Classic Norton Commando Query

Last thursday at a meeting of our motorcycle club we got to talking
about some of the dominant bikes of our riding youth, one of which is
the Norton Commando. Now one of the guys there got to talking about
how the frame didn't have a swing arm but was hinged from a point near
the top front of the engine.

Maybe he's thinking about the Vincents that used the motor as the frame.
My '53 Rapide was like that. It had some other interesting stuff,
single shock in the rear and so on. The Black Shadow had a rear wheel
with a sprocket on either side. You could change gear ratios by
reversing it. Cool, eh?

The Commando was the first 'rubber mounted' swing arm / motor. Which was
radical at the time

Possibly, but using the motor as part of the frame is not that
unusual. Now the reversible wheel/two sprockets is unique.

Although none of the folks there questioned this, it struck me as odd.
I never owned one, nor have I known anyone who owned one. but on the
few I have looked at, I don't recall an odd setup like that.

Now I am thinking there are a few around here, Thumper comes to mind,
who might be able to confirm how the Commando was sprung.

Well seeing as a pal of mine managed to get his right leg between the rear
wheel and the swingarm of a Commando I had back in the late 60's, resulting
in a "planed" right leg, a lot of blood to clean off the swingarm and a not
inconsiderable number of stitches to the leg, I'd say they have a
swingarm:-)

So would the ambulanceman who tried in vain to get the leg back out without
causing my pal undue pain. Oh the joy of youth. I, on the other hand, never
felt a thing;-)

My Norton has a swinging arm. The engine and many body parts are
isolastically mounted.