2002-2010 an Ode to my Commando

.




I just repost a subject that i wrote a couple of years ago on the Southsiders blog about my 850 Commando. I just sold her to a friend of mine to start a new project but ... its still hard to think about her :(

April 2002, after 21 years of good old loyal services, I decide to “break up” with my T140 Bonnie and acquire for the first time a Norton Commando.
I wanted a European model with gear change on the left same as on my Triumph that I knew by heart.

It would be a 850 MK3 Commando interstate from 1977 with only 9000 miles on clock.
When I discovered my new motorcycle I decided firmly to make it an every day Norton that I could use whenever I wanted, easily and without any restraint.
In some way from this classic, bike I wanted to make a modern and trustable one. Transformations were necessary ...

First of all the breaking system with a floating disk package of 300 mm on the front,
a grimeca caliper, a new master cylinder, all together allowing an optimal efficiency. Rear break had also been significantly improved: by change of original “master cylinder” made of steel that rust inside and never miss to block the hose. The new stainless steel “master cylinder” from (MAP) definitively solved this global problem of all MK3.

Wheels have been reconditioned by Patrick with alloy akront 18” WM3 and WM4 rims. This allowed the use of modern tyres (bridgestone BT45).
The way it modified the handling is really radical. The end of K81 had come!
The stainless steel spokes allow an easy maintenance.
Standard ignition has been replaced by an electronical “boyer”
Girling rear shocks too old fashioned are replaced by Ikon shocks (Koni in French slang) adjustable in compression and also in rebound, the improvement is also very sensitive.

On the transmission side, the primary is made by RGM with belt. The weight gained is really impressive (14 kg includind electric start devices ) and as a matter of fact maintenance is much easier. The loss of the electrical starter is the other side of the medal. For make-up, of course a black painting with Norton logo made by Momo (MBS) in Toulouse, then some details such as replacement of rear light by a more ancient one and the front mudguard in aluminium allow to give lighter appearance to the MK3 that Time made a bit too heavy.

The Norton design is perfectly matching with my expectation of a motorcycle:
stylish, brutal and…sexy! For me in the classic bike world it is the
closest to perfection...





.