In The Loop | Episode 19 - 1972 Norton Commando 

Has it been reliable?

@@Spartansrule118 Yes, as long as you keep up with the maintenance.

I think those are semi western, like my 750 .

At some point someone put a shorter throttle cable on and that was the only way to get any free play. The way it came in it was pulling the slides up quite a bit.

Touche pal just love their torque

I’m sure I would consider that “lugging” the engine which is not a good practice. Isn’t shifting part of the fun of riding a motorcycle? Also, those are very slow corners, top gear is just out of the question.

Thanks! Yeah we are lucky to have such a good route so close.

You got a great deal. I paid $1900 for the same year. I wouldn't remember the price after all these years, other than still having the original registration.

Thanks so much for taking the time to say that!

Thanks!

Totally agree

Thanks!

I agree, the bike should be smooth above 2500 rpm. The isolastics use shims, major PITA, in 1975 they went to vernier adjusters and most people will or should retrofit . The 1975 Estart can be made reliable. I just completed a nut &bolt resto of a 1973 850, Colorado Norton Works electric start and Brembo 320 mil floating disc and master. Nothing like riding a Norton!

My '72 was a blue metal flake with fiberglass tank and side covers as well. Combat motor. I bought it with a few thousand miles on it from a guy who wanted a pound of pot, so I paid him $600 and rode it home in '76. I'm still riding it, but I bet that pouind of pot didn't last the other guy very long. I've had that bike from coast to coast and in Alaska as well. I did a complete ground-up rebuild a few years ago and of course, along with new superblend bearings, I added an electronic ignition and went to a steel tank. Color is now black with gold letters and striping. Looks great, runs and rides even better and remains my favorite bike..

We must around the same age. My DOB is 19Dec51. I got my 750 Norton Commando with the Combat engine in the summer of 75 when I was transferred to my first W. Germany assignment (USAF). I think it was either a 72 or 73. It was known as the "Fastback" model with fiberglas tank, side covers and the bit around the seat too and was painted orange or kinda red. My first bike I got around 1970 which was a late 60s Bultaco Pursang which I used to take out to the desert in S. Cal (I grew up in LA). Then I got a early 70s Honda CB350 for the street. Used to tag along with a LAPD motorcycle officer, John T. Lawler, who was like a big brother to me, so decided to join LAPD early 72, but I was too skinny! Height requirement wasn't a problem for this Chinaman, I'm 6'1", but only weighed around 135/140 at the time so, while they wanted me, I was too light! Ended up joining the AF instead! Man, I so wish I had kept that Norton! Probably more faithful than my German girlfriend!

Apparently you have been living under a rock, modern classics are one of the best selling categories of motorcycles. Royal Enfield made 850,000 motorcycles in 2022.

@@throttlecompany “modern” classics are not the same bikes that were made 50 to 60 years ago. No comparison. I had a 62 BSA Thunderbolt and bought a new 68 BSA Lightning. Wouldn’t want either for a daily driver today. The Royal Enfield sales are usually driven by the cheap price and most reviews use that as a qualifier. Certainly not a bike that you can brag about owning unless you buy your clothes from the clearance rack. 😂

What kind of douchebag cares which “rack” people buy their clothes from? If you ride a motorcycle based on whether you can brag about it or not, you are a fool who cares too much about what other people think.

@@throttlecompany Agreed! I've had my '72 for 47 years, and here in Wyoming, very few even know what a Norton is, but I do. I will say though, that I plugged my chain oiler soon after I got him because of the "racing stripe" left from the oil slung from the chain onto my left leg and back. Otherwise, I would have had to buy even more of my clothes from the clearance rack. I had a '68 Electraglide for many years while also riding the Norton, and occassionaly, I would hit the brake on the harley when I was trying to shift into 4th, but the momentum of the beast kept me going straight. Still have the Norton. Sold the '68 Electraglide which was stone stock for a fortune a few years ago, but the Norton and me are as one. Great video.

I'd buy a new (Exact) one in a heartbeat....or a 70's Ducati 750GT...two bikes I Should have kept ...Dave nz

I don’t think it would have fired. At least on the right cylinder, the exhaust valve was held open with corn. Plus we did our standard vintage inspection which includes compression check and camera in the cylinder so hopefully we always catch something like this.

It’s a little outside of our year range but I’d love to!

The Royal Enfield is just so easy to own and ride. The Norton is very sexy and unique l, but really takes a knowledgeable owner to keep running. If you can keep an old bike going, it can be very rewarding in a way that a new bike can never be.

Very true👍

The 750 absolutely annihilates a modern 650 RE in performance. Standard quarter, roll on, top speed, etc. Similar fuel economy to the enfield. Around town , commuting, general ergonomics, ease of operation, convenience and reliability. RE hands down. Its got an electric starter !..... that works !!! When I go on a ride I don't need to bring the emergency tool selection ,which I modify depending on the journey, strapped to the norton. Although the norton has never left me stranded there's always that niggling breakdown anxiety accompanying every journey when riding a commando. All up the RE is truly the better bike. Fabulous engine and chassis design. Um Norton..., don't go there.No known reliability problems or design flaws. Really really like the enfield. Both bikes move the body but only the commando moves this soul.

Combat was 9:l compression wasn't it? Must have better mains crank and rods to be still running.

Thanks! I’m sure this one could use new rubber mounts.

As they used to say… “weird flex,but ok”

Easy to know now if you bought a Norton in the 70's there are many suppliers of brand new Norton parts that are easy to buy to keep your Norton like new. Not so for the Asian manufacturers who stop supplying parts after a few years so you will buy a new bike and scrap the one you spent your hard earned money on. Those buyers of Asian iron never saw that coming. Too bad.