I like the dark grey frame and the upgraded brakes. Commandos are one of the few vintage bikes that can be updated and improved for modern riding. Parts availability are better that for many Hondas that are half the age.
I couldn’t agree more, the commando is the best British twin by far and can still be a daily driver. Like you I had two older brothers who were all bikers and I had made a decision that as soon as I could buy one I was having one. I got it in the early eighties after a year on a moped and then a 250 to pass my test on. It was an early model, a 68 fastback. I loved it and used it as my daily transport for the next five years during which time I had painted it every colour but finally settled on British racing green. Since then I’ve had a ton of bikes and still have a commando, a roadster this time but I would never be without it and I’m 58 now. I’m guessing we’re about the same age from you’re description of the motorcycle hey day we lived through. Keep on commando’ing, take care.
I started riding bikes again some years ago, after a break for twenty years. First a Enduro bike, then now a CB600F. All good but I have been thinking about a Norton instead for a long time now. Next summer I will most likely get one myself. Thank you for the video and the story :)
Thank you. I also find your assessment right on the money. Having owned a 69 Norton 750 fastback, the best handling motorcycle I have ever ridden. And I have owned numerous Triumph's etc. And I will admit to also having owned the most evil handling perhaps of all time, a 1970 Kawasaki h1 500 cc devil bike, which I owned prior to the Norton. I have ridden more modern bikes and still nothing feels as right as that 69 red fastback did... Yes the Triumphs vibrated mercilessly. I still marvel at the folks who rode them a round the world. I guess that was more a comment on the footprint of the one time british empire...
Beautiful bike but after all that work what a shame to compromise a vintage Norton Commando by installing that single Mikuni. You may have forgotten what your brother's bike really ran like?
The Royal Enfield 650's aren't too bad. Suspension is crap, exhaust heavy, but otherwise, they are OK. Motor is smooth, and whilst not fast, it can be made so. If you don't want to pay a fortune for an old dunger, they're a good alternative.
But you got The-Bike 'Right' ! I had a 750-Atlas when I was young (69 now ) I always wanted a Commando ( mates had them ) I'm riding an 82 TR1 XV1000 and a W650 (my Old-Man-Bike ) I could just about get one if I sold both my bikes , but I Love-Them also ! Dave nz
Very nice touches to make it a tasteful custom. My only quibble is no tach. Fine for Harleys that don't rev anyway, but not for Commandos that will rev with power to 7000. Seems to be a common thing with customs though
Some people have zero idea. Tacho is not required. Are you going to rev the nuts off an old bike ?? No. Single carb Norton. You're just going to use the torque and rev it sensibly.
Nice bike and the paint pops but the engine doesn't. Yes they're torquey and punchy but not with that single Mikuni mounted on it. You have lost the acceleration, the torque and the grunt these bikes are known for. Get the dual carbs back on it and it will perform like it's suppose to. For Norton rebuilders, it's much cheaper to rebuild the old dual Amals than buy the single Mikuni kit and you will also keep that Norton grunt.
@@kdsowen2882The single Mikuni does not give more torque than dual Amals. Torque is less effected at low rpm's because at low rpm's the air/mix demand is less and the single can supply most of the mixture. When the rpm picks up the demand for more air mixture is needed and the single 34mm can't supply what the 2x32mm (or 2x30mm) Amals provide. As rpm increases the torque, speed and acceleration start to drop with the single compared to the duals. The one dyno readout I saw provided measurable and noticeable losses for hp and torque climb at 3500 rpm and were ~10% at 4000rpm to almost 20% @ 5500+ rpm. The good torque the Commando/Combat provides (for a 50 yr old) is helped by design elements like stroke over bore and relative low weight and gearing (19 tooth drive sprocket standard). Hence the myth of the single Mikuni being the equal of the dual Amals in regards to torque and/or acceleration. Single owners claim there is no loss cruising at 3000 rpm. Mostly true until you hit the throttle and the myth and the fallacy becomes unavoidable. Single owners do say they like reliability because setting and tuning duals is difficult for them. I haven't seen any 50 year old Mikunis however and I find setting and tuning the Amals very easy. Rebuilding Amals is cheap. Removing the corn syrup from the Amal idle circuitry also helps if your Norton won't idle.
![A really Cool Commando! [visit 28 of 31]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Cxrga5Ehgmw/mqdefault.jpg)
Good to see someone who truly appreciates what great bikes Commandos are, even by today's standards. Nice video.
I like the dark grey frame and the upgraded brakes. Commandos are one of the few vintage bikes that can be updated and improved for modern riding. Parts availability are better that for many Hondas that are half the age.
I couldn’t agree more, the commando is the best British twin by far and can still be a daily driver.
Like you I had two older brothers who were all bikers and I had made a decision that as soon as I could buy one I was having one. I got it in the early eighties after a year on a moped and then a 250 to pass my test on. It was an early model, a 68 fastback. I loved it and used it as my daily transport for the next five years during which time I had painted it every colour but finally settled on British racing green.
Since then I’ve had a ton of bikes and still have a commando, a roadster this time but I would never be without it and I’m 58 now.
I’m guessing we’re about the same age from you’re description of the motorcycle hey day we lived through.
Keep on commando’ing, take care.
I started riding bikes again some years ago, after a break for twenty years. First a Enduro bike, then now a CB600F. All good but I have been thinking about a Norton instead for a long time now. Next summer I will most likely get one myself. Thank you for the video and the story :)
Awesome video mate, love the colours you chose and the general vibe is just beautiful.
Have a merry Christmas.🇦🇺
Cracking story and beautiful bike.
Great video! I have had my 71 now for about 4 years. I feel like I missed that time you discussed when these bikes were king!
I bought mine in 1973, when I was 20 yrs old. Still have and drive it today.
Beautiful bike Rob.👍
these videos are beautifully produced
Its rare to see a Mk.3 Commando tricked out and customized like this.
A beautiful specimen! Leave the chrome for those......you know who I mean.
rob looks like quite the movie star :)
When I saw the Shacks Holden sign painted on the wall, I knew you were in Fremantle, ha.
I’m sure he said 0 to 100 in 4seconds. I may be mistaken. He meant 0 to 100 KPH. Love the colour combination.
Had mine Commando) 23 years, one before that I regretted selling
I'd love to know where that rear light came from, just what I'm looking for
Fremantle? did you build or have someone do it? if so, who? I've got one which could use some work.
Thank you. I also find your assessment right on the money. Having owned a 69 Norton 750 fastback, the best handling motorcycle I have ever ridden. And I have owned numerous Triumph's etc. And I will admit to also having owned the most evil handling perhaps of all time, a 1970 Kawasaki h1 500 cc devil bike, which I owned prior to the Norton. I have ridden more modern bikes and still nothing feels as right as that 69 red fastback did... Yes the Triumphs vibrated mercilessly. I still marvel at the folks who rode them a round the world. I guess that was more a comment on the footprint of the one time british empire...
Beautiful bike but after all that work what a shame to compromise a vintage Norton Commando by installing that single Mikuni. You may have forgotten what your brother's bike really ran like?
The Royal Enfield 650's aren't too bad.
Suspension is crap, exhaust heavy, but otherwise, they are OK.
Motor is smooth, and whilst not fast, it can be made so.
If you don't want to pay a fortune for an old dunger, they're a good alternative.
Eyup Rob
Its my bike. I got my mph and kph mixed up!
But you got The-Bike 'Right' ! I had a 750-Atlas when I was young (69 now ) I always wanted a Commando ( mates had them ) I'm riding an 82 TR1 XV1000 and a W650 (my Old-Man-Bike ) I could just about get one if I sold both my bikes , but I Love-Them also ! Dave nz
Very nice touches to make it a tasteful custom. My only quibble is no tach. Fine for Harleys that don't rev anyway, but not for Commandos that will rev with power to 7000. Seems to be a common thing with customs though
Some people have zero idea.
Tacho is not required.
Are you going to rev the nuts off an old bike ??
No.
Single carb Norton.
You're just going to use the torque and rev it sensibly.
Nice bike and the paint pops but the engine doesn't. Yes they're torquey and punchy but not with that single Mikuni mounted on it. You have lost the acceleration, the torque and the grunt these bikes are known for. Get the dual carbs back on it and it will perform like it's suppose to. For Norton rebuilders, it's much cheaper to rebuild the old dual Amals than buy the single Mikuni kit and you will also keep that Norton grunt.
Maybe.....'they' say more-torque with a single-carb and less top-end ? I'll take the-torque any-day Dave nz
@@kdsowen2882The single Mikuni does not give more torque than dual Amals. Torque is less effected at low rpm's because at low rpm's the air/mix demand is less and the single can supply most of the mixture. When the rpm picks up the demand for more air mixture is needed and the single 34mm can't supply what the 2x32mm (or 2x30mm) Amals provide. As rpm increases the torque, speed and acceleration start to drop with the single compared to the duals. The one dyno readout I saw provided measurable and noticeable losses for hp and torque climb at 3500 rpm and were ~10% at 4000rpm to almost 20% @ 5500+ rpm. The good torque the Commando/Combat provides (for a 50 yr old) is helped by design elements like stroke over bore and relative low weight and gearing (19 tooth drive sprocket standard). Hence the myth of the single Mikuni being the equal of the dual Amals in regards to torque and/or acceleration. Single owners claim there is no loss cruising at 3000 rpm. Mostly true until you hit the throttle and the myth and the fallacy becomes unavoidable. Single owners do say they like reliability because setting and tuning duals is difficult for them. I haven't seen any 50 year old Mikunis however and I find setting and tuning the Amals very easy. Rebuilding Amals is cheap. Removing the corn syrup from the Amal idle circuitry also helps if your Norton won't idle.
@@kdsowen2882Not possible to increase torque by removing a carb. It maintains some torque in spite of the single Mikuni.
Id be willing to bet the difference would be so small as to be noticeable. But I do plan to fit new amals, more for looks than anything