Norton Commando

Norton Commando

Norton 750 Commando. Photo Credit: John H Glimmerveen Licensed to About.com

The Norton Commando (named after the elite British soldiers) was designed by a group of Norton engineers, namely Bob Trigg, Dr. Stefan G Bauer, Bernard Hooper, and John Favill.
The 745-cc inclined parallel twin was first shown to the public in 1967 at the Earls Court motorcycle Show.
The engine was a development of the earlier Atlas unit with increased capacity. However, the large twin cylinder engine became known for its tendency to vibrate.
To counter this problem the engineers rubber mounted the engine in a new frame for the commando.

Triumph Bonneville

Triumph Bonneville

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of: classic-motorbikes.net

Triumph motorcycles were first offered to the public in 1902, but their most famous machine has to be the Bonneville. Taking its name from the world record setting of Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA, the Bonneville name is still in Triumph’s line-up today.

Triton

Triton

A classic Triton outside the Ace Cafe in London. Photo Credit: Wallace classicbikes.actieforum.com

The early Triumph Bonneville’s major competitor was Norton, at least as far as handling was concerned. Motorcycle riders of the time (1960s) wanted the power and performance of the Triumph Bonneville engine and the superb handling of the Norton featherbed frame–combining the two produced the renowned Triton.
For much of the 60s, tritons could be seen outside most cafes’ in the UK and soon became the bike to have for café racing.

Vincent Black Shadow

Vincent Black Shadow

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Photo Credit: John H Glimmerveen Licensed to About.com

Considered by many to be the first Superbike, the Vincent Black shadow was a development of the Rapide. The ‘C’ series was first introduced in 1948. The 998-cc 50 degree V-Twin engine in the Black Shadow produced 55 hp and was Capable of propelling the 455 lb. machine to 125 mph. Interestingly, the Black Shadow deployed a cantilever rear suspension system which was made popular many years later by Yamaha.

BSA Bantam

BSA Bantam

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of classic-motorbikes.net

Not all classics have big engines or staggering performance. The little BSA Bantam was one of the most successful motorcycles ever sold in Europe, in terms of number sold. Although there are no official numbers available for Bantam production, it is known that BSA produced more than 50,000 units by 1951.
The D1 Bantam was first offered to the public in 1948. The design of the Bantam was based on the German DKW 125 2-stroke.
The BSA factory had acquired the design as part of the Second World War reparations. The machine was designed by German engineer Herman Weber

Laverda Jota

Laverda Jota

Photo Credit: Wallace Classic-motorbikes.net

The Laverda Jota is a three-cylinder 4-stroke with chain drive double overhead camshafts. The 981-cc Jota came to the market in 1976, but a pre prototype of the bike was shown at the Milan motorcycle show of 1971. The original design had a single overhead camshaft and was a development of the company’s 750-cc twin.
The UK importer, Slater Brothers, was instrumental in getting the Jota produced and, working closely with the factory, took the Jota to many motorcycle race victories.

The three cylinder engines have a unique sound due to their crankshaft design (two pistons up, one down).

Unfortunately, this design also produces considerable vibrations (something that was addressed by rubber mountings in 1982).

Moto Guzzi Le Mans

Moto Guzzi Le Mans

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of classic-motorbikes.net

Every manufacturer has a loyal group of supporters, and Moto Guzzi is no exception. The company celebrates 90 years of production in 2011 and one of their most well known bikes is the Guzzi Le Mans. The 850-cc Le Mans was first offered to the public in 1975. For Guzzi enthusiasts, the Le Mans had all of the classic manufacturer’s features and also a competitive performance against the Japanese bikes of the time.
The shaft drive V-Twin had a number of shortcomings (fast action clutch, torque reaction from the crankshaft, easy rear wheel locking if down changes were not synchronized with engine revs), but became popular with street bike riders and racers alike. Today there are clubs supporting the brand all over the world