For you retro fans...

[JohnnyV]

Came across this on craigslist. '72 Norton Commando... original owner!
1972 NORTON Commando

[spicy]

[akira700]

Not too bad!
Is it something really being put into production?

[KillBill]

Didn't they come out with a revised
version of the Commando a couple years ago?

[joeswamp]

Didn't they come out with a revised
version of the Commando a couple years ago?

Yep, the Dreer Norton. This guy in Oregon (Kenny Dreer) who was like the world's premier Norton restorer got to the point where he remanufactured so many improved Commando parts that he was able to create an entirely new motorcycle. Looked kinda like the Norton version of a Ducati Sport Classic:



Unfortunately he ran out of money before he was able to go into production, and his machines weren't going to be cheap either (like $20k). Pretty sure he spent most of his money just acquiring the rights to use the Norton name.

It's like the old riddle:

Q: How do you make a small fortune?
A: Start with a big one and attempt to make a motorcycle or car company.

It takes really deep pockets and the patience of a saint to pull this off. I think I read that John Bloor, the gazillionaire who restarted Triumph, lost money for nearly a decade before the profits started trickling in. Vehicles are hypercompetitive markets with thin margins and lots of entrenched competitors...