We received the pictures and write up for Ray's bike as an entry to our calendar competition. We enjoyed it here so much, with his kind permission, we decided to share it with our readers as well!

Ray writes: The bike is a 1974 Commando Roadster 850  #312929. I bought it from my college roommate back in 1981, back then it was an orange Hi-Rider. A few years later in 1984 I was camping on the Brazos River in Texas and got the bike to fly when I climbed the river bank hill a little too aggressively. I’ve always maintained it well with genuine Norton parts. However, in the late 80’s I converted the bike to a Red Roadster and replaced the points with Boyer Ignition. In 2012 I put on Australian Ikon rear shocks, and in 2014 I replaced the Boyer with a Tri-Spark digital electronic Ignition.

The old faded one of me is from 1984 and was taken in Fort Worth Texas just before “The Flight”. The tank is not the original Hi-Rider 2.2 gallon tank, it is a Roadster tank. The seat however is the original Hi Rider seat. 

Eventually I purchased the correct handle bars and a larger headlight from Andover-Norton to make the conversion from Hi Rider to Roadster. I do all of my own maintenance. Attached is a clutch job I did with parts from you and AN. I also put on new Amal Carbs from you too.

Each summer we ride down to the Mid-Ohio racetrack for the American Motorcyclist Association Vintage bike races. There’s a lot of great vintage motorcycles at the event. https://americanmotorcyclist.com/ama-vintage-motorcycle-days-2021-is-on  I also ride all over Ohio with friends who have vintage Moto Guzzi and Vintage BMWs. The Commando is so much fun to ride. 

From Ray Laubenthal Thanks for reaching out to me! I hadn’t seen the Andover Norton newsletter yet, so your link to your newsletter reprint was my first viewing of it. I have been living in North East Ohio since the early ‘90’s; I only lived in Texas during 1983-84. I really enjoyed Texas, I had worked as an engineer at the General Dynamics F-16 plant (now Lockheed). Weekends were spent riding around the area with other young riders from the plant. I recall riding the Norton to Denton for a cool WW II airshow showcasing vintage aircraft complete with aerial bombs and strafing aircraft. I have a lot of good memories from TX. I returned to Ohio in late ‘84 to get engaged to marry my college sweetheart Patty. We will celebrate 37 years this fall. One of my brothers lives in Southlake now so I visit every few years. Great state, Great people! I still ride my ’74 850 Commando. Its in great shape. During the riding season it starts on the first kick. In the spring after a long winter, it’s a little stubborn to start but after few kicks its ready to go. I like to ride it around NE Ohio but for longer rides I ride my other bike; a 2018 blue BMW R1200RT. I bought the BMW new back in 2018. It is so well balanced and smooth to ride; its great for long rides and multi-day road trips. Thanks for the invitation to your club and events. I’m retired now and do most of my rides around Ohio, PA and WV. A long ride to TX would be a great adventure. Who knows, maybe someday? In the meantime, I hope you and your club members ride well and enjoy the upcoming season. (I woke up to 17 degrees and 4” of fresh snow this morning). Cheers! Ray Laubenthal