Mini # 7

'74 850 Norton Commando :

...considered to be the best of the British vertical twins. The high point of the British motorcycle industry was the Norton Commando 1968-1976. First as a 750, then, in '73 an upgrade to 850. '75 models had to conform to left hand shift etc. and electric starting was added to compete with Japanese models. But these  upgrades with after-the-fact engineering. Hence, the '74's desirability.  By 1977, the industry was

in a downward spiral to oblivion...............Triumph carried on sporadically with oil-in-the-frame models (considered undesirable by some) 'til the very early 80's......   Books have been written about the demise of the British motorcycle industry. Sad.....

So, 2 old coots flashed up 2 old bikes, both with Insur. Corp. of BC "Collector" plates, and headed off into the sunset. AKA the 'circle route'.  Al, on his demonic springer (#666) '88 Evo, and me on the Commando.
Sooke, Pt. Renfrew, Cowichan, Duncan & return.

Both bikes  -  "standards".  No tools, no cell service, not even a roll of tape.  Hot & sunny on the South Island, 'til Pt. R. Fog/mist/almost rain, and freezing cold. No windshields, no elec. vests, no gloves.

And............ nothing else to blog about. No incidents, no issues, no events. But we were famous guys for a bit while on the 'route" ....................Classic iron boys, trusting in engineering from a bygone era. Thumbing our noses at GPSs, overhead cams, adj. suspensions, tubeless tires, cell phones, windshields, saddle bags, elec. vests, water cooling,  6 speed trans., abs & t/c, & shaft drives...

We live the adventure !