The Norton Commando Bible

A detailed history of the Norton Commando: its antecedents, development, and year-by-year production changes, including the turbulent story of the company that built it, bringing the story right up to the present day. This book also includes expert advice on owning and maintaining one of these iconic bikes, as well as information on clubs, websites and spares. Featuring great colour photos, including original advertising material, and comprehensive appendices of facts, figures, contacts, technical specifications, engine/frame numbers, and road test performance figures, this is the definitive book of a bike that truly deserves the term ‘classic.’

The Norton Commando is a motorcycle with an ohv pre-unit parallel-twin engine, produced by the Norton Motorcycle Company from 1967 until 1977. With over 700 colour photographs, this book provides step-by-step guides to restoring every component of this classic bike. Topics covered include how to find a worthy restoration project; setting up a workshop with key tools and equipment; dismantling the motorcycle to restore the chassis, engine cradle and swing arm; restoring the isolastic suspension, forks and steering; tackling the engine, transmission, carburettors, electrics, ignition and instruments and, finally, overhauling wheels and brakes, and replacing tyres. There is also a chapter on the assembly of a restored 'Five Times Machine of the Year' motorcycle.

Motorcycles: general interest.

The Commando was the main bike in Norton's range from 1968, and was produced until the demise of Norton Villers Triumph in 1977. The bike featured the unique 'Isolastic' system that rubber-mounted the engine and protected the rider from the twin-cylinder's vibrations. The model range provided the rider with a choice of touring and sporting models, as well as offering special police machines and off-the-shelf production racers. Commandos feature strongly in today's classic scene, and offer excellent performance and spares availability, as well as a vast range of improvements and updated components. This book looks at the history and development of the Commando, gives the specifications and outlines the model changes, and also offers the riding experiences of past and present owners. In addition there is a blow-by-blow account of the author's restoration of a 1971 750cc model that had been re-imported into the UK from America needing a complete rebuild.

Dramatically styled, minimalist in stature, yet bristling with innovative engineering, the 900 Monster created a new niche market. This book provides a guide through the maze of Monsters produced over the past 18 years.

The Kawasaki Triples Bible covers the entire production of three cylinder two-strokes from 1967 to 1980, featuring a year by year breakdown of bike specs, including the KH250, 350 S2, KH400, H1 500 and H2 750 models. Illustrated with hundreds of archive photographs and period adverts, plus personal memories from some of the racers and tuners who got the best from the fearsome H1 500 and H2 750 machines of the 60s and 70s, this is an invaluable resource for any collector or restorer of these fabulous motorcycles. With information provided by Kawasaki Museum, acknowledged experts such as Rick Brett and Dave Marsden, and lifelong Kawasaki triples owners, it defines the enduring appeal of the models. It also contains excellent tips on spares, tuning, rebuilds etc., and captures the very essence of what made the Kawasaki triples the most rebellious, kick-ass two-strokes of their time.

This is a meticulously detailed history of the Triumph Bonneville: its antecedents, how it came about, and year-by-year production changes, with detailed technical specifications and contemporary road test reports showing how the Bonneville compared with its rivals. However, the history of the bike cannot be separated from the turbulent story of the company that built it. Triumph went from huge successes in the 1960s, when the Bonneville conquered North America, to troubled times in the early 1970s, leading to the formation of the workers co-operative that heroically kept the Bonneville alive for a further nine years. All this is covered here, plus details on how Triumph spares producer Les Harris took over production into the late ‘80s. Unlike other Bonneville books, this one also tells you how to buy one of these iconic bikes secondhand – all the pitfalls, what to look for, and what they are really like to live with. Whichever one you choose, it should be fast, agile and good looking ... on a twisty country road, there's nothing like a Bonnie, and with information on clubs, websites, spares, and the latest modifications and upgrades, this book will help you get the one you deserve. Featuring comprehensive appendices of facts, figures, contacts, technical specifiations (including correct colours for each year), engine/frame numbers, and road test performance figures, this is the definitive book of a bike that truly deserves the term ‘practical classic.'