Image of a stock 1973 Norton Commando [combat] fastback

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fireflake

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Does anyone have an image of a stock, 1973 (disc) Norton Command fastback in red please, my son, who is fantastic artist needs an image to copy, I had a new one in England, the best bike I've owned
 
A 1973 Fastback would have been a leftover 1972 model especially if it was a Combat as Combats were discontinued during 1972.
 
Hello fireflake (like the name :))

Nearest that I can easily find are this on the NOC site - although it is the LR model

https://www.nortonownersclub.org/sites/default/files/inline-images/fastbackLR-rep.jpg

And the brochure here (page 6) although this is has a drum front brake and looks like silver barrels (not Combat which were black as I understand it).

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/1970/72NortonBrochure.pdf

Someone more expert will probably chime in but this is a start.

"Close but no cigar"

Andy
 
1. Sorry but I violently disagree with this terminology " Combats were discontinued during 1972" combat what?

2. The NOC pix above, is a fabricated bitsa 850 LR.

3. If you read the 70/72 brochure....dated 15 Dec 1971 is the very beginning of 200000 combat "breather" bikes. Pix in the ad is likely a later 71 20M3S but not enough detail closeup or a drive side pix to tell what it is...
Yes there were 72 fastbacks, with either fiberglass roadster or fastback side covers. Quite rare here in the US, but I had seen both of them 30 years ago.
Combat "tune" may or may not have been a fact.
The late big tail light and black clocks of 73 was not seen as original here in the USA on fastbacks.
agree
"Close but no cigar"
 
There are lots of pics of Norton Fastbacks including red with disc brake on the web. Just do a search for "Norton Commando Fastback" and select "images." You should be able to find what you need. :)
 
dynodave said:
1. Sorry but I violently disagree with this terminology " Combats were discontinued during 1972" combat what?
Click to expand...

The Combat series was discontinued during 1972 (from 211110) so what exactly are you "violently"(!) disagreeing with?

dynodave said:
If you read the 70/72 brochure....dated 15 Dec 1971 is the very beginning of 200000 combat "breather" bikes.
Click to expand...

It's the beginning of 200000 series engines with the rear case breather apparently introduced before the Combat production series began (from 200976) and continued to be used on standard engines during that period and after the Combat series ended (211110) so how can it be a "Combat" breather?
 
I have a photo of my ‘72 combat when I had it in fastback form. I’m not VIP so cannot post the photo. PM me and I can attach it to an email. It’s red and with disc brake. Has all the specific parts - black FB side covers, special rear fender and number plate and a nice Leighton made seat. Returned it to a Roadster though after a couple of years.
 
The problem with the "combat" moniker is that it would seem NO one including the people who should know the difference within the 200000 series that ALL have the "combat breather" will slop the combat name to infer OR not that it is combat tune.
It seems whole series of engine has lost the the specific distinction due to combat breather not being distinguished from combat tune. 200000+ are all combat breather and other distinctive features. Only the specific ones built as such are in addition combat tune.

Failing to choose an additional one or two word adjective would clear up 3-5 additional posts about the same thing over and over and over and over and over and overo_O

I currently own a 202xxx, 204xxx, 212xxx and 220xxx. Not sure what the Brits call them but AFAIK, here, they are all combat breather. Only 2 were additionally combat tune.
 
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Don't see why the confusion should be accepted, they are all 72 crankcases with the 72 rear breather and some have the 72 combat tune (as opposed to the pre 72 combat tune in the price lists that may have only been supplied to a special few).
 
dynodave said:
The problem with the "combat" moniker is that it would seem NO one including the people who should know the difference within the 200000 series that ALL have the "combat breather" will slop the combat name to infer OR not that it is combat tune. It seems whole series of engine has lost the the specific distinction due to combat breather not being distinguished from combat tune.
200000+ are all combat breather and other distinctive features. Only the specific ones built as such are in addition combat tune.
Click to expand...

There wasn't any mention of a Combat "breather" in this thread (until you mentioned it).

They don't "ALL have the Combat breather" because there was no "Combat" breather. It was an all engine (200000 series) breather and no other 200000 series breather, therefore, how can it be a "Combat breather" (or "Combat" cases)?

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/1970/72NortonBrochure.pdf
"Detail engine improvements by the Norton Villiers development team.

All engines:
Strengthened crankcase
.
.
Improved oil scavenging and breathing"
 
Like I offered that here in the US/Canada is claimed to have gotten 50% of world production of commandos. Here from the 80's they have been known and referred to, as combat cases and combat breathers. (not by newbee's)

L.A.B. said:
Improved oil scavenging and breathing"
Click to expand...
Some of us consider this to be a cruel joke!

Out of over 1600 posts, I may have actually asked a question a dozen times.
Here's a question for NOC researchers or ANIL the "keeper of the records" or truth......I'm sure I will NOT be coming to England to look at company documents. But thanks for the invite.

According to Bacon(RIP) book, the combat tune was offered as early as 1970. He told me most of his research was mostly records and of Brit sources? and lacked USA input.

It would seem to not be a twin chain 20M3 engine .. Therefore a 20M3S, right!
Cam, head, manifolds, carbs to combat specs.

Lacking period parts book documentation, what is the earliest VIN/serial# documented (in some fashion) of a combat tune engine. What were the actual pieces?
I do own 3 scrolled, timed breather, SS marked combat cams. So it may have been possible they WERE built in 20M3S before the claimed "Combat production series began (from 200976)".
 
What the Combat tune was prior to 72 is unknown, it likely followed the current production racer tune and did not exactly match the 72 Combat tune. It's definitely in the UK sales price lists as an optional extra and unlike the 72 Combat tune not linked to the front disc brake.
 
dynodave said:
Like I offered that here in the US/Canada is claimed to have gotten 50% of world production of commandos. Here from the 80's they have been known all as combat cases and combat breathers.
Click to expand...

And somehow that makes it right, does it?

dynodave said:
(not by newbee's)
Click to expand...

Sensible "newbees".


dynodave said:
According to Bacon(RIP) book, the combat tune was offered as early as 1970. He told me most of his research was mostly records and of Brit sources? and lacked USA input.

It would seem to not be a twin chain 20M3 engine .. Therefore a 20M3S, right!
Cam, head, manifolds, carbs to combat specs.

Lacking period parts book documentation, what is the earliest VIN/serial# documented (in some fashion) of a combat tune engine. What were the actual pieces?
I do own 3 scrolled, timed breather, SS marked combat cams. So it may have been possible they WERE built in 20M3S before the claimed "Combat production series began (from 200976)".
Click to expand...


Yes, but this was supposedly about a 1973 "Combat" Fastback.

What I attempted to point out to the OP is that the Fastback model was discontinued during 1972, therefore, a Combat Fastback would be a 1972 model.

No mention of breathers.
Edit: Re: pre-200000 series Combat engines.
According to various sources, the optional Combat specification engine was available from 1970, however, as far as I'm aware there's no evidence those engines had anything other than the normal timed breather, same as the production racers.
 
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L.A.B. said:
And somehow that makes it right, does it?



Sensible "newbees".





Yes, but this was supposedly about a 1973 "Combat" Fastback.

What I attempted to point out to the OP is that the Fastback model was discontinued during 1972, therefore, a Combat Fastback would be a 1972 model.

No mention of breathers.
Click to expand...

Quite possible fireflake remembers a sold new in 1973 combat fastback.
 
@fireflake Found this on the web - a 1971, but it’s a disc brake model, and hopefully close enough for your lad to use.

Image of a stock 1973 Norton Commando [combat] fastback

Image of a stock 1973 Norton Commando [combat] fastback

Image of a stock 1973 Norton Commando [combat] fastback

Image of a stock 1973 Norton Commando [combat] fastback
 
Thanks Craig. For the new year and in light of my retiring at the end of this month I may have to get VIP status.
 
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