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The Yellow Norton 1972 Norton Combat Commando 750 Randy Johnson's Yellow Norton began as a frame-up restoration conceived by Keith Martin of Big D Cycle, Dallas, Texas. The building and tuning of the Commando was the work of Steve Adkins, also of Big D Cycle. The '750 P-PP' code on the number plate translates as the 750cc class, Production body, Production Pushrod engine. Randy says that the production class is harder to run than modified because the bike must retain its stock appearance with factory parts. Also, SCTA guidelines have strict rules about the engine enhancements that can be made on a production bike. The Yellow Norton is a working race bike that is still competing so I can't give too many specifics about the engine tuning. I can tell you that the engine has been tuned to similar specs as the John Player Special. The head has been ported and polished and it has a slightly hotter off-the-shelf cam. It runs with no filter in the air box and the exhausts have been gutted. This package produces around 60 hp at the rear wheel. The Commando rolls on Avon V-rated Roadrider tires with factory stock wheels. The bottom end is stock with a four speed transmission. The counter sprocket is slightly taller, while the drive sprocket remains stock. Randy's Norton is so stock that he converts it for street use during the off season. He's allowed to race with clubman handlebars in the stock mount. Additionally, the SCTA requires him to have safety wire, a steering dampener and a number plate. Randy has run the Yellow Norton at Bonneville for the past seven years. During those years he has set, and reset records. If the bike had set a new record early enough during the year's Speed Week, Randy was prepared to spend a day converting the production racer to run in a modified class. He didn't get the chance, but it tells me that the story of the Yellow Norton is far from over. Copyright © 2000 NTNOA All rights reserved. |