CAFÉ COMMANDO

Half a century has passed since Norton launched the Commando. In typical British tradition they opted to use an existing (and possibly outdated) engine in a new rolling chassis. This was based around an Isolastic frame, an attempt to calm the vibration which increased in line with the engine capacity. The idea was to isolate the engine from the frame using rubber mountings and it worked.

Initially however the new frame didn’t find favour with many traditional Norton fans. It spelled the end of the legendary, much-loved featherbed, a frame with roadholding which became the standard by which