Norton Commando Type 16

The Type 16 was built as a commission and as an evolution of the Type 6, Auto Fabrica's best-known bike. The client wanted a timeless one-off that could hold its own in a collection of exotic cars and motorcycles. This time a 1971 Norton Commando 750 sits under the bodywork instead of the Type 6's Yamaha XS650. The bodywork is made entirely by hand from 2 mm aluminium, and tank and seat are one-offs. The frame was lightened and stripped of unnecessary brackets. The workshop rebuilt the parallel twin completely, with a reworked cylinder head and high-compression pistons, so that the Type 16 goes as fast as it looks. The 2-into-2 stainless steel exhaust is bent by hand. The fork has uprated internals and better shocks sit at the rear. A Laverda twin-leading-shoe drum brake does the stopping up front, and the wheels (19-inch front, 18-inch rear) were rebuilt with stainless steel spokes. The Type 16 is painted in Ferrari silver, the seat is covered in dark navy, almost black suede, and the bare metal parts are polished.