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,' '" ., I ,II_ 0 lC ... !L .... '" '" l!'l ,; 0 Z ~ w Z W ..J U > U The Norton's acceleration is competitive with any 750. Continued from page 3 Maintenance required during the test was minimal. The chain wanted adjustment once in 2000 miles. The adjustable chain oiler kept it (and most of the rear of the machine) properly lubricated. The carbs were out of synch, but could be quickly adjusted. Oil wanted topping up once. It's near impossible to get the air cleaner element out. The only other things that we had to do to it were to tighten up the nut that came off the left end of the crankshaft and load it in a truck when it stopped running. It"l!id stop running. As of this writing we don't know why. Initia1ly we feared that the engine's innards had committed hari-kari, but examination of the spark plugs revealed nothing that supported this theory. Then we discovered that the electrics (lights, horn, etc.) weren't working, although the fuse was intact. Th e mac hine was due back to Norton-Villiers about this time and we' didn't get a chance' to delve in to the nature further. (When we find out, we will put something in The Latest Poop.) With what is written above, the reader is likely to conclude that we didn't like the Commando. If you just want an appliance that would work like a toaster to just do the job, you would be correct. This would be overlooking one very important aspect of the Norton. You see, this bike was more fun to ride than any other 750 we have ever tested. Being fun to ride is something that won't exist 'in a nice, big, smooth dual-overhead cam six, either. The multis will be inherently smooth, but what the Norton is and the multis aren't is light, compact, simple, easier to service, and generally more manageable. While the twin-cylinder engine can't develop the same potential power, it doesn't need to since it is mounted in a lighter chassis. The Norton is a bullet; particularly with the Combat engine. With less horsepower, you can use a lighter frame and vise-versa. Lightness means easier, better handling, ,too. Norton used the word "rideability" to express this. It is a very descriptive word. The suspension, brakes, bars, and seating posltlon make for a super-con tro II able machine. One staffer came back from a near thing with a big grin and a thank-God-I-was-on-a-Norton testimony. It won't wiggle, it goes straigb l, and it isn't impressed in the least by riders who get all pukka and climb off ill over the place like Paul Smart. It makes even the casual weekel}d' rider feel like Freddy Fast cutting through diminishing radius turns ------......;;.... National Championship 72 - - - - - - - Continued from page 5 time in the season that Yamaha had not fell back LO third. For the rest of the led the field. Harley-Davidson held an season the order remained unchanged. 18 point edge over Yamaha. At Indianapolis, Chuck Palmgren was At Castle Rock, Washington, Scott first followed by Sehl and Rayborn. took his only win of the season aboard Talladega crowds saw Yvon "Duhamel his Triumph while Rice was second and and his Kawasaki beat the heat and the Mark Williams, who at one time led the rest of the field as he averaged over 110 pack, was third. MPI-l' in the 200-mile race. He was Triumph moved into first place with followed to the finish line by teammate the Castle Rock victory, posting a total Gary Nixon and Suzuki rider, Art of 1,350 points while Harley-Davidson Baumarm. slipped to second, 43 points behind. A t the A tlan ta Mile, Dave Sehl came Yamaha dropped to third. up the winner while Rex Beauchamp At the Laguna Seca road race near took second and Don Castro was third. Monterey, California, Rayborn romped Moving back to the West Coast, Gary to his second win of the season while Scott nailed down second place in the Romero was second and Roberts was personal poin t race by capturing the third. Triumph held its lead, with 1,470 Ascot Half-mile. He was followed to the . total, but Harley-Davidson was a scant checkers by Tom Rockwood and Mert 17 points away in second. Lawwill. Moving back East, Yamaha-powered In the season fmale at the On tario Palmgren LOok his first National race of 250-rnile road race, Paul Smart stylishly the season, gaining the victory at rode his Kawasaki to a first place finish Roosevelt Raceway. Finishing second by virtue of fifth and first place finishes was Lawwill while Brelsford captured in the race's two 125-miJe segments. third. Lawwill's second place fmish Rounding out the top three pushed Harley-Davidson past Triumph super-scratchers were Geoff Perry from and into first place with a 1,577 point New Zealand, and Renzo Pasolini of total. Italy. Top American rider was Mark At the Homewood, Illinois, Mile, Brelsford who finished fourth on his Dick Mann took the lead at the start 750 Harley. The first segment winner and never looked back. Brelsford was was Kel Carruthers from Sidney, second and Rex Beaucbamp, third. Australia. Harley-Davidson kept its lead and Yamaha passed Triumph, for second place., Dick Mann went to Peoria next to post his second National win in a row with his fifth IT victory at that track with Sonny Burres second and Lawwill third. Harley-Davidson still led, but Triumph moved ahead' of Yamaha into second place with 1,655 points. At Hinsdale and Santa Fe Park short track, Barry Gerald from Louisiana, pulled one of the season's major upsets as he piloted his Ossa to the victory. He was followed to the wire by Don Castro and Ossa teammate Darryl Hurst. Following that race, Harley-Davidson remained in first place, but Yamaha moved back into second and Triumph Norton's good and neat looks will make others turn green and ladies turn th~ir heads. on the asphalt. Not only is it ridahle, but it has one of· the most impressive images we've . encountered. (The only machine that got as much atten tion when being ridden down' the street was a Kawasaki 903 which we had for an afternoon.) Part of the reason is the exhaust note which is, frankly, loud. It was ideal when you were riding the machine and kind of nice for the enthusiast who heard it go past. B·ut it was unpleasant to ride along side and the people who don't like throaty, exhIbitionistic exhaust notes won't like the Norton's, either. To the rider, it actually added to the machine, however. Thro ttle respon~ bordered on the sensual. 'Something else that impressed us was the number of young ladies who were END OF IT ALL FOR 1972 With the regular points season over, there was just one race left: the Race of Champions at San Jose, California. Contestants were National dirt track winners Dick Mann, Gene Romero, Mert Lawwill, Dave Sehl, Jim Rice, Chuck Palmgren, Mark Brelsford and Gary Scott. After the dust had cleared, it was Dave Sehl, new "Champion of Champions" as he recorded the fastest qualifying time of the day, placed first in his -heat and the regular Main, then also took the Race of Champions. Finishing second in the Race of Champions was Mert Lawwill and in third was Chuck Palmgren. While it ran, it ran beautifully. impressed by the Norton's studly come-on. I t was uncanny how many times this popped up. Most other riders are impressed with the Norton's looks and fmish, despite the left over bits and brackets on the cases. (Maybe there is an electric starter iii the works). If you enjoy being envied for your motorcycle, the Norton will suit you very well. Oh yeah, it doesn't vibrate. At freeway speeds it is as smooth as anything going. It delivers less dngle to the hands than a BMW. (Sorry, old chaps, but you know !\'ow it is.) There is some vibration at 2000 R's per M, but it isn't of the high-frequency, fatiguing variety. I wonder what the guys back in the Midwest do on summer afternoons anymore.