Roadholder 364 - April 2018

39 nearly new 'yellow peril' ' Zip Kruger Gray' Recently, I was fortunate to be able to purchase a mint 1971 'Yellow Peril' Norvil 750 Commando Production Racer, with just 44.5 recorded miles on the clock! This had been in a private collection in California and was put up for sale on eBay. However, the owner had advertised it just a week before Christmas (when no-one has much spare cash) and forgot to add a reserve price. I had placed a 'joke' bid and ended up buying it for around 2/3 of its real value! This actually is a replica, built by Ron Fratturelli ( www. nortoncommando.com ) in around 2012, but using all genuine Norvil components, so it is as close as possible to the 'real thing' and is a great addition to my small collection. A technical description from Ron Fratturelli is as follows: This is not a factory Production Racer. This has all original Production Racer parts, except the frame and motor - it has all the pieces that are not available today, even though certain items look the same: • the disc is 11 1 / 2 " . • the Lockheed calliper is smaller. • the master cylinder reservoir is not as tall as they make now. • the amp guage bracket is different. • clip-ons are straighter. • the ignition switch plate is different. • velocity stacks are straighter. • the rocker line is a clear line. • the exhaust pipes tuck in much closer. • the seat has the right type of cover. • the fender is a longer version of a Fastback. • the head steady is different than they make today. • the kickstart is longer and straighter. • has close-ratio gears with R camplate. • brake pedal and rear brake switch holder are different. • the fairing mount is a little different than they make now. • the frame ID is under the seat. • this PR has the original wiring. • the rims are original Akronts with 360 x 19 and 410 x 19 K81: the first Production Racers came with Borrani, then Dunlop, then Akront rims. Dr. Huw S. ('Zip') Kruger Gray Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida, USA.