As a member of the list in 1993, I became aware that a considerable amount of rather useful information was being discussed about the Norton Commando, my particular flavour of British Iron. At that point I decided to save all such information, for later publication. This site contains that first Archive.

Very little editorial control has been exercised in compiling this information, the object being to record all relevant and useful contributions, not change them. Accordingly, although articles are listed by subject, several subjects do creep into each article, so the only way to get all the information on any subject is to read the whole thing.

Captain Norton's Notes, Volume 1 - Contents:

1.0  Selecting your Classic British Project Bike.
1.1 Before You Start... Pain and Suffering .
1.2 The Norton Commando Model Range.
1.3 Differences Between the Mk2 and Mk2A Commando.
1.4 Buying A 750 Norton Commano, the Combat Saga.
1.5 Buying a Norton Commando Hi-Rider.
1.6 Building a John Player Special.
1.7 Commando v Royal Enfield Interceptor.
 
     2.0 Engine.
2.1 Removing The Cylinder Head
2.2 Port and Polish the Cylinder Head
2.3 Bottom End
2.4 Cleaning up Piston Meltdown
2.5 Inside the Timing cover.
2.6 Replacing the Cam Chain Tensioner
2.7 Adjusting the Cam Chain.
2.8 Priming the Oil Pump
2.9 Selecting the Right Oils
2.9.1 Multi-Grade Oils
2.11 Wet Sumping
2.12 Engine Breathers

     3.0 Primary Chaincase
3.1 Description (Under Construction).
3.2 Fitting a Belt Drive
3.3 Clutch

     4.0 The Gearbox.
4.1 Description (Under Construction).
4.2 Gearbox Oil Leaks
4.3 The Layshaft Bearing
4.4 Clutch actuating mechanism (Under Construction).
 
     5.0 Carburettors
5.1 The Amal Carburettor
5.2 The Mk1, Mk 1.5 and Mk2 Amal Concentric Carburettor
5.3 Converting to the Amal Mk 2 Concentric Carburettor
5.3.1 Amal Carb Configurations on the Commando
5.3.2 Amal Main Jets
5.3.3 Amal Needle Jets
5.3.4 Amal Carb Needles
5.4 Amal Air Slides, (Choke)
5.5 Spray Tubes
5.6 Determining Carb Settings
5.7 Carb Cleaning
5.8 Carb Overhaul
5.9 Determining Throttle Slide wear
5.10 Setting up and Synchronizing Twin Amal Carbs
5.11 Setting Concentric float height
5.12 Re-Jetting for modern Fuels
5.13 Carb Trouble shooting
5.14 The Commando Backfire Bomber
5.15 Adventures in Re-Sleving
5.16 Single Carb Conversions
5.17 Professional Help

     6.0 The Petrol Tanks.
6.1 Petrol Tanks, Pinstriping.
6.2 Petrol Tanks, Colours and Colour Matching

     7.0 The Exhaust system.
7.1 Exhaust Balance Pipes, Triumph Experience
7.2 Different fixings to Head, (Under Construction).
 
8.0 The Commando 'Isolastic' frame.
8.1 Front and Rear Isolastics
8.2 Swinging Arm, Bearing Maintenance
8.3 Swinging Arm Bearing Replacement, (Under Construction).
8.4 The Rear Suspension Units
8.5 Fixing a Faulty Sidestand
8.6 Norvil Parts.

     9.0 Wheels and Tyres.
9.1 Notes on Replacing Wheel Rims, (Under Construction).
9.2 The Front Wheel, (Under Construction).
9.3 The Rear Wheel, (Under Construction).
9.4 Selecting Tyres.
9.5 Replacing Tyres

     10.0 Brakes.
10.1 Improving the Standard Front Brake
10.2 The Rear Drum Brake

11.0 Electrical, Introduction to Lucas.
11.1 Charging Circuit.
11.2 Battery's, A Gel Cell
11.3 Ignition Circuit, (Under Construction).
11.4 Finding Top Dead Centre
11.5 Fitting a Boyer Electronic Ignition Unit
11.6 Selecting Spark Plugs
11.7 Lighting Circuit, (Under Construction).
11.8 Halogen Conversions
11.9 The Horn
11.10 Indicators, (Under Construction).
11.11 Source of an Annoying Little Squeak
11.12 Electrical Circuit, Trouble Shooting

     12.0 The Front Forks.
12.1 The Steering Lock, (Under Construction).

13.0 Starting Rituals. (Sorry, Also Currently Under Construction).

     14.0 Workshop Notes and advice.
14.1 BSE Workshop Notes 1
14.2 BSE Workshop Notes 2
14.3 BSE Workshop Notes 3, Special Workshop Tools
14.4 BSE Workshop Notes 4, Inertia of restoration projects
14.5 BSE Workshop Notes 5, Eating Sand.
14.6 BSE Workshop Notes 6, The Crankshaft
14.7 The Order of the Frozen Wrench
14.8 To strip or not to Strip
14.9 Popular Motorcycling Abbreviations.
14.10 Preparing for a long Ride, Tools to Consider.
14.11 Essential Tools for the Commando Owner.
14.12 The Ten Best Tools of all Time.
14.13 Essential and Non Essential Reading Material.
14.14 Wrench Conversions.