Norton Commando 850 MKIII 1975 Roadster. Ride though the Peak District National Park. 

Thanks.👍

Owned that identical machine in 1980s. Great bike, great memories.

Thanks.👍

Thanks, glad you like it.👍

Thanks. 👍

Will do! As soon as the weather improves (one year it was as early as February!) I'll be back out there. Can't wait. 👍👍👍

Thanks. Ride safe too. 👍

Hi Peter, I had a 2nd hand 750 commando and later I traded it on a new cb750. The Honda was so reliable but give me the norton any day looking back now. Cheers

@@peterwilliamson4296 Hello back Peter, Sure, it depends on the year. Anything from the 60s and 70s, are classic enough to turn heads. But sure, the rarity of Norton's makes them desirable though constantly in need of tuning. At least from my memory. Maybe the newer models were created to not need valve adjustment 1nce a month and whatever else needed tuning. But yes, I owned the 75 Honda from 87, to 2005. And all I did was replace worn out parts. The pipes seemed so thin, i had to replace one whole side. They had small rust holes on the bottom of the outer skin and I finally replaced it with factory. Still, had more hp than the t100. But I like um both. Both for style and sound. It's a certain person that likes classic over power. But at 69, both are plenty sufficient now, haha. I had a VMAX during the time with the Honda. Got my need for speed during those years. Now it's just a weekend ride now and then, just to keep both her and me in tune. Maybe one of the grandkids may want her. But they live up north, so winter is too hard and dangerous to ride too much. Oh to be younger again. Take care.

Thanks.👍

I don't thrash them, far from it, but the odd quick blast down a fast A road is what they're all about. 👍

It's great. 🙂👍

Apparently the original starters were NOS when they fitted them so they called it " electric assistance ". I guess they still expected you to kick the bike as you pushed the button!

The Gopro camera has two weaknesses: First of all it makes me look like I'm going twice as fast as I actually am (check the speedo) and secondly it shows massively reduced visibility ahead compared to what the rider can see in reality. Makes me look like a kind of daredevil rider though! 😅😉

It should have been on the video, but I accidentally turned the camera off without realising! Basically it's a floating disc and uprated calliper from Norvil (they offer several alternatives) together with an uprated master cylinder from Andover Norton. 👍

@@Chris.rooke150 you could have just sleeved the master cylinder

Yes, it is. The way the cross shaft is placed means that it turns in the same direction on both sides. 👍

The isolastics are great, and this being a MKIII, are easily adjusted. Cameras are always a problem as they are so expensive. Mine are a few years old now but cost about £300 each. I'm very aware of their limitations, especially regarding sound, but at the moment the cost of buying new kit is beyond my means. PS You may have noticed that despite having a rear view camera there is no footage from it on the video - that's because it's getting a bit old now and simply refused to record on the day.😒

@@Chris.rooke150 The videos you post are great. When you posted videos during lockdown they were a great help keeping me sane! Thanks for everything that you do

Have you also changed the master cylinder? RGM (I think) do an upgrade that will help, or enquire about softer brake pads. Hopefully see you out in Derbyshire sometime! 👍👍👍

Thanks for the reply. It has the original master cylinder. Apparently, they can be sleeved to improve pressure. I'll try new pads and vapour blasting the disk. I hope to get back on those roads soon!

Like yours, mine are not actual covers, but are just thin plastic dust sheets bought from the local DIY shop. They rip quite easily but are just as easily replaced. 👍

@@Chris.rooke150 Clear shower curtains are much more durable, and cheap. I can get 2 for $10 here in the states.

Very difficult with the paint on Nortons as the paint codes are all lost. As a result you tend to choose something you like as the original colour is almost impossible to achieve.

And all the other stickers everywhere, and the end off the chain guard and the end off the front mudguard and the original air filter, and the Zener diodes and rectifier. Also note the non original stainless steel bolts throughout, and the allen screw engine case bolts, stainless wheel rims and spokes, Avon Roadrunner tyres, the chromed chain guard and side stand, the oil pressure gauge, AGM battery, stainless steel mudguards uprated front master cylinder, brake hoses calliper and disc, drilled rear disc, LED lights, non standard paintwork, and of course the powder coated frame. Apart from that, completely original in every detail. 😉

I'd like to think that it's because all my bikes are well tuned, the pipes don't blue, despite me riding them hard. 👍

Yes, Veglia! I can never remember it! Anyway, their parts are completely unavailable so I'm planning on changing the clocks sometime this year. 👍

The needle swinging back and forth reminded me of the Veglia instruments on my 1978 Guzzi 850 T3

To be honest for some reason the camera makes it look considerably faster than it really is - and it therefore makes it look like I'm a bit of a wild riding daredevil, so I'll take that! 😁😁😁

I'm not an expert on Norton History but I believe that Commandos were originally made at Andover and then at Andover and Wolverhampton, and from 1973 onwards, just at Wolverhampton. After the collapse of NVT in 1975 a final few bikes were assembled back in Andover using any remaining parts from the collapsed company. So as mine is a 1975 MKIII, I think it was indeed built at Wolverhampton.

@@Chris.rooke150 Thanks for that Chris. I'm on the look out for a Commando 850 that I can enjoy and hopefully pass on to the kids when I pop me clogs - but would prefer one of the Wolverhampton made models as the kids & me were 'made in Wolverhampton', hence the question. Cheers mate.

👍👍👍 Good luck!

They're fine. I had a T140 for many years and used it for all year commuting. It also once took us all the way to Spain and back, two up, for a Summer holiday. It's main flaw was that it wasn't the best looking bike in the world (Breadbin type tank) but it was pretty reliable and I had no trouble with the oil in frame situation.👍

That's entirely a matter of personal opinion. If by better you mean disc rear brake, electric start, good switch gear, adjustable isolastics, a self-adjusting primary chain, and left foot gear change, then yes, but if you're not bothered about all that, or believe that proper Commandos shouldn't have electric start (coz you're a Luddite 😉) and don't like the massive air filter, then maybe no. 🤔😉

@@Chris.rooke150 No,I don't think I'm a Luddite as I've an Alton starter fitted to my Mk2.

I wasn't suggesting you were at all. Apologies if that's what you thought. How well does the Alton starter work?

@@Chris.rooke150 Very well.

The camera makes it look like I'm going twice as fast as I really am, and with half the visibility! Makes me look like a daredevil!! 😁😁😁😉

@@Chris.rooke150 I learned that years ago when I mounted a Super 8 movie camera on the front of my bike.

Sadly I'd have to agree. See my Restoration manual regarding this. www.amazon.co.uk/Restore-Norton-Commando-Enthusiasts-Restoration/dp/1787113949/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=Chris+Rooke&qid=1651323349&sr=8-3

Once I'd looked in the rear view mirrors and saw 4 or 5 cars behind me.. when I turned my head the see ...there was only one ! I stopped flossing my teeth because the vibrations loosend the tarter .... If you owned one you know what I'm saying.