1970 Norton Commando

1970 Norton Commando Background & History

The 1970 Norton Commando line grew to four models, then shrunk back down to three again by years end. What started in 1968 with one model, the Norton Commando (with Fastback styling, but not yet using that name), then grew in 1969 to two models, the Commando Fastback (now using this name to differentiate itself from other Commandos) and the Commando Type S (Street Scrambler) with high pipes on the left side. Now for the 1970 model year, a third model was added, and the one that would come to symbolize the Norton Commando and the Norton brand as a whole. The Commando Type R, was called the 1970 Norton Commando Roadster. It had the same tank and seat as the Type S, but with attractive down pipes and tastefully upswept reverse-cone silencers. The whole package looked fantastic. In fact, after over five decades, the 1970 Norton Commando Roadster still looks great.  

In addition, the Commando Production Racer was introduced as a factory race bike made available for the first time to the public.  It was the one Commando spinoff that did indeed have extensive mechanical modifications over the stock bikes.  And, boy did it!  Hand-built engines, 'clip-ons' and 'rear-sets', number plates and a fairing made this a serious race bike, yet it was still..., er, street legal. Part way through the 1970 model year, the Type S was dropped from the lineup. The Fastback got the same upswept reverse cone mufflers as the Roadster and became the Fastback MkII. The Roadster, now the only other model, was still considered a MkI. These designations would all be reshuffled again for 1971.  (MkI reads: Mark One)

1970 Norton Commando Roadster

The 1970 Norton Commando Roadster was a handsome brute.  Beautiful and powerful at the same time.  And it was a big machine, larger and longer, and almost 70 pounds heavier than a 1970 Triumph Bonneville, and yet graceful and nimble.  In fact the Norton’s wheelbase was over 2-1/2 inches longer than the Bonneville’s.  Yet, nothing handled better than a Norton at the time, and for a short time at least, nothing was faster.  When the 1968 Norton Commando was introduced, it was the fastest production motorcycle in world, and held that title until it was taken by the 1969 Triumph Trident, which soon lost it to t he 1969 Honda CB750.  But, the die had been cast, and image is reality.  The big Norton Commando had that tough-guy bravado that was certainly backed up with some real muscle.  The Commando Roadster truly became the banner for the Norton brand from here on.  It was the Norton that most people were familiar with, and was the probably also the sexiest Norton, and perhaps the sexiest motorcycle built anywhere at the time.  What would have beat it?  Nothing from Japan could compare style-wise.  By 1970 the Trident was a great-looking bike, but it would be hard to beat the ruggedly handsome Commando Roadster.  Maybe something obscure from Europe.  Again, it's all a matter of personal taste.

1970 Norton Commando Street Scrambler

The 1970 Norton Commando Model S continued on through part of the 1970 model year.  Meant to be a ‘street scrambler’, the high pipes were intended to improve cornering clearance in tight turns, and also in mild off-road conditions.  It was a great look with those two chromed pipes hugging the top of the primary chain case then splaying out into two elegantly-shaped reverse-cone mufflers, all covered by a substantial heat shield.  The Model S used all the same mechanicals and cosmetics as the new Roadster.  The exhaust systems and their associated hardware were the only changes between the Model S and the Roadster.  Midway through the 1970 model year, Norton dropped the Model S.  But, fear not, it would return.

1970 Norton Commando Fastback

The Fastback was the first Commando released to the public. Almost Commandos are basically mechanically-identical (with a few notable exceptions), so it all came down to the bodywork. In the case of the Fastback, it had a stylish tank, a unique wraparound seat and that cute little fiberglass ducktail fender over the stainless rear mudguard.  The looks were a love-it-or-hate-it proposition, based almost entirely on personal taste in the styling department.  Again, all three models of 1970 Norton Commando were mechanically identical, so it was a matter of the looks.  Once the drop-dead gorgeous Commando Roadster was released, it’s hard to imagine very many buyers chose the looks of the Fastback over the Roadster, but obviously many did.  However the 1970 Norton Commando Fastback benefitted by the new Roadster's upswept pipes and elegantly-shaped reverse-cone silencers (mufflers).

1970 Norton Commando Production Racer

By 1970, the racing successes of the Norton Commando were already piling up, mostly from privateers, many of them Norton dealers in England and America.  So, from 1970 through 1972 Norton produced a factory Production Racer version of the powerful Commando.  However, unlike virtually all other versions of the Commando which were largely cosmetic packages, Norton made major mechanical upgrades to the Production Racer (PR).  Since they were all painted bright yellow from the factory, and they were so very fast, the PR became known as “The Yellow Peril”.  It came with number plates molded into it’s fiberglass rear fender and an optional half fairing.  Low, ‘clip-on’ handlebars and rear seat foot pegs and controls placed the rider into a position all too familiar in today’s sport bikes, but rarely seen on the streets in 1970.  In fact the PR was never intended to be ridden on the street although they were built with lights and were technically street legal.  Exact numbers don't exist today, but estimates range from 119 to around 200 produced through the PR's 3-year production lifespan.

The 1970 Norton Commando Production racer got all the best parts. The engines were meticulously hand-assembled to the most exacting tolerances.  Cylinder heads were flow tested and had squish bands machined into the combustion chambers.  Larger intake valves ride in phosphor-bronze guides, and the rocker arms are lightened and polished.  The '3S' racing cam was used along with high compression pistons, and the connecting rods were precisely weighed and matched.  The twin carburetors were standard 32mm Amal Concentrics, although Amal GPs were optional.  Boyer-Bransden electronic ignition was also available as an option.  Also optional was the Quaife 5-speed gearbox.  All of this combined to make 68 horsepower at a lofty 7,000 RPM compared to the standard Commando’s 58 horsepower.  The Yellow Peril was devilishly fast, handled better than anything else on the street or the track, and thanks to the Isolastic suspension, it was even smooth, rare for a Brit bike.

1970 Norton Commando "Machine of the Year"

Motor Cycle News awarded its prestigious “Machine of the Year Award” to the 1970 Norton Commando, based on a poll of their readers. Today, we’d call this the “Peoples’ Choice Award”. The Commando won this honor every year from 1968 to 1972.

1970 Norton Commando Specifications

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1970 Norton Commando Books

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