• Login
  • Register
Speedcafe.com
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • PODS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESULTS
  • NETWORK 100
No Result
View All Result
  • SURVEY
  • SUPERCARS
  • F1
  • MOTOGP
  • NASCAR
  • INDYCAR
  • GT & ENDURANCE
  • KARTING
  • RALLY
  • 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.

Advertisements

“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.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the 2026 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival.

“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!

Wahlstrom Financial Services logo featuring three gold crowns above bold blue text.

Wahlstrom Financial Services

Finance & Insurance

WFS is passionate about the life-changing value of professional advice in helping individuals achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. Financial advice at WFS goes beyond the numbers. It is educational, inspirational, and designed to empower...

WFS is passionate about the life-changing value of professional advice in helping individuals achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. Financial advice at WFS goes beyond...

Discussion about this post

[postcode_search_form]

Latest from Torquecafe

Can this Chinese-made model save Hyundai?

26 February 2026

Nissan is going back to basics with new SUVs

26 February 2026

Latest Podcasts

PODCAST: Full debrief from the Strip by the Tip

24 February 2026

PODCAST: Sydney 500 daily – Sunday

22 February 2026

Related Articles

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

3 years ago
0

Grab a piece of rare motorsport history

4 years ago
0
ADVERTISEMENT

Platinum Partners

Latest & Trending News

Mount Panorama leads the way for Bathurst 12 Hour surveyed fans

Bathurst 12 Hour
26 February 2026
Bathurst 12 Hour
0

Michelin Race Guide: MotoGP Grand Prix of Thailand

MotoGP
26 February 2026
MotoGP
0
Ty Gibbs in the #54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry.

Besieged ex-employee savages ‘dysfunctional’ NASCAR team

NASCAR
26 February 2026
NASCAR
0
The TeamVodafone Commodores in Adelaide. Image: Eggleston Motorsport

Restored Triple Eight Bathurst Holdens break cover in Adelaide

Supercars
26 February 2026
Supercars
0
Toby Price will contest the Subaru WRX Challenge season in 2026. Image: Wishart Media

Toby Price commits to expanded Subaru rally program

Rally
26 February 2026
Rally
0
Luke Browning has walked away from a horror crash during Super Formula testing in Japan. Image: MotorsportJP X

F1 reserve driver leaps barrier in wild Suzuka crash

F1
26 February 2026
F1
0

Supercheap Auto

Pirtek Poll

POLL: Is MotoGP’s Adelaide move a good decision?

Vote View Results Past polls
Pirtek Poll
View past polls
2026 Supercars Championship WINS POLES PTS
1
Broc Feeney
Red Bull Ampol Racing
88 2 1 259
2
Matthew Payne
Penrite Racing
19 0 0 259
3
Cam Waters
Monster Castrol Racing
6 0 0 238
4
Anton De Pasquale
DEWALT Racing
18 1 1 197
5
Brodie Kostecki
Shell V-Power Racing Team
17 0 0 186
2026 Formula 1 Championship WINS POLES PTS
1
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
10 0 0 0
2
Franco Colapinto
Alpine
43 0 0 0
3
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
14 0 0 0
4
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
18 0 0 0
5
Nico Hulkenberg
Audi
27 0 0 0
ADVERTISEMENT
[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 © 2026 Speedcafe.com. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Our Team /  Advertise with us / Comments Policy / 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″]