Norton Commando

Norton Commando
1973 Commando 850
ManufacturerNorton-Villiers
Also calledSS, Hi-Rider, 850 Roadster, 850 Interstate
Engine745 and 828 cc (45.5 and 50.5 cu in) air-cooled OHV parallel-twin
Top speed115 mph (185 km/h) (750)[1]
Power58 bhp (43 kW) @ 6,800 rpm (750)[1]
Transmission4-speed (chain)
Wheelbase56.75 in (1,441 mm)
DimensionsL: 87.5 in (2,220 mm)
W: 26 in (660 mm)
Seat height(nominal) 33 - 34 in (838.2 - 863.6 mm)
Weight420 lb (190 kg)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity10 L (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal)

The Norton Commando is a British Norton-Villiers motorcycle with an OHV pre-unit parallel-twin engine, produced by the Norton Motorcycle company from 1967 until 1977. Initially having a nominal 750 cc displacement, actually 745 cc (45.5 cu in), in 1973 it became an 850 cc, actually 828 cc (50.5 cu in). It had a hemi-type head, similar to all OHV Norton engines since the early 1920s.

During its ten years of production, the Commando was popular all over the world. In the United Kingdom it won the Motor Cycle News "Machine of the Year" award for five successive years from 1968 to 1972.[2] Around 60,000 Commandos were made in total.[3]

  1. ^ a b c Brown 2004, pp. 106–107
  2. ^ Shaw, Alan. "Norton Commando, A Short History". Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  3. ^ Henshaw 2010, p. 7