The Commando was the main bike in Norton's range from 1968, and was produced until the demise of Norton Villers Triumph in 1977. The bike featured the unique 'Isolastic' system that rubber-mounted the engine and protected the rider from the twin-cylinder's vibrations. The model range provided the rider with a choice of touring and sporting models, as well as offering special police machines and off-the-shelf production racers. Commandos feature strongly in today's classic scene, and offer excellent performance and spares availability, as well as a vast range of improvements and updated components. This book looks at the history and development of the Commando, gives the specifications and outlines the model changes, and also offers the riding experiences of past and present owners. In addition there is a blow-by-blow account of the author's restoration of a 1971 750cc model that had been re-imported into the UK from America needing a complete rebuild. AUTHOR: Matthew Vale started his motorcycling career in 1974 at the age of sixteen with an NSU Quickly moped. This was followed by a BSA Bantam and a BSA B25SS Gold Star. He continued riding for a further ten years. Between the mid-1980s and late 1990s his career and family commitments kept him from biking, but the bug never went away, and in 1998 he bought his first restoration project, a 1970 Triumph Bonneville. He started writing books on classic bikes early in the new millennium. SELLING POINTS: A complete and readable resource for all owners of a Commando and a perfect companion for anyone considering acquiring or restoring one of these charismatic British bikes Charts the development of the range from 1968 through to 1977, describes the various models and gives detailed technical analysis of each bike Includes interviews with past and present owners Gives a full and detailed account of the author's restoration of a 1971 750cc model Matthew Vale is a long-time motorcycle enthusiast with a particular interest in British machines ILLUSTRATIONS 220 colour & b/w photographs *
Author Biography
Matthew Vale started his motorcycling career in 1974 at the age of sixteen with an NSU Quickly moped. This was followed by a BSA Bantam and a BSA B25SS Gold Star. He continued riding for a further ten years. Between the mid-1980s and late 1990s his career and family commitments kept him from biking, but the bug never went away, and in 1998 he bought his first restoration project, a 1970 Triumph Bonneville. He started writing books on classic bikes early in the new millennium. This is his fifth book for Crowood.
