1975 Norton Commando Mk3 850 Solo Motorcycle - From the 'Ian Cummins Collection'

Description

Unveiled as a replacement for the 750 Atlas in 1967, Norton’s new flagship, the Commando, boasted an entirely new frame design by a former Rolls-Royce engineer, Dr Stefan Bauer, featuring an innovative Isolastic system anti-vibration system.  Mounted in a canted position, the engine, gearbox and swing-arm assembly were all bolted together and isolated by rubber mounts for a vibration-free ride.  The Commando was powered by an air-cooled parallel twin whose origins can be traced back to the Bert Hopwood-designed Model 7 of the late 1940s.  Well-received by the press and public alike, Norton’s latest won the Motorcycle News “Machine of the Year” award five years in succession.  The earliest Mark 1 Commandos had a twin leading-shoe front drum brake and the original Fastback model was joined by the scrambler-style 750S variant, with a high exhaust, smaller fuel tank and front forks lacking any shrouds.  Production of the 750 Commando continued into the early 1970s, with the final Mark V appearing in 1972, before the 850cc replacement was launched the following year.  An improved Mark 3 850 appeared in 1975, boasting an electric starter, better vibration damping, a rear disc brake and the gearchange moved to the left side (with the foot brake now on the right) to comply with US regulations.  Sold in Roadster and Interstate versions, the latter using a 5.25 gallon tank, the revised 850 remained in production until 1977.  The Commando enjoyed a strong racing career, initially with privateers running in production classes but later with the works team using more highly developed versions, including Peter Williams victory on a John Player-sponsored Norton in the Formula 750 Isle of Man TT in 1973.  Viewed by many pundits as the last of the classic British twins, Norton's Commando has a loyal following today and very well supported by clubs and specialists around the world.