fairly light motorcycle and easily flicked side to side. Compared to a more modern race type bike, the skinny tires allowed the rider to drift the motorcycle quite a bit. Even though the bike only had 65 HP, I would routinely spin up the rear tire while accelerating just after cresting the corkscrew at Laguna Seca. Norton’s are finicky and required a lot tinkering to keep them running properly. They provided me so much enjoyment on the track and the street in those early years of my life.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing and watching 👍

[@brianking1138]

That's a beautiful bike.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Thank you Brian!

[@pearldiver7]

Great presentation on the Commando as well as the history of Norton. One note, I believe the isolastic units now come in adjustable versions, so shiming with these new versions is no longer needed. I believe that's true. Great video of a great bike. I have to agree on the wonderful handling, and the comment on the fantastic Norton sound.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Thanks for the info!

[@JR-bj3uf]

They can be upgraded to the MKIII spec adjustable Isolastics and (if the bike is on the original Isos it really needs doing.

[@mikeshay6614]

Just got finished converting mine to the vernier type.

[@andremenezes6428]

Great videos wheelhouse garage. Love the commandos they really pull strong! Just a comment the OIF triumph 1971 on and BSAs both had thick spined top tubes that held the oil

[@wheelhousegarage]

That's true! Thanks for the kind words on the videos!

[@plumbersnightmare2354]

Great sounding Commando! I've had many British bikes over the years including a 750 and an 850 Commando. I currently have an 850, and by far, it is the most fun Britbike of all to ride.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Such a unique experience! Thanks for sharing.

[@rover100bunson]

bikes and beer, 2 of my favourite hobbies, i only knew of 1 of these, fella up the road had a black fastback when i was a spotty teen, gorgeous bikes

[@tarmojaagus5460]

Ken Armann is the best ! I love my 72 750 - had a NORTON since 1973 when l rode it from Belize to Nor-Cal -

[@chrisbroadwell7031]

Love your videos. Just a cool relaxed way of chatting about bikes over a beer. Excellent stuff!

[@wheelhousegarage]

Thanks so much Chris! Appreciate the kind words!

[@savage22bolt32]

K70's !!! I didn't know they were still being produced. Around 1973, my bud let me ride his Commando. Previously I had a BSA & a Triumph, so I was familiar with right foot shifting, but the pattern was reversed (up for first). While accelerating through a sweeper, I forgot that! So planning on shifting 3rd to 4th, I shifted 3rd to 2nd! So happy I kept the rubber side down.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Haha! Definitely requires a bit more thought if it's not your daily rider :)

[@TheWolfsnack]

Back in the mid 70's I had a 68 Commando....I once swapped bikes with a buddy....he had a Yamaha XS 650....in under ten minutes I absolutly hated the Yamaha's handling.....and he hated my Norton....for somee strange reason....I guess some like inferior bikes.

[@cycles4fun]

I spent the day on my good friend Maya’s beautiful Interstate many years ago and they are really fun rides. I had to opportunity to compare it side by side to my pristine 73 CB750 and boy, they are very different. The Honda is more refined feeling with its super smooth inline 4, great shifting gearbox, disk brake and so on. That being said, it had nowhere near the character and handling of the mighty Norton. Just a really cool bike.

[@wheelhousegarage]

You hit the nail on the head!

[@jdsolberg7613]

...with the most ancient braking system next to your feet.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Haha! Ya, you’ve got to plan your corners accordingly 😆

[@stevepope5484]

That front brake? If it's anything like my Brother's new 72 Suzuki 750. It was Duel leading shoes. Several times it was dropped in our gravel driveway by first time riders.

[@michaelreilly-yo5px]

The Nortons were great handling torque monsters with a good top end. But like most British twins would rattle themselves apart. Modern aids, like Loctite make them easier to maintain. Having owned a number of Brit bikes, I appreciate the modern compounds that make them easier to keep. Every time you heard a metallic ding I'd look in the mirrors to see what just fell off. But sstill bring the true joy of riding a totally mechanical bike that require a bit of mind melding to ride smoothly, just enjoying the sound and feel.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Ha! I've definitely lost a few pieces of hardware to the vibrations as well. Thanks for writing this nice Ode to old Brit bikes!

[@nigelfisher3756]

Thanks for posting. Very iconic bike in the UK; won an acclaimed Bike of the Year 5 years running from the late 60s. They need to kept in trim lest the handling goes awol and they can rattle themselves to bits of not properly maintained. The Triumph Bonneville was its greatest Brit’ competitor; some argued it was a superior package. Me? Nice as they look, sound and go I’d take a Laverda SF 750 or Guzzi’s 750 Sport all day long.

[@wheelhousegarage]

My pleasure Nigel! Great input. Thanks for watching.

[@jeremyatkinson4976]

First time I saw one of these it was standing in a pool of oil outside a bike shop. The combat grenade engine...... I was dropping off an M21 crank for a new big end, still at boarding school.

[@mfk1673]

I had one in 1977 and loved it!

[@wheelhousegarage]

Right on!

[@geneahart5607]

76' mklll for me, best bike i have ever owned, nothing like it.

[@TheStevemcqueen68]

British bikes, you cannot beat the Norton top bike for its time, if you every need a part, Try Norton in Andover England, they every part that you will need, Thanks for posting

[@wheelhousegarage]

Agreed! Thanks for the tip!

[@scottaspect]

Commando's are one of the best looking bikes out there, and beers are on of the best drinks out there. Subbed.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Agreed! Thanks so much for subscribing!

[@stevepope5484]

Exhaust sounds good. Top end like a thread mill.

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hello, those exhaust pipes don't look much like Triumph " Peashooter " pipes. They look more like " Dunstall Patented Silencers " exhaust pipes. AEW T - 201 pipes are " peashooter style for the Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor.

[@flanno]

Love the bikes on your channel, keep up the good work! Cheers mate 🍻

[@wheelhousegarage]

Thank you so much! I'll keep 'em coming!

[@sheikh_javed_yasin]

Love your channel. Bring in some enfields. Love from India. Enfields are really doing great here in India.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Definitely working on it! Thanks for tuning in from the other side of the world!

[@BikerTorque]

Just found your channel, that Commando sounds awesome. Good luck with the sale. Great idea for a channel, i love bikes and beers so will be subbing

[@wheelhousegarage]

Really appreciate your support!

[@danielflower4886]

kids .! the bike has a interstate 750 seat ! well at least we can rest assured the kids are somewhat hopeful to carry on ,chin up then!

[@wheelhousegarage]

Haha! We will carry the torch!

[@geneahart5607]

What a great sound!!!!

[@wheelhousegarage]

Agreed!

[@MarcS4R]

as an owner of a 73 850 Commando i really appreciate this video. good luck with the sale, i could never part with mine :)

[@wheelhousegarage]

So glad you enjoyed it! This is my second one and I'm always sad to see them go😁

[@daveco1270]

Great looking bike. I've never had the pleasure of riding a commando, but it's on my list of bikes to someday own. You left the infamous Hi-Rider off the list of Norton Commandos. (Norton's attempt to cash in on the 1970's chopper/Easy Rider thing that was happening in the US market at the time.) There's a KZbin channel called My Restoration where the guy has been meticulously restoring one of the fastbacks. Worth checking out.

[@wheelhousegarage]

I did forget to mention the Hi-Rider! What an interesting creation that was from Norton. Thanks for mentioning it - I'll definitely check out that video👍

[@pappydaddy7447]

She’s a honey!! The bike is cool too.

[@briancritchley5295]

My wife does not like being pillion on my roadster, she is paranoid about the heels of her boots burning on the mufflers and staining the chrome. I have suggested a way of avoiding this, go bare footed ! It is of my opinion that the Commando is one of the best motorcycles ever made..

[@wheelhousegarage]

Hahaha!!

[@JR-bj3uf]

My 750 was a late 1973 bike and had the front disk brake. Do not let the lack of a disk brake hang you up. They were pretty wooden and the drum brake, set up well, will stop you just fine.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Love the look of the Norton drum too!

[@mikeshay6614]

Have the Mc converted to 1/2. Great upgrade to make the front disc actually work well

[@bananabrooks3836]

You have to use a special rack mount system on these, if you intend putting some weight on there, otherwise the rear frame can bend! All that alloy is crying out for some attention.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Great to know! Thanks for the info.

[@pauldeane9849]

Love the Commando, the only bike that has had me laughing out loud as I flicked it through our twisty NZ roads, just such good handling...and you only needed 3rd gear everywhere. K70's are still my favourite tyre, and same size front and rear better than knobs on gravel. I've had Nortons, but not a Commando, and watched this wearing a Norton T shirt.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Love it! Thanks for watching!

[@George-ig4mu]

Price, please.

[@George-ig4mu]

Still for sale? Price please.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Sold this one last year. Sorry!

[@tonyshortland8812]

It's not pre-unit, because Norton never went 'unit'. Best wishes

[@wheelhousegarage]

Haha! Good point 😆

[@jimtitt3571]

Jubilee, Navigator and Electra were unit construction.

[@rustyrims05]

I’ve got a ‘72 Interplod Commando and the riding position is a bit weird. No wonder the ‘70s bike plod were grumpy sods.

[@wheelhousegarage]

😆😆

[@jochenwagner5170]

Good stuff. Nice girl.

[@danapeck5382]

Sure wish I still had my S; nothing like it; great for oiling your pant legs

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

Cool bike but if the bike is for sale why not spend an hour cleaning it?.. also Never DRINK and Ride... Maybe Bike and Coffee?

[@wheelhousegarage]

All riding sequences are filmed pre-Beer👍

[@rogerdodrill4733]

U his momma?

[@kloss213]

Had to sub channels just to good to not do so.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Really appreciate that!

[@rgadave]

I bought a variety of mainly new British bikes from 1965 t0 '72 but it was a Norton Commando 750 Combat Interstate that drove me into the arms of Mr Honda.

[@wheelhousegarage]

Haha. Hard to beat the engineering and reliability of a Honda.

[@pdm2201]

Did the Combat engine blow up on you? The engines that came with the 850s were more reliable but a Honda would be more so. Not as good looking or nice sounding as a Commando though.

[@rgadave]

I was riding with my then wife 'on the back' when the motor seized at approx 90mph. I managed to pull the clutch lever in and keep control. After cooling down I got it started smoking like a 2-stroke. Although slightly out of warranty Norton via a friendly dealer agreed to a repair job. It transpired after it was done that everything above the crankcase mouth + the camshaft was replaced with non-Combat parts fobbing me off with a "Cylinder barrel was bored 'out of square' to the base flange, reason for the failure. @@pdm2201

[@robertshepherd3832]

It's a good thing you probably sold that old Japanese iron because Mr Honda stopped supplying parts not long after their production. Now Honda vintage owners have many hard to get parts and they have to buy them used from salvage dealers, ebay or custom make them. Not so for your old '72 Combat because there are many parts suppliers who have every part for these old Commandos and brand new, shipped worldwide in a week and very reasonably priced. Too bad Mr Honda gave up on you.

[@NortonCombat-ib3xw]

That Honda you got driven into the arms of, I recently checked one motorcycle sales website : Honda CB750: '70-'75 average price $3500. Norton Commando average price $10,000 +. Ha

[@stevepope5484]

Are you beginning to slur your word's?