Norton Commando 750

The title refers to the nickname given to my 1972 Combat Roadster. It was stripped to the bare bones, no indicators or centre stand. Bellmouths & a Dunstall 2-1-2 exhaust, later on clip ons & rearsets. If anyone remembers 'The Used Motorcycle Guide' it featured twice as the cover bike.

In the 5 years & 10k miles I had it it suffered 2 major blow ups, & heaven knows how many minor breakdowns. I've since learnt that some of the problems may have been caused by the points ignition timing 'wandering' as the system wears - retro fitted electronic ignition seems to be the way to go.

It was very quick for an 'old brit'. None of my mates on Lightnings, Bonnies or Tridents could stay with it, nor a Honda 750-4, Guzzis or Ducatis. Got pulled for speeding more on that bike than any other I've owned before or since.

Good points. The sound, torque, handling. speed. Lots of alloy & stainless to polish.

Bad points. The electrics. Overstretched Combat engine. Small fuel tank. Terrible front disc brake.

The title refers to the nickname given to my 1972 Combat Roadster. It was stripped to the bare bones, no indicators or centre stand. Bellmouths & a Dunstall 2-1-2 exhaust, later on clip ons & rearsets. If anyone remembers 'The Used Motorcycle Guide' it featured twice as the cover bike.

In the 5 years & 10k miles I had it it suffered 2 major blow ups, & heaven knows how many minor breakdowns. I've since learnt that some of the problems may have been caused by the points ignition timing 'wandering' as the system wears - retro fitted electronic ignition seems to be the way to go.

It was very quick for an 'old brit'. None of my mates on Lightnings, Bonnies or Tridents could stay with it, nor a Honda 750-4, Guzzis or Ducatis. Got pulled for speeding more on that bike than any other I've owned before or since.

Good points. The sound, torque, handling. speed. Lots of alloy & stainless to polish.

Bad points. The electrics. Overstretched Combat engine. Small fuel tank. Terrible front disc brake.

It looked great, It looked beautiful, it sounded brilliant as well. That was when it was running. :-) I had constant ignition timing issues despite changing out the ignition and carbs. In short, I got tired of kick starting an 850cc (multiple times) in full leathers at every other intersection. The brakes were frighteningly awful in comparison with a more modern bike. The poor thing spent half of it's time in the shop - sadly. I really wanted it to turn out well as I had wanted the bike since boyhood, but it was just not meant to be. Sold it and bought a Triumph Sprint instead.... no turning back.

I first bought a 750cc. Norton Commado in1971. it was a roadster . as being my first motorcycle was a challange to kick start. the late 1974 and 1975 had a more or less useless electric start.I was happy with my next two,were a750.cc combat and 850cc commando roadster. on my combat I added a Dunstall exhaust system. boy did that bike go! my 850cc. was more of a touring machine. i rode that rascall from Ottawa Ont. to Victoria b.c. in 4 days. The reason I had picked Norton was for handeling looks and sound.when I sold my 850 I regretted it,for prices had gone up to classic bike prices.

Regardless Iknow these and all British motorcycles quite well,asIhave restord many over the years. iI have owned Harley Davidson and currently have M0t0Guzzi Eldorado.My ears and eyes are always looking for deals for any Norton whatever year ps. I am always open to ? mechanically or otherwise

The Norton Commando 750 was one of the first so-called superbikes. Actually it's quiite horrible compared to some of its competitors when it was new, eg, the Honda CB750. Anyway, I've owned my Norton Commando Interstate from new - 1972 and I've ridden it on-and off for most of that time. I can't bring myself to part with it, so I've instead, I usually use a second more reliable bike for commuting ( Yamaha, Kawasaki, etc). In the 37 years I've owned it, I've rebuilt the engine twice and the gerarbox once. Washed out the clutch to remove oil numerous times, Was always fiddling withe the points until I fitted a Boyer electronic ignition - fantastic. Been around Europe on it a few times. I was surprised recently how it's kept its value.

Outstanding handling, great lean looks. That sound of a 750 Commando pulling hard has the same reation to human ears as a v-12 Ferrari at full chat. There is nothing like it. Had mine since new in 1971!

A stupendous classic, right there with the Ducati 750 and 900's. Think of it as a Triumph Bonnie on steroids.

Everybody should try the Norton Commando, I fell in love at first drive. Good handling, lots of torque. Great looks, great sounds!

Feelings you cant get with new bikes.

As time has gone by people have forgotten that the alternatives to the Commando were either fast terrible handling Japanese bikes or fast good handling but unreliable Italian bikes. I used to think that all journalists at the time could think of were bikes that could start with the press of a button and switchgear that was labelled (as if you could see that at 100 mph!). My view was that riding was about fun and that there was no better feeling that leaning your bike to the limit on a twisty road. I have owned 4 Commandos a 1968 750, a 1973 750 both Fastbacks. A 1975 850 amd a 1974 850 both Roadsters and I still the 1974. I won best Classic at a show with it in 2005.

This Norton Commando 750 represents the one of the best early super bikes. An original bad boy bike. It is timeless.