Don Angel Norton

[ChrisLenahan]

I just bought a 1973 Norton Commando previously owned by Don Angel. It came with 3 log books. The Log Books show he ran it at El Mirage between 2009 and 2013.  Does anyone have any information about this bike? I was wondering about the engine build.  Has the 2 into 1 exhaust and an adapter for a single large Mikuni.  He obviously had some handling problems with the bike as he wrote he had a Burt Monroe weave and had to back off on a run in June of 2012.

[tallguy]

It's hard for me to imagine many possible causes for a weave issue on a land speed bike.
My first thought on this is to suggest verification that there's an effective steering damper.

Additional thoughts -- regarding things to check -- would include:

balancing both wheels (with the tires on);

ensuring that all wheel and steering bearings are in good condition;

ensuring that all mounting hardware for both wheels and swingarm (if applicable) is secure. 

[ChrisLenahan]

There are lots of things to check on a Commando.  The isolastics have to be in good condition and set up right as the swingarm and engine/gearbox are attached to the frame with rubber mounts. There wasn't a steering damper on the bike when I got it. I bought another swingarm and will have it lengthened and will replace the steering head bearings with tapered roller bearing.  It won't matter what the engine will do it the bike is unstable. My thought is to just rebuild the engine and gearbox and concentrate my time and money on the chassis and look at my first trip to Bonneville with it as a shakedown for the bike and myself.

[WEAL]

Hello
Don was the other driver for max lambkys streamliner, i was the driver from germany. I remember that bike leaning at the back wall of his house when visiting him in 2008. it is a bog standard norton converted to a single carb, not making enough power to go for a record. If you want to get serious, i can give you some advice. I do know nortons as i work on them for over 35 years now.dont fit taperroller bearings as you cannot adjust them with the commando yokes. If you use atlas yokes you can adjust but will find the offset is wrong. As don obviously shortened the forks you need more rake to stabilize high speed running. A longer rear fork will not help but a lower steering angle will.contact me if you want.