1975 Norton Commando Returns from the Grave

1 / 9
Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando after restoration.
Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando after restoration.
2 / 9
Helping hands: Members of the Norton Colorado club help slip Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando's engine in place during the rebuild.
Helping hands: Members of the Norton Colorado club help slip Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando's engine in place during the rebuild.
3 / 9
Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando at Jim Comstock's burned out shop.
Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando at Jim Comstock's burned out shop.
4 / 9
The 1975 Norton Commando at home with Robert before its rebuild.
The 1975 Norton Commando at home with Robert before its rebuild.
5 / 9
A phoenix bird is hand-tooled into the seat of Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando.
A phoenix bird is hand-tooled into the seat of Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando.
6 / 9
Robert C. Herman's fully restored 1975 Norton Commando.
Robert C. Herman's fully restored 1975 Norton Commando.
7 / 9
A phoenix bird is hand-tooled into the seat of Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando.
A phoenix bird is hand-tooled into the seat of Robert C. Herman's 1975 Norton Commando.
8 / 9
Norton Colorado club members gathered for the bike's rebirth March 11, 2008, exactly two years after the fire.
Norton Colorado club members gathered for the bike's rebirth March 11, 2008, exactly two years after the fire.
9 / 9
Robert C. Herman on his 1975 Norton Commando.
Robert C. Herman on his 1975 Norton Commando.

On Sept. 15, 2007, I celebrated 25 years of owning my 1975 Norton Commando. In that time the bike and I rolled through a litany of adventures and misadventures, our relationship sometimes harmonious, sometimes not.

During those years I owned many other motorcycles, but they’ve come and gone like phases of the moon, useful or interesting for a time, but eventually tossed back to the marketplace. All except the Norton, which despite its idiosyncrasies and functional obsolescence never bored or annoyed me enough to cut the cord. When it was good, it was very, very good. And when it was bad … well, it is a Norton, after all. 

Of the 20 or so motorcycles I’ve owned over the past 40 years, the Norton Commando I bought on Sept. 15, 1982, has been the only keeper. In good times and bad, laying down an oil mist at speed or gathering dust in a dark corner of the shed, it has been more than a motorcycle. It’s been a companion, a friend, a confidant. And it’s been through hell and back – literally.

On the evening of March 11, 2006, I took a phone call from ace Norton builder Jim Comstock. My bike was in Jim’s Pueblo, Colo., shop for minor repair and maintenance work. He said, simply: “Last night my shop burned down, and I’m afraid your Norton was totally destroyed.” Jim never was much for small talk. Hanging up the phone, I settled in to let the reality of his statement pry its way into my world view. That took a while, as my mind kept trying to reject this insult. If you’ve ever taken a late night call to learn that a close friend has suddenly died, you understand.

After a few days, I went to find what was left of my bike: Buried under charred rafters amid soggy heaps of rubble, it was barely recognizable. My first view of the wasted Norton was one of the most depressing sights I’ve ever laid eyes on. That ruined lump couldn’t possibly be my beautiful Norton! After clearing a path through the wreckage, I dragged the carcass out of the burned-out building, hauled it to a storage shed and drove home in a funk.

  • Published on Sep 26, 2008
Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-880-7567