The Norton Commando was introduced in 1967 at the Earls Court Show to high acclaim. This model, with a 750 cc engine, was built until April 1973 when the 850 cc model was launched. The new 850 cc engine had similar power to its predecessor, but with more torque was less stressed and thus more reliable.

The Norton Commando engine had its origins in the Model 7 Twin 497 cc engine designed by Bert Hopwood. The engine grew in capacity via its various incarnations in the 650 cc Dominator and the 745 cc Atlas, to its place in the 750 cc Commando. The most revolutionary part of the Commando is its frame, which was the idea of engineer Dr. Stefan Bauer. He had previously worked at Rolls Royce and believed the standard frame design went against all engineering principals. His solution was a bike designed around a single 2.25" top tube. Bauer also wanted to free the bike from violent vibrations. To achieve this, Bauer enlisted the help of Norton Villiers Chief Engineer, Mr. Bernard Hooper, closely assisted by Mr. Bob Trigg. To control the vibration, the engine, gearbox and swingarm assembly were bolted together and isolated from the frame by special rubber mountings. This eliminated the extreme vibration problems that were apparent in other models in the range, as it effectively separated the driver from the engine. This method of vibration control was named the Isolastic anti-vibration system. Bernard Hooper is listed as the lead inventor on the systems patent document.

The Norton Commando was an incredibly popular motorcycle and it deservedly won the MCN Machine of the Year for five successive years between 1968 and 1972. Some regard it as the British Motorcycle Industry's swansong, selling well from its introduction in 1967 through the end of the British bike industry in the mid 1970's.