1972 Combat Commando decals and colors

I am currently restoring a 1972 Norton Commando Combat for a someone in my town. The tank and side covers appear to be originally yellow. He wants this bike to be as close to original/concourse as possible. Can anyone help with the correct colors used for the tank decals and side cover decals? Silver? Black? Were pinstripes used on this year of bike? Of all of the pictures I've seen, yellow didn't seem to carry stripes. I've tried finding original sales brochures, but not sure what's correct. Just want to make sure. We are at the point in the project where paint is getting close. Thanks in advance!!

This is what is claimed to be an original 72 Combat.
A salesmans words though, not mine.

Gold decals outlined in black.
Maybe others could comment on authenticity...



We rather suspect that this one is more accurate ?
Decals all black.



Note that the decals are aligned to the horizontal (or should be), not to anything on the bike.
Although the top of the Z-plates are near enough horizontal to be useable as a guide.

What does the 1972 Parts Book say. ?
This often gives half an indication of what was used - without any explanations though.

Remember to only half believe what is in the brochure though !?

There are often few or even no untidy cables or wiring or brake hoses in the brochure.
And that can't be right....

I spoke to someone who worked on the assembly line at the factory & he said the cable routing was never laid down. It came down to the guy fitting them & what he thought was best. This guy I spoke to said it was typical of the ad hoc, and sometimes sloppy, way things were done.

Ian

JCD said:

I am currently restoring a 1972 Norton Commando Combat for a someone in my town. The tank and side covers appear to be originally yellow. He wants this bike to be as close to original/concourse as possible. Can anyone help with the correct colors used for the tank decals and side cover decals? Silver? Black? Were pinstripes used on this year of bike? Of all of the pictures I've seen, yellow didn't seem to carry stripes. I've tried finding original sales brochures, but not sure what's correct. Just want to make sure. We are at the point in the project where paint is getting close. Thanks in advance!!

Click to expand...

Only the black roadsters had "D" shaped pinstripe. Interstates were pinstriped in both black and blue. Roadster colors were black - gold/black surround lettering with gold pinstripe on the tank, signal red - gold/black surround lettering, signal orange - black lettering, yellow - black lettering, Fireflake royal blue - gold/black surround lettering. Silver lettering in '72 only on the blue interstate. I can tell you matching the signal red that was in the fiberglass gel coat is very difficult. I had my side cover analyzed at the paint shop and received a color that is slightly more orange that the original red. Have run across others that have the same result. I'm in the process of painting another steel replacement tank and will need to do some work with the paint shop again. I prefer the original, redder signal red.

Thanks all. I think I have found my (or his) decal color. Great advice as always! I'll post some shots of the bike as it takes form.

muttering and fumeing over Feroary Red , finds its ' Scarlet ' . or Bloood Red . :x
Base coat makes a appreciable differance as to how colour appears in natural & artificial light .
SO to get the original ' tone ' you need to emulate the oringial basee coat / primer .