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Category: Auto Tips

Commando Return

2024

Video: Commando Return

Video: Commando Return
Video: Frankie commando return 2024, March
Commando Return
Commando Return
Anonim

Stuart Garner is 40 years old. Pretty young, but managed to create a whole business empire. It produces and sells children's products, fire fighting equipment, it owns engineering companies and even a farm in South Africa, where animals are raised for safari parks.

From a young age, Garner is an avid motorcyclist. He started on such wonderful machines as the Yamaha RD250LC and Suzuki RGV500. In 2006, he acquired Spondon, a manufacturer of motorcycle frames, including for the Norton racing rotor. 20 years ago, riders on these machines defeated Japanese rivals - they won the British Superbike Championship. Last April, Garner signed an agreement with American Kenny Drier, the then owner of the brand, to use the Norton name for a new generation of racing rotors. And in October 2008, he bought the brand as a whole - along with the development of the Norton Commando retro bike.

Further more. Garner acquired a majority stake in Maxsym Engines, which developed a revolutionary engine family. And just about this, we started a conversation in the new Norton factory building, built next to the Donington Park race track.

- Stuart, the first thing I’ll ask is how is the work on the Commando 961 project going?

- Full swing. We engaged Menard Competition Technologies (working closely with the F1 teams) to refine the engine. We are currently conducting intensive tests, at the same time concluding contracts with suppliers. Already in August, the first Norton Commando 961 will come to customers, and we plan to make 200 motorcycles this year.

- And create a dealer network for their implementation?

- At first, we will sell motorcycles only in the UK, via the Internet. We will service the machines directly at the factory. But our project has caused great interest around the world, so in the future we are going to create a foreign dealer network.

- The chassis design is the same as that of the American prototype? Also with Ohlins pendants?

- Oh yes, you yourself could make sure that the handling of the motorcycle is excellent. So we retained the prototype design 90%, introduced only some important improvements, for example, a fuel injection system instead of carburetors. As for Ohlins, we are negotiating with this company, and with another European. It is important for us not only to get high-quality components at an affordable price, but also to ensure the stability of their supplies - for a company with production volumes as small as ours, this is not easy.

- Will you produce motorcycles exclusively without a fairing, like a prototype?

- At first - yes, you see, the Americans created an excellent design. But later there will be a version of Cafe Racer with a characteristic semi-fairing bikini.

- How many cars do you plan to produce annually?

- As I said, this year we will make 200 motorcycles. Then, the volume of production will depend on demand: 500-600 or even 1000 bikes per year. These are the plans for the next two to three years - one does not have to look into the longer term in the current economic situation.

- We are discussing the situation with Commando. And how is the rotary motorcycle project developing?

- June 12, Michael Dunlop starts the Senior TT race on the Isle of Man on the Norton NRV with a two-section 700cc rotary engine. According to current regulations, the working volume of a rotary motor is equal to the volume of a piston with a coefficient of 1.7, so we will perform in the same class with 1200 cc two-cylinder bikes. After the race, in June or July, we will begin selling 25 replicas of this racing motorcycle. But he, of course, is a bike for collectors or regulars on track days. And in 2010 we will release the road version.

- Commando, rotary motorcycles … What else can you expect?

- A completely new platform for four-stroke cars, no longer in retrostyle. With the acquisition of a stake in Maxsym Engines, we have gained access to the latest developments. Now the project of motors - in-line "deuces" - with a working volume of 500, 600 and 738 cm³ is already ready, in the future we are going to create engines of the same scheme, but with a working volume of 1000 and 1200 cm³. These will be motorcycles of a sports nature, in full accordance with the traditions of the brand.

- What is the difference between Maxsym motors and traditional in-line “deuces”?

- In an ingenious balancing system that reduces vibration to zero. You see a motor with such a system working - say that it is something supernatural: only the sound from the muffler and gives out its work. Since there is no vibration, the engine can be untwisted to very high revolutions - and this is both power and dynamics.

- When will the new Maxsym in-line motorcycles appear on sale?

“Faster than you might suppose.” Already at the end of 2010 or at the beginning of 2011, we will begin production of three or four completely new models.

- The Maxsym engine was originally designed for the 990cc MotoGP racing series. Meanwhile, its 600cc version fits perfectly with the requirements of the Moto2 class, which will soon replace the 250GP class. Claim racing?

- Of course! Already in full swing is working on a prototype. The Moto2 class is especially attractive to us, since the regulations of this racing series provide for restrictions on the costs of participating teams - which means that not only those who have better financial capabilities, but also those who offer the best design can win. And Norton's return to the world of Grand Prix racing is awesome!

- So, Norton will become a "racing" brand - like Ducati?

- Right! One hundred years of racing were inseparable from the Norton brand, and we want to revive a glorious tradition. In addition, participating in competitions is an excellent way to demonstrate how good the modern Norton is. And do not forget about one more aspect: racing technologies sooner or later find application on production motorcycles.

LEGENDS FROM LEGENDS

The founder of the company, James Lansdowne Norton, initially made frames and chains for bicycles, and in 1902 he assembled the first complete motorcycle. But he seriously thought about motorcycle production only after in 1907 Rem Fowler on a Norton motorcycle won the very first Tourist Trophy race. Already in 1909, the company offered customers one of its most successful models - the 633 cc Big Four. Its production lasted a record long - until 1954!

Motorcycles with single-cylinder engines with overhead camshafts (1927 CS1 model, its development - International and Manx models) brought racing glory to the British manufacturer. In the 30s, they had practically no equal on racing tracks, and even in the 50s they successfully opposed Italian 4-cylinder motorcycles (three world titles in the classes of 350 and 500 cm³). Employees of the company developed the best in those days frame designs (the famous Featherbed) and telescopic forks (Roadholder), which served as a model for designers around the world.

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