"Feedback"

"FEEDBACK"

Readers are invited to have their say about motorcycles they own or have owned. Anything is fair game: performance, handling, reliability, service, parts availabil ity, funkiness, lovability, you name it. Suggestions: be objective, be fair, no wildly emotional but ill-founded invectives; include use ful facts like miles on odometer, time owned, model year, special equipment and accessories bought, etc.

1969 NORTON COMMANDO

I had a ’69 Norton Commando fastback which I bought in May 1970 with 2600 miles on it. It was in excellent shape, except that it burned a bit of oil and also leaked a bit (what English bike doesn’t). The handling was excellent, braking fair (front brake good, rear brake poor), and acceleration was excellent with a top speed of 115 mph. The gas mileage was great, but atypical of Nortons. I achieved 60 mpg consistently, while my friends with Nortons only managed 35-40 mpg.

However, the oil consumption was poor. The worst was one quart in 300 miles on a very hot day, traveling at speeds of 85-115 mph for over 100 miles.

It was very comfortable on the highway and cruised as well as in the city. Its light and positive clutch was the best of any bike I have ever driven.

Front end shake was the only big problem I had with the bike. It started at about 3500-4000 miles and grew worse. Vibration through the front foot pegs became quite noticeable. I took it to several Norton dealers and they checked the engine mounts but said that they were alright. They couldn’t suggest any remedy for the shake, other than a steering damper which they were out of and would have had to order from England.

This problem shake occurred on quite a few other Nortons, but some never had the problem. Apparently the changed rake and wider front tires on the newest model cured the problem. Despite the shake, and an accident it caused me, I still loved the bike and only sold it in March ’71 due to financial problems.

I really miss my Norton so I have decided to sell my GTO Judge and buy a new Norton Commando.

Charles MacLean Toronto, Canada

"MODULAR PARTS"

I have a complaint about Honda dealerships (like a lot of other guys). I went to a nearby Honda dealer and wanted two 4-mm bolts for the point adjustment. They told me that 1 would have to buy new points, a backing plate anti some other junk 1 didn’t need, just to get those two bolts. Or, I could get a set of points for $1.95, but there weren’t any bolts with it.

I finally ended up going to an automotive supply store to get them. Isn’t there some way to get dealers to sell the bolts without having to buy useless parts?

Daryl Mobraten Van Nuys, California

There are pros and cons to this parts replacement concept. On the one hand, you have to buy some useless parts to get the ones you needed. On the other hand, the modular or “parts group” concept simplifies inventory and shipping logistics for dealer and distributor, thus lowering the costs inherent in stocking and filing. Over a protracted period of ownership, you may end up saving money, assuming that the dealer passes these savings on to the consumer. — Ed.

LOVING SERVICE

This past month my cousin, who was scrambling for the first time at Lewisburg, Ohio, had the exhaust pipe break off during practice. We inquired at the track and were about ready to give up when someone suggested the local Honda shop. Since this was a Sunday morning, our hopes were not high, but we hurried to the shop and luckily caught the dealer there.

To my surprise he was more than happy to help us. He dug through the shop and found a pipe, cut it and then welded it. Upon completion of the job we asked him what we owed him. He must have sensed that we were low on funds and said, “If it’s going to run you short, make it $4.” It was hardly worth putting off his closing for two hours. Thanks to his efforts we were back in time to go racing.

I commend Honda of Lewisburg, for that dealer has the betterment of the riders in mind. I only hope more dealers will consider the riders, for a deed well done such as this is a credit to our sport and is never forgotten.

John R. Plummer Dayton, Ohio