1971 Norton Commando 750 - First start and ride in 2 years!
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2019
- A really enjoyable time with Ron who restarted his 1971 Norton Commando 750 for the first time in a couple of years. Prior to that, it had not run in about 20 years. Ron bought the bike in the local classifieds and started it up a couple of years ago, but then it got put to one side as he focused on other projects.
It sounds great and rides really well. It has that feeling of an original, well-sorted bike, where everything feels comfortable and just right.
It was a pleasure to cleanup the carbs for Ron's project. The ultrasonic cleaner certainly does a great job!
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A REAL motorcycle. Carbureted, NON ABS drum brakes, air cooled, long stroke engine, lots of vibration, beautiful sound, all the wonderful things that "modern" motorcycles DON'T have.
it has its own class, but i doesn't mean modern motorcycle ain't real brethren
So, nice, that bike
The only modern cafe racer to match that old school character is GT650
In this day and age it is difficult to buy a bike that is standard under square like a norton, but Kawasaki's retro W650 (72X83) and its bigger brother W800 (77x83) are both under square long stroking engines.
Norton's didn't vibrate due to their rubber isolastic motor/drive train mounting system. It kicked in ~2500/3000 Rpm. A motorcycle couldn't get any smoother or vibration free. Innovative....and worked perfectly. Yes, the isolastics could wear out, but lasted years before they needed maintenance.
These Norton bikes! What a sound! I love them!
One of the most beautiful motorcycles of all time.
That is all.
definitely.
I rode a 750 Commando in Germany while stationed there from 74 until 80. Then all over the US. Got too old to hold it up and had to sell it in 2001. Still miss it.
Now that sounds like how a motorcycle should sound. Marvellous!
You can’t beat the sound these bikes make!
What a great sound.
Will never tire of watching this vid
Many thanks! Ron's bike sounds so great doesn't it. Best wishes, Mike
best sound on earth
😜😜it sure is 👍👍
beautiful British made bike.
Completely agree Kevin. That has got to be one of the coolest models. It's so sleek and strong and sounds so good! Cheers, Mike
Took me right back to 1975 and my old riding buddy with the '72 Commando!
I just got my '71 Commando on the road this spring, awesome machines!
so good. commando is simply the best sounding and looking motorcycle ever imho.
they didn't call them "snortin' Norton " for nothing.
BMW boxertwins sounds very good also
Love the look, love the sound, loved the ride. Great clutch, plus proper shifter location. Thanks again!
Fantastic. Brings back memories for me, of after moving, I had my 69 commando up in the barn for 10 years. I finally got it out to start it, when my sister and brother in law, moved back from B.C.. My little nephew was only 3 years old, and when I started it up he started crying from being frightened by the sound of it.
Wow i love that bike
Exhaust sound is awesome 👏
I used to assemble these bikes from the crate when I was 15 yrs old on Saturdays (Dad was a dealer).
Very unique bike. Not many people were aware that these bikes had a 360 degree crankshaft, meaning
both pistons rose together on alternate cycles.
Kool vid thanks for sharing. I gave up on Amals for flat side carbs made for Nortons. Lots of parts for these bikes and lots of Torque about Norton (Brian Slark quote!) Some mods worth doing Pazon electronic ignition. Dave Taylor head steady and good bye fiberglass tank! Cheers!
I hope you got to ride one just out of the crate. I had the same experience and the Norton was marvelous before the isolastic suspension got worn.
@@JR-bj3uf Exactly. I notice today's videos show a stiff engine at idle but the new ones rocked back and forth at idle quite a bit.
You can hear that sound from a distance..sight unseen, and know it's a Norton
I'm in Love wich that bike.
B E A U T I F U L B I K E !
..great sound of 750..but make sure your neighbours understanding..hahaha
My father sold and worked on English motorcycles Norton's were my favourite. The Japanese bikes always ran better but the Norton was the best of the English machines. We were sorry to see them go in the mid 70's. The 850's were the best.
That Norton has just right amount of patina, love it.
Totally agree! It's one of the coolest bikes in the club for sure! Best wishes, Mike
Got me one. Had it for at least 45 years. Great bike still.
Awesome, thanks a lot for sharing Karen. Yes, the 750s are so great. They are so sleek and they sound so much better than the 850s in my opinion. Cheers, Mike
Inside the cover of Cycle magazine month after month, this is the bike I lusted after! The yellow one!
Hehe, thanks a lot KC. Yes, a lot of guys just love the yellow Nortons! My good friend Dave especially! If you haven't seen it, here's a playlist containing videos of the recent rebuild of his yellow Norton. Best wishes, Mike ua-cam.com/play/PLgDzKiI-i6nbw_53Ou_FzB65IfDxYQooY.html
I owned a 1971 just like this! Such a great motorcycle. The dis drum brake looks so much better than the discs. Nothing ever sounded as good as a Norton!
Very nice! Great to see another one on the road love riding my Commando
So, beauty
I really love the old Nortons that's a MACHINE!
My '72 is quite similar but for the fork gaiters and my front disc I might say they're twins!Great bikes,bought mine new and have ridden it ever since without a major rebuild,maintenance and replacements of normal pieces only!Matter of fact I'm still running the points ignition and it still runs flawlessly!
Takes me back more years than I want to remember..
I had one of these babies. Standard twin carb's and "bouncing" engine suspension... :)
Love the sound
WOW, identical to a ‘72 I bought in Spartanburg,SC in ‘71. Toured the west on it from NYC. Never a problem or an issue. Surprised a number of cars and bikes who pulled up for a short challenge run. Third gear was a beast! Great on the open road and light enough to play around in the dirt and on hills. I let it go in ‘74 in Salt Lake City and have regretted it many times.
Thanks a lot for your note, Bob. I really enjoyed reading it. Yes this is a cracking bike. It seems to have everything just right. It’s light, nimble, sleek and makes a fantastic sound. Best wishes, Mike
Im only 19 but want one so bad. Theres nothing like vintage machinery cars or bikes...
Hehe, I hope you get one, Vedran. They are a really good bike and so much fun. Best wishes, Mike
The Mighty Garage thank you its my dream!
I was 19 when I got my old Triumph.I still have it as my only bike after 30 years.Wouldnt trade it for the world.If you lived closer I'd almost give you an engine to start with.Almost means that I'd have to see how much you wanted it.Not just a passing fad that you would sell.
I bought a new ‘71 Roadster just like the one here. Yes, it was one of the best-looking bikes ever and that sound as you headed towards 7000 rpm was a symphony. But to live with as a daily ride, that was another story.
Where do I start? Perhaps with the side-stand that fell off before I’d even got it home from the dealer. Then there was the front drum brake that, even with the air-scoop blanked off, used to fill up with water in heavy rain. Try stopping on a water covered road with just the back brake. After that there was the air-cleaner that you could see when looking down at the gap between tank and seat. This meant the rainwater used to funnel off your front, down through this gap and straight into the air-cleaner. Perhaps Norton hadn’t road-tested in Australian sub-tropical downpours. A sputtering stop was pretty much guaranteed after a few miles. The Commando ate clutch cables. I lost count of the number I replaced in three years. I took to always carrying a spare. The seat on it was like straddling a lightly padded piece of 3x2 after forty miles. It had Lucas electrics - enough said. Oil leaks? Where do I begin?
As a piece of sculpture, it was a thing of beauty. For a Sunday afternoon through the hills, it was magic. But as a piece of well-sorted, mature engineering it left a lot to be desired.
I’ve often had pangs of regret over the years for selling it, but my life took different directions and hanging onto it wasn’t practical. Despite all its shortcomings, I still miss it.
What a marvellous sound!
Nice video. Always loved the looks of those as a kid....still do.
I saw one in California in 1972, always wanted one, still do, it sounds great, you are so lucky, I can’t believe it started so good after 2 years!!!
Lovely bike
wow that vibration is spectacular
The sound is so good :)
So unfassbar kernig. Einer der geilsten legalen sounds out there!
What a beautiful bike
"Well, I need to run the gas out", every good excuse for a ride, lol. Very fine running Norton, sounds really beautiful, thanks! Every time a bike is at my shop, my dog Raven, wants to take it by the tires and wrangle it to the ground, she's a pit, about 15 inches high, 90 pounds. I don't think she likes the "barking competition", doesn't quite understand it. I just sent a 74 shovelhead engine back to its master for installation in the frame, after a complete rebuild. Hopefully, I will be hearing it fire in a couple weeks. We're having a cold, late spring here. Thanks again, wonderful sounds coming out of the cul-de-sac.
Sound beautiful had triumph always wanted Norton commando
Shes a beauty Mike and she sounds fantastic
acho essa moto linda........verdadeira arte sob rodas! Saudações do Brasil!!!!!!👏👏👏
Very nice got to love the sweet sweet sound of a British twin :)
I love the forward tilt of the cylinders....
What an absolute beauty.
A dream for my motorcycle heart. But it's only a dream. Wonderful.
beautiful sound,wish i could have that,for me its the best motorcycle in the world,my dream motorbike
Love it... purely love it!
Love watching the isolastics at work.
What a cool video thanks guys. Traded my 750 commando in the late 70s on a shiny new cb750 4. I recall looking back as I rode away from the dealership on the Honda thinking even though the norton needed lots of upkeep, I was making a terrible mistake.
Thanks for sharing Peter and thanks for your comment! Best wishes, Mike
It sounds and looks great! 2021 has just starten and soon we will have our Commandos om the road again . Best regards from Sweden.
Thank you very much Torbjörn. Best wishes for 2021!
My mate had one of these and I had a T500 Suzuki.He offered me a ride one day.I came out of his driveway and that low down grunt took me completely by surprise.Was so used to a 2 stroke.Spectacular torque even 2 up.
A sound bringing back childhood memories :)
Thank you Jere, I’m glad that you enjoyed the video. Best wishes, Mike
Love the light (kill switch) gold .
Beautiful bike Mike👍
Hehe, thanks Greg. Ron is really happy with it. He's got it running again great now. It was a bad spark plug that was causing idling issues and the kill switch turned out to be a loose wire on his taillight ;) Best wishes, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage LUCAS The Royal Prince of Darkness.
What a Sound!!🙂🙂🙂
Best of the Best, British vertical twins, miss the 72 combat Commando ,better than a Harley.
I have never seen a Norton engine that loose in its isolastic mounts.
👍❤️🏍
it looks like my 72 will be taking a three year rest. 😩
✌️❤️😁
Sounds sweeeeet!
I’ve owned 2 Commandos, put a Dunstall kit on it. Oh that sound!!!! Scary fast too
I skipped the carb stuff... I sooooo wanted to hear this baby growl. I'm a Brit guy who is old enough to have owned and rode a 1971/2 Norton Commando.. way back in 1973/4 :) Loved the sound. And I could feel the vibrations that were synonymous with a Norton Commando. Not sure if my emotion is.. delighted to see/hear one again or extreme jealousy.. :) :(
Thanks very much for your note. Really appreciated it. Yes, Ron’s Commando is really cool. Here’s a video that I thought you might like. If you skip to 6:20, I think you might enjoy the sound that it makes 😉😉
@@TheMightyGarage There I was.. all expectant and excited.. :) But it looks like you didn't add the link.. or Im in the wrong age bracket to figure out how to access it..:( Soo I made my own sound track.. bruumm, rattle rattle, brrruumm,, brruummm, rattle rattle... BRRUUUUMMMM (throttle tweaked) and then the wonderful sound of a Norton accelerating away :)
@@Dewstepper Haha! Sorry about that. I copied the link and then must have got distracted! Here's the vid: ua-cam.com/video/-qrppV-k62Q/v-deo.html
@@TheMightyGarage You do realise that you all ride on the wrong side of the road !!!.. :) :) Nice sounds.. However my Norton sounded better when zooming around the Isle of Man TT course :)
@@Dewstepper Hehe, I bet it sounded brilliant!!
Sadly my father crashed his one about 6 years ago. After the Norton he bought a Matchless/Norton g15 cs from 1967 that is still here in the garage today but sadly he passed away 4 years ago. But the interest has flown over to me now!
Terrific! Great to hear that your Dad's legacy lives on. Best of luck with your bike. I'm sure your Dad would be very happy to know that you're keeping it going. Best wishes, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage thank you
I need to go a bit longer this time . I like that ha ha
Meine Güte, ist das Moped super. Ich fahre eine Triumph
Trident.
After playing this recording a few (dozen) times I'm still in nostalgia mode. That said when you first pull off, just missing the parked car, the bikes sound was like something older.. a bit put put put.. but when you did a few more drive away's, with a few more rev's applied, wow.. I was transported back to my youth.. I was at the TT (Isle of Man races) around 1973/4 and it was what was called Mad Sunday. The roads are open but there were few speed restrictions.. Sat astride my trusty beast (Norton Commando) at the grandstand.. the guy next to me shouted "your engine is trying to jump out of your bike" and started laughing :( And then we were off.. brrrrmm, rattle, rattle, brrmm... Just after Quarterbridge I zoomed past him. Gave him the "finger" and "unleashed the beast" :) Never saw him again that lap :) By the way.. at the ned of the video did I hear an English voice??
Haha, that was brilliant! Thanks lot for sharing. Yes! I'm a Brit living in Oregon. Hope you will enjoy some more of the videos on Norton Commandos and other great Brit bikes! Cheers, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage A Brit living in Oregon!! Isn't that the state where you cannot see the wood for the trees:) Glad you enjoyed my TT story :)
Hehe, yes there are a lot of trees here! Looking forward to exploring the state more this year. Best wishes, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage If your "exploring" on two wheels beware logging lorries.. and remember... They drive on the right hand side of the road.. which is wrong.... They should be driving on the left.... which is right :)
Take good care of that bit of British motorcycle history you have..
Haven't seen a running one in years around here. I knew a guy who had a Norton Atlas in his garage back in 1982. Never saw it run.
For me the most iconic looking and sounding motorcycles of all time 👍👍. I can still remember passing most days a parked up Commando in British Racing Green whilst walking to school,for some reason I'm sure it was an 850 🤔. Personally I preferred the 750 over the 850, no logic maybe just frightened of kickback 😂. I would almost kill to buy either a 750 or 850 now or just love the chance to ride one, but living in Indonesia that's highly unlikely 😂😂😂.Regrets as with all on selling my T140D (when one day she didn't want to play) or any British Iron 😭😭😭.
Thanks a lot. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, I love the 750s as well. They have a lightness and sleekness to them and they sound great! Best wishes, Mike
Rather this than any modern superbike. I think it's fair to say that this represent more or less the pinnacle of motorcycles. Because it's not all about top speed and brake horse power. Which most will discover, when they have ridden a motorbike for some time. It is something else 😎
That noise!!!
😉😉👍👍
That is what a bike is supposed to sound like.
Thanks a lot Stan! Totally agree!
I've had lots of British bikes. A Snortin Norton though. Next to a VINCENT.😎
nice
Thanks a lot Graham. Ron loves this bike! ;)
I have always wondered what my ownership experience would have been like if I'd gotten one of these beauties off the show room floor in 1974 instead of the leftover Triumph 500 Trophy Trail that I managed to secure financing on. The British built the most beautiful looking and sounding 2 wheeled time bombs carrying out dated tech so far beyond where it had any real business. Of course my Triumph was woefully neglected on the maintainance aspect because I was blissfully unaware that I should have been doing an oil change after every 4 hours of riding.
Had two of them back in the '80's . . . a Fastback and an Interstate. Miss the sound, wonderful torque and handling. Noticed the engine shake a little bit early on in your video. No doubt, rocking in that isolastic engine mount. I remember shimming those mounting points when I rebuilt the Interstate . . . a real pain! I replaced the Amals also on the Interstate, replacing with a single, large-bore Mikuni and Boyer electronic ignition. Cheers!
Now I have mixed feelings about those mods, both big improvements, but now classic and rare stock machine very desirable.
In the 80s non running bikes could be had cheap while parts were still pretty expensive, I rode Norton for many years,
A single Mikuni installed is a sign of an under powered Norton. Shame. Many guys made the same mistake. They sounded starved and ran starved.
That isolastic mounting just looks so weird with the engine just bobbing up and down like that. A good sounding bike , hope he has understanding neighbours!
Thanks Paul, I watched it again and I think some of the bobbing is related to an optical illusion caused by the camera frames per second. I've seen it on a few other Commandos and it appears that they are bouncing up and down but in real life they are vibrating much less. The Commando motors to move quite a bit while stationary and at low revs but once they get up to say 3,000 revs, they become really smooth.
@@TheMightyGarage I have quite a bit of experience with Nortons. please take the tank off and check the head steady. It may be the camera frame rate but that engine looks to be bobbing around like a rubber mounted Harley.
Nice, exept for gaspipe, no need to twist it upwards ..
Yes that 's my cycle
Thank you! Yes, that is a terrific looking bike, isn't it. I love how sleek and light it is and it has the perfect amount of patina. Best wishes, Mike
I Would to bye a Norton. Only, 'old '. Somewhere, Here?
Always a great to start & ride after a 'lay up' Mike, Ron looked well pleased.
I was surprised to see how much the engine & gearbox moved in the frame is that normal or 'worn' mountings?
atvb t ..
Hi Terry, I think a lot of the movement may be also be the camera speed making it look like it moves more than it does to the naked eye. I've noticed it before on other videos. Hope all is well, best wishes, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage Never gave that a thought Mike, a lot of movement he he ..
All ok this way thanks. atb t ..
This was Norton's Isolastic engine mounting system. It used an assembly of alternating steel and rubber washers to allow the big twin to shake without transmitting the vibration to the frame.
Chances are this one is getting a bit sloppy. It can be refurbished.
The engine is moving a little, but also I think the vibrations through the concrete floor is vibrating the camera some exaggerates the motion.
Looks like the isolastics need some help. How many miles?
Sounded a ton better after the carbs got sync'ed or was a pilot circuit plugged? Let's ride !!
Nice sound! What kind of silencers are those?
Hi Jonny, I asked Ron. His ‘71 has two different silencers. When he got it, one was rusted out inside and I snagged the other from a friend who had taken off of a restoration. He doesn't know what brand they are. Some of our club members get their pipes from Commando Specialties and others have the Emgo pipes, which sound great! Cheers, Mike
What do you put in sonic cleaner, My carbs didn't come out looking like that!? I was thinking later I should use citric acid as that has been suggested to clean other appliances. I used carby cleaner and distilled water, but it certainly didn't have the desired affect.
Hi, I use an 80/20 mixture with 80% being hot water and 20% being the simple green (purple) cleaning solution. I get the water quite hot before putting it into the ultrasonic cleaner, so that it doesn't have to work too hard to warm the water up. I then place the parts in the ultrasonic cleaner for 10 minutes and then stir them around and do another 10 minutes typically. If they are filthy, I will rinse out the solution and repeat. The big tip is not to leave parts in the solution for too long as it can damage parts, especially the alloy carburetors. Best wishes, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage Thanks for that Mike. Sounds like what I have done except I didn't use a dedicated carby cleaning solution. I suspect if it corrodes the Alloy, it may be quite caustic. I have not heard of of the brand green (purple) solution. What are the active ingredients in it do you know? I am in Australia and quite good at chemistry so I can produce something that may do the job better than what I have achieved so far, if I knew what the active ingredients are. Cheers. I will do more research.
Ha! The light switch isn't supposed to turn the bike off.
The headline says 1972. That's not a '72 Combat and I'm surprised the Mighty Garage doesn't know that. The intake manifolds being cleaned were 30mm intakes. The '72's were a totally different casting and were 32mm manifolds. The jugs were black and not silver. The front brake was a single right sided disc as were the 73's and '74's and not the twin leading shoe brake that is on this machine. This is a '71.
Hi Robert, thanks a lot for your note. You're absolutely right. That is a typo in the title. I've done it a couple of times and just fixed the title. I honestly forget as there are so many Commandos in the club. Cheers, Mike
I knew you knew. Cheers. Having 4 Combats, and 5 other Commando's I got a bit particular. Love the 'Mighty'.
@@robertshepherd3832 Many thanks Robert! Best wishes, Mike
One up three down and if you put slightly too much oil in it comes out over new air filter! Thankfully Pride &Clarke did COD! Will the guy down south of England who has ADE 753K please send Dai a photo of my old bike
What was the issue with light switch shutting bike off?
hehe, that was a funny moment. It must have shorted / grounded out the bike when he switched the light on! It's all fixed now. Cheers, Mike
I did same, ultrasonic cleaned my carbs without splitting from the manifolds, now bike will start but not idle. Do I need to split the manifolds to get at the pilot jets?
Hi Richard, I think it’s possible that you may be able to very carefully poke into the idle screws with the carburetors still fit it to the bike. But if that doesn’t work, then unfortunately I think you might have to remove them and give them a good clean out. Good luck! Cheers, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage - thanks Mike, I'll do that.
May I just say how much I enjoy your videos, especially the instructional ones. You have the perfect voice and manner for an apprentice trainer, is that what you do for a living by any chance?
Thanks very much Richard, I really appreciate it. I was actually an IT Consultant for many years and have been working in a business role for the past 10 years, all unrelated to motorcycles - but my passion is with these old bikes 😉
To get them in perfect synchronize is important, look at idle opening also listen to a tube to ear for same sound, I think cable junction should be supported, duct tape works unless you want to make a bracket. also feel the air at exhaust is even.
@@chhindz I've got vacuum gauges which I intend to use once I can get the bike to idle without stopping!
People who think it is hard to kick start a Harley have never tried to start a Norton.
Is there a distinction between commando and combat commando?
Does anyone know the bars on this bike? I have a '74 850 roadster and think I have the us spec bars. I want something lower with less pull back. These look perfect.
I’ve asked Ron about his bars. Cheers, Mike.
@TheMightyGarage
Awesome thanks. 👌
Hi, this is from Ron.
I bought the bars at raber’s when I first got the bike. It was the last time I was in there before it closed. They were just hanging on the rack. I don’t recall what brand or if they even had a sticker. I got the lowest ones they had.
I think you can find some similar bars if you search for euro bars or M bars. Good luck!
@@TheMightyGarage sweet thanks very much!!! I was leaning towards the euro bars.
Cheers
Recently finished a 2+ year resto of my 1972 Combat, sitting since 1979. Q: Was this a Combat model as well? Thanks!
This is not a '72 Combat. This bike is a '71. How do I know? I own 3 Combats.
That is one sweet sounding Norton, they just look so cool. What liquid did you use in the ultrasonic cleaner ? Thanks for sharing. Cheers
Thanks a lot for your note. I use a mixture of about 20% simple green (purple cleaning solution) and 80% water. But it is also hot, which helps a lot. Cheers, Mike
Thanks for the reply Mike, much appreciated mate. Ride safe, Cheers
Malheureusement à la même époque Honda a sorti sa 750 Four. Les deux machines n'ont rien à voir mais je pense que ça a été le début de la fin des Anglaises.
Salut Alan, oui je suis d'accord! La Honda 750/4 marque le début de la fin de l'industrie britannique de la moto! Meilleurs vœux, Mike
Hello Mike,
This question is not related to this video, but on another video I can not remember the name of. You visited a company there in your area/Portland that took a 3D scan of a part so you could reproduce it since the part was no longer available. Can you please comment back on those companies? Thank you!!
Hi Mark, Yes sure, that was a really great experience. The company was called Dependable Pattern Works in East Portland. I haven't got around to trying to see if I can have the exhaust pipes and silencers reproduced. But they did a fabulous job. Here's a link to the video and there's more information about the company and the description of the video. Best wishes, Mike. ua-cam.com/video/6KluGtSKGGc/v-deo.html
@@TheMightyGarage
Thank you so much. I will look at their information. Have a great day.