'72 Norton Commando Racing Mid-Ohio

Racing my 1972 Norton 750 Commando during the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days weekend at Mid-Ohio, July 2014. It was a short and not sweet weekend when I put a rod through the cases while doing 100 mph up the front straight during practice Saturday morning. I left a long skid when the rear wheel locked solid but kept it upright.
Big thanks to Herb Becker and Fullauto Technologies.

[@derekheuring2984]

It was 1971, I was 17 years old and I had just bought a used 1968 Norton P11A Ranger. I kept it completely stock except to add velocity stacks to the carbs, Dunstall pipes, and Avon Roadmaster tires. Man! I was King of the Highway where I lived, situated in the middle of several twisty mountain highways. The first CB750 and H1 were starting to show up and although they gave me a run for the money in the straights I left them in the dust in the corners. The Featherbed frame was a delight to ride with no vices and I soon found out why they put folding foot-pegs on the Norton as I had no problem rubbing them in the corners.

[@jlucasound]

OUCH!! I am so sorry that happened. Great footage that you were able to provide. Thanks! I remember training myself with right hand shift and left brake. One up, four down with the Benelli I learned on.

[@dgordon130]

I am sorry your weekend went this way. However, I loved the video :-) They are my pick for the best sounding bike of all time along with Guzzi LeMans.

[@richardmann800]

norton ride it work on it ride it work on it push it ... still one of the greatest motorcycles ever

[@TheLeylander]

That was beautiful to watch , sorry to hear about the tragic accident , hope you are ok .

[@tyroniousyrownshoolacez2347]

Norton's were the best motorcycles ever!......... for first 3 months .

[@roysmith4716]

Love Mid Ohio the Vintage days are the highlight of my year.

[@daniellander1964]

Thanks for sharing, and better luck next time ! I love listening to the Nortons coming into 1 ! I know a couple other racers that had motors go on them at practice . One Ducati , (Andrew) and Yahweh racing (Chuck ) also blew a motor in practice and had to fetch another bike. Sometime its good to have "Lady Luck" along for the ride.

[@winonabigbrownbeavereater2218]

One gorgeous looking and beauriful sounding two lung sweet heart.

[@davidburgis2734]

Great sound and ride Doug

[@tritonmanx1]

Somehow similar story with my Atlas with a con rode and case but at a modest speed-street racing. It took me 4 years....including new magneto at Jim Schmidt that was not working perfectly....

[@MrAndrew1953]

Great bikes to own as long as you knew how to work on them. If you didn't just get a Japanese 4 cylinder, add a 4 into 1 and a steering damper. Only the Italians and the Brits made production bike frames that handled.

[@cecilwilson5442]

I was 6 years old when the bike was built in England and if I could run like it I'd be an olympiad,, for every omelette a few eggs get broken,, can you run carrillo rods,, or is there limit to the mods especially when some of the parts are really expensive,, you must get an attachment with the bike,, when you go through so much with it brilliant viewing,, from Northern Ireland greatly appreciated ☘️☘️☘️☘️👏👏👏

[@randallburgess46]

Amazing! Sounds great!

[@hennequinregis1900]

Magnifique pilotage de la Norton, merci 👍

[@michaelsorrentino9279]

Now that's an oh shit moment !!!

[@DaveBears]

The Norton isnt squirting oil after such speeds at the track? My uncle 's Norton does ;) Great video mate!

[@lagerx61]

Holly shit...

[@chrisjohnson4165]

Nice video. Was the crank standard? The rods?

[@motoalchemy]

that por motor, did you ever figurevout why you lost the rod? oil starvation?