I noticed you never filmed towards the front when stopping. But I did see a rear view of the indicators bobbing up and down when you stopped. The isolastic, when gapped accurately, did stop a LOT of vibration but the inherent design meant vibration. Looked like a nice ride.
Thanks very much for taking the time to make the 3 videos. They brought back memories, of my time with a couple of Interstates, both here and in London. I`m of two minds as to getting another one, the big KTM will have to go.
Thank you for watching, having owned a Norton you would definitely know what to expect, don't know if I would get one over a modern bike if that was my only ride depending on what I was using it for of course, sounds like you have some thinking to do.
Beautiful bike - the day I took my test in the UK I looked at this very model and color scheme, intent on buying it later that day. It was around 800 quid. Sadly I failed the test ... but this always remained my favorite model.
@@sirrideabit651 Although a different model, in 1989 I went to the Snetterton Race of Aces and watched the twin wankel Norton JPS smack down the Japanese bike in an easy 1-2 win - it was freakin marvelous!
That is one sweet sounding, gorgeous looking bike! As with your beautiful iron-head Sportster, I also love sound and look of the old British twins...particularly the Nortons. Unfortunately, never owned one, but have always desired a '74 Commando Mk2A - last of the right side gear change. However, the practicality of the Mk3 electric start is slightly more appealing nowadays, given that I'm in my 60's!👍 Nice job mate! Best regards, Mitch
I was looking at a 1972 interstate the other day. I read on the net, 1972 year was prone to piston trouble. They apparently improved after that year. I'm assuming the 1975 would have all been sorted out? Electric start a bonus.
Sorry for the late reply having trouble with TH-cam not adding comments and then not being able to reply? which is still ongoing. I know they had trouble with the combat motors seizing for what reason I'm not sure but you would think the issues would be sorted by now, I was told early on to stay away from them unless it had a documented service history that found and fixed the problem. The electric starter or assist as they called it wasn't the best new but most have been upgraded over time with better parts. Mine works well and has got me out of trouble a few time when stalled at intersections or forgotten to turn fuel taps back on Lol.
It’s funny, back in the mid 70s when I started in biking, I wasn’t particularly interested in the British bikes, it was all Kawasaki Z1s, Suzuki GT750s and Laverda Jotas. Now, with the passage of time I love them!
I've always been an old soul, liked the older British and American bikes as a teenager, but I have had some really nice Japanese bikes along the way as well.
Wow thats great that you have kept your bike for that long, I went for the mikuni because at the time I couldn't get the amals to work right and it looked alot easier for me with little experience to set one carb up rather than sync 2, plus having one throttle cable instead of 3. Also it seemed a popular move amongst many Norton owners, in saying that I have had no issues with the running of the amals on the Bonneville. Thanks for watching Allan and the sub.
Thank you Mr President...means alot coming from a Norton owners club. I'm not quite sure what you mean about the stills software but I use Canva for the thumbnail and have started to edit with FCPX. Funny that 12 years ago I imported this bike from Robins classic motorcycles in Vancouver B.C.
It was a beautiful Commando until that single Mikuni carb was installed. It's lost the acceleration and the torque it was designed and engineered to produce. Shame. Norton Commandos are still one of the most sought after vintage bikes of their era. Why reduce their performance?
@robertshepherd3832 hi Robert, it was an easy solution at the time for me to keep the bike on the road. I do have a new set of Amals waiting to go back on the bike at some point.
Many Commando owners are ill informed about the single Mikuni and the inherent performance losses compared to a Commando with dual carbs. There is not one Mikuni supplier that publishes torque and hp numbers that shows the single Mikuni performance on a Norton Commando. Why would they? It would be bad for sales.
Possibly the worst motorcycle ever made,I had on for a few years,the seat fasteners wear,the kick start starts to move on the shaft and wears out,there wasn't enough clearance to fit a thick enough chain so that wears out fast,there's a bit of folklore in the UK that says when the police had to wash there hands of them and get bmw airhead the mechanics wept with joy,I had to have mine reboared 3 times,the final nail in the coffin for British bikes,awful awful awful,get a bmw,motoguzzi,harley spotter for a similar ride without the tears
Nortons are definitely a labour of love, not the most reliable for sure as most British bikes of the era were but when there running well there great, Funny how they won which bikes bike of the year 5 years in a row from 68-72. If you have seen my other videos I also have a 74 sportster and a 79 Bonneville, they to have there own issues but I like them all. Thanks for watching Ian
@@sirrideabit651 the norton commando brought about the END of the era,it was also the mcn bike of the year for 6 years,which just goes to show the level of corruption amongst journalists at the time.an overbored 650 not capable of sustained motorway speeds
Its the mid-70s, workers were sloppy and tech was still crude. I had a 77 CB750. Great bike but chain snapped on me and destroyed the gearbox Luckily I was taking off from a start and not flying down the road when it happened. They all have their weak spots from that era.
There is no shortage of negativity when it comes to the Commando. The folklore is typical, carbs made of butter, Lucas and the Prince of darkness and of course parts were vibrating off while riding. Funny. Most of these 'knowledgeable' people have never owned a Commando and the odd one that did knows nothing about motorcycle mechanics. "I couldn't fit a bigger chain". Hilarious. Keep 'em coming.
It's great to see a Norton again in this livery.
Thank you Charlie
That is a beautiful bike, sounds and looks great, It's what bikes used to be and have a soul. Thanks for showing . RSM8
Thanks Kev, totally agree the old bikes certainly have their own soul.
Nice ! Loved it inspired me to get mine up and running.
Thank you Bruce, very humbling to know my video has inspired you to make a start on yours, good luck and thanks for watching
I noticed you never filmed towards the front when stopping. But I did see a rear view of the indicators bobbing up and down when you stopped.
The isolastic, when gapped accurately, did stop a LOT of vibration but the inherent design meant vibration.
Looked like a nice ride.
Commandos are a great bike. I ride my Dads 1968 fastback. They sound lovely when riding them. Yours looks a beauty,well done mate.
Thank you, they are definitely are a buzz to ride, thanks for watching
Here in Japan I’m waiting for a ‘75 850 to arrive from the US. Can’t wait !
Thanks very much for taking the time to make the 3 videos. They brought back memories, of my time with a couple of Interstates, both here and in London. I`m of two minds as to getting another one, the big KTM will have to go.
Thank you for watching, having owned a Norton you would definitely know what to expect, don't know if I would get one over a modern bike if that was my only ride depending on what I was using it for of course, sounds like you have some thinking to do.
Beautiful bike - the day I took my test in the UK I looked at this very model and color scheme, intent on buying it later that day. It was around 800 quid. Sadly I failed the test ... but this always remained my favorite model.
Thank's for watching Dude, l searched for more than 8 months before finding this one, a mk3 in JPS colours.
@@sirrideabit651 Although a different model, in 1989 I went to the Snetterton Race of Aces and watched the twin wankel Norton JPS smack down the Japanese bike in an easy 1-2 win - it was freakin marvelous!
Only ever seen a Wankle Norton in pictures, would be awesome see one and even better to hear one.
That is one sweet sounding, gorgeous looking bike! As with your beautiful iron-head Sportster, I also love sound and look of the old British twins...particularly the Nortons. Unfortunately, never owned one, but have always desired a '74 Commando Mk2A - last of the right side gear change. However, the practicality of the Mk3 electric start is slightly more appealing nowadays, given that I'm in my 60's!👍 Nice job mate! Best regards, Mitch
Cheers Mitch thanks again for watching
Beautiful bike! I know you have mucho dinero tied up in that machine.
Thank you, like all classics it's been a labour of love
I was looking at a 1972 interstate the other day. I read on the net, 1972 year was prone to piston trouble. They apparently improved after that year. I'm assuming the 1975 would have all been sorted out? Electric start a bonus.
Sorry for the late reply having trouble with TH-cam not adding comments and then not being able to reply? which is still ongoing. I know they had trouble with the combat motors seizing for what reason I'm not sure but you would think the issues would be sorted by now, I was told early on to stay away from them unless it had a documented service history that found and fixed the problem. The electric starter or assist as they called it wasn't the best new but most have been upgraded over time with better parts. Mine works well and has got me out of trouble a few time when stalled at intersections or forgotten to turn fuel taps back on Lol.
It’s funny, back in the mid 70s when I started in biking, I wasn’t particularly interested in the British bikes, it was all Kawasaki Z1s, Suzuki GT750s and Laverda Jotas. Now, with the passage of time I love them!
I've always been an old soul, liked the older British and American bikes as a teenager, but I have had some really nice Japanese bikes along the way as well.
Your Norton looks and sounds great. Thanks for taking us along for a ride. Where do you live? Looks like a beautiful area.
Thanks John it's running well, I live in a small place in South Australia called Whyalla.
I've owned mine since 1976 and love it.What made you lose the Amal carburettors?
Wow thats great that you have kept your bike for that long, I went for the mikuni because at the time I couldn't get the amals to work right and it looked alot easier for me with little experience to set one carb up rather than sync 2, plus having one throttle cable instead of 3. Also it seemed a popular move amongst many Norton owners, in saying that I have had no issues with the running of the amals on the Bonneville. Thanks for watching Allan and the sub.
Well done video, not to mention a really nice build with proper upgrades. What software did you use for the stills portion at the top?
Thank you Mr President...means alot coming from a Norton owners club. I'm not quite sure what you mean about the stills software but I use Canva for the thumbnail and have started to edit with FCPX. Funny that 12 years ago I imported this bike from Robins classic motorcycles in Vancouver B.C.
That is one beautiful bike, RSMF. Are you in Whyalla?
Cheers Ian, yes I am, thanks for watching.
Nice bike..are you in west oz?
Thanks mic I'm in S.A
It was a beautiful Commando until that single Mikuni carb was installed. It's lost the acceleration and the torque it was designed and engineered to produce. Shame. Norton Commandos are still one of the most sought after vintage bikes of their era. Why reduce their performance?
@robertshepherd3832 hi Robert, it was an easy solution at the time for me to keep the bike on the road. I do have a new set of Amals waiting to go back on the bike at some point.
Many Commando owners are ill informed about the single Mikuni and the inherent performance losses compared to a Commando with dual carbs. There is not one Mikuni supplier that publishes torque and hp numbers that shows the single Mikuni performance on a Norton Commando. Why would they? It would be bad for sales.
Possibly the worst motorcycle ever made,I had on for a few years,the seat fasteners wear,the kick start starts to move on the shaft and wears out,there wasn't enough clearance to fit a thick enough chain so that wears out fast,there's a bit of folklore in the UK that says when the police had to wash there hands of them and get bmw airhead the mechanics wept with joy,I had to have mine reboared 3 times,the final nail in the coffin for British bikes,awful awful awful,get a bmw,motoguzzi,harley spotter for a similar ride without the tears
Nortons are definitely a labour of love, not the most reliable for sure as most British bikes of the era were but when there running well there great, Funny how they won which bikes bike of the year 5 years in a row from 68-72. If you have seen my other videos I also have a 74 sportster and a 79 Bonneville, they to have there own issues but I like them all. Thanks for watching Ian
@@sirrideabit651 the norton commando brought about the END of the era,it was also the mcn bike of the year for 6 years,which just goes to show the level of corruption amongst journalists at the time.an overbored 650 not capable of sustained motorway speeds
Its the mid-70s, workers were sloppy and tech was still crude. I had a 77 CB750. Great bike but chain snapped on me and destroyed the gearbox Luckily I was taking off from a start and not flying down the road when it happened. They all have their weak spots from that era.
I had a 69 commando for 10 years, and never had any major problems whatsoever. Maybe I was lucky.
There is no shortage of negativity when it comes to the Commando. The folklore is typical, carbs made of butter, Lucas and the Prince of darkness and of course parts were vibrating off while riding. Funny. Most of these 'knowledgeable' people have never owned a Commando and the odd one that did knows nothing about motorcycle mechanics. "I couldn't fit a bigger chain". Hilarious. Keep 'em coming.