Norton Commando

The Norton Commando is one of the most iconic motorcycles of all time. Launched in 1967, its sleek style has inspired hundreds of custom builds—and it’s regarded by many to be the archetype of the classic café racer.

The success of the Norton Commando was something of a surprise, since it was based around an old-style pre-unit engine. The vibration from this engine was reduced by using rubber mounts—the famous ‘Isolastic’ system that replaced the featherbed frame.

Over its ten-year production span, capacity of the parallel twin engine rose from 745 to 828 cc and several models were produced. These included the original Fastback, the S Type scrambler (with a high level exhaust), the Street Scrambler and the awkward-looking ‘Hi Rider.’

By the time Norton hit financial trouble, just two models were left: the ‘Mk.3 Interstate’ and the ‘Roadster.’ And come the mid 70s, competition from the Japanese makes become too fierce for the Commando to survive. The Commando name disappeared until 2010, when the ‘new’ Commando 961 from Stuart Garner’s reborn company appeared on the market.