$800 Commando pics

TravNorton · Apr 9, 2010

Ok, Fellas and Gals, here she is in all her glory. I am guessing a 1973 Mk 1 850 Roadster. Any other guesses out there? It is now in the shop waiting on me...

Some of my other collection, Restored 1969 BSA 441 Victor Special and my 72 Combat. Enjoy....hope I am not flooding the system with photos...

My attempt at matching the original color....fireflake blue in 72! (dont put your transfers on top of the flake.....makes little bumps in the decals when you shoot the final clear!)

pelican · Apr 9, 2010

U def got ur money worth

lrutt · Apr 9, 2010

why o why did people back then think they needed 16" wheels on all bikes?

Otherwise, good score, would make a nice mild custom project.

Danno · Apr 9, 2010

It's great that enthusiasts pull these old rustbuckets out of barns and lovingly restore them, but it still sort of pisses me off that anyone would be ignorant enough to throw one into a corner to just let it go to hell over time. I know mine sat for 16 years, but even a little bit of care would assure things don't deteriorate so badly. Oh, well, I guess that's what keeps our suppliers in biz, our parts easily sourced and ourselves constantly busy bringing them back to life.

seaguy · Apr 9, 2010

Looks to me like an awsome bargain. Gauges appear usable. Rims might even polish up and a steel tank...

TravNorton · Apr 9, 2010

lrutt,
I suppose the fitting of the smaller rear wheel goes along with the 20 foot tall sissy bars they did back in the 70's. Anybody have a stock rear 19" WM2 rim or wheel lying around they want to part with?
I also do not understand why (at least in Kansas) the old guys (sorry, old guys) have let these old diamonds rust away in some shed while guys like us continue to hunt for that potential project because they are going to "restore" it someday and will never sell it. Needless to say, it ends up on the auction block after they croak....

I was lucky to come across this one. The guy that owned it, GAVE it to a friend that owns a mechanic shop. He had let it sit in a shed behind his house probably since the late 70's. It was a trade to pay off mechanical work that my friend did on his car. :roll:

DogT · Apr 9, 2010

I've got a stock 19" WM2, but it has rust on it. You may be able to buy a new UK chromed one cheaper than fixing it up unless you don't mind the rust. I got mine from Walridge.

Dave
69S

L.A.B. · Apr 9, 2010

TravNorton said:
I am guessing a 1973 Mk 1 850 Roadster. Any other guesses out there?

Yes, it appears to be a fine MkI Roadster, although the only thing that identifies it as being a Roadster model in the photos is the fuel tank, because the 850 Hi-Rider side covers were the same style as the Roadsters, however the Hi-Rider wasn't available in Fireflake Golden Bronze (I forgot FGB was also an option for the 850 MkI Roadster).

http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/NCRoadster.htm

grandpaul · Apr 9, 2010

Dang, no left sidecover...

BillT · Apr 9, 2010

I think its a Hi Rider with a Roadster tank and side covers on it. Its got the Hi Rider handle bars and small headlight.

I think my '73 was originally a Hi Rider, too, as I got it with a fiberglass tank and side covers, and a funky mark on the rear fender just behind the seat, which looks like it could be a mark from the Hi Rider seat rubbing on the fender.

L.A.B. · Apr 9, 2010

BillT said:
I think its a Hi Rider with a Roadster tank and side covers on it. Its got the Hi Rider handle bars and small headlight.

But the headlamp seems to be a non-standard part, and certainly not the Lucas Hi-Rider MCH66 headlamp assembly (no switch, no warning lights and no rim fixing screw), and I don't think the handlebars are original Hi-Rider bend items.

debby · Apr 9, 2010

Congrats on the new arrival! Judging by your other bikes, it looks like you know what needs to be done.

gp: the left sidepanel (or right, if that's where the battery is) is *always* missing on these old beaters!

My 750 was also missing the left sidepanel. PO had some ridiculous story about how he was living at his mom's house because he'd lost his job and the bike was in her garage, with the sidepanel off so he could charge the battery, and his mom saw the sidepanel laying on the floor, thought it was trash, and threw it out. :roll: I always had a hard time buying that one, especially with the brand new Harley in the background of the photos!

Sorry for the digression. Seemed somewhat related to me... :lol:

Debby

MarshalNorton · Apr 9, 2010

Nice find for 8 Benjamins.
I looked at an $800.00 Norton in Phila back in 2004.
It had a jap bike front end on it, Harley sportster tank, side covers gone,
seat was some funky thing.
Numbers matched would have bought it but no title.
Had excellent compression and drive train complete.
Norton front end off to side.
As Debby said strange stories go with a 37 y/o brit bike.
This guy just got out of jail and needed to sell it .
Only problem I couldn't prove it was his to sell.
Probably some kinda barter for ?
I passed you obviously did better.
I recognized the body shop dust probably reduced the rusting on the chrome parts.
Looks like a little compressed air, a battery and a seat and away you go

Marshal

BillT · Apr 10, 2010

L.A.B. said:
BillT said:

I think its a Hi Rider with a Roadster tank and side covers on it. Its got the Hi Rider handle bars and small headlight.

Click to expand...

But the headlamp seems to be a non-standard part, and certainly not the Lucas Hi-Rider MCH66 headlamp assembly (no switch, no warning lights and no rim fixing screw), and I don't think the handlebars are original Hi-Rider bend items.

I see what you mean. I couldn't find a '73 pic but this '72 is close enough
http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/A_Link/1970s/72Comando-Ad.pdf

$800 Commando pics

TravNorton

pelican

lrutt

Danno

seaguy

TravNorton

DogT

L.A.B.

Moderator

grandpaul

BillT

L.A.B.

Moderator

debby

MarshalNorton

BillT

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