Norton's popular Commando had a fulfilling if all too brief career with it eight different styling variations. During its lifespan the Commando changed from a free-spinning 750 to a high torque, low revving 850. Along the way it provided enormous success on the race track for hundreds of riders with perhaps its greatest victory being that of the Norton Race Department's brilliant development engineer, Peter Williams on a 750 monocoque in the 1973 Isle of Man TT Formula 750 at a record average speed of over 105mph. On the street, meanwhile, and perhaps most important of all, the unique Isolastic engine mounting system effectively detached the Commando rider – once above 2,500 rpm, that is – from the Achilles heel of all large capacity British twins. Vibration. The Roadster was launched at the Brighton Motorcycle Show in April 1969, expressly to meet American demand, following the US market's rather lukewarm enthusiasm for the earlier Commando Fastback model. Featuring a slim fuel tank, exposed fork stanchions, and upswept mufflers, the Roadster's crisp profile perfectly caught the mood, continuing thereafter as Norton's most voluminous seller. Baxter Cycle of Marne, Iowa sold this Commando to the Vandergriffs on 26 July, 2003. In October, the same year, the engine and gearbox was rebuilt by Cycle Service also of Marne, Iowa for a total of $3,901.33 labor and parts. Originally red it was custom painted in John Player 'racing white' in September 2008. It was last ridden in 2014 as recorded in the history file. It remains in very good condition and should start and run after the familiar safety checks.
Norton's popular Commando had a fulfilling if all too brief career with it eight different styling variations. During its lifespan the Commando changed from a free-spinning 750 to a high torque, low revving 850. Along the way it provided enormous success on the race track for hundreds of riders with perhaps its greatest victory being that of the Norton Race Department's brilliant development engineer, Peter Williams on a 750 monocoque in the 1973 Isle of Man TT Formula 750 at a record average speed of over 105mph. On the street, meanwhile, and perhaps most important of all, the unique Isolastic engine mounting system effectively detached the Commando rider – once above 2,500 rpm, that is – from the Achilles heel of all large capacity British twins. Vibration. The Roadster was launched at the Brighton Motorcycle Show in April 1969, expressly to meet American demand, following the US market's rather lukewarm enthusiasm for the earlier Commando Fastback model. Featuring a slim fuel tank, exposed fork stanchions, and upswept mufflers, the Roadster's crisp profile perfectly caught the mood, continuing thereafter as Norton's most voluminous seller. Baxter Cycle of Marne, Iowa sold this Commando to the Vandergriffs on 26 July, 2003. In October, the same year, the engine and gearbox was rebuilt by Cycle Service also of Marne, Iowa for a total of $3,901.33 labor and parts. Originally red it was custom painted in John Player 'racing white' in September 2008. It was last ridden in 2014 as recorded in the history file. It remains in very good condition and should start and run after the familiar safety checks.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
