• Login
  • Register
Speedcafe.com
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • PODS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESULTS
  • NETWORK 100
No Result
View All Result
  • SUPERCARS
  • F1
  • MOTOGP
  • NASCAR
  • INDYCAR
  • GT & ENDURANCE
  • KARTING
  • RALLY
  • CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • PODS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESULTS
  • NETWORK 100
No Result
View All Result
  • Feed
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Photos
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
Speedcafe.com
  • Supercars
  • F1
  • NASCAR
  • IndyCar
  • GT & Endurance
  • Karting
  • Bikes
  • Rally
Home Features Classifieds

Norton Commando as good as new after 50 years

Mat Coch
Mat Coch
8 Sep 2021
Mat Coch
//
8 Sep 2021
// Classifieds
A A
0
Norton Commando as good as new after 50 years

Dave Keenan’s Norton Commando

It’s exceedingly rare to find a near 50-year-old motorcycle in practically brand new condition, but that’s exactly what Dave Keenan has.

Keenan’s Norton Commando has just eight kilometres on it, having undergone a restoration that spared no expense.

It’s a trophy winning example of the classic British bike, and it could be yours.

Manufactured for a decade from 1967, the Commando was capable of a top speed approaching 200 km/h out of the factory.

While Keenan has never tested that fact, it’s fair to suggest it’d be capable of nudging that figure.

“Norton was very good, especially in England, with Peter Williams and Dave Croxford, they used to race them, and had a lot to do with the Norton factory over there,” he explained.

“Peter got hold of the Norton Commando and sort of made something out of them; he developed his own race cam. He was a brilliant engineer.

“He developed a twin cylinder from a road bike to a racing bike and made all these bits for them, and everyone else jumped on board and started making this stuff too.

“As a road bike, they are a brilliant bike,” he added.

“Back in its time in the ‘70s, they would have to be one of the quickest twins around.

“They had the isolastic suspension in the swinging arm, and a big main bolt going through the swinging arm – and the swinging arm is actually bolted to the motor.

“The whole motor is sort of rubber mounted. The main bolts up front are rubber mounted so the whole bike is rubber mounted and it stops a lot of the vibration.”

Keenan’s example features a number of fibreglass components, including the seat and tank.

Painted silver and offset with French blue, it’s been impeccably maintained.

But, after a number of years of maintaining and showing the bike, it’s time for it to move on so Keenan can focus on his next restoration.

“I sort of burnt myself out showing it at shows and things,” he explained.

“It just sits and every now and then I kick it in the motor and start it up.

“I think it’s just time to move it on.

“I’m building up another one – I’ve got a couple, actually, just getting around to it,” he added.

No expense has been spared on Keenan’s Commando, with even the exhaust having been painstakingly recreated to the original specifications.

“There’s a lot in it,” he admitted.

“And the reason why I put it all in there was because it sounds good.

“It sounds really good because it’s got all those hot parts.

“It’s the sort of thing you’d do if you wanted to race it, but you or I wouldn’t race it now, it’s too good!”

The bike has never been registered, though Keenan suggests it could be if so desired.

CLICK HERE to view the Norton Commando on Speedcafe.com Classifieds.

Speedcafe Network 100 - logo representing the directory of leading suppliers to the motorsport industry in Australia

List your business today!

Ultimate Diesel Tuning logo with tagline Redefining Diesel Performance on black background

Ultimate Diesel Tuning

Automotive & Performance

Ultimate Diesel Tuning (UDT) is an Australian aftermarket turbo-diesel mechanical performance upgrade & custom dyno tuning company. Our performance centres have THREE fantastic locations with in-house dynos at both: Geebung in Brisbane, Dandenong in Melbourne...

Ultimate Diesel Tuning (UDT) is an Australian aftermarket turbo-diesel mechanical performance upgrade & custom dyno tuning company. Our performance centres have THREE fantastic locations with...

Discussion about this post

[postcode_search_form]

Latest from Torquecafe

Lexus LFA returns… with a shocking twist

05 December 2025

Toyota’s super Supra unveiled: GR GT to take on Porsche and AMG

05 December 2025

Latest Podcasts

PODCAST: Mostert’s Supercars crown + Piastri’s F1 title reality

02 December 2025

PODCAST: McLaren unlucky in Vegas + Adelaide Grand Final preview

25 November 2025

Related Articles

Speedcafe launches Speedsales.com.au, Australia’s Motorsport Marketplace

2 years ago
0

Grab a piece of rare motorsport history

4 years ago
0
Platinum Partner

Latest & Trending News

Lando Norris was fastest in FP2 in Abu Dhabi. Image: XPB Images

Abu Dhabi GP: Free Practice 2 Results

F1
6 December 2025
F1
0
Lando Norris once again set the pace in practice in Abu Dhabi. Image: XPB Images

Norris edges Verstappen again in Abu Dhabi FP2, Piastri only 11th

F1
6 December 2025
F1
0
Don't miss a second of the F1 title deciding weekend with the Sportsnet Live Updates.

Sportsnet F1 Live Updates: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

F1
5 December 2025
F1
0
Rajah Caruth, driver of the #71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, walks the grid during practice for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series LiUNA! 150 at Lime Rock Park on June 27, 2025 in Lakeville, Connecticut. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rajah Caruth set for first full NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign in 2026

NASCAR US
5 December 2025
NASCAR US
0
Lando Norris was fastest during opening practice in Abu Dhabi. Image: XPB Images

Abu Dhabi GP: Free Practice 1 Results

F1
5 December 2025
F1
0
Lando Norris edged Max Verstappen to top opening practice in Abu Dhabi. Image: XPB Images

Norris tops rookie dominated Abu Dhabi FP1

F1
5 December 2025
F1
0

Advertisement

Pirtek Poll

POLL: Your verdict on the Supercars Finals Series format

Vote View Results Past polls
Pirtek Poll
View past polls
2025 Supercars Championship WINS POLES PTS
1
Chaz Mostert
Mobil 1 Optus Racing
25 4 1 5306
2
Will Brown
Red Bull Ampol Racing
1 2 1 5244
3
Broc Feeney
Red Bull Ampol Racing
88 14 19 5240
4
Kai Allen
Penrite Racing
26 0 0 5233
5
Matthew Payne
Penrite Racing
19 5 1 4461
2025 Formula 1 Championship WINS POLES PTS
1
Lando Norris (GBR)
McLaren
4 7 7 408
2
Max Verstappen (NED)
Red Bull
1 7 7 396
3
Oscar Piastri (AUS)
McLaren
81 7 6 392
4
George Russell (GBR)
Mercedes
63 2 2 309
5
Charles Leclerc (MON)
Ferrari
16 0 1 230
[instagram-feed feed=2]
Support the partners that support Speedcafe
Truck Assist R & J Batteries Pirtek Mobil Super Supercheap Auto Michelin Meguiars coates KTM FORD ACDelco parcelprotect become a partner
AASA PPQ Authentic Collectables sportsnetholidays nuevasolutions bathurst
Green and white "speedcafe." logo on a black background, conveying a racing theme.
Speedcafe.com has been established to provide a daily motorsport news service to the industry and fans in Australia and internationally.
Follow Us

Categories

SUPERCARS

F1

NASCAR

INDYCAR

GT

MOTOGP

PHOTOS

TV

PODS

Platinum Partners

TRUCK ASSIST
R&J BATTERIES
PIRTEK
MOBIL1
SUPERCHEAP AUTO

PARCEL PROTECT

MICHELIN
MEGUIARS

COATES
FORD

ACDELCO

Newsletter

Subscribe to our daily newsletter, the best way to get your news first, fast and free!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Your daily racing fix - Newsletter

Subscribe to our daily and breaking newsletter for all the latest news delivered direct to your box

SUBSCRIBE
Follow Us

Categories

SUPERCARS

F1

NASCAR

INDYCAR

GT

MOTOGP

PHOTOS

TV

PODS

Platinum Partners

TRUCK ASSIST
R&J BATTERIES
PIRTEK
MOBIL1
SUPERCHEAP AUTO

PARCEL PROTECT

MICHELIN
MEGUIARS

COATES
FORD

XPEL

ACDELCO

Green and white "speedcafe." logo on a black background, conveying a racing theme.

Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Our Team    /  Advertise with us  /  Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Event guides
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Network 100

Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Event guides
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Network 100

Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

[mailpoet_form id=”28″]