The best Superbike of the Seventies was the Norton Commando 750/850. (Motorcycle of the year in 1973). They were quirky, but steady, reliable. Narrower than the big Honda 4 cylinders, but at least as fast and torquey. And sans electric start, kickstarting was not optional. The Nortons were gorgeous (if you can say that about a motorcycle). They actually looked better than the babes Norton draped all over them. And a dream to ride. A motorcycle is definitely more than a convenience. Norton went well beyond machine to near art form.

Nortons were indeed great bikes. I always wanted one when I was in high school in the mid-seventies. Definitely out-handled any 4-cylinder japanese machine and tourquey as hell. Top end wasn't as good as the UJM's with the additional valves and higher RPM's. I ran pretty well against them with my Yamaha TX500, one of the first DOHC/4 valve head motorcycles in production.

It's too bad the Brits weren't able to compete with the large japanese companies in the horsepower and price race. Plus they leaked too much oil.

I have a 72 Commando and it's a gas to ride, although there is a definite time investment involved in getting it ready to go if it hasn't been run in a while. It starts in 2 kicks max.