Old Bikes

[raygun]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

Hey Chris,

You have a Norton? The first bike I ever rode was a '67 750 Commando. It nearly squirted out from under me when I rolled the throttle.

Ron

Yes Ron , I actualy own a british Bike shop . Mostly do spare parts . They still have a popular following and represent a reasonable investment .

The first Commandos were the superbike of the day and were probably not the best choice for a beginning rider!

I have had my personal 74 model 850 commando since nearly new. I have only done about 45,000 miles on it but it has proven impecably reliable. I have ridden it hard, but I never thrash it, think thats the secret - bit like a Luger , use it but don't abuse it.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by raygun

Yes Ron , I actualy own a british Bike shop . Mostly do spare parts . They still have a popular following and represent a reasonable investment .

My second cycle was a 1965 Norton Atlas, bought used in 1968/69. The new Commando had just come out, but the models here in the States had a 3rd gear that was improperly heat treated (at least that was the popular belief) and stripped that gear...resulting in 3 or 4 weeks wait in dealer shops for rebuild...Two friends of mine in College bought new Nortons; one a P11, the other the new Commando...

I really liked the 750 Norton. I was able to get a parts Matchless N15 (rebadged Norton Scrambler) and convert mine to Scrambler...then I sold it & bought a basket case Triumph Bonneville and rode that for 12 years...

All my BritBikes had (or were converted to) magneto ignition; that cured any ignition problems...