1974 Norton Commando 850 MK2A - Lunch Ride
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- 1974 Norton Commando 850 MK2A - Lunch Ride.
Four Norton Commandos out for lunch: 2 x 1975 MKIIIs (1 Red Roadster & 1 Black Interstate) and 2 x Black 1974 Roadsters including a late ‘74 MK2A
We had a very enjoyable ride through local Oregon towns and countryside, from Lake Oswego through historic Oregon City and up onto Pete’s Mountain, West Linn then along the South Clackamas River Drive to the Stone Cliff Inn at Culver for lunch.
It’s such a pleasure to see Ron’s MKIII back on the road again and see him having so much fun with it since getting it started again last year.
Here’s a link to a Playlist containing some of those earlier moments: • Feature | 1975 Norton ...
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There are so many videos of young riders riding like lunatics. Splitting lanes at 40 MPH and shocked when someone changes lanes. Doing wheelies through intersections, and one doing so against a red light. Did not end pretty. I was away from riding for 40 years. Purchased a RE 500 bullet. A part of my life is back. I will likely keep the Bullet but may get something bigger. These older bikes are where my heart is. Thanks for the ride.
The Pursuit of Speed
What a beautiful sound! Haven't ridden mine for a few years, and watching this bought back a lot of fond memories. Thanks
nice video. Nice to see a bunch of Nortons in one place. Went to a Norton Rally with two of mine. Went on a long ride with like 40 Nortons. What a sound. Havent heard it since and its been 20 years
Great video, love the bikes, nice to just have the sound of the bikes and no music.
Thanks Paul! Yes, I'm not into the music behind the videos and prefer the music of the exhaust notes ;) Cheers, Mike.
Mi Ty I agree with you, Mike. A good 4 stroke engine is able to produce a great music.
@@TheMightyGarage excellent! Music has ZEROplace in a motovlog!
I used to ride Triumph and BSA. In the 80's I was VP of local Brit Bike club. Whenever we had four or more on the highway it sounded like WW2 aircraft!
Hehe, it's so much fun riding with a group of old brit bikes. They sound awesome! Thanks Martin.
The Norton Commando is the Spitfire of motorcycles. Beautiful machine.
Thanks very much, that was a terrific ride. We had a great time. Best wishes, Mike
Beautiful bikes, beautiful sound, beautiful roads and a beautiful part of the world by the looks of it. I'd take any of those Nortons.
Thank you Steve, best wishes
thank you . will never be able to get on a bike any more so that was nice . wonderful machine and you ride just fine . be safe no second chances .
Thank you David. The Commando is still going strong and I love it. Best wishes, Mike
I no longer can ride due to eye condition. But WOW! What a great video. Definitely brings back great memories. Thanks for sharing!
Mike Downing my pleasure Mike. Glad to have you come along. Best wishes, Mike
I’ve got a Mk 2 A 850 commando Nothing beats that sound power and handling
Totally agree Chris. I love mine. Cheers, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage mine is a total restoration Brembo Brakes Electronic ignition new Isolastics Replaced all nuts and bolts with stainless new wheels new coil pack the Wiring harness it’s been a Moneypit but there you go next step Single Carb maybe a Mikuni I know it’s not standard but it’s all about the ride cheers
That sounds awesome Chris!
Watching this makes me want to rescue my dad's Norton Commando 850 Electric Start out of his garage and give it the restoration it deserves. It hasn't run since the 1980s!!
Vracktal Hi, you must restore it 👍👍 they are fantastic bikes and I’m sure you would love it. Best wishes
This has become my favourite channel...thank you from Canada
Wow, many thanks for your kind comment! Best wishes, Mike
eargasm...still love it
Bravo! Thank you so much for the wonderful video - what a terrific ride! It brought back great memories of my '72 - I'll never forget how great that bike handled and how sweet it sounded. Would have loved to have been riding with you but those days are over for me...
Thank you Matthew! Glad you enjoyed the video. Best wishes, Mike
Something I would like to share - make sure your ignition system earth connections are all in good order, remove the grounding terminals and Emery the metal on the frame and on the frame side of the terminal so the contact is 100% good, do all the earth connections you can find like this especially the battery lead and you will find the engine starts and runs better and revs higher and cleaner with more power. When I first did this to my old 1971 750 Commando I gained a very substantial increase in top end power, although the engine was completely standard it was quite a bit faster than a friends new 850, with a 21T front sprocket I saw 7K rpm easy enough on a clear road if I got right down on the tank.
Rotax 636nut thanks a lot. Great advice. Cheers, Mike
All those Norties give a gear head a rise in the Levis . I want one so bad that would get me riding again
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@@TheMightyGarage 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You did a great job videoing probably the best sounding motorcycle that has ever been built. I used to have one and just riding on it with that glorious exhaust note and intake roar, wow! Fabulous!!
Thanks for sharing the video!!
(y)
+granitePillar Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a terrific day and we hope to have a lot more adventures next year when the weather warms up a little. Best regards.
Nice!!! Nortons!!! Well kept machines!!! Thanks Mike!!!
Nothing much better than a Commando in full flight when running properly. You had to know what you were doing and be prepared to tinker with them - not like a Japanese bike. The reward was there.
Hehe, totally agree Andrew. It's still such a great bike and so much fun. Best wishes, Mike
For a few moments those were my arms and that was my bike. Thanks!
Nice I hope to get a classic Norton some day too 👍 beautiful sound and look.
Thanks a lot! They are an amazing bike. You will love it.
That bike looks (and sounds) as if it's just so comfy and relaxing - bar angle and reach spot-on.
👍 thanks a lot. That was a great ride! Cheers, Mike
Superb, what a sound cheers guys
I had a '75 Commando when I was in the Navy. It was always a nice bike. But I needed a little more leg room, so I traded for a Harley Electra Glide. But even now, I dip my thumbs in gas, the smell of gas on my thumbs while having lunch always brings back memories of old times and good friends.
Thanks Dan. Best wishes.
Tickle those Amals man.
Great to see these British Imports being looked after and restored. I'm hopefully moving to the US this year, I would love a commando! Let me know if anyone decides to sell! fantastic bikes
+Will Clark Thanks Will! Cheers
love these MK2A POV videos, please keep them coming :)
Thank you Ian! More coming in the next few weeks, as the weather improves. Cheers, Mike
fantastic ride
The Norton of whoever is filming this sounds superb.
Thank you very much! I appreciate it. Best wishes, Mike
Timeless all the way, so classic an experience to remember the days on British twins!
These are some gorgeous bikes.
I totally dig this video and these bikes! Bravo!
Even though I have an old Ducati 900, it is hard to beat the sound and beauty of these old Nortons!
+zambam3 eh.... old Triumphs sound better.. There's nothing like the sound of a real Bonneville (not Hinkley). Especially if it's got big cams and really open exhaust like a certain T120C that's sitting in our garage waiting to be fixed.
@@OtisENGINEuity That's a problem with a lot of old Brit bikes, waiting to be fixed. I love these classic Norton's and Triumphs, but bought a 2019 Kawasaki W800 Street for the "waiting to be fixed" reason. A lot of the same feeling and attitude with the long stroke, 360 degree larger flywheel air cooled twin. A joy to ride with very limited wrenching or modifying needed. Take care of the chain and tire pressures, change the oil and you're set to go. Also runs on 87 octane.
Sound of beauty
And your new subscriber
Great video...I owned and raced a 1973 Roadster in New Zealand. Get this...I paid NZ$2400 in 1973 brand spanking new out of the box. Wish I still had it, that's for sure.
Oh man! That sounds excellent. Thanks for your comment. Cheers, Mike
Yes Mike...after trying desperately to keep up with my mate on his 1972 combat whilst riding my old BSA A10, I decided to save up and buy the model after the combat which had the new main bearing setup. At 12,000miles I had to replace the valve springs as the inners had broken and the tell tale valve bounce at 100mph confirmed it for me. Sent away to Dunstall and got his top end overhaul kit and it was back on the road/track in no time.
Ok thank you Mike.I live in Western Australia and often watch your videos and am envious of your close proximity to CNW ,for sure I would visit their workshop.Any chance you could do a trip up there and do a video on the service they provide regarding commando modifications such as the crankcase machining to improve breathing and seals in the outer gearbox cover etc...😀
mic Potato Oh, man. I would love to go over there sometime., I might have to see if I can convince my wife to take a holiday to Colorado on of these days 😜 I have met Matt Rambo a couple of times. A friend of mine also knows him quite well. He is a fantastic guy!
Great...tnx for your always prompt,polite replies to your viewers
These exhaust sounds are music.
Thanks Alex! Cheers
Alex Xenos I agree
A group of Norton motorcycles can be compare to a chamber orchestra.
Perfect bikes! My best compliments.
I hope to get one of these great machines in the next time.
My radar is wide open.
+flieger eki Thank you for your kind words. Best wishes and I hope you find one. They are a lot of fun!
Beautiful to see 4 Norton's together but didn't get to hear the true Norton sound on camera. Nothing sounds better than a Norton in full throttle. I know I had 750 S type
Thanks a lot Graham, glad you liked it. Here's a recent video of a few more Nortons on the road including a 750S in blue. The sound quality is better. Best wishes, Mike. ua-cam.com/video/0rBB0B8gqAo/v-deo.html
I remember and greatly miss those sounds.
I was at the Earl's Court Motorbike Show when they sold the last 20 Nortons….a sad day for this world.
What year would that be?
@@jasonull6458 I think it was 1978...had a life-changing near miss on the way down there just south of Norwich. Gives me chills to this day...
Starting and riding a Norton is the motorcycle equivalent of flying a Spitfire. They even have a Merlin engine resonance.
Hehe, I do feel like biggles when I ride it ;) Best wishes, Mike
Nice machines.I would ride one of them if I had the chance
i have it and i sold it in 2011, i miss it now 😫
Great bikes and beautiful countryside! Regards,Gordon1972 Combat Owner
+Gordon Roseborough Thank you Gordon, it was a great ride. Best wishes.
Nice to see that Not all Americans ride Harley davidson scrap metal. Good Video.
H-D is far from scrap..... who’s still in business??? Hahahaha
@@Sunbear415 yes, still.....😁
For now..
A “thrum” of Commandos, very nice! 😉
I need to own one of these!
Hi Sarah, yes, they are relatively plentiful compared to other classics and probably one of the best classics to keep up with today's traffic. Plus they are so much fun!
Mi Ty Indeed! I have too many bikes as it is, and need to start selling a few. I've lusted after these for years, and have spent time on a friends. Love the mechanical sound!
beautiful
Thank you Yossy!
Mi Ty , may i ask..where was this taken? love the Norton..also the scenery..
Hi Yossy, it's close to Portland, Oregon, USA. Specifically from Lake Oswego through historic Oregon City and up onto Pete’s Mountain, West Linn then along the South Clackamas River.
No handlebar shaking with Nortons….They are unique. BSAs &Triumphs gets your hand a Parkinson illness,,!!
red ones a mk3 electric start! restored 2 of them best of the commandos but the slowest by far.
Yes, that electric start model is lovely. It has an Interpol tank and has been converted to right-hand side gear stick, just like a proper British motorbike ;)
you could tell a norton owner by the oil stripe on the back of his jacket and the huge muscles on his right leg [from kicking and kicking] lol ;) obviously these guys have got it right!
+Richard Mann Thanks Richard! That was a great day out. We have some really terrific guys in the Oregon Norton Enthusiasts club here in Portland. Glad you enjoyed the video.
+Mi Ty I have owned two of them beasts , the first was a 1969 750 scrambler which at the age of 17 i had no business owning [ the only thing that didnt break was the gas cap , but by trial and error i would fix it and ended up putting 20k on it ! then about 15 years later i got a 1972 750 from my boss that sat in his garage for years and years . i put gas , fresh oil and a battery and it started and ran fine. It is great to see these bikes that you guys have put into such beautiful condition. I could go on and on about british bikes but you already know ;) oh yeah once I stood up to go over a bump in the road and the seat fell off LOL
+Richard Mann haha, that's great Richard. Yes, we still have a little roadside incident now and then on some of our rides, but I'm always reassured that there is a collective knowledge of about 200 years in all the riders! So, if they can't figure out a problem, no one can! Best wishes
a well put together commando will not drop oil! but I changed the primary chain for a les emery belt conversion and neither of my bikes leaked any oil, most oil leaks are due to poor maintenance.
False. My 850 didn't leak oil and I had the Electric Start MK III.
I never started mine on the stand, ever. 1970 750 Fastback, and 1973 850 Roadster.
Love the Norton sound, but they are slow, have shitty brakes, and need constant maintenance. I still have all the special tools- in case I get stupid and buy another one.
hehe, thanks John.. that's why we love 'em, eh! You have a couple of really nice model years. Yep, I'm vertically challenged so I can just about start mine while sitting on it, but mostly need to have it on the center stand, but never the side-stand.
'Love the Norton sound, but...'
That's a remarkably gracious comment you made.
Bet you must have impeccable manners, in real life...
well done
Loved this video of a handful of good like minded friends out for a ride...I think I have asked you before but I must ask again what are the bars you have on your mk2a ?
mic Potato Hello, thanks very much for your kind comments. I’m pretty sure that these bars came from CNW (Colorado Norton works). They are called euro bars and have been great so far. Cheers, Mike
definately looks like oregon
Hehe, thanks Ferd. Best wishes, Mike
I wish John Bloor had bought the rights to Norton like he did Triumph and brought back Norton. A modern 850 Commando with the reliability of the current Triumphs at an affordable price would be awesome! Now Norton’s are only for the well healed.
Do you still own the bike? How is the ownership experience? With maintenance/breakdown etc? I'd like to know your story cuz in looking to buy one
Hi Theodor, yes I still have it and love it. It has been a fantastic bike and I would probably say my favorite bike all round still. I've been very fortunate to have had no breakdowns. The maintenance is light and it's been a pleasure. Here's a playlist of videos over the years, including some maintenance projects. I would say that the Commando is probably one of the best classic bikes to buy that's still strong and reliable and will keep up with modern traffic. Best wishes, Mike ua-cam.com/play/PLgDzKiI-i6nbec9aqmLTIDDt7FfW-qR60.html
By the way..today I finally found a 74 mk2A interstate in red ....one owner since new and I got it !!! I will probably sell my 750 commando to make room for the new girl
mic Potato Wow, brilliant! Congratulations! That sounds like a fantastic find. Best wishes with your new project, Mike
Am I wrong thinking I have a mk2A interstate? Does mk2A only apply to the roadster and I should be referring to mine as a 850 interstate ?
mic Potato hi, no I think you are absolutely correct. I’m pretty sure that the MK2A came in both the roadster and interstate trim. I think the serial numbers determine whether it is a mark 2a or not. Good luck!
Were the 750s more torquey than he 850s?
In the late 60s most of my friends had Triumphs, BSA and Norton bikes.The best of these were the Nortons but none measured up to my 1970 Honda CB 750.It seemed like they were always broken down
The dealers sucked too for Limey bikes.Mine never broke down and was cheap to run compared to thos money pits.
Hi Ray, I traded my old 750 norton on a new cb750. The nortons are a money pit but I'd rather a norton than a honda in my garage if i had a choice today. I'd just go short distances though in case stuff fell off as it used to. But don't get me wrong, the old Honda never missed a beat.
where are you guys I have a MK2A to add to the pack, mine is identical to the guy with the cameras one, an export that's come home
Hi Gen Me. We're in Portland, Oregon. We have our club meeting tomorrow (June 3) at the Horse Brass pub at 11am if you would like to come along? There should be several bikes there tomorrow. Cheers, Mike.
lol.. I'm in the UK, might be a bit of a trek :D .. lovely bikes by the way, you simply have to love Commando's
Haha, oh okay. Well, if you're ever in the neighborhood, you're most welcome ;)
Stopping at a decent restaurant wouldn't happen in UK, 90% have a biker ban, they seem to think if you ride a bike, you are sub human.
Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that Fred! We have always felt really welcome wherever we go. But we also look pretty harmless ;)
Seems that sort of discrimination would be illegal. Especially in a country which had so many legendary motorcycle manufacturers in the 20th century.